Dean Atwood discusses international security and development in Frankfurt, Germany

Humphrey Institute Dean Brian Atwood recently took part in a panel on “Developing Security, Securing Development” in Frankfurt, Germany. The panel was part of GTZ’s Eschborn Dialogue 2009 aimed at bringing together influential members of the international development community to discuss current issues of global security and development.

“My hope is that this dialogue will help our political leaders expand the definition of security, better appreciate the potential contribution of development, and find new ways to integrate the diplomacy, defense, and development missions, particularly in post-conflict situations. I hope we also will discuss ways to integrate the contrasting perceptions in the Western and developing worlds of the threat to human security.

“Let us hope we might provide the impetus that governments and international organizations need to place as much emphasis on the prevention of violent conflict as on the management of violent conflict. We now are nearly overwhelmed by crises, but unless we commit more resources and ingenuity into prevention, crisis management will fail utterly.”

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Graduation day: Center for Democracy and Citizenship moving to Augsburg but staying close
Connection with Humphrey Institute, University will remain strong

After more than two decades with the Humphrey Institute, the Center for Democracy and Citizenship (CDC) will relocate to Augsburg College, effective July 1, 2009.

“We value our long association with the Humphrey Institute of Public Affairs and other units of the University of Minnesota,” says co-director Harry C. Boyte, “and will retain these strong ties as we further our work. I think the move to Augsburg fits well mission-wise, and we hope to multiply our good work through the Associated Colleges of the Twin Cities, a five-college consortium of which Augsburg is a member.”

“CDC has been one of our most active centers,” says Humphrey Institute Dean J. Brian Atwood. “Co-directors Harry Boyte Nan Skelton and the CDC staff have worked tirelessly to engage citizens in democratic processes, and CDC has a well-deserved reputation across the globe for innovative thinking about public engagement. We are proud to have incubated this center, and we look forward to launching new initiatives that will meet with similar success.”

Read more about CDC's next phase here.