BOONE, N.C.—The new Dan German Speaker Series at Appalachian State University has invited international experts to lead conversations in April on topics ranging from the current tensions in transatlantic relations to human rights in the 21st century.

Dr. Andrew Moravcsik, professor of politics and the director of the EU Program at Princeton University, will speak April 4. Lady Catherine Ashton, the current chancellor of the University of Warwick in the United Kingdom, will speak April 12, with NPR and CBS reporter Teri Schultz serving as moderator. Schultz is also a senior policy analyst for Security Europe.

The series is hosted by Appalachian’s Department of Government and Justice Studies. All events are free and open to the public.

On April 4, “Heading for Divorce? Transatlantic Relations in the Trump Era,” a conversation featuring Moravcsik, will take place from 12:30 – 1:30 p.m. in Room 224 of I.G. Greer Hall.

How will relations between the United States and the European Union change under the Trump administration? Moravcsik will discuss the possible ramifications of President Donald Trump’s support for Brexit and Euro-skepticism as well as EU President Donald Tusk’s declaration to the EU community that Trump is a fundamental threat to the stability of the European Union.

Introducing Moravcsik and moderating the discussion will be Dr. Federiga Bindi, the Dan German Distinguished Visiting Chair in the Department of Government and Justice Studies.

On April 12, “A New World (Dis)order: A Conversation with Lady Catherine Ashton” will take place at 6.30 p.m. in Greer Auditorium. Traditional perceptions of foreign policy and the world order are being turned on their head in the wake of Brexit, the rise of nationalist populism in Europe and North America, and the election of political leaders like Trump. Lady Ashton’s discussion should shed light on the future of Europe and transatlantic relations in the emerging international disorder that may impact policy for years to come.

Schultz will moderate “A New World (Dis)order” and Bindi will introduce the conversation.

Also on April 12, Lady Ashton and faculty from Appalachian’s Department of Government and Justice Studies will participate in a discussion titled “Human Rights, Social Justice, and Education in the 21st Century,” which will take place from noon – 1:30 p.m. in Room 102 (Watauga River) in the Plemmons Student Union.

About the speakers

Prior to becoming the University of Warwick’s first female chancellor, Baroness Catherine Ashton of Upholland served as the Leader of the House of Lords (2007-08), the European Union Commissioner of Trade (2008-09), and the High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy for the EU (2009-14). She was instrumental in pushing for the Lisbon treaty, the Serbia-Kosovo Agreement, and most recently, the Iranian Nuclear Agreement. She has years of experience in EU and foreign affairs as a leader and pivotal player in international relations.

Moravcsik holds a Ph.D. in political science from Harvard University and has published over 100 commentaries and policy analyses on European politics and transatlantic relations. He is married to Anne-Marie Slaughter, CEO of the think-tank New America and author of “Unfinished Business: Women Men Work Family” (Random House, 2015), which discusses the struggles of women in the modern workplace and their attempts to balance professional ambition with needs of their families. As two influential people in international affairs, he and his wife share a story of balancing work, life and family.

Schultz has over 25 years of experience in journalism covering stories and news across the globe. She specializes in foreign policy and U.S.-European relations. In the past, she has worked as a journalist for CNN, Fox News Channel, International Center for Journalists, and Reuters. She received a B.A. in journalism from New Mexico State University and a master’s in international relations from the University of Helsinki.

About the Dan German Speaker Series

The Dan German Speaker Series is named for Dr. Dan German, a professor of political science at Appalachian from 1972 until 2008. Dr. Federiga Bindi, the Dan German Distinguished Visiting Chair at the Department of Government and Justice Studies, chooses the series’ speakers and raises money to bring them to Appalachian. The effort both enhances Appalachian’s exposure to international politics and helps raise the school’s international profile.

About Appalachian State University

As a premier public institution, Appalachian State University prepares students to lead purposeful lives. App State is one of 17 campuses in the University of North Carolina System, with a national reputation for innovative teaching and opening access to a high-quality, affordable education for all. The university enrolls more than 21,000 students, has a low student-to-faculty ratio and offers more than 150 undergraduate and 80 graduate majors at its Boone and Hickory campuses and through App State Online. Learn more at https://www.appstate.edu.

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