Welcome to World Policy’s weekly newsletter, featuring the latest news from across our major platforms—media, programming, and fellowship.
Around the World
In recent weeks, thousands of refugees from North Africa and the Middle East have lost their lives in the process of seeking asylum in Europe. Sophie des Beauvais argues that unless the European Union can agree on a common asylum policy, many more lives will be lost in the Mediterranean Sea.
Meanwhile, though sub-Saharan Africa is home to several of the fastest growing economies, only 6 percent of its young people are enrolled in higher education institutions. Amini Kajunju, President and CEO of the Africa-America Institute, explains that investment in higher education is essential for economies on the continent if they want to successfully compete in the global marketplace.
Finally, in this week’s episode of World Policy On Air, HIV/AIDS is emerging as a critical health issue across the Middle East and North Africa, but many political leaders in the region are refusing to take action. Writer and consultant Christopher Reeve talks with host David Alpern about the struggle of patients and survivors to overcome cultural and religious stigmas surrounding this disease.
Around the Institute
This week, World Policy Institute formally announced its partnership with Loyola Marymount University’s Bellarmine College of Liberal Arts. Together, they will create World Policy Institute at LMU, a first of its kind interdisciplinary research and academic center. As the New York-based center for global thought leadership expands to the university’s Los Angeles campus, WPI at LMU will be distinguished by the combination of WPI’s unique emphasis on a cross-cultural, interdisciplinary approach to policy with the social consciousness and value-driven focus of LMU’s academic program.
Meanwhile, the Institute’s Board of Directors recently returned from an exploratory trip to Cuba. Staffed by Lissa Weinmann, a WPI Senior Fellow, and led by Rosemary Werrett, Vice-Chair of the Board of Directors, the trip endeavored to open a dialogue with Cuban leaders, collaboratively examine the achievements of 55 years of revolutionary society, and explore ways the U.S. and Cuba can learn from and work with each other. In the coming weeks and months, WPI will develop a series of programming to reflect the takeaways from the trip. In the meantime, you can access a complete set of photos from the trip here.
Fellow Updates
Michael Genovese discusses with CBS the implications of the recent British election and the differences between political systems in the U.K. and U.S.
Siddharth Dube has a new book in the works. “No One Else,” set to be published this fall in India and the U.S., describes his odyssey from a privileged upper-class childhood to his emergence as a global leader for gay rights. PassBlue has the full story here.
James H. Nolt tells Epoch Times why China should increase the demand of the yuan worldwide as a reserve currency. He also explains why debt deflation may not be an ideal financial model in his latest for Polarizing Political Economy.
Damaso Reyes recently participated in a discussion on the future of Europe and Ireland's place in it as part of his ongoing exhibition at Fort Dunree. Damian Dowds, editor of the Inishowen Independent, moderated the panel discussion, which also included MP Marian Harkin and Artlink’s Declan Sheehan. You can access the full audio here.
Khadija Sharife presented at the Global Financial Integrity Conference this week on her recent World Policy Journal article about Kimberley’s illicit diamond scheme. She delved into the question of whether illicit flows of capital sustain and/or finance ongoing conflicts across Africa.
*****
Don't forget to sign up for our weekly newsletters to find out the latest from the pages and website of World Policy Journal. Whether your interests are in emerging markets, the environment, urban informality, or just the most insightful perspectives on global events from across the world, World Policy has you covered. Subscribe today!