News & Updates
Excerpts from Olivia’s Paris Journal: Chapter V
As I mentioned in last week’s post, I surprised myself by buying a ticket to an international dance battle with the girls from my weekly hip hop class. I had no idea what I was getting myself into, but at noon on Saturday I hopped on the metro with an address...
Excerpts from Olivia’s Paris Journal: Chapter IV
Well, my soul may love Paris, but my immune system definitely does not. I am sick for the second time in six weeks despite my best efforts to avoid all germs*. I am not typing this post on my clickety French keyboard while swiveling around in my 1990’s office chair--...
NGOs, Foreign Influence and Political Realities in Jordan
UNESCO Student Research Fellow and Truman Scholar Sravya Tadepalli sits down with Peter Laufer and Chris Chavez to discuss her time studying politics and the impact of political organizations, both foreign and local, in Jordan.
A Closer Look at the Inside-Out Program
University of Oregon professor, author and UNESCO Crossings Institute Co-chair Seven Shankman teaches the "Inside Out" program at the University of Oregon. In his classes, prisoners and University students take classes together creating a unique experience that...
Paris, France: 2 February 2019
Notes from UNESCO: I attended my first UNESCO event on Tuesday, the opening ceremonies of 150 Years of the Periodic Table. I took my seat in the largest hall at UNESCO, it holds around a thousand people, an elegant room with a balcony, and a stage that descends into a...
Excerpts from Olivia’s Paris Journal: Chapter III
It’s Monday morning at UNESCO and the building is buzzing with energy. In addition to being the International Year of Indigenous Languages (which has primarily been my area of focus since arriving), according to the United Nations, it is also the International Year of...
UNESCO Student Research Fellow Ida Hardin in Paris
The University of Oregon, in collaboration with UNESCO, has sent Masters students to Paris to work on globe spanning projects. Ida Hardin is one of those students and discusses her work and time in France with Peter Laufer.
UNESCO Student Research Fellow Olivia Sanchez in Paris
The University of Oregon, in collaboration with UNESCO, has sent Masters students to Paris to work on globe spanning projects. Olivia Sanchez is one of those students and discusses her work and time in France with Peter Laufer.
Small Town Maryland Welcomes New Mosque
The traditionally small, conservative, throughly Americana town of Princess Anne, Maryland has an intriguing new development. A mosque has been founded on mainstreet. UNESCO research fellow and Salisbury University professor David Burns reports from Maryland on the...
UNESCO World Press Freedom Day in Ghana
The last UNESCO World Press Freedom Day was held in Accra, Ghana. UNESCO research fellow Alec Cowan attended, reported and experienced the wide swath of stories with journalist from around the globe. Alec sits down with Peter Laufer and Chris Chavez to discuss his...
Markos Kounalakis on the Globe’s Crisis of Journalism
Journalist and author Markos Kounalakis' newest book, "Spin Wars and Spy Games: Global Media and Intelligence Gathering," dives into the modern world of Russian and Chinese influenced data gathering and news production, in the face of massive layoffs and economic...
Using Art to Heal From War in Yemen
By Payton Bruni Mohammed Murshed makes rapid strokes of his paint brush as he works in his personal studio at the Pacific Northwest College of Art in Portland, Oregon. He works swiftly and tirelessly as he creates eight different paintings at once, adding layers upon...
Paris, France: 25 January 2019
Notes from UNESCO: Professor Laufer from the University of Oregon showed up in Paris to check-in. It’s been absolutely fantastic having Professor Laufer here at UNESCO. He met with my supervisor Matthieu to make sure everything was working out. He is literally our own...
Excerpts from Olivia’s Paris Journal: Chapter II
I am getting used to Paris. Don’t get me wrong, I still snap a picture almost every time I see the Eiffel Tower, and wander around my neighborhood in the evenings just to listen. The magic is not lost on me. But as I type this letter to you on the French keyboard in...
Paris, France: 17 January 2019
Notes from UNESCO: I’m starting to settle into my fellowship at UNESCO. My position is under the Department of Information with a focus in Strategic Web Content. My supervisor Matthieu Guervel use to be the speechwriter for the former Director-General. I’m excited to...
Excerpts from Olivia’s Paris Journal: Chapter I
I decided to apply to work in Paris on a whim, the same way I’ve made most of my best decisions. I was made aware of the application on a Thursday afternoon in October. Twenty minutes later I called my parents to tell them I’d decided to apply, and submitted my...
Refugees face frigid journey to Canada for safety from deportation and prosecution
Refugees in the United States are facing increased pressure to leave after deportations began sweeping the country. For those fleeing persecution in their home countries, returning is not an option. Crossings fellow Derek Maiolo speaks with a Ghanian refugee fleeing...
Understanding conflict-sensitive reporting practices in Kenya
Professor and Crossings Senior Research Fellow Chris Chavez recently attended a UNESCO Conference on reporting in Nairobi, Kenya. Research fellow Emerson Malone spoke with Chavez on the role journalists can play when reporting conflict-sensitive subjects such as...