By: Jordan Coll/Staff Writer
President Mark B. Rosenberg started off the second day of the State of the World 2020 with an optimistic speech focused on global affairs, the future, and thanking the hundreds of people involved in the lecture series.
“Our geography is our destiny and our demography is our destiny,” said Rosenberg as the first panel would be focusing on Cuban political affairs.
He also extended his gratitude towards the Steven J. Green School of International and Public Affairs along with its staff members, sponsors such as the American Interest Magazine and the McCain Institute as well as external relations.
Rosenberg mentioned how the university was relatively new compared to other institutions across the country and how “our institution has a unique culture and benching for the future and not the past” he said.
His speech centered around students who attended FIU and how they are in fact “our proceeding future.”
Asking students to stand, he acknowledged their efforts in bringing up the statistics on how “85% of students who are enrolled at FIU are working full time or part-time jobs.”
He then directed his speech towards the forum emphasizing the importance of peaceful relations among sovereign nations. “Events such as these help us see the value of fair and pluralistic elections, especially as we enter an election year,” he said.
“Here you are seeking to hone your skills in how to promote deeper and much more meaningful engagement in global citizenships and relationship building” he pointed out to the students attending.
The panel featured Lincoln-Diaz-Balart, Former U.S. Representative and Chair of the Congressional Hispanic Leadership Institute Rosa Maria Paya, President Latin America Network of Youth for Democracy and Cuba Decide Jose Carlos Sanchez Berzain, Former Bolivian Defense Minister and Director of Inter-American Institute for Democracy Maria Werlau, Executive Director Cuba Archive.
Including moderator Marlin Polous, Director Vaclav Havel Program for Human Rights and Diplomacy.
In covering several topics such as human rights, immigration issues, foreign policy hotspots including Venezuela, China, Russia, and the Middle East.
Rosenberg speech left a consolidating message on how students “were the future” who will be able to solve several of the prevailing issues faced in today’s age such as “sea-level rise, preserving our freshwater, transportation gridlocks, brain health, improving perspectives, and leveraging technologies improving the human condition.”
About Post Author
