The Hamilton Lugar School of Global and International Studies’ America’s Role in the World® (ARW) is a nonpartisan event which convenes diplomats, journalists, politicians, and scholars to offer expert insight on critical global affairs topics. In its tenth year, ARW has a national following, and attracts leading global voices to the American heartland. In honor of the late Jim Morris, IU Trustee and former director of the UN World Food Programme, the IU Hamilton Lugar School is honored to present the inaugural James T. Morris Humanitarian Award this year to Dr. Charles E. Owubah, CEO of Action Against Hunger USA. Stay tuned for program updates.
Explore the links between domestic and foreign policy
Conference Schedule
Thursday, April 10, 2025
| 10:00-10:20am | Welcome to ARW Mahi Patel, Student Announcer John Ciorciari, Dean, Hamilton Lugar School Todd Young, U.S. Senator, Indiana (virtual) |
| 10:30-11:45am | Alternative U.S. Grand Strategies Nazla Steinberger, Student Announcer This panel brings together prominent scholars and practitioners to discuss a range of perspectives on the history and future of U.S. Grand Strategy at this time of global challenge and churn. Co-sponsored by the Center for the Study of Global Change and the Center for Latin American and Caribbean Studies Michael Kimmage, Ordinary Professor, Department of History, Catholic University of America Jonathan Kirshner, Vincent Q. and Mary Ann Giffuni Professor, Boston College Tod Lindberg, Senior Fellow, Hudson Institute (virtual) Mara Rudman, Schlesinger Professor of Practice, Ripples of Hope Project Director, Miller Center, University of Virginia Lee Feinstein, Founding Dean, Hamilton Lugar School (Moderator) |
| 12:00-12:45pm | The Strategic Imperative for Human Rights: A Conversation with Uzra Zeya Karina Vattasseril, Student Announcer Against a backdrop of global democratic recession and rising authoritarianism, the value of U.S. foreign assistance and public diplomacy in defense of freedom have come into question. Zeya will make the case for renewed bipartisan support for U.S. human rights leadership that delivers greater security, prosperity, and well-being for everyday Americans for generations to come. Co-sponsored by the Center for Latin American and Caribbean Studies Uzra Zeya, Former Under Secretary of State for Civilian Security, Democracy, and Human Rights, U.S. Department of State Marie Harf, Executive Director, Perry World House, University of Pennsylvania |
| 12:45-2:15pm | Break |
| 2:15-3:30pm | A New Order in the Middle East? Nenika Grover, Student Announcer The Israel-Hamas war, Syria’s potential regime transition, and Iran’s waning influence are reshaping the region. As alliances shift and global powers compete for influence, what policy options and toolkits are available to Washington? This panel will explore the changing geopolitical landscape in the Middle East – from security commitments to diplomatic engagement to shifting alliances – and its implications for US policy. Co-sponsored by the Center for the Study of the Middle East, Inner Asian and Uralic National Resource Center, and the Arabic Language Flagship Program Hussein Banai, Associate Professor, International Studies, Hamilton Lugar School Kirsten Fontenrose, President, Red Six Solutions Ellen Laipson, Director, International Security Program, Schar School of Policy and Government, George Mason University Mara Rudman, Schlesinger Professor of Practice, Ripples of Hope Project Director, Miller Center, University of Virginia Marie Harf, Executive Director, Perry World House, University of Pennsylvania (Moderator) |
| 3:45-5:00pm | Global Journalism & Free Press Sam Syroney, Student Announcer Global journalism today faces significant challenges. Misinformation is on the rise. Public trust is declining. Crackdowns on press freedom are increasing. Understanding and confronting these challenges is essential to the survival of democracy. Based on their broad experience across the globe, our panel of experts will debate the issues and the way forward. Co-sponsored by the Robert F. Byrnes Russian and East European Institute, the Inner Asian and Uralic National Resource Center, Dhar India Studies Program, Center for the Study of Global Change, and the Center for Languages of the Central Asian Region Carl Bernstein, Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist & author Ann M Simmons, Spring 2025 Senior Fellow, Institute of Politics Harvard Kennedy School; Former Moscow Bureau Chief, Wall Street Journal Kunāl Majumder, Knight-Wallace Journalism Fellow, University of Michigan Douglas Frantz, Pulitzer-prize winning journalist, former Deputy Secretary-General, Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (Moderator) |
Friday, April 11, 2025
| 10:00-10:45am | Fireside Chat with Amb. (ret.) Randall L. Tobias Oluwanifemi Adekoya, Student Announcer Recent changes suggest a major turn in the U.S. approach to international development—a domain in which the United States has long played a central role. Why is innovation in development aid important, for the United States and for the world? What strategic priorities should U.S. policy pursue, and how do these align with global needs? What are the main risks and possible benefits of restructuring U.S. foreign aid? Ambassador Randall Tobias, former head of the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), will address these and other timely topics in a fireside chat with John Ciorciari, dean of the Hamilton Lugar School. Amb. (ret.) Randall L. Tobias, Chairman Emeritus, Eli Lilly & Company John Ciorciari, Dean, Hamilton Lugar School |
| 11:00am-12:15pm | Tobias Center: "Development Assistance in an Age of U.S. Retrenchment?" Grace Anderson, Student Announcer The United States has traditionally been the largest development assistance donor globally, but has recently sharply and suddenly ended many of its foreign aid efforts. This panel will discuss the likely implications for global health and human development outcomes, U.S. power, and global stability. Sponsored by the Randall L. and Deborah F. Tobias Center for Innovation in International Development  Annette Brown, Chief Strategy and Evidence Officer (on leave), FHI 360 Nicole Goldin, Head of Equitable Development, United Nations University Centre for Policy Research Mark Meassick, Former Deputy Assistant Administrator, Development, Democracy, and Innovation, USAID Una Osili, Efroymson Chair in Philanthropy and Economics, Associate Dean for Research and International Programs, Indiana University Lilly Family School of Philanthropy Sarah Bauerle Danzman, Associate Professor, International Studies; Director, Tobias Center for International Development, Hamilton Lugar School (Moderator) |
| 12:15-1:15pm | Break |
| 1:15-2:30pm | U.S. East Asia Strategy in the New Administration Olivia O’Keefe, Student Announcer Prof. Adam Liff, director of the 21st Century Japan Politics and Society Initiative, will lead a discussion to examine the major foreign policy challenges confronting the new administration in Asia, from trade and technology to supply chain resilience and military affairs. Co-sponsored by the 21st Century Japan Politics & Society Initiative, the Department of East Asian Languages & Cultures, the East Asian Studies Center, and the Chinese Language Flagship Program Abraham M Denmark, Partner, The Asia Group Scott Kennedy, Senior Adviser and Trustee Chair in Chinese Business and Economics, Center for Strategic and International Studies Mireya Solís, Director of the Center for Asia Policy Studies, Philip Knight Chair in Japan Studies, and Senior Fellow in the Foreign Policy Program, Brookings Institution Adam Liff, Associate Professor of East Asian International Relations, Founding Director of the 21st Century Japan Politics and Society Initiative, Hamilton Lugar School (Moderator) |
| 2:45-3:45pm | James T. Morris Humanitarian Award America’s Role in Addressing Global Hunger Moana Steele, Student Announcer Dr. Charles Owubah, inaugural recipient of the James T. Morris Humanitarian Award In conversation with Prof. Jessica Steinberg An estimated 900 million people faced acute food insecurity in 2024, according to the United Nations. Conflict, a changing climate, and economic disruption have all contributed to unprecedented levels of global hunger. What roles have the U.S. government, civil society groups, and concerned individuals in the United States played in addressing food insecurity worldwide, and how can they best contribute going forward? Charles Owubah, CEO of Action Against Hunger USA, will address this pressing topic in conversation with Hamilton Lugar School Professor Jessica Steinberg. Dr. Owubah is an exemplary leader in addressing food insecurity, following in the footsteps of the late IU trustee and former World Food Program director Jim Morris, and is the inaugural recipient of the James T. Morris Humanitarian Award. John Ciorciari, Dean, Hamilton Lugar School Dr. Charles E. Owubah, Chief Executive Officer, Action Against Hunger USA Jessica Steinberg, Chair, Associate Professor, Hamilton Lugar School Department of International Studies |