BGIA News and Events

Thursday, March 28, 2019

6:30 pm – 8:30 pm
Vance Center for International Justice, 44 West 44 Street, New York, NY 10036

A James Clarke Chace Memorial Speaker Series Event

Al-Quds Bard dean Daniel Terris will discuss his new book, The Trials of Richard Goldstone, in conversation with South African journalist Redi Tlhabi. This event, which is part of BGIA's James Clarke Chace Memorial Speaker Series, is cosponsored and hosted by the Vance Center for International Justice, and is supported by Foreign Affairs magazine. It is free and open to the public by RSVP. 

In June 2009, Richard Goldstone was a global hero, honored by the MacArthur Foundation for its prize in international justice. Four months later, he was called a “quisling” and compared to some of the worst traitors in human history. Why? Because this champion of human rights and international law chose to apply his commitment to fairness and truth to his own community. 

The Trials of Richard Goldstone tells the story of this extraordinary individual and the price he paid for his convictions. It describes how Goldstone, working as a judge in apartheid South Africa, helped to undermine this unjust system and later, at Nelson Mandela’s request, led a commission that investigated cases of racial violence and intimidation. It also considers the international renown he received as the chief United Nations prosecutor for war crimes committed in Rwanda and the former Yugoslavia, the first tribunals to try political and military leaders on charges of genocide. Finally, it explores how Goldstone became a controversial figure in the wake of the Jewish jurist’s powerful, but flawed, investigation of Israel for alleged war crimes in Gaza. 
Contact: Julia Tinneny jtinneny@bard.edu

Thursday, April 4, 2019

6:00 pm – 8:00 pm
BGIA, 108 W 39th St, Suite 1000, New York, NY 10018

Recently the universal gender binary has been undermined by the introduction of a third sex in states such Australia, India, Nepal, and Germany. This talk explains the surprising rise of a third gender by analyzing the 2018 introduction of a legal third sex (“diverse”) in Germany. Theoretical and historical legacies of the pre-modern state and medical discourses of gender variance are contrasted with the re-introduction of a third sex as result of effective transnational social movement activism through the UN and human rights discourses. Intersex activists pushing for change reframed the discourse on gender assignment from an emphasis on “medical correction” towards an emphasis on “legal protection.” This shift led to a deeper questioning the gender binary by some international organizations, national parties, and courts. The rise and diffusion of the third gender category offers insights about the meaning of gender, state power and social movements.

Angelika von Wahl of Lafayatte College will lead this discussion, and Ting Ting Cheng, attorney at Legal Momentum (formerly the National Organization of Women Legal Defense Fund) will serve as a discussant. This event will be followed by a reception. This is part of BGIA's James Chace Lectures and is supported by Foreign Affairs magazine
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Thursday, April 18, 2019

6:00 pm – 8:00 pm
SUNY Global Center - 116 E 55th Street, New York, New York 10022

While veterans are often cast as a “problem” for society, Benjamin Schrader’s new book, “Fight to Live, Live to Fight: Veteran Activism after War,” challenges this view by focusing on the progressive, positive, and productive activism that veterans engage in. Prof. Schrader weaves his own experiences as a former member of the American military and then as a member of the activist community with the stories of other veteran activists he has encountered across the United States. An accessible blend of political theory, international relations, and American politics, this book critically examines US foreign and domestic policy through the narratives of post-9/11 military veterans who have turned to activism after having exited the military. Veterans are involved in a wide array of activism including but not limited to: antiwar, economic justice, sexual violence prevention, immigration issues, and veteran healing through art. This is an accessible, captivating, and engaging work that may be read and appreciated not just by scholars, but also students and the wider public.

Benjamin Schrader is Visiting Professor at the Bard Globalization and International Affairs Program in New York City.

This event is part of BGIA’s James Chace Lecture series, which is supported by Foreign Affairs magazine. This lecture is co-sponsored and hosted by SUNY Press.
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Thursday, May 2, 2019

6:00 pm – 8:00 pm
Bard Globalization & International Affairs Program 108 West 39th Street, Suite 1000-A, NY, NY

Maryum Saifee, career diplomat and fellow at the Council on Foreign Relations, will be in conversation with Faraz Sanei of Cardozo Law School about the practice of Female Genital Mutilation (FGM), legal implications and activism around the issue.

There have been several recent court cases involving FGM. A typical defense argument is that the practice of FGM is protected under religious freedom. The purpose of the discussion will be to gain a better understanding of FGM in the United States, how religious freedom relates to FGM, and transnational advocacy efforts to end the practice.

This is part of BGIA’s James Chace Lecture series and is supported by Foreign Affairs magazine.
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