Ambassadors Gather for Forum on Democracy, Foreign Policy at WPI@LMU Launch

LOS ANGELES, Feb. 3, 2016 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Four former U.S. ambassadors will discuss the greatest foreign policy challenges facing democracies today in a panel to be held Tuesday, Feb. 9, at 5 p.m. at Loyola Marymount University. The event will also be streamed live here.

The gathering marks the launch of World Policy Institute at Loyola Marymount University, an innovative interdisciplinary research and academic center created as a partnership between the New York-based think tank and the Los Angeles university.

The ambassadors include Alan Blinken, Christopher Robert Hill, Rockwell Schnabel, and Derek Shearer. Collectively, they have represented the U.S. in Belgium, Iraq, Finland, and the European Union—pivotal places as the U.S. grapples with issues of climate change, the ongoing refugee crisis, conflict in the Middle East, and turmoil among EU states.

"New York and Los Angeles are international cities," said Joseph A. Cari, Jr., chair of the Board of Directors of the World Policy Institute. "By combining the unique perspectives and resources of these two cities, we have created a dynamic, innovative center with deep global networks."

The event will take place just as the New Hampshire presidential primary is wrapping up. The timing is fortuitous as this expert panel will offer insights into issues that will surely shape the agenda for the next U.S. president.

"We're excited to have these thoughtful, experienced experts on hand to share their perspectives at the same time that voters are weighing the choice of whom to back as the next president," said Michael A. Genovese, president of WPI@LMU and the Loyola Chair of Leadership Studies at LMU. "Their discussion will focus on a key element of presidential leadership, which is how to manage America's place in the world."

"These are very serious times, and the challenges we face are more global in nature than ever," Cari explained. "The solutions will require strong leadership—not just from our current politicians, but from the next generation. We are proud to be doing our part with LMU to ensure that the future of American leadership is defined by thoughtful, constructive engagement with our global community."

As the New York-based center for global thought leadership expands to the university's Los Angeles campus, WPI@LMU will be distinguished by WPI's cross-cultural, interdisciplinary approach to policy and LMU's academic focus on political consciousness and social activism.

In addition to welcoming members of the LMU team to WPI's fellows program, editorial board, board of directors and internship program, WPI@LMU will develop distinct initiatives around the trends and issues driving policy across the globe, beginning with programs on the Pacific Rim, national security and governance. World Policy's daily news site will regularly report on the developments generated from the new bi-coastal ideas incubator to its global audience of nearly 2 million readers.

About Loyola Marymount University
Located between the Pacific Ocean and downtown Los Angeles, Loyola Marymount University is a comprehensive university offering 57 major and 51 minor undergraduate degrees and programs. The Graduate Division offers 43 master's degree programs, one education doctorate, one juris doctorate, one doctorate of juridical science and 13 credential/authorization programs. Founded in 1911, LMU is ranked third in "Best Regional Universities/West" by U.S. News & World Report. LMU is the largest Jesuit Catholic university for undergraduates in the Southwest with more than 6,000 undergraduate students and more than 3,000 graduate and law students. For more LMU news and events, please visit http://newsroom.lmu.edu/.

About World Policy Institute
A center for global thought leadership, the World Policy Institute is uniquely focused on the crucial but neglected challenges and opportunities of an increasingly interconnected world. We stress innovative, transformative thinking; diversity of ideas; and a global perspective. World Policy Journal, fellows, events and policy projects provide channels for supporters, thought leaders, decision makers, experts and citizens to identify, debate and develop constructive solutions.

Contact:
Mason Stockstill
310.338.5133
[email protected] 

Yaffa Fredrick
212.481.5005 x203
[email protected]

SOURCE Loyola Marymount University