Dr Kofi Nsia –Pepra and nine ONU students: Sheppard, Victoria Ann; Smithers, Jacob; Zalesak, Samantha; Conley, Casey; Jakab, Bradley; Zehner, Matthew; Amadon, Nicole; Hoffacker, Stephen; and Banfe, Peter attended the Hanyang University International Summer School (HISS), in Seoul South Korea, this summer.
In a globalised world that demands global collaboration and cooperation, Hanyang University has established cooperation with two hundred universities globally, including ONU, and the summer school is aimed to further its globalization efforts and commitment to academic excellence. Hanyang, this summer, hosted over 500 students and faculty with diverse backgrounds from all over including United States, Canada, China, Japan, Middle East, United Kingdom and Germany. The program provided participants with a better understanding of Korea, also known by its historical name of ‘The Land of the Morning Calm’ and Northeast Asian culture and rich history.
The program offered lectures in multiple fields of studies and field trips, including a trip to China, which enhanced students’ personal experiences through domestic and international interactions. The program broadened participants’ perspectives and enhanced their communication, adaptation, respect for other cultures, and networking skills very crucial in a global civil society.
Three ONU student received awards. Sheppard received the best smiling award. Smithers, and Zalesak received the most participating ( both academic and field works) awards.
Dr. Nsia-Pepra taught two courses: Model United Nations and NGOs and Global Civil Society.
The Model UN course provided students with an understanding of the role of the United Nations in world politics. This UN simulation was designed to reinforce the basic principles of the United Nations, such as maintaining international peace and security, developing better relations among nations based on respect, equal rights and self determination of peoples. Students learned the history, structure and functions of the United Nations organization, in addition to practical skills such as parliamentary procedure, writing resolutions, positions papers, public speaking, and negotiating and coalition formation.
The NGOs and Global Civil Society course examined the emerging global civil society constituted by networks, coalitions, partnerships and social movements enhanced by globalization and the convergence of common interests and threats facing state and non state actors in the contemporary globalized. The course further examined the contributions of transnational movements or NGOs to contemporary global fundamental issues such as poverty, environment, human rights, global governance, democracy, conflict resolution, and other global humanitarian tragedies as well as the problems and future of global civil society.
Dr. Nsia-Pepra commented that “This was a very fruitful experience as an international relations scholar and a political comparativist because the program gave me an insightful knowledge on the philosophical, psychological and historical underpinnings of the Korean and Asian political systems. I encourage faculty and students to attend future programs.”
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