Vol. 10, No.

1 Spring 2010

The Center for International Educations newsletter about international activities at Webster University www.webster.edu/cie 538 Garden Avenue (314) 246-7705

Crossing Borders

Webster Says Goodbye to Des Lee Scholar & the Man Himself

Over the past decade, Souzas made stops in 14 countries on four continents dealing with International conferences, workshops, environmental projects, guest speaking engagements, technical missions and study tours. And at Webster, he picked right up where he left off. Scheduling numerous speaking engagements and presentations throughout St. Louis, including the CIEs own International Studies Symposium Series (Brazil & Brasil: Overview & Perspective) and the Human Rights: Right to Food and Water Conference, co-sponsored by the WU College of Arts & Sciences and Center for International Education, Souza also co-taught the Topics in International Studies course Sustainable Environmental Water Projects in Local Development and Global South Countries with Dr. Pierce. This course was a focus on project concepts, the arguments of developing countries versus Global South Countries, Case studies from Global South Countries, Brazilian culture/Amazon Forest, Green Market versus Green Marketing, Local Development and Civil Society Participatory Initiatives and Water Projects: Quality, Quantity and Sustainability. The diverse course was oriented towards students pursuing studies in Human Rights, Environmental Studies, Childrens Rights, Marketing, Non-Government Organizations (NGOs), International Relations, Political Science, International Studies, Not-For-Profit Organizations, Latin American Studies and Public Relations. The CIE bid farewell to their 2010 Des Lee Professor for Global Awareness in March as Souza returns to Brazil with his wife and two small children in tow to resume his work as the CEO & Co-founder of MDL Brasil Consultoria and Marketing, National Representative for Grutter Consulting, Project Manager for Projecto Rios Voadores (addresses impacts of jet-flows into climate change) and General Manager of O Eco (Brazils leading environmental journalist website). Webster Says Goodbye continuted on page 3

Mrcio de Souza and family with WUs Japanese Outreach Initiative (JOI) Coordinator Kana Morishita attend Heritage Night at the Early Childhood Education Center in Webster Groves, MO on Feb. 23, 2010. Moving an entire family to a new city in a new country is no easy task. Then again, neither is overseeing all operations of a sustainable industrial production center (Cleaner Production Center) in Brazil for Swiss Confederation Government that focuses on the use of clean technology to overcome negative environmental impact or a Danish development organization in the Republic of Cape Verde (Africa) as a National Director. Of course, now Dr. Mrcio de Souza serves as the National Representative of two Swiss consulting companies in Brazil, which deals with climate change and energy efficiency when hes not editing online publications and websites dealing with water and environmental preservation projects in Brazil. Its safe to say that Souza is a proactive man. Boasting a resume that reads more like a trophy case of international occurrence, Souza was actively pursued and nominated back in 2009 for the Des Lee Scholar position by the Director of the Center for International Education Deborah Pierce. The two share a familiarity with Brazilian culture as Pierce was raised in northeast Brazil and still refers to it as home. What initially brought Webster Universitys attention to the activist and family man were his numerous international experiences in project management, local development and third force organizations.

In this issue:

Webster Says Goodbye to Des Lee Scholar & the Man Himself New To the Crew: CIE & CI News WU Hosts Food & Water Rights Conference

New to the Crew: CIE & CI Welcome New Graduate Assistants In Their Own Words - Lauren Huffman
After focusing on international affairs for three years, graduating and job searching in St. Louis seemed a bit too localized for me. I graduated from Webster in Spring 2009 with a B.A. in international relations and a minor in French. In that time, I spent a year abroad, one semester studying in Geneva, and one semester working for the Consulate General of the United States in Marseille, France. My time in Geneva was one of the best experiences Ive had. I took advantage of the citys centralized location and traveled nearly every weekend there. I went all over Switzerland, London, Dublin, the Netherlands, Spain, France, and Italy. Also, my time in France was a fantastic opportunity. Working for the American government over there gave me a better look at how the United States functions abroad. I had great bosses who allowed me to shadow them in their duties and participate in various functions. We traveled to schools to talk to French students about the American government and visited different events around town that the US has a part in, such as the English language club. One of the most interesting things I did there was going to the municipal election rallies. When I was there, Marseille and the rest of France held their mayoral elections. I met some of the prominent party members of both the Socialist party and the UMP. Additionally, I helped organize a CODEL, or Congressional Delegation. In these instances, US House Representatives travel abroad to research projects they would hope to implement in the US. Here, they traveled to a nuclear facility. After I had success abroad, I began looking for new opportunities, particularly since I was graduating soon. However, I had little success in my job hunt after graduation. Looking back to Webster then seemed a logical choice. I loved the undergraduate program here because of all the internationalism and the multiculturalism in classes and being able to have 15 different countries represented in one class. I began researching the international relations M.A. here and realized that one of the best ways to move forward would be to further my education. After I was accepted, I began looking for other opportunities on campus, and found the graduate assistantship at the Center for International Education. After coming into this position, I realized that I could help students have the same great

The Center for International Education and the Confucius Instistues latest hires Graduate Assistants Lauren Huffman and Ricardo Falla pose for a photo. Huffman is the CIEs first Grad Assistant since 2007 and Falla is the CIs second since their official inaugeration in Feburary of 2009. Huffman and Falla return to Webster University after just completing their Undergraduate studies with degrees in International Relations, respectively.

international experience at Webster that I did. I would like to help further my education. After I was accepted, I began looking for other opportunities on campus, and found the graduate assistantship at the Center for International Education. After coming into this position, I realized that I could help students have the same great international experience at Webster that I did. I would like to help further Websters international agenda and increase awareness about all that we offer here, both on- and off-campus. Im looking forward to all the opportunities that I will have being a graduate assistant for such an international campus and all the people I will meet so after this next graduation, I can continue to pursue my international interests.

In Their Own Words - Ricardo N Falla Leon

I was born in Ecuador, South America on September 8, 1988 in the captivating city of Quito. My family consists of my parents and a younger brother, Jose Luis, with whom Ive spent most of my time growing up. As a child, I attended the American School of Quito, where I spent 13 years of my life until June of 2006, when I graduated from high school. In the fall of 2006, I left my home country to start my undergraduate studies at Webster University in St, Louis, MO. Through my years at Webster, I made really good friends, which helped make the transition to college much easier. During my college years, I received a full scholarship from the Ministry of Education of China to study Mandarin at Fudan University; study abroad in Geneva, Switzerland; worked for the Management Department and International Recruitment at Webster; and intern with the Permanent Mission of Ecuador to the United Nations Office in Geneva, and with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ecuador. At Webster University I got involved with different campus organizations, including the Latin American Student Organization (LASO), SIFE, the Forensics and Debate Team, and Delta Upsilon (fraternity). In December of 2009, I received my B.A in International Relations, with a minor in Business, and the following month, I enrolled again at Webster to get my M.A. in the same field of study. At the same time, I started working for the Confucius Institute at the Webster campus downtown as the new graduate assistant. I hope to bring to my new job the experience I have acquired through my years in school and work. As someone who has lived and study in China, I want to convey to others the vast opportunities this country has to offer, and the Confucius Institute at Webster is the perfect place to start. My goal is to help the institute grow, and help Webster students and the St. Louis community take advantage of the programs this institute has to offer. Through this journey I want to learn more about Chinese culture and language, and take it with me to strengthen my education and knowledge. Continuation of Webster Says Goodbye from page 1 Speaking of children, Souza also works with the Christian Childrens Fund in Brazil providing administrative, logistical and programmatic support for national and international programs. According to text found in Webster University documents, the committee for the E. Desmond Lee Global Awareness Visiting Professorship invites nominations of eminent scholars and practitioners who may wish to be considered for the award. The successful applicant will have a distinguished career in an area of significant international importance and will demonstrate the highest commitment to internationalism in her or his field. The most qualified applicants will have interdisciplinary appeal. When comparing Des Lee scholars of years past,

it seems the goal of such a program is to invite passionate and internationally influenced intellectuals to Webster University. Bringing in a candidate like Souza is what the Des Lee Scholar program strives for and, in light of the recent passing of Mr. Lee, proof that the E. Desmond Lee Global Awareness Visiting Professorship program is an invaluable resource to the Webster community.

In Rememberance: 1917-2010

The CIE would like to formally bid farewell to a wonderful and generous man, St. Louis premier philanthropist and civic leader, E. Desmond (Des) Lee. After serving in WWII as a Captain in the Army, Lee returned home to Missouri where he, his father, Edgar, college classmate Jim Rowan and his father, John, found Lee-Rowan Co. The Lee Familys press release says the manufacturing companys first product was a patented metal trouser creaser and hanger, which sold to department stores across the country, evolving later into a wire-shelving business. Lee sold the company in 1993 and transforming from a business executive to a local philanthropist and, ultimately, a civic leader. According to his obituary in the RiverFront Times, Lees contributions to the St. Louis community exceeds $70 million over the years - mostly to childrens organizations and collegiate scholarships - while also serving on numerous boards of civic organizations including the Herbert Hoover Boys & Girls Club, the YMCA, United Way of Greater St. Louis, the St. Louis Science Center, the St. Louis Zoo, the Missouri Botanical Garden, the Missouri Historical Society, Variety the Childrens Charity of St. Louis, St. Louis Art Museum, and Ranken Technical College. In 1996, Lee granted funds to begin the Des Lee Collaborative Webster Says Goodbye continuted on page 4

Continuation of Webster Says Goodbye from page 3 Vision, a program that endows professorships at three universities in St. Louis - the University of Missouri - St. Louis, Washington University and Webster University. Requiring professors to spend a significant amount of their time working within the community and collaborating with one another, this Collaborative later set the grounds for Webster University to expand Lees overall vision. In a 2002 letter to the inaugural scholar Professer Fernando Torres de la Torre, Director of the School of International Relations and Center for Asian and Latin American Studies at Universidad Autnoma de Guadalajara, then Executive Vice President and Vice President for Academic Affairs and current WU Chancellor Neil George writes that because of the generous support of Mr. E. Desmond Lee, Webster University has created a special fellowship program that allows a prominent international scholar to be in residence for a semester at Webster University. This prestigious position, the E. Desmond Lee Global Awareness Visiting Professorship, allows a visiting academic or practitioner to participate in the academic activities of Webster University and, more broadly, in the St. Louis community. The plan benefits not only collegians, but also the entire community, particularly the under-served. The Global Awareness Visiting Professorship enables Webster University to bring respected and accoladed International professionals and intellectuals known as Des Lee Scholars to our campus to speak and teach courses annually here in St. Louis. Des Lee made not only an impact in the St. Louis community, but initiated changes expanding Websters own global awareness. Weve lost a true gentleman and scholar in his own right.

In his opening statement on Friday, the 12th, Dean David Wilson of the College of Arts & Sciences reminds the audience of the unique focus and direction Webster University has taken with regards to Human Rights studies Its not a kind of program that very many universities have. So by highlighting human rights and building our programs of human rights, we highlight some things that are very distinctive about Webster that were really proud of. Mrcio de Souza, WUs E. Desmond Lee Professor for Global Awareness and an international expert on climate change, energy efficiency, and sustainability disclosed in his presentation Flying Rivers: Community-Based Projects towards Influencing National Policy Changes on Water and Food in Latin America that the biggest hurdle we have to jump is apathy, When its the World Trade Center, the United States says, Oh come on, its hurting our nation, our people. They have parents, they have families, they have wives, because thats the World Trade Center, Souza said. But when you look to the world that just today, more than 3,000 children are dying because of hunger, you say, Oh, I dont care that much, because it becomes numbers. The conference generated a great deal of discussion amongst those in attendance. Arguably one of the more interesting was the hour-long Q&A session with Director Elizabeth Kucinich of Public Affairs, Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine. The wife of Representative Dennis Kucinich (D - OH), Ms. Elizabeths symposium Food Rights - Right Food created a lot of dialogue with regards to vegan vs. vegetarian-ism, the role corporate farming plays in hindering small farms and organic food production/marketing and the pros/ cons of soy-based diets. Surprised at the gallerys willingness to take her lecture into such lengthy conversations, Kucinich says that she was, just so happy that people are not just listening, but talking about the importance of food rights and actively want to do something about it. This is such a good thing! A complete list of the Human Rights: Right to Food and Water Conference speakers and their biographies can be found at the following website: http://www.webster.edu/depts/artsci/news/food&water.htm Crossing Borders is published by the Center for International Education (CIE) of Webster University. The CIE seeks to promote the internationalization of Webster University by publicizing information about international activities and by providing support of international research and study. Comments and suggestions for the publication may be sent to: Brady Koch, Editor, Center for International Education, Webster University, 407 E. Lockwood Ave., St. Louis, MO 63119 or email jacksmat@webster.edu.

WU Hosts Food & Water Rights Conference

The discussion of Food and Water Rights as Human Rights took centerstage this February as an eclectic group of notable activists and advocates brought their shared passions to Webster University. Sponsored by the E. Desmond Lee Professorship in Global Awareness, College of Arts & Sciences, United Nations Association of St. Louis Mary T. Hall fund, and the Center for International Education, the two-day conference entitled Human Rights: Right to Food and Water featured 10 speakers of backgrounds ranging from academic to international to shoes.

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