Navigating the Poles: the New Frontier of Polar Diplomacy

While it is hot outside, cool off with a discussion of the international politics and policies of the polar regions. Join our expert, William Muntean, Senior Advisor on Antarctic Policy for the U.S.  Department of State.  Learn why the U.S. foreign policy affecting the polar regions has as its goal maintaining peace and protecting these areas for scientific research. What are the unique challenges impacting the polar regions and why is international cooperation so vital to preserving this unique environment? The event will be moderated by Dr. Weston Dripps, the Executive Director of the Shi Institute for Sustainable Communities and a Professor of Earth, Environmental, and Sustainability Sciences at Furman University. 
William (Bill) Muntean (he/him/his) is a career Foreign Service Officer who joined the U.S. Department of State in January 2001. He has been the Senior Advisor for Antarctic policy, overseeing the full range of political, economic, and environmental & scientific activities related to Antarctica, since August 2018. He also supports U.S. engagement in the Arctic. His overseas assignments were Luanda, Angola; London, UK; Panama, Panama; Moscow, Russia; and most recently, Managua, Nicaragua where he was the Economic Counselor. His domestic assignments have been as a Legislative Affairs staffer and trade policy with South America. He has a wife, who is also a Foreign Service Officer, and two children.
Dr. Weston Dripps has always been extremely passionate about studying Earth Systems. He grew up in suburban Philadelphia and went on to study geosciences at Amherst College (BA), Dartmouth College (MS), and the University of Wisconsin (PhD). In between degrees, he worked as an exploration geologist in the oil, gas, and water sector, an environmental consultant, a hydrogeologist, a high school teacher and outdoor educator in the Swiss Alps,and a night club disc jockey. At Furman, Dripps is known as a very engaging teacher, an active researcher, and an environmental activist and has been very involved with the university's sustainability efforts and sustainability student living communities. He is the Executive Director of The Shi Institute for Sustainable Communities and a Professor of Earth, Environmental, and Sustainability Sciences at Furman University.

 

Please join us live online on

Tuesday, July 20 at 12:00 pm. 

Presentations generally run from 12-1:00 with plenty of time afterwards
to ask your specific questions of our panelists.

Free to Register; Registration Required.

 

Many thanks to our event partner

 

Once you register you will receive a confirmation email containing the link you will need to join the webinar.
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 Questions? Interested in sponsor opportunities? Please email tracie@upstateinternational.org