News & Updates
Is a Wall, a Wall, a Wall?
Chris Chavez and Peter Laufer talk about Peter’s research on walls, the ramifications of the Berlin Wall and walls as physical and symbolic structures. Peter asks what our relationships with these barriers are and “do those walls need to be oppressive?”
Higher Education in a No Borders World
Juan-Carlos Molleda talks about our increasingly cosmopolitan world, with cultural ideas freely traded between nations and how it affects modern students and how they cross physical and cultural borders.
Crossing Venezuela to Colombia
Juan-Carlos Molleda talks at length about the border between Colombia and Venezuela, its on-going militarization and the struggles of those crossing the border during the current crisis.
Reunion and Escape on the Colombian-Venezuelan Border
Juan-Carlos Molleda, Dean of the School of Journalism and Communication at the University of Oregon, found both a reunion and an escape went he traveled to Colombia to meet his family in Venezuela. He crossed border to help his family with the disintegrating situation...
Migrant Workers in Oman and a “Culture of Shame”
Payton Bruni went to Oman, in part, to study Arabic, but was embedded in a community of foreign guest workers. He discusses the cultural influx of migrants to Oman, the “culture of shame” around labor and his experience as an outsider.
How Do Journalists Investigate While Abroad?
In a country with strong control over press freedom, a journalist will have to take new approaches to work on stories. University of Oregon student Payton Bruni studied in Oman, and discusses how he worked on interviews, investigation and writing while living there.
Press Freedom and Instant Communication in Oman
University of Oregon student Payton Bruni witnessed and investigated a crackdown on press freedom while studying in Oman. He also discusses how instant communication has changed governments’ relationships with journalists.
Communicating Science in a Divided Society
Author and journalist at the University of Oregon Professor Peter Laufer recently visited the University of Nevada as part of an expert group of panelists alongside Vanessa Serrao, creative director of storytelling for National Geographic, and Stephanie McAfee,...
UNESCO Chair Steven Shankman’s Upcoming Talks
Coming up next, November 21st, 23rd, and 24th at the All Saints’ Episcopal Church in Austin, Texas Professor Shankman (UNESCO Chair of Transcultural Studies, Interreligious Dialogue, and Peace at the University of Oregon) will deliver the prestigious annual Bailey...
My Memorable NGO Internship Campaigning at the United Nations
By: Brittany Banna, Assistant to UNESCO Chair, Steven Shankman The UNESCO Crossings Institute, CRES 2020/MCRP 2021 The historic Arms Trade Treaty (ATT) – adopted by overwhelming vote at the UN General Assembly in April 2013 – is the first global treaty to regulate the...
UNESCO Chair Steven Shankman’s Upcoming Talks
Coming up next, October 10-11th at California State University, Fresno, Professor Shankman (UNESCO Chair of Transcultural Studies, Interreligious Dialogue, and Peace at the University of Oregon) will speak at a conference on Gandhi's Global Legacy. This two-day...
UNESCO – George Papagiannis, Chief of Media Services
UNESCO fellows Olivia Sanchez and Ida Hardin interview George Papagiannis, the Chief of Media Services at UNESCO, about his career as a journalist and transition to working in diplomacy. Special thanks to Giran Guha for the music:...
War and the Resulting Collapse of Education in Yemen
By Payton Bruni Thunderstorms and rain were a nightly occurrence around Shahed Al-Kibsi’s house. Al-Kibsi, a student living in Yemen’s capital city Sana’a, had grown accustomed to the booming thunder the storms would bring. So, when she woke up in the middle of...
Free press a foundation for democracy around the globe
Pakistani journalist, Hamid Mir, speaks about his hardships in journalism including assassination attempts and bombs placed under his car. He has continued to report because he sees journalism as a democratizing force.
Despite Censorship, Malaysian Cartoonist Zunar Pushes On
Zunar, a member of the group, Cartooning For Peace, speaks about how he came to cartooning and the harsh punishments he's faced for expressing his own opinions in art. The Malaysian cartoonist was part of a delegation of international satirical artists who attended...
Lack of Water for Hygiene Can Perpetuate Homelessness
Lack of access to housing also means a lack of access to running water for many people. Listen below to UO graduate student Denise Silfee's story about how this can create even more barriers to overcoming homelessness. This story also appeared on KLCC in June 2019.
A Lack of Access to Clean Water for Many Homeless in Eugene, OR
In many places around the world, access to water for drinking, hygiene and sanitation is connected to housing. If someone cannot access affordable housing, they often struggle to access water as well. Click below to hear graduate student Denise Silfee's story about...
What’s it Like to Work at UNESCO? With Ida Hardin
UNESCO is a globe spanning, cross-cultural organization with outposts across the world. But what's it like working there? University of Oregon Master's student Ida Hardin discusses her time working for UNESCO.