Organized by the International and Global Studies Program, the panel discussion focused on international events that have received little coverage by the media.
The International and Global Studies Program organized a panel on Sept. 19 titled “The Underreported World” to cover international news that has received relatively little coverage in the media.
Faculty members from the departments of History & Geography, Sociology & Anthropology, and Political Science and Policy Studies departments discussed recent developments in different geographies of the world.
Sandy Marshall, assistant professor of geography, talked about two major humanitarian crises in Yemen and the Gaza Strip. Marshall’s presentation also mentioned how the United States is involved in these crises.
Michael Matthews, associate professor of history, analyzed recent developments in Venezuela. Matthews offered a critical discussion of the dominant and conflicting narratives about the country’s economic and political troubles.
Mussa Idris, assistant professor of anthropology, talked about some bright news: a peace agreement between Ethiopia and Eritrea. Idris gave a detailed account of the 20 years of border conflict between the two countries and shared personal reflections on this news.
Finally, Safia Swimelar, associate professor of political science and coordinator of the International and Global Studies Program, discussed waves of populism and nationalism in present-day Europe – in Italy, Hungary, and elsewhere in the continent, and beyond. Swimelar’s presentation also included her observations in Italy while she was teaching with Elon’s study abroad program in Florence in Spring 2018.
Baris Kesgin, assistant professor of political science and associate coordinator of the International and Global Studies Program, moderated the panel that attracted a full room of members of the Elon community. Peace and Conflict Studies, African & African-American Studies, Latin American Studies, and Middle Eastern Studies were co-sponsors of this event.