Top UN official to speak on globalization

John G. Ruggie, assistant secretary-general of the United Nations, will visit campus to speak on “Globalization and Global Governance: The Role of the United Nations,” Monday April 23 at 3:30 p.m. in 206 Ingraham Hall, 1155 Observatory Drive.

In addition to the free public talk, Ruggie will also meet with students and faculty at events organized by the International Studies major, a member program of the International Institute.

Ruggie was appointed assistant secretary-general in May 1997 and has served as a key policy analyst and adviser to Secretary-General Kofi Annan. His main responsibilities have been in the areas of strategic planning with special emphasis on institutional reforms, UN-U.S. relations, and UN relations with the global business community. He has been instrumental in facilitating the U.N.’s “Global Compact,” a collaboration among corporations, labor and civic groups to deal with the challenges of globalization, including human rights, labor standards and environmental principles in global corporate practices.

Before assuming his UN post, Ruggie, a distinguished scholar in the field of international relations, taught for many years at Columbia University. He was Dean of the School of International and Public Affairs at Columbia from 1991-96. Ruggie is the author of six books, including “Winning the Peace: America and World Order in the New Era” (Columbia University Press, 1996).

For more information, contact Ronnie Hess at (608) 262-5590, rlhess@facstaff.wisc.edu, or Donna Veatch, (608) 262-2042, dlveatch@facstaff.wisc.edu.