About the Office
Director's Message
Welcome to the University of Central Florida’s Office of the Special Assistant to the President for Global Perspectives (Global Perspectives Office). UCF President John C. Hitt has always stressed several goals - including a commitment to develop the institution's international resources, capabilities and connections. In October 2001, he underscored that interest by creating this office.
Charged with sharpening the university's international focus, the Global Perspectives Office emerged at a critical juncture in U.S. and world history. Although not established in response to the September 11, 2001, tragedy, the office nonetheless has had to contend with a rapidly changing global realm in which terrorism and other challenges proliferate.
But the new era also abounds with opportunities to understand better the forces that mold modern times. If September 11th taught Americans and the citizens of other nations anything, it was that the world demands the ongoing engagement of its people. Therefore, it is vital to develop greater awareness of other cultures, political orientations, economic approaches, ideologies, religions and histories.
The Global Perspectives Office’s interdisciplinary approach focuses its curricular, co-curricular, research, publishing and partnership-building efforts particularly in the following areas: Terrorism/counter-terrorism, diplomacy, the Middle East (with an emphasis on conflict and conflict-resolution), Asia (with an emphasis on China, India and Japan), globalization and human rights (with an emphasis on human trafficking).
Each year, in cooperation with its on-campus and off-campus partners, the Global Perspectives Office also embraces a primary university-wide and community theme, and one or more secondary themes. This year, the primary focus is on "The Age of India." Past themes have included "Emerging Powers: China and India," "The Future of Europe," "Political Violence in the 21st Century," "Human Rights," "Terrorism," and "The Clash of Cultures." Two ongoing secondary themes address the Middle East, and The Environment and Global Climate Change.
The Global Perspectives Office endeavors to sharpen UCF's international focus in the following ways:
- Working to advance the university's goal of providing an international emphasis in curricula, research and other areas.
- Serving as an idea factory to consider new international possibilities for the institution.
- Sponsoring or co-sponsoring distinguished speakers, forums and other events that present cutting-edge thinking and discussion about critical international subjects.
- Building partnerships and communicating at all levels, from within the university to the international stage, to expand global awareness.
- Launching initiatives, such as the Terrorism Studies Program and the Diplomacy Program.
- Serving as an information resource, especially through www.ucfglobalperspectives.org, the office's website, the Worldviews for the 21st Century monograph series and other select publications.
- Establishing long-term perspectives that take advantage of the co-location of resources to produce research, white papers, and strategies toward key areas of interest.
- Advising the UCF president and serving as his representative in international settings.
In pursuing these goals, the Global Perspectives Office encourages and benefits from the input of others, both from within the university and the external community. Please visit our offices at Phillips Hall 202, telephone us at 407-823-0688 or contact us via e-mail at global@mail.ucf.edu.
John C. Bersia
Special Assistant to the President for Global Perspectives and Director
