World Engagement Institute (WEInstitute)

11/18/2020

On Wednesday, November 18, 2020, World Engagement Institute Executive Director, Charles Tucker, will be speaking on a panel of experts discussing the Influence of the Nuremberg Trials on International Law.

The panel is one in a series of on-line video conferences being sponsored by the Simon Wiesenthal Center, Midwest Region.

The Zoom conference is free of charge, but registration is required at https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZIpd-ipqzksGNXXjcB5J2RzjMWLbmgnW7Nn

01/20/2020

Today, in memory of Martin Luther King Jr., the World Engagement Institute celebrates the labor of our Advisors, Fellows, and Staff; all of whom work to enhance the social and economic development capacities of peoples around the world. Thank you!

No work is insignificant. All labor that uplifts humanity has dignity

01/17/2020

"The dramatic surge in protests in 2019 has swept up a quarter of countries in its tide and sent unprepared governments across all continents reeling . . . (T)he turmoil is set to continue unabated in 2020."

Without the governance capacity to address the issues underlying much of this turmoil, the "trend" of unrest will not only continue; it will grow!

Our quarterly Civil Unrest Index reveals that over the past year 47 jurisdictions have witnessed a significant uptick in protests, which intensified during the last quarter of 2019

10/06/2017

Important article by World Engagement Institute (WEInstitute) International Fellow, Mr. Steve Dishler, regarding rising far-right extremism in European politics. Must read!

The elections in Germany held last Sunday Sept. 24, resulted in victory for Chancellor Angela Merkel, who won a fourth term in power, but also for the far-right Alternative for Germany party.

10/06/2017

The Michigan State University Press will soon be publishing Jordanian author Samiha Khrais’s, "The Tree Stump," a historical novel set around King Faisal, T E Lawrence, and the Arab revolt against the Ottomans. The novel was translated by World Engagement Institute (WEInstitute) President, Dr. Nesreen Akhtarkhavari.

According to the MSU Press, The Tree Stump is, "one of the most prominent Arabic novels to document the intricate details of the revolt of the Arabs against the Turks and their collaboration with the English. (It) brings to life a critical period of history that includes key players such as King Faisal, Odeh Abu Tayeh , and T. E. Lawrence. It places the reader in the heart of that remarkable era with accuracy, authenticity, and an added human dimension that introduces the Arabian Desert people, traditions, and way of life. Author Samiha Khrais weaves tribal customs, religion, politics, and love into a history with characters that actually walked the land, lived on the land, and fought the land’s war of independence with originality, pride, and wisdom. The novel stands witness to the lived experience of many Arabs in the region—experience that can still be seen today. The novel’s style, content, and strong human dimension makes it an exception literary work with regional flavor and global appeal."

The WEInstitute is proud of Dr. Akhtarkhavari's tremendous achievements in making Arabic poetry, literature, and culture assessable to English speakers. In doing so, she is helping to bridge gaps in understanding between eastern and western cultures. Congratulations, Nesreen!

The Tree Stump | An Arabic Historical Novel

10/06/2017

Well worth watching!

Click to watch Cracking the Codes: The System of Racial Inequity - see the trailer and watch the full movie online

10/06/2017

World Engagement Institute (WEInstitute) President, Dr. Nesreen Akhtarkhavari, recently presented the film, “Cracking the Codes: The System of Racial Inequality,” at the Des Plaines Public Library. The interactive program featured video clips and encouraged open discussion.

According to Dr. Akhtarkhavari, as society developed, the historical roots of culture embedded biases which were then influenced by experiences, environment and circumstances. She further notes that people are also impacted by individual and institutional laws, as well as by what they hear and see. "The brain is further bombarded by events and activities. Unable to interpret them all, it selects information and leads humans to act based on life experiences."

During the presentation, Dr. Akhtarkhavari and attendees discussed prejudice and bias, as well as how many seek to bridge the social divide. "We need to engage in meaningful consultation in order to find solutions,” says WEInstitute's President. Agreed!

Des Plaines Public Library, 1501 Ellinwood St. (Jennifer Suarez/The Journal) Dr. Nesreen Akhtarkhavari, director of Arabic Studies at DePaul University, will present "Cracking the Codes: The System of Racial Inequality" at the Des Plaines Public Library this Friday. The interactive program at 6 p.m....

10/06/2017

The World Engagement Institute (WEInstitute) congratulates Pakistan Punjab University and the University of Gambia for entering into an agreement to promote bilateral relations and to collaborate in various academic disciplines, including in the fields of medical, engineering and science. As part of the agreement, Punjab University faculty will train University of Gambia professors and students during four-week "crash programs." The collaboration agreement was fostered by WEInstitute Distinguished International Research Fellow, Prof. Dr. Faqir Muhammad Anjum, who also serves as Vice Chancellor of the University of Gambia. According to Dr. Anjum, the agreement highlights the increasing role Pakistan is playing in promoting the higher education sector of Gambia.

The WEInstitute is proud of Dr. Anjum's outstanding efforts promoting international cooperation, development, and academic excellence! We look forward to our future together!

Lahore - The Punjab University and University of Gambia have signed a Memorandum of Understanding to collaborate in various academic disciplines and promote

10/06/2017

World Engagement Institute (WEInstitute) Board of Advisors Member, Maj. Gen. (Ret.) Arnold Fields, recently honored US Vietnam-era veterans for their service. Gen. Fields pinned Vietnam veterans as part of a nationwide commemoration of service members from that era. Well done, Arnie! And thank you for your continued service!

LORAIN — Some of America’s finest got a “once in a lifetime” opportunity Sunday at an All Veterans Day celebration with a pinning event at Black River Landing. The Lorain County Veterans Council’s Veteran of the Year, Joe Horvath, said since the event specifically singled out Vietnam War veterans, i...

08/18/2017

[SELS ZADAR 2017] Dear ELSA friends, the oldest summer law school in European Law Students' Association Network - International Summer Law School Zadar: Human Rights and Globalization concluded its 18th edition two weeks ago.

We do believe and hope this experience has enriched you as persons and that you are aware of all the benefits you acquired - gaining new knowledge, making new friendships and participating in a cultural exchange. Have this in mind in the future, retain your motivation and seize the great opportunities ELSA International provides you with.

Will to change present and shape our future is nothing without proper tools - therefore, huge thanks goes to our lecturers. Thank you for all the knowledge you provided to us during International Summer Law School Zadar - thank you for promoting critical thinking in this ever changing times. I'm especially glad this year's edition had lecturers from not only Zagreb but lecturer from Split - Marija Boban. Even greater thanks go to our lecturers who flew from the other side of Earth just to be at the right place in the right time - Charles Tucker and mr David Sadoff. High level quality of our academic programme wouldn't be possible without co-operation with our academic partners Faculty of Law in Zagreb and especially their Legal clinic's group for Asylum, World Engagement Institute (WEInstitute) and UNHCR Hrvatska, in particular to the team of mr Giuseppe Di Carro and mr Di Carro himself.

Except for academic assistance, we're extremely grateful for financial support of already mentioned UNHCR Croatia and Faculty of Law in Zagreb. Special thank you goes to our oldest partner in this project - Atlantic Grupa. Without Atlantic Grupa, which is also our STEP partner, lot of our activities wouldn't be possible. So, thank you for letting us grow with you!

As a head of the OC, there is one group of people which deserve honorable mention. That is OC of the ELSA Zagreb's SELS. Our summer law school is result of huge amount of invested time and effort, and therefore, in the name of ELSA Zagreb, I would like to thank director of Zadar ISLS - Patricija Grgošić for the work and great results she and her team achieved with this years edition.

We hope we'll cross our paths again in future. In the meantime - We wish you all the best and lot of success!

Lastly, I'd like to share with you one picture/quotation sums up my impression of common goal we're trying to achive with our ISLS Zadar. Hope you'll find yourselves in it too.

In the name of the Zadar SELS OC,

Bernard Markusic

08/18/2017