Pittsburgh’s economic re-development has earned it the reputation as a “most livable city.” But growing numbers of residents ask, “livable for whom?” It is becoming increasingly difficult to ignore the reality of a growing divide between two Pittsburghs—one affluent, professional, and largely white, and the other low-income people with long-term roots in the region, largely people of color.

As part of Pitt's International Week, the European Studies Center and Global Studies Center have partnered to offer students a chance to participate in a simulation of an important period in the history of international climate policy negotiations. The effects of un-checked industrial pollution in Europe were seen in the increase in acid rain and a stark die off of forested regions in northern and eastern Europe. In response, representatives from Europe's nations came together in a series of negotiations to determine what - if anything - could or even should be done.

Mike Giazzoni, College in High School, put Kathy in touch with Paul Cindric from the AIU. On March 18, 2016 Paul was holding a professional development workshop for social studies teachers and allowed Kathy and Veronica the opportunity to speak to the group for 15 minutes about other professional development opportunities and student programs offered through the University Center for International Studies at Pitt, in particular the European Studies Center and Global Studies Center.

Come enjoy "Bridging the Gap: Overcoming Barriers, Seeking Solutions," an event planned by the Union of African Communities in Southwestern PA and supported by the African Studies Program, the Global Studies Center, and the Africana Studies Department at Pitt. The purpose of the event is to foster unity, understanding, and cooperation between multiple communities of African descent living in Southwestern Pennsylvania. The event will include a panel of compelling speakers, discussion, a meet and greet afterwards, and food!

The emergence of international capitalism depended on the creation of a highly mobile working class that built, loaded, and sailed the ships that connected the globe. These ships inaugurated the Atlantic slave trade and other labor migrations, making possible new regimes of accumulation and labor based in port cities, dynamic centers of power that linked the slave labor of colonial plantations to Europe and other parts of the world. The laborers of port cities – sailors, indentured servants, and slaves, workers free and unfree – are the subjects of this workshop.

Carol Perez, a high-level State Department official, will visit Pittsburgh to promote the many ways Americans can conduct foreign policy and serve their country abroad. Students of Less-Commonly-Taught Languages are uniquely qualified for a career with the State Department, as they have already demonstrated their ability to adapt to other cultures and communicate with people from different backgrounds. Also, there is a high demand in the U.S. Government for speakers of Persian, Swahili, Turkish, Urdu, Hindi, Russian, Arabic, Mandarin, and other difficult or less well known languages.

Mangroves provide a variety of ecosystem services to humans. They are important nursery habitats for juvenile fish that migrate to nearby coral reefs, providing humans fish for food and recreation. In her thesis, Aly Yingst quantifies species richness, species diversity, and biomass of reef fish on coral reefs near mangroves impacted by development. This thesis also examines global mangrove management practices, including the role that ecotourism plays in mangrove conservation.

PLEASE NOTE THAT THIS EVENT HAS BEEN CANCELLED AND WILL BE RE-SCHEDULED FOR A LATER DATE, TO BE ANNOUNCED.

Great opportunity for students interested in actuarial sciences!

Join us for lunch with Bob Crnjarich, Vice President, Retirement and Actuarial Services at Cowden Associates, Inc. He will talk about trends and challenges in the field of actuarial science, the international aspects of the profession, his own career path, and tips for students looking to enter the field. Lunch is free, and this is a great opportunity to talk shop with a professional in the field.

ATTENTION GSPIANS!!!!

Want to enhance your resume with global studies? Want to learn or improve a language? Not sure how global studies courses will fit into your schedule? Concerned about funding?

Join Crystal Christophe and other current global studies students, along with Elaine Linn, Assistant Director for Academic Affairs at the Global Studies Center (GSC), to learn more about the exciting opportunities that the center offers over some delicious free food!

Topics to be discussed: