BINGHAMTON, NY – Binghamton University will host "21st Century Governance Challenges: International Perspectives on the Issues of Sustainability, Peace, and Diversity" on Monday, Oct. 12 and Tuesday, Oct. 13. The event will begin with a welcome from President Harvey Stenger at 9 a.m. at the University Downtown Center, 67 Washington St., Binghamton.

Panels of discussion for Monday, Oct. 12 include Sustainable Development in Various Contexts; Engaging the Public through Social Media and Action; The Intersections of Peace, Sustainability, Diversity, and Human Rights; "Read! Write! Roar! How a Jaguar Moved Two Nations"; and The Role of Institutions in Promoting Sustainability, Peace, and Diversity. These speakers hail from many different countries, including Mexico, Turkey and Kenya.  Monday’s events will run from 9 a.m.-5:30 p.m., with registration starting at 8 a.m. Admission is $20 ($10 for students), with lunch included.

On Tuesday, Oct. 13, Mery Rodriguez from Javeriana University in Bogotá, Colombia, will speak. She is an expert on the Colombian conflict and its peace perspectives from the local, regional and national basis, particularly in analyzing the impact of national public policy in local peace-building initiatives.

Rodriguez has a PhD in conflict analysis and resolution from George Mason University. At Javerina University, Rodriguez is an assistant professor in the College of Political Science and International Relations; researcher; and Director of the Master’s Degree in Peace Studies and Conflict Resolution, and the Graduate Specialization in Conflict Resolution. She has worked in both the United States and areas throughout Colombia.

Anyone interested in arranging a time to meet Rodriguez during her visit should contact Nadia Rubaii in the Department of Public Administration at nadia.rubaii@binghamton.edu.