
International Cooperation for Global Challenges: 50 Years of Building Research Bridges at IIASA
IIASA, the US National Member Organization Committee, and Friends of IIASA are organizing a one-day, in-person conference in Boston on 26 May. The program will highlight both the institute’s research accomplishments and its pioneering role as an instrument of science diplomacy. The day will celebrate the institute’s past, consider its future, and connect with a diverse assortment of people in the U.S. IIASA community.
Draft Agenda:
Please note that all of the times are indicated in EDT (UTC-4).
08:30-09:00 Coffee and continental breakfast
09:00-10:00 Why International Research Cooperation? Why IIASA?
- Welcome
Adil Najam, Dean, BU Pardee School of Global Studies, YSSP 1994 - Origins of IIASA and YSSP
Roger Levien, President, Friends of IIASA - IIASA in the 21st Century
Albert van Jaarsveld, IIASA Director General
10:00-10:30 “Decisions for the Decade” Game
- Pablo Suarez, BU Pardee School of Global Studies, YSSP 2002
10:30-10:45 Break
10:45-11:30 Pathways to Energy Justice and Energy Sustainability
- Moderator: Mark Hanson, Hoffman Planning & Design, YSSP 1977
- Benjamin Leibowicz, University of TX Austin, YSSP 2013
- Narasimha Rao, Yale School of the Environment, IIASA Postdoc 2011-2013
- Gurneeta Vasudeva Singh, University of MN Carlson School of Management, YSSP 2004
11:30-12:15 Systems Analysis for Food and Water Security
- Moderator: Natalia Fath, Towson University, YSSP 1997
- Carl Boettiger University of CA, Berkeley, YSSP 2009
- Jessica Gephardt American University, YSSP 2014
- Zhimin Mao World Bank, YSSP 2015
12:15-13:30 Working Lunch
13:30-13:45 Celebrating 50 Years of IIASA
- Jeffrey Sachs, Columbia University (virtual)
13:45-14:30 Pathways to Global Health
- Michael Stoto, Georgetown University, YSSP 1977
- Jose Siri, WHO & World Bank Consultant, IIASA Postdoc 2009-2012
14:30-15:30 Lightning talks by YSSP Fellows
- Moderator: Brian Fath, Towson University, YSSP 1997
- Helene Benveniste, Harvard University, YSSP 2019
- Yingjie Li, Michigan State University, YSSP 2020
- Radost Stanimirova, Boston University, YSSP 2017
- Robert W. Barron, YSSP 2014
- Alex Nutkiewicz, YSSP 2019
- Andrew Foster, Brown University, YSSP 1985
- James McNerney, Harvard University, YSSP 2009
- Noah Gotbaum, New Spirit Capital, LLC, YSSP 1988
- Natalia Fath, Towson University, YSSP 1997
- Mark Hanson, Hoffman Planning & Design, YSSP 1977
15:30-15:45 Break
15:45-17:00 Global Challenges for the 21st Century
Panel discussion of key global challenges, science diplomacy for fostering international cooperation, and the role of IIASA.
- Opening Remarks: Adil Najam, BU Pardee School of Global Studies Dean
- Albert van Jaarsveld, IIASA Director General
- Bill Colglazier, AAAS Center for Science Diplomacy
- Eileen Babbitt, Tufts Fletcher School, YSSP 1985 (tbc)
17:00-17:15 Wrap-up
17:30- 18:30 Reception at Pardee School of Global Studies

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