A cohort of midcareer professionals from around the globe are speaking at the Cronkite School about global issues as part of the Hubert H. Humphrey Fellowship Program.
Journalists and media professionals from around the globe will spotlight emerging global issues as part of an annual speaker series at Arizona State University’s Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communication.
“Cronkite Global Conversations” features members of the school’s Hubert H. Humphrey Fellowship Program, a U.S. State Department-funded initiative that brings working media professionals from around the world to Cronkite for a year of intensive study. Fellows take classes, develop leadership skills and collaborate with other media professionals.
The series starts Feb. 6 with a discussion on China’s growing influence, with an additional talk on terrorist group activity in the Middle East. It ends Feb. 27 with a presentation on modern-day dictatorships.
“‘Cronkite Global Conversations’ brings world issues closer to home,” said Assistant Dean B. William Silcock, curator of the Humphrey Fellowship Program. “We are really lucky to have these professionals share their thoughts and experiences with our students, faculty and the community.”
This year’s fellows are from China, Egypt, Ethiopia, Hungary, Lebanon, Nepal, Nigeria, Pakistan, Russia and South Africa. Since 2010, 91 journalists and communicators from 56 countries have been part of the program at Cronkite.
The hourlong “Cronkite Global Conversations” are open to the public. Sessions begin at noon on Wednesdays through February. They are held in room 444 on the fourth floor of the Cronkite School on the ASU Downtown Phoenix campus.
Spring 2019 “Cronkite Global Conversations” Schedule
Feb. 6: “Influence with Impact: China and the Middle East”
China’s growing footprint in South Asia provides local benefits, but should it raise global concerns? Phanindra Dahal, a journalist from Nepal, and Benazir Samad, a digital media editor from Pakistan, discuss China’s ambitious Belt and Road Initiative. Separately, Rula Rizk, a broadcast journalist from Lebanon, talks about terrorism in the Middle East.
Feb. 13: “Sparking Global Change Through Storytelling”
The power of storytelling can have a tremendous impact on promoting change in society. Jinjin Mo, a veteran filmmaker from China, and Sebenzile Nkambule, a media professional from South Africa, explore emerging trends and technological advancements in storytelling and their influence in inspiring change.
Feb. 20: “Shattering the Journalistic Global Glass Ceiling”
Around the world, media play a powerful role in shifting gender stereotypes. Adey Tegene, a radio producer from Ethiopia, Lilan Wu, an independent journalist from China, and Dalia Younis, a TV producer and anchor from Egypt, examine the role of media in their home countries and their effect on international women’s rights.
Feb. 27: “The Influence of Hidden Dictatorships”
Sometimes, modern-day dictatorships hide in the shadows behind governmental institutions that appear democratic on the surface. Alex Gorbachev, a political journalist from Russia, and Balint Szalai, a business journalist from Hungary, share their experiences with these hybrid democracies.