Past events

University of Michigan’s African Studies Center (ASC) is holding a symposium titled “Sudan: In The Eye of the Storm” to encourage dialogues on the multifaceted challenges and opportunities facing the country of Sudan. The event is co-sponsored with the Weiser Diplomacy Center and the Center for Middle Eastern and North African Studies

This roundtable is tailored to inspire and equip future policymakers with real-world insights into peacebuilding, resilience, and the practicalities of diplomatic work amidst conflict.

Join us for "International & Domestic Implications of Government Accountability: A Conversation with Inspector General Jay Lerner," where Lerner will discuss his career in government oversight and the vital role of Inspectors General in ensuring transparency and integrity in both domestic and international contexts. 

Join this year's Ambassadors' Forum for an in-depth look at the escalating crises in the Middle East and the critical questions surrounding the region’s stability and international involvement.

Dive into the key forces shaping the 2024 election and explore reforms that could strengthen democratic engagement for the future.

Join us for an inside look at how the FBI is tackling the evolving threats to U.S. elections, from cyberattacks to terrorism. Deputy Director Abate will discuss the FBI's latest strategies and hard-earned lessons in defending democracy.

Democracy around the world is both robust -- two billion people will be able to cast a ballot in 2924 -- and fragile, as threats to the voting process, to the structures of democratic society, and to the voters themselves afflict many nations. 

Join us for a fireside chat with Charles Luftig, Deputy Director for National Intelligence Policy and Capabilities, as we commemorate the 20-year anniversary of the Intelligence Reform and Terrorism Prevention Act (IRTPA). Moderated by Javed Ali, this conversation will explore current intelligence and envision a future shaped by advances in technology like open source intelligence, social media, artificial intelligence, and language learning models.

Former United Nations Under-Secretary General and the Executive Secretary of the Economic Commission for Africa (ECA), will join us to discuss the intricate relationship between health equity and economic resilience in Africa. Dr. Songwe's insights will highlight Africa's role in global power dynamics and strategies for asserting its agency amid evolving economic landscapes.

Meet Mark Jacobson, a seasoned veteran who has made significant contributions to NATO, the Senate Committee on Armed Services, and held key roles at the Department of Defense. Mark's journey spans academia and military service.

Discover the captivating journey of President Zelensky's former press secretary and a globally acclaimed journalist. Uncover the behind-the-scenes stories of her impactful work in Ukraine and the dynamic world of journalism!

POSTPONED: the hosts are working to reschedule this event. Please join the Nam Center for Korean Studies and the Weiser Diplomacy Center as we welcome distinguished diplomats from two countries to the University of Michigan.

Join for a joint discussion hosted by the Weiser Diplomacy Center at the University of Michigan’s Gerald R. Ford School of Public Policy and the American Academy of Diplomacy with four former senior diplomats on the opportunities and challenges in Latin America and the Caribbean.

The Weiser Diplomacy Center will host a policy simulation at the Ford School this fall. In this exercise, students will learn about the crisis in Cyprus and be tasked with using diplomacy to address a variety of urgent issues in this scenario.

The Weiser Diplomacy Center will host a policy simulation at the Ford School this fall. In this exercise, students will learn about the crisis in Cyprus and be tasked with using diplomacy to address a variety of urgent issues in this scenario.

Join the Weiser Diplomacy Center for an information session with Lou Fintor, the Ford School’s Diplomat in Residence, a U.S. State Department Foreign Service Officer offering State Department career, internship, and fellowship information.

Join Brent McIntosh, UM alumna and former Under Secretary of the Treasury for International Affairs for a discussion of the power, limits, and risks of economic sanctions as a tool of U.S. statecraft and the evolution of institutions of global financial coordination.

Implications of the Iraq War at its 20-year anniversary

Janae Cooley (BA '98) will discuss her 23 years of service as a diplomat, including disaster relief work at the State Department.

This panel will analyze historical and contemporary instances of sexual violence by state and non-state actors amid armed conflict in South Asia, and discuss some policy and diplomacy tools for violence prevention.

The Peacemaker explores how Ronald Reagan and his national security team developed a multifaceted and successful Cold War strategy to win a peaceful victory over Soviet communism.

Drawing on unprecedented access to all six surviving members of Team Alpha - the first Americans behind enemy lines in Afghanistan after the 9/11 terrorist attacks of 2001 - Harnden tells the story of how the CIA and Green Berets infiltrated into the mountains of northern Afghanistan in a mission reminiscent of the OSS in World War II.

Join the Weiser Center for Europe and Eurasia for a conversation with Ukrainian-born retired U.S. Army Lt. Col. Alexander Vindman, former Director for European Affairs for the United States National Security Council. We'll examine the current state of the war and its impacts on the Ukrainian people; the implications for global security; and prospects for peace and rebuilding.

The Weiser Diplomacy Center, Career Services, and Development and Alumni Relations are offering sessions during the winter '23 semester for you to engage with alumni who are working abroad/have worked abroad and/or work on a variety of international policy issues. 

This presentation will explain the causes, contours, and possible outcomes of the largely unknown war between Armenia and Azerbaijan over the disputed territory of Karabakh, which is overwhelmingly Armenian in population but is located wholly inside Azerbaijan.

Bollywood megastar Aamir Khan and the 2016 film Dangal helped reduce India-China tensions, illustrating India’s intangible soft power through the circulation of Bollywood as a malleable cultural form. 

A diplomatic policy simulation on the European energy crisis with a focus on U.S. foreign policy and the positions of key European nations.

Lou Fintor, Diplomat in Residence North - Central will discuss U.S. Department of State's career paths and upcoming opportunities, including internships and fellowships.