The Kozmetsky Center of Excellence in Global Finance

Our programs present a broad spectrum of experts who are chosen for their ability to enrich the intellectual life of the university's community, as well as to inform the broader public. Their presence is part of St. Edward’s University's efforts to generate discussion of major national and international public policy issues.

Spring 2008 Events

All events will be held on the St. Edward's University campus. View a map and get directions.

Jan. 28, 2008
7 p.m. in Jones Auditorium, Robert and Pearle Ragsdale Center
UPDATE: AFRICA
Beyond Darfur, HIV/AIDs, and civil wars, what do we know about Africa? What are the major political, economic, and social issues in the region? What crises are likely to boil over and what progress has been made to avoid them in recent years? Robert I. Rotberg has been a Professor of Political Science and History, MIT; Academic Vice President, Tufts University; and President, Lafayette College. He is the author and editor of numerous books and articles on US foreign policy, Africa, Asia, and the Caribbean, including When States Fail: Causes and Consequences and Building a New Afghanistan. His areas of expertise include Africa, Asia, human rights, governance, negotiations, peacekeeping, and the United Nations. Catherine Boone is a Professor of Government at the University of Texas who received her doctorate from Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Dr. Boone specializes in political economy and economic development. Her field research in Africa has been funded by the Social Science Research Council, Fulbright, the World Bank, and Harvard University. She is the author of Merchant Capital and the Roots of State Power in Senegal, 1930-1985 and Political Topographies of the African State: Rural Authority and Institutional Choice.

Catherine Boone: Professor of Government, University of Texas, Austin, and President of the West Africa Research Association

Robert I. Rotberg: Director, Program on Intrastate Conflict, Conflict Prevention, and Conflict Resolution, Belfer Center for Science and International Affairs, Kennedy School of Government, Harvard University and President, World Peace Foundation

Jan. 31, 2008
7 p.m. in Jones Auditorium, Robert and Pearle Ragsdale Center
UPDATE: LATIN AMERICA
Co-sponsored by the Washington Office on Latin America
Presentation of the Washington Office on Latin America’s briefing paper “Forging New Ties: A Fresh Approach to U.S. Policy in Latin America” prepared for the presidential candidates, members of Congress, and the administration, as well as the general public.  Since 1973 WOLA has been the leading non-governmental organization focusing on Latin America in the United States and has been involved in drafting major legislation in Congress.  Its objective is to educate both the public and private sectors about major Latin American issues.  Participants will get an opportunity to learn about the process of drafting a briefing paper aimed at all the presidential candidates from Geoff Thale, Program Director, of WOLA and principal author of the report.  He is also an expert on human rights, as well as the increasing problem of gang violence in Central America and its repercussions in the United States. Commentary provided by Margaret E. Crahan, Director, Kozmetsky Center.

• Geoff Thale, Program Director, Washington Office on Latin America
• Margaret E. Crahan, Senior Fellow, Kozmetsky Center of Excellence in Global Finance, St. Edward’s University and Epstein Distinguished Professor, City University of New York

Feb. 4, 2008
7 p.m. in Maloney Room, Main Building
UPDATE: RUSSIA
The recent elections in Russia confirmed the ongoing influence of Vladimir Putin.  What does that portend for the future of US-Russian relations and the role of Russia internationally particularly with respect to NATO and Iran?  Professor Zoltan Barany will provide an overview of the current political, economic and military situation in Russia, as well as the status of US-Russian relations.  Professor Barany is an expert in systemic political change, nationalism, ethnopolitics, civil military relations and electoral politics.  His publications include Democratic Breakdown and the Decline of the Russian Military, The Future of NATO Expansion, and The East European Gypsies: Regime Change, Marginality, and Ethnopolitics. Commentary will be provided by Brenda Vallance, Dean of the School of Behavioral and Social Sciences, an expert on weapons proliferation and Russian politics, as well as author of The Soldiers’ Mothers and Democratic Military Reform.

• Zoltan Barany, Frank C. Erwin, Jr., Centennial Professor, Department of Government, University of Texas at Austin
• Brenda Vallance, Dean of the School of Behavioral and Social Sciences,
  St. Edward’s University

Feb. 18, 2008
7 p.m. in Jones Auditorium, Robert and Pearle Ragsdale Center
UPDATE: RELIGION AND POLITICS
In this a presidential electoral year with major attention focused on the role of religion and politics in the Middle East, as well as in the electoral process in the United States, the role of religions in politics is critical. Kerry Boyd Anderson is an expert on the Middle East, terrorism and the Israeli Palestinian conflict. She also has expertise in the Gulf region’s economic, security and business environment. Justin Anderson, an expert in religion and international affairs, as well as weapons proliferation, will focus on the role of religion in U.S. foreign affairs and domestic politics. He will also explore the role of religious advocacy groups in the upcoming 2008 elections.

• Justin Anderson: Department of War Studies, King’s College, University of London
• Kerry Boyd Anderson: Middle East Consultant, Oxford Analytica

March 3, 2008
7 p.m. in Jones Auditorium, Robert and Pearle Ragsdale Center
UPDATE: WOMEN'S LEADERSHIP
Co-sponsored by the Office of the President and Hilltop Leadership Development, St. Edward's University
Women in politics have increased nationally and internationally. Currently there are 13 women who are heads of state. Women have also expanded their presence in the work place. What are the challenges they face? Find out from leaders in politics, economics and education.

• Sherri Greenberg is Max Sherman Chair in State and Local Government, LBJ School of Public Affairs, University of Texas at Austin. Professor Greenberg served in the Texas House of Representatives for ten years. During that time she served two terms on the Appropriations Committee and was chair of the House Pensions and Investments Committee. Professor Greenberg was also the Manager of Capital Finance for the City of Austin from 1985-1989 and a Public Finance Officer for Standard & Poor’s. She has a master’s degree from the London School of Economics and her publications include Identifying Best Practices and Applications, as well as Beyond the Bid. She will be addressing the role of women in politics and public service.

• Dorothy O. Helly, Professor Emerita, City University of New York, is an award winning historian of women. She has a doctorate from Harvard University and has been a research associate at Queen Elizabeth House, Oxford University. She is the recipient of the “Femmy” from The Feminist Press and awards from the Ford Foundation, American Council of Learned Societies, and the Rockefeller Foundation. Her publications include Women’s Realities, Women’s Choices: An Introduction to Women’s Studies and Livingstone’s Legacy: Horace Waller and Victorian Mythmaking. She will address the challenges faced by the women’s movement today, as well as women in higher education.

• Sonia Picado is the President of the Inter-American Institute of Human Rights and one of Latin America’s leading politicians. She is a former member of the Costa Rican congress and former Costa Rican ambassador to the United States. She is one of the few women in the world who have headed up a major political party. She is also the first woman elected head of a law school in Latin America, as well as the first woman elected to the Inter-American Court of Human Rights. She chaired the United Nations International Commission of Inquiry on East Timor and currently serves on the U.N. Commission on Human Security. She has received awards from the UN, as well as a number of countries and universities. She will speak on the role of women in politics internationally, as well as the current status of women’s rights.

• Martha E. Smiley is Of Counsel to Winstead, PC, as a member of its Corporate and Securities Department. Previously she served as Executive Vice President of Corporate Policy and Services for Grande Communications and was founder and president of the public affairs company Triad, Inc. She has served on the boards of directors of the Texas Foundation for Women’s Resources, Leadership Austin, Leadership Texas, and Leadership America, as well as the Austin Community Foundation. She has a bachelor’s degree from Baylor University and a JD from the University of Texas School of Law. She will speak about women in business and community affairs.

MONDAY NIGHT AT THE MOVIES: LATIN AMERICA THROUGH FEATURE FILMS
Feb. 11, 2008 
7 p.m. in Jones Auditorium, Robert and Pearle Ragsdale Center
Memories of Underdevelopment, Oscar winning film about the Cuban missile crisis. Margaret E. Crahan, Director, Kozmetsky Center will provide commentary.

Feb. 25, 2008
7 p.m. in Jones Auditorium, Robert and Pearle Ragsdale Center
Missing, Oscar winning film about the Pinochet coup in Chile in 1973.
Margaret E. Crahan, Director, Kozmetsky Center will provide commentary.

March 24, 2008
7 p.m. in Jones Auditorium, Robert and Pearle Ragsdale Center
The Official Story, Oscar winning film about the disappeared in Argentina.
Margaret E. Crahan, Director, Kozmetsky Center will provide commentary.

Contact Us
To learn more about the Kozmetsky Center of Excellence in Global Finance at St. Edward's University, contact the center at 512-233-1678. See a list of past Kozmetsky Center events.