 |
 |
 |
|
August 2010
|
All nations must “work together to build a better world ... we want a world of peace, that gives opportunity,” encouraged the Honourable Arturo Valenzuela, US Assistant Secretary of State for Western Hemispheric Affairs, at a meeting held at The UWI, St. Augustine Campus, on Friday 30th July, 2010. At 11.30 that morning, 30 graduate students from The UWI Faculty of Social Sciences, gathered at the Campus Principal’s Office for a brief, informal classroom session with Dr. Valenzuela, who made his visit to UWI on his way to Piarco airport for his return flight to the US. Also in attendance at the session were members of the faculty and staff of the Institute of International Relations (IIR), including IIR Director, Professor Timothy Shaw. The ‘class’ was brought to order with welcome remarks by acting Campus Principal, Professor Dyer Narinesingh, who expressed the university’s goal to “encourage our students to see things through different lenses.” US Ambassador to Trinidad and Tobago, Her Excellency Beatrice Walters, accompanied Dr. Valenzuela on his visit and followed, introducing him to his audience. Dr. Valenzuela took the floor, first revealing his strategy of developing a “framework for genuine cooperation” among the countries of the world where, “through mutual respect, we can learn from one another.” He then addressed the “significant international financial crisis,” and spoke of the Obama administration’s efforts to overcome it. “We need to have robust, smart policies,” Dr. Valenzuela said. He concluded with the four pillars of US policy towards the Americas, which he listed as: discovering how the various countries can work together to promote economic development, developing higher levels of citizen security in all countries, ensuring that there is enough energy to support growing economies – particularly with rising concerns about climate change – and determining how to develop an “energy future” while protecting the environment. Dr. Valenzuela then invited questions from the students and was met with a good response, as they were eager to have their concerns addressed. Professor Shaw ended the affair with a vote of thanks to Dr. Valenzuela and Professor Narinesingh dismissed the ‘class’ with a few words of encouragement to the students, to continue their keen curiosity in world affairs.
|
