Maxwell symposium aims to raise awareness of global policy issues with students’ research
After months of research and hard work, graduate students in the Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs are finally able to share their knowledge.
In an effort to expose the entire Syracuse University community to global issues, the students will present the eighth annual ‘Global Issues in Public Administration’ symposium Oct. 28 through Oct. 30 in the Maxwell School.
The events this week include 14 panel discussions followed by question-and-answer sessions.
The symposium aims to raise awareness of different policy issues around the world, including government effectiveness, children at risk and environmental management.
Thirty nations will be represented at the event, including some from Latin America, Asia, Africa and Europe.
‘Sometimes you have all this research and there’s never any connection [to real life],’ said Laura McKechnie, a graduate public administration and international relations major. ‘The symposium puts [the research] into context where people can come learn and share.’
McKechnie, who helped plan the symposium, believes that it gives students a chance to put their research to good use. The students’ research includes work about taxation management, health crises in developing countries and the empowerment of women.
Jeremy Shiffman, an assistant professor of public administration who coordinated this year’s symposium, believes it is a great chance for SU students to share the knowledge they have found on their research.
‘I think [the symposium] will be a great forum to expose the SU community and the general public about policy issues,’ Shiffman said.
The event will house discussions on AIDS control, environmental issues and effective governments, Shiffman said.
The graduate students enrolled in Shiffman’s program will present their research along with several senior civil servants in an executive education program from India who are taking a short-term course at SU.
The graduate students hope the event will attract different members of the SU community, said Sarah Ungerer, a graduate public administration and international relations major.
Ungerer, the event’s student organizer, is very enthusiastic about the symposium.
‘It has been a lot of fun planning this [event],’ she said. ‘It should be one of the best [symposiums] ever.’
