FOCUS on Data Privacy: North America Andrea Hebel

As the West embraces a new reality of digital interconnectedness amid the rise of new social media platforms, governments are scrambling to reconcile the protection of the data privacy of their citizens with the rights of companies, all while navigating the policy and security complications of foreign tech companies.

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FOCUS on NATO: The Origins and Direction of NATO Cooperation

New threats to European security and the expansion of new world powers have set a different tone for NATO cooperation since the breakup of the Soviet Union in 1991. However, many of the fears and divisions that led to the creation of NATO in the first place–such as the spread of communism and the ideological differences separating the West from the East–remain.

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“Stay Focused, Remain Humble, and Keep Working” – Bryan Majors Visits Seton Hall

Majors spoke to the students on the importance of self-accountability and direction, starting and ending his lecture by having all attendees stand up, raise their right hands, and repeat after him: “I am strong, I am powerful, I am wealthy, I am excellence – stay focused, remain humble, and keep working, keep working, keep working.”

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FOCUS on Growing Protests: Haiti

Political instability, rising gang violence, and a cholera outbreak have reached a breaking point in Haiti, resulting in weeks of anti-government protests. BBC News reports that protests throughout the country have turned into looting, with police firing tear gas into crowds. The crisis has led the Haitian government, headed by Prime Minister Ariel Henry, to request foreign assistance to quell the increased violence.

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FOCUS on the Global Energy Crisis: Africa

The Russian invasion of Ukraine sent economic shockwaves across the world, affecting the production of economic staples such as wheat and nickel and putting significant strain on the global supply chain, reports CNBC. The energy market is one of the most significantly affected industries, and the strain impacts far more than the West. Africa is beginning to feel the brunt of this crisis.

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Australia Fully Reopens Borders after Two Years of COVID-19 Closure

 Australia has officially reopened its borders to all travelers for the first time since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic in March 2020. Much of the country lifted restrictions on February 21, sparking an influx of flights into the country as individuals reunited and tourism resumed, Reuters reports. CNN adds that the last state to reopen, Western Australia, accepted its first flights on March 3, fully reopening the country’s borders and ending quarantine requirements for vaccinated individuals.

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A Discussion of Servant Leadership In Public Policy with Cecilia Muñoz

On October 12, the Robert K. Greenleaf Center for Servant Leadership held its first annual Greenleaf Public Policy Lecture. The lecture featured keynote speaker Cecilia Muñoz, the current Senior Advisor at New America, and the former Director of the Domestic Policy Council under former President Obama. With over 30 years of experience in public policy in areas such as immigration, civil rights, and public interest technology, Muñoz’s lecture gave significant insight into how leaders can aim to serve others through their direction and embody the spirit of servant leadership.

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British MP Sir David Amess Killed in Stabbing Attack

For the second time in just five years, a British politician has died after an attack while meeting with constituents. The New York Times reports that on October 15, longstanding conservative Member of Parliament (MP) Sir David Amess was fatally stabbed inside of a church during a constituency surgery in Essex. The incident, quickly declared a terrorist attack, has sent shockwaves throughout the UK, raising concerns about the security of lawmakers in an increasingly tense political climate. 

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Amnesty International Halts Work in India, Citing Government Pushbacks

International human rights group Amnesty International recently announced that they are halting operations in India and laying off all staff due to the Government of India freezing the organization’s bank accounts and forcing all ongoing campaigns and research work to be paused. In their statement, the organization condemned this action, calling it the latest action in a continued “witch-hunt” of human rights organizations by the Government of India.

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