Proposal for U.S. Speaker Dr. Karen Litfin to attend the

UNCLAS WELLINGTON 000143 SIPDIS SIPDIS STATE FOR IIP/G/EA - EKENEALY AND RFHOLDEN; EAP/PD - AEGRIMES AND RJPOST; EAP/ANP - DRICCI EMBASSIES FOR PAO E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: OIIP SUBJECT: Proposal for U.S. Speaker Dr. Karen Litfin to attend the 2007 Otago Foreign Policy School as the keynote U.S. Speaker. ¶1. Post requests U.S. speaker Dr Karen Litfin, Associate Professor, who specializes in international relations theory and international environmental politics at the University of Washington at Seattle, where she is primarily interested in the impact of science and technology on world politics. In support of MPP Goal 07-01 - Mutual Understanding, we would ideally like this visit to be for seven program days, Wednesday, June 20 - Tuesday, June 26; third quarter, FY 2007, and are requesting this speaker as part of the Strategic Speakers Initiative (SSI). ¶2. Justification and Objective: Since its inception in 1966, the University of Otago's Foreign Policy School (OFPS) in the university city of Dunedin, on the South Island, has developed an international reputation, drawing top speakers from around the world. The Embassy has made a conscious effort to support this conference, especially when the subjects are of serious bilateral interest. It is a conference at which many government officials from the Prime Minister's Office, Ministry of Defense, Ministry of External Relations and Trade, academics, journalists, diplomats, members of the private sector and interested public regularly participate; and it would provide an excellent venue for U.S. interests to be effectively voiced. The timing and choice of this year's theme, "Environmental Governance and State Autonomy in a Changing Climate," which will focus on how the unique international environment of the 21st Century is shaping environmental governance at the international level, is most appropriate. In the 21st century environmental change is a serious issue, but the evolving international context in which it is occurring has limited policy making at the highest levels. In particular, since 9/11 the international system has, arguably, focused less on so-called "soft" foreign policy issues, such as the environment. There is growing alarm over the rapid rate of environmental degradation. The debate about climate change is forcing environmental issues back to the highest levels of international diplomacy and policy-making agendas. Despite this, little headway is being made on global governance on environmental issues. Now with mounting evidence that the changing �A;climate is having large-scale human and financial impacts on the world's most influential countries (especially the U.S.),these are finally beginning to be addressed with the urgency that they deserve. ¶3. Post considers that Professor Litfin's expertise (she's a prolific writer on the subject) would dovetail perfectly with the speaking topics of other keynote speakers at this 42nd Foreign Policy School conference. This would be a valuable opportunity to discuss relevant issues with this renowned academic whose publications include: Editor, The Greening of Sovereignty in World Politics (The MIT Press, October 1998). Ozone Discourses: Science and Politics in International Environmental Cooperation (Columbia University Press, 1994). Journal Articles "Towards an Integral Perspective on World Politics: Secularism, Sovereignty and the Challenge of Global Ecology" Millennium: Journal of International Studies (Summer 2003): 29-56. "Environment, Wealth and Authority: Global Climate Change and Emerging Modes of Legitimation" International Studies Review (Summer 2001): 119-148. "Advocacy Coalitions along the Domestic-Foreign Frontier: Globalization and Canadian Climate Change Policy." Policy Studies Journal 28, 2 (Summer 2000): 236-254. "Constructing Environmental Security and Ecological Interdependence." Global Governance: A Review of Multilateralism and International Organizations 5 (Autumn 1999): 359-377. The Status of the Statistical State: Satellites and the Changing Global Knowledge Structure" Global Society: Interdisciplinary Journal of International Studies 13,1 (Winter 1999): 95-116. "Sovereignty in World Ecopolitics" Merson Review of International Studies 41, 2 (Autumn 1997): 167-204. "The Gendered Eye in the Sky: Feminist Perspectives on Earth Observation Satellites" Frontiers: Journal of Women Studies Vol. XVIII, No. 2 (Autumn 1997): 26-47. "Framing Science: Precautionary Discourse and the Ozone Treaties," Millennium: Journal of International Studies 24, 2 (Summer 1995): 251-277. ¶4. Activity Date, Fiscal Year and Quarter: This is an FY07 program, which is requested for the Third Quarter, June 20-26, 2007. ¶5. Audience and Types of Events: It is expected that the audiences for this program will be members of parliament and their policy-makers, economists, academics, the media, members of the New Zealand Institute of International Relations in three of the main centers, and sporting organizations. It is anticipated that Professor Litfin will also visit the university centers of Wellington and Auckland and undertake several media and representational events while in New Zealand. ¶6. Topics: While speech topics are to be decided in consultation with Professor Litfin, it is expected that the 42nd Foreign Policy School would really benefit significantly from the first-hand insights and knowledge of such a distinguished person. We plan to discuss the exact subject of the presentations and roundtables outside this conference with Professor Litfin should the proposal be accepted. ¶7. Please Note: The conference conveners have been in contact with Professor Litfin and confirm that she is available and interested in traveling to New Zealand at this time. A CV is requested, along with speaking topics. Post has traditionally supported this conference, but did not do so last year. We consider that this year's important subject warrants our support. ¶8. Professor Litfin's contact details: Address: Department of Political Science University of Washington 101 Gowen Hall, Box 353530 Seattle, WA 98195-3530 USA Email: litfin@u.washington.edu Phone: 206-543-3694 Fax: 206-685-2146 http://faculty.washington.edu/litfin ¶9. Post Project Officer: Control Officer: Christine Vivian. Office Phone: 644-462-6112; Fax: 644-499-0490 Email: cvivian@actrix.gen.nz and vivianc@state.gov ¶10. Funding: Post considers that this speaker fits perfectly with the SSI program theme,"Environmental Protection and Energy: U.S. partnerships with other Nations and International Organizations. Sharing Ideas on Energy, Environment, and Development. U.S. Achievements in Restoring and Protecting the Environment." As mentioned in paragraph 1, it is expected that this proposal would be funded through the Strategic Speaker's Initiative (SSI),which would fund the speaker's international and domestic travel, per diem, and honoraria to cover all aspects of this seven-day program. Post is also hoping that other countries in the region, including partner posts, might be interested in sharing this speaker because of the vitally important topic. Please advise soonest. Many thanks. MCCORMICK