The Indiana University Hamilton Lugar School of Global and International Studies will host the ninth annual America’s Role in the World® (ARW) foreign policy conference April 4-5, 2024. The event convenes diplomats, journalists, and leading scholars to discuss key topics in global affairs, including urgent issues facing the next U.S. Presidential administration, AI governance, Indiana’s global economic ties, and more.
The conference will feature a conversation between Oleksandra Matviichuk, human rights lawyer and co-recipient of the Nobel Peace Prize in 2022 and Politico Editor at Large, Matthew Kaminski.
The Hamilton Lugar School will recognize Matviichuk with the Global Voices for Change Award for her leadership of the Centre for Civil Liberties, a human rights organization based in Kyiv. In response to the full-scale war, Matviichuk co-founded the "Tribunal for Putin" initiative, documenting war crimes across Ukraine. In 2022, she earned the prestigious Right Livelihood Award and was named one of the Financial Times' 25 Most Influential Women, while the Centre for Civil Liberties received the Nobel Peace Prize under her leadership.
“It is an honor to recognize Matviichuk’s work defending human rights in Ukraine and nations throughout the OSCE,” said Hamilton Lugar School Dean John Ciorciari. “Her work through the Centre for Civil Liberties, Euromaidan SOS, and her extensive documentation of war crimes sets a strong example of the leadership required to uphold freedom and democracy.”
The conference will feature six other panel discussions on key global affairs topics.
“The President’s Inbox” panel discussion, moderated by Politico Editor at Large, Matthew Kaminski, will cover challenges facing the U.S. in the next four years. The conversation will include perspectives from former U.S. Ambassadors Lee A. Feinstein and David McKean, Georgetown Law and Wilson Center experts Rosa Brooks and Merissa Khurma, and National Security Advisor to Senate Majority Leader Charles E. Schumer, Michael Kuiken.
Isak Nti Asare, Co-Director of the IU Cybersecurity and Global Policy program, will moderate a panel on “AI Governance,” which will address challenges in matching AI’s capabilities with society’s values.
“In the rapidly evolving landscape of global AI governance, the United States plays a pivotal role, championing equitable and ethical AI while fostering international collaboration,” said Asare. “I look forward to discussing emerging collaborative efforts that aim to harness AI’s potential while mitigating its risks and reflecting on a shared commitment to creating a more inclusive and safe digital future.”
The conference will also localize the global conversation with the Indiana and the World panel, moderated by Blair Milo, Founding Director of the Sagamore Institute Center for Talent & Opportunity. Panelists, including Vanessa Sinders, President and CEO, Indiana Chamber of Commerce; David Rosenberg, Secretary of Commerce, State of Indiana; Tyler O. Moore, Mayor, City of Kokomo; and John Fernandez, Former Mayor, City of Bloomington, will discuss trends in foreign investment and international markets. The panel is co-sponsored by the Center for the Study of Global Change.
The America’s Role in the World conference is a student-centered event, offering students the unique opportunity to engage with government officials, leading scholars and innovators, and diplomats. Students have made important career connections at past conferences, and panelists look forward to speaking with students who are well-versed in global affairs, with deep regional knowledge and foreign language skills.
Hamilton Lugar School senior Kendrick Mernitz has attended in the past. This year, she is working together with a team of students to plan pre-conference social events to help students prepare.
“Participating in ARW and its pre-conference events creates an exciting opportunity for students to engage with both peers and a wide range of professionals, delving into critical issues that impact our world today,” said Mernitz. “In organizing these pre-conference activities, we aim to foster a sense of community and encourage professional growth in a dynamic and interactive setting."
Mernitz is double majoring in Cybersecurity and Global Policy and Middle Eastern Languages and Cultures. She is most looking forward to connecting with panelists on AI.
“I'm particularly eager to attend all the panels, but I have a special interest in hearing from the experts on the Governing AI panel, as my research is centered in the GenAI arena,” said Mernitz. “Above all, I'm thrilled about the chance to meet and connect with students during these events!”
The two-day conference will be held at the IU Hamilton Lugar School of Global and International Studies, 355 N. Eagleson Ave., in Shreve Auditorium and will also be livestreamed. The event is free and open to the public. Advance registration is suggested.
