The College of Liberal and Professional Studies, together with LPS’ professional graduate student association LPS gov and Women’s Campaign International, sponsored a panel discussion at Penn Law on Friday, March 16. Panelists included retired Ambassador Richard N. Swett, the Honorable Christopher Shays, Mexican Consul General Alicia Kerber-Palma and the Honorable Marjorie Margolies. The topic of the panel was diplomacy and negotiation in "A Time Like No Other." The interactive conversation with students was remarkable. Topics covered ranged from money in politics, the opioid crisis and our crumbling infrastructure, to foreign intervention in our elections. The follow-up questions by students provided an extraordinarily energizing exchange.
The ability to communicate effectively, resolve conflict and confidently handle any situation with finesse is desirable in any profession. This was the first in a series of three professional development panel discussions focused on interacting effectively with the media and diverse cultures, reducing miscommunication and conflict and negotiating fairly with others.
Communicating in Today's New Media World on March 27
The next discussion is scheduled for Tuesday, March 27 from 3 - 5 p.m. at Arch 108. A distinguished panel will lead this special communication session on communicating in today's new media world—what's real and what's not? Panelists will include Bill Siemering, a member of the founding board of National Public Radio (NPR) who helped shape its flagship program All Things Considered; Tanya Husar, managing editor of 6abc Action News; Nancy Glass, founder of Glass Entertainment Group, a provider of programming for various networks including A&E, National Geographic and Animal Planet; and Honorable Marjorie Margolies, president of Women’s Campaign International.
The Cosmopolitan Canopy Workshop and final panel discussion on April 13
On Friday, April 13, a half-day workshop will be led by Dr. Elijah Anderson based upon his concept of the “cosmopolitan canopy,” which refers to an island of civility located in a sea of segregated living, where diverse people come together. The “canopy” is a metaphor for civil society and, as such, can contribute to our understanding of race relations in public spaces in our increasingly diverse society. This will be followed later in the day by a panel discussion on conflict transformation and peacebuilding skills with Dr. Mohamad Zeidan, investment banker, academic and philanthropist from Lebanon; Dr. David Eisenhower, public policy fellow at Annenberg and grandson of Dwight D. Eisenhower; Ulf Akerblom, honorary consul at the Consulate of Sweden and new business development strategist; and Honorable Marjorie Margolies, president of Women’s Campaign International, long-time journalist and former member of Congress.
