Watson Institute for International and Public Affairs

⏮️ Replay this Trending Globally podcast episode ⏮️ The Secret History of the Pope and World War II

In March 2020, the Vatican’s Apostolic Archives of Pope Pius XII — also known as the Vatican’s “secret archives” — were opened to scholars from around the world. Historian and Watson Professor David Kertzer was one of those scholars.

What he found there is helping to reframe the role that the Catholic Church — and its then-leader, Pope Pius XII — played in World War II.

Pius XII’s legacy is heavily debated. Some want him to be made a saint. Others call him ‘“Hitler’s Pope,” blaming him for aiding the N**i regime and, ultimately, facilitating the Holocaust.

What David Kertzer found is a much more complicated story.

On this episode of “Trending Globally,” originally broadcast in the summer of 2022, the story of “a pope at war” and what it can teach us about the need for moral leadership in times of crisis.

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Listen to the full episode: https://ow.ly/1ZEk50T8LXc

Dive into real-world policy challenges with Watson Senior Fellows! 🌍✨

This semester's study groups will delve into critical global issues, exploring the intersection of human rights and technology, as well as the evolving dynamics of geopolitics. Don’t miss this chance to learn from these experts:
🔹Edward Luce ’90, Associate Editor of the Financial Times
🔹Malika Saada Saar ’92, Global Head of Human Rights at YouTube

Study groups begin in a few weeks – sign up today: https://home.watson.brown.edu/news/news-from-watson/fall-2024-study-groups

Don’t miss your chance to attend the Student Conference on U.S. Affairs (SCUSA)! Watson will select two exceptional students to join the event in October ⭐️⭐️

SCUSA is a four-day conference in West Point, NY, where 200 undergrads from across the country engage in small group discussions, panels, keynote presentations, and networking events. It’s a fantastic opportunity to build leadership skills, discuss U.S. foreign policy, and strengthen civilian-military bonds.

This year's theme: “Securing the Blessings of Liberty: American Foreign Policy in a Multipolar World.” 🌍📚

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Apply by September 6, 2024 at 5:00 PM: https://ufunds.brown.edu/apply

🎙NEW🎙 Trending Globally podcast episode: South Africa’s elections, 30 years after apartheid: part 2

This is the second part in our two-part series on South Africa’s politics 30 years after the election of Nelson Mandela, and with it, the end of apartheid.

Around the same time as that anniversary this past spring, there was another momentous event in the country: South Africans went to the polls in May, and for the first time in 30 years, the African National Congress — the political party of Nelson Mandela — lost its parliamentary majority.

On this episode, Dan Richards talks with three experts on South African politics about this pivotal moment in the country: what it can tell us about South Africa’s politics since the fall of apartheid, and what it might mean for the country’s future.

Guests on this episode:
• Wilmot James, a senior advisor at Brown University's Pandemic Center. Prior to coming to Brown, Wilmot was a member of South Africa’s parliament. Before that, he managed multiple special projects for Mandela's office and was a co-editor of his presidential speeches.
• Redi Tlhabi is an award-winning South African journalist, producer and author. She hosted the acclaimed “Redi Tlhabi Show” for many years in South Africa, and regularly comments on the country’s politics for international media.
• Stanley Greenberg is an American political strategist and pollster who assisted in Nelson Mandela’s presidential campaign in 1994 and has written extensively on politics and race relations in South Africa.

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Listen to the full episode: https://player.captivate.fm/episode/e6697ee2-65aa-41d0-ab31-6609592d1341

Alumni Spotlight: Rehan Rafay Jamil ’22 Ph.D. Political Science, Graduate Program in Development

After earning a Master of International Affairs from Columbia University and spending several years working at the World Bank's Social Protection Program, Jamil was drawn to Brown University's political science Ph.D. program and Watson's GPD to understand the underlying politics that have made cash transfer programs one of the most popular forms of welfare in the Global South.

"Watson's Graduate Program in Development is a unique space that allows sociologists, economists, anthropologists and political scientists to gather together to critically examine pressing development issues through a diverse disciplinary lens."

Learn more about Rehan Rafay Jamil: https://ow.ly/OKFx50ST718

NEW Trending Globally podcast episode: This summer’s UK and French elections explained, with Mark Blyth

Over the course of 2024, roughly half of the world’s population will participate in national elections.

On this episode, we take a closer look at two of them: this summer’s elections in the United Kingdom and France.

In the U.K., the center-left Labour Party won in a landslide in July, ending 14 years of Conservative Party rule. In France, an alliance of left-leaning parties banded together to defeat the right-wing National Rally Party, led by Marine Le Pen.

But as political economist and Watson Professor Mark Blyth explains, neither was as resounding a victory for the center-left as the topline results suggest. Furthermore, if these new governments fail to address the social and economic distress so many people in their countries are experiencing, the far-right may not be sidelined for long.

Mark Blyth is the director of the Rhodes Center for International Economics and Finance at the Watson Institute. He’s also host of the Rhodes Center Podcast, another podcast from the Watson Institute. On this episode, he spoke with Dan Richards about what these two elections can tell us about the political fault lines running through European politics today and what they can also tell us about right-wing populism in the U.S. ahead of our own election in November.

Listen to the full episode: https://trending-globally.captivate.fm/episode/this-summers-uk-and-french-elections-explained-with-mark-blyth

Stay informed on up-to-date commentary from Watson experts on the pivotal issues shaping the 2024 U.S. election 🇺🇸🗳️

Discover insights on Trump's assassination attempt, the vice president nominations, and Biden's decision to step down and endorse Kamala Harris: https://home.watson.brown.edu/news/trending-topics/2024-election

Rhodes Center hosts “The Political Economy of Finance Summer School” 🎓📊

Organized by Mark Blyth & Benjamin Braun, the program trained young political economists and connected them with leading scholars, drawing participants from 25 institutions across 16 countries. 🌍

Rhodes Center Postdoctoral Research Associate Daniel Driscoll, a rising scholar in finance who attended the program, emphasized the "huge demand" for such a program, stating, "This is like a Disneyland for a rising political economist. The kind of things that you can see and do, you just don't get at conferences or in departments."

Learn more: https://ow.ly/jqRj50SJjTu

Earlier this summer, the Watson Institute welcomed 72 new Brown University Master of Public Affairs Program students, including 3 MPA/MPH dual-degree students. We're excited to cultivate and elevate future global leaders to address pressing societal challenges!

Learn more about the program: https://ow.ly/y8Ju50SIizI

🌟Alumni Spotlight🌟 Anindita Adhikari ’24 Ph.D. Sociology, Graduate Program in Development

Anindita Adhikari, who earned her Ph.D. in sociology from Brown University in 2024, found the dialogues and debates she engaged in about global challenges across traditional academic disciplinary barriers through Watson's Graduate Program in Development have made her a better researcher and colleague.

"I had questions that emerged from the policy and action-based work I had been doing in India, and Brown was an ideal place for me. The faculty have a strong international development and comparative focus. The training and conversations I took part in at Brown have allowed me to reflect on my experiences in India and ask the big sociological questions related to democracy, citizenship, social policy, inequality, civil resistance and state building. The Graduate Program in Development (GPD) was a big draw for me. I came into an international and interdisciplinary community where I could participate in conversations that easily allowed for comparative analyses."

Learn more about Anindita: https://ow.ly/2stv50SCp6e

Watson MPA students demonstrate career readiness in Policy in Action Symposium

The Brown University Master of Public Affairs Program Policy in Action Symposium, held on May 8 and 9, is the capstone of our MPA students' educational journey. 🌟

During this event, students work in small teams to tackle policy-related challenges, applying their skills in real-world settings. The Policy in Action Project is a core component of the MPA program, providing hands-on experience with partner organizations in government, nonprofit, and private sectors. 🤝

Learn more about the symposium: https://home.watson.brown.edu/news/news-from-watson/mpa-policy-action-symposium

Watson MPA students demonstrate career readiness in Policy in Action Symposium

The Brown University Master of Public Affairs Program Policy in Action Symposium, held on May 8 and 9, is the capstone of our MPA students’ educational journey. 🌟

During this event, students work in small teams to tackle policy-related challenges, applying their skills in real-world settings. The Policy in Action Project is a core component of the MPA program, providing hands-on experience with partner organizations in government, nonprofit, and private sectors. 🤝

Learn more about the symposium: https://ow.ly/Yqay50SxTqz

Postdoctoral fellows reflect on their growth and accomplishments during their Watson residencies 👏

On June 30, five postdoctoral fellows and one postdoctoral research associate completed their Watson residencies. As they prepared for new career opportunities, they praised the Watson program for helping to shape their research and the unique opportunities it provides for young scholars in the social sciences. During the fellowship, Watson supports the fellows' research while enhancing their interdisciplinary literacy and ability to contribute to meaningful and enduring collaborative exchange.

Read the full story: https://ow.ly/JZGS50SwYMh

We're proud to share that Watson's podcast, Trending Globally, has won a Silver CASE Award! 🏆

The Circle of Excellence Awards by the Council for Advancement and Support of Education honor outstanding achievements in advancement, celebrating projects that inspire and transform communities globally.

Here's what the judges had to say about Trending Globally: "This is one of the podcasts that we could have kept listening to. The professional quality of the production is evident, and there is a clear return on investment from the podcast's significant budget. The donation to invest in the building of a new multimedia studio is clear proof of the value of the platform for the community."

Thank you to our incredible team and listeners for making this possible! 👏

Learn more about the CASE awards: https://ow.ly/gZy350StJFL

Just wrapped up the inaugural Political Economy of Finance Summer School hosted by The Rhodes Center! 📊☀️📚

This groundbreaking event united young researchers with top-tier finance scholars for a week of world-class training and community-building. Attendees explored burning questions like: Who will finance the green transition? Why are private equity firms everywhere? And what's the deal with global asset managers?

This was an incredible opportunity for young scholars to dive deep into finance's complexities, gain technical expertise, and forge connections with passionate peers!

Learn more: https://ow.ly/uYkK50SpwZR

As part of the Warrior-Scholar Project Boot Camp, now in its second year at Brown University, David Blanding led a 'Constitutional Framework' seminar ⭐️

This intensive week-long program prepares military veterans for college success. Featuring University faculty lessons, peer mentorship, tutoring, and seminars, it equips participants with academic strategies and introduces them to university life. The goal: empower veterans to confidently apply to top-tier universities. 🎓

🎓Recent Brown graduates earn 39 Fulbright scholarships

Founded in 1946, the Fulbright program promotes international peace through intellectual and cultural exchange. Applicants are selected based on academic and professional records, the quality and achievability of their proposals and their potential to engage culturally with their host communities.

🌎 Congratulations to International and Public Affairs grads Maame Amoasiwa Quakyi (Kyrgyzstan) and Salonee Singh (Switzerland), who are among Brown University's newest Fulbright recipients, set to teach and conduct research globally!

Learn more about this year's 39 Fulbright awardees: https://www.brown.edu/news/2024-06-14/fulbright

👋 A warm welcome to the newest members of the Brown University Master of Public Affairs Program!

This group will embark on an exciting journey, gaining invaluable skills and knowledge. Throughout the next year, students will sharpen their analytical, communication, and strategic leadership skills needed to address pressing societal challenges as future global leaders.

🌍 We can't wait to see the positive impact you'll make!

🎉 Congratulations to Carlota! 🎉

We are thrilled to announce that Carlota has been honored with the 2024 Outstanding Union Employee Award! 🏆

With over 20 years at Brown University, she's exemplified excellence and commitment, ensuring cleanliness and safety at the Watson Institute. Known for her warm presence, Carlota fosters inclusivity and belonging, going beyond her custodial duties. Her dedication and work ethic make her an invaluable asset to the University.

Carlota shared, "Thank you so much to everyone who took the time to nominate me!"

Join us in congratulating Carlota on this well-deserved recognition! 🎊👏

🌟Student Spotlight🌟 Paige Censale ’27

After documenting stories of immigration for four years, Paige envisioned a career as a documentary journalist but felt compelled to learn more. 📚

"I wanted to understand the historical context of how and why the world is the way it is. I felt like reading more and taking university classes would allow me to ask better questions, and those questions could turn into future films. Brown’s Open Curriculum gives me the freedom to dive right into the subjects that make me a more informed journalist. It is serving as my foundation to platform underrepresented voices and to destigmatize the borders constructed between us.”

Learn more about Paige: https://ow.ly/Gee250SbbUJ

Let's hear it for the Watson students who crushed it this year! 👏🏆

From prestigious fellowships to academic accolades, these stellar students raked in the awards.

📸 Rythum Vinoben Photography

👉 Check out the full list of recipients and join us in celebrating their achievements: https://ow.ly/T4BV50S8UbI