The event invited faculty members, alumni, and students of the program. It aimed to facilitate the discussion of the following topics: the original vision and mission of the Global Governance and Human Security (GGHS) Program; the co-relationship between global governance and human security; the identity of GGHS in the post-multilateral world; and the coherence among alumni, students, and faculty of GGHS.

Some of the participants within this forum commented that this forum was:

“very timely discussion as ‘new’ PhD approaches its tenth year. The Foundation cohort discussed lessons learned as they all hold real professional appointments” – Professor, Timothy Shaw.

As scholars, we must (continue to) recognize that both terms, global governance, and human security, are contested concepts in political and academic spheres” – Jason McSparren

Participants had a chance to hear from the former UMass Boston Provost Dr. Winston Langley and Professor Craig Murphy, the program’s original architects, on which ideas inspired the mission and the content of the program. Dr. Langley emphasized that the program intended to focus its research on the protection of the human-being rather than nation-states. The program was also focused on professional training and actions for building the global order where the ideals of the UN Declaration of Human Rights are realized.

Professor Craig Murphy shared his insights on why the notions of human security, gender, and conflict resolution were embedded in the program curriculum. The other participants of the event shared their reflections on what the program can learn from eight years of experience.

“It is not easy to integrate two-level perspectives [micro and macro] into an analytical framework … I think our GGHS program’s community must work hard together to further sharpen the research methodology.” – Dr. Jay Jang

The main lessons offered by the event participants concerned the issues of linking the theories of GGHS and conflict resolution to actual practices; need for personal, professional and mentorship support to PhD students; and the need to facilitate collaboration across disciplines, topics and experiences. The participants concluded with the need to create the GGHS program’s alumni association.

The alumni association will provide support to the program of GGHS for research collaboration, professional search, and student mentoring. In addition, the Educational Divide Reform Institute located in Harvard Square will support the GGHS alumni association and the GGHS program.