Gareth Evans to be IU School of Global and International Studies' first diplomat in residence
Editor's note: This story from The Bloomington Herald-Times is being published here as a courtesy for readers of IU in the News.
One of the longest-serving cabinet ministers from Australia soon will have a home at Indiana University. Gareth Evans, who was the country’s foreign minister from 1988 to 1996, will be IU’s first distinguished diplomat in residence.
Evans will visit the School of Global and International Studies May 11-24. During his visit, he plans to teach an advanced-level course on diplomacy, and he hopes to meet with students and faculty and share his experiences with a new generation of international policymakers, according to an IU news release.
Evans, who has been chancellor of Australian National University since 2010, was named one of Foreign Policy magazine’s Top 100 Thinkers in 2011. During his 21 years of involvement with Australian politics, he was leader of the Australian Senate and deputy leader in the House of Representatives. In the past, Evans has led the International Crisis Group, a conflict prevention organization based in Brussels.
Evans has been involved with writing and editing 11 books so far, many of them discussing conflict prevention and resolution. Some titles include “Nuclear Weapons: State of Play” (2015) and “The Responsibility to Protect: Ending Mass Atrocity Crimes Once and for All” (2008).
IU President Michael A. McRobbie said in the news release that he was glad his students and faculty will get the chance to study under Evans. McRobbie said he considers him to be one of the most important voices in foreign policy today.
“Through his work in the areas of government service, academia and civil society, he has made major contributions to the dialogue and debate over some of the most critical issues facing today’s international society. I have no doubt students at our new School of Global and International Studies will greatly benefit from his unique perspective and experiences,” said McRobbie.
Lee Feinstein, dean of the School of Global and International Studies, is a former U.S. ambassador who has worked with Evans in both governmental and nongovernmental roles. He said in the news release that Evans is on the cutting edge of policy and research.
Evans’ experience is extensive. His other accomplishments include co-chairing the International Commission on Intervention and State Sovereignty, and he co-chaired the Commission on Nuclear Non-Proliferation and Disarmament.
Currently, Evans co-chairs the international advisory board of the New York-based Global Centre for the Responsibility to Protect. His work on the Responsibility to Protect concept earned him the Franklin and Eleanor Roosevelt Institute’s Four Freedoms Award for Freedom from Fear in 2010.