Director’s Note ~ Volume 13 / Spring 2010
Since the inception of the Bologna Center 55 years ago, the Center has existed to promote a “trans-Atlantic dialogue.” With its diverse student body representing over 35 countries, its location alongside Europe’s oldest university, and its proximity to the political centers of Europe, the Bologna Center was ideally suited for that role.
Over the last several years, however, there has been an important evolution in how we interpret that role. At an earlier time it was effectively the goal of the Center to solidify relations between the U.S. and Europe. However, now that the rest of the world has begun to assert itself, the trans-Atlantic dialogue has evolved from being a goal in itself to serving as a mechanism through which both of these important actors can confront the many political and economic issues that globalization has brought about. These issues can only be dealt with effectively with a common strategy, requiring dialogue, mutual understanding and coordinated action between countries.
This shift is apparent in the articles in this year’s volume of the Bologna Center Journal of International Affairs. Global climate change, the emerging role of China in international affairs, the new economic influence of the BRICs and Brazil in particular, and the rise of political Islam—none of these are directly related to issues in the U.S. or Europe, but all are vitally important to the U.S. and Europe. And, of course, each affects the international role of the traditional powers, covered in several of the other articles.
As always, the Bologna Center Journal of International Affairs presents the work both of graduate students and established scholars, which is another important dimension in the dialogue that is at the heart of a SAIS education, and a source of satisfaction for those of us who teach at SAIS. The Journal is entirely a student enterprise. The editorial staff issues the call to authors, selects the papers, and edits and assembles the final product. In doing so, they engage the Center’s students and faculty, enriching the educational experience for us all. And, as will be evident to the reader, they produce a volume that is a useful and significant contribution to the literature.
This is the 13th year in which the Journal has been published. It has become a tradition at the Center and a source of pride to all of us. I hope and fully expect you will find this year’s volume both enlightening and engaging.
Kenneth H. Keller
Director and Professor
April 2010
