Weiser Diplomacy Center

Discover the captivating journey of President Zelensky's former press secretary and a globally acclaimed journalist. Uncover the behind-the-scenes stories of her impactful work in Ukraine and the dynamic world of journalism!

The Ford School is pleased to present Ambassador Julianne Smith, U.S. Permanent Representative to NATO, for the 5th annnual Arthur Vandenberg Lecture: "NATO today: Confronting the crisis in Ukraine and adapting to meet global challenges"

Nobel Peace Prize laureate and former president of Poland visits the University of Michigan to speak on the global impact of Russia's war on Ukraine.

Center for Strategic Leadership at the U.S. Army War College will host a policy simulation at the Ford School this fall. In this exercise, students will learn about the competition in the Arctic region and be tasked with using diplomacy to address a variety of urgent issues.

Representative Elissa Slotkin of Michigan's 8th district joins the Ford School for a special event, in partnership with Lieberthal-Rogel Center for Chinese Studies (LRCCS).

Join us for a special pair of discussions on foreign policy priorities and global challenges with U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Senator Chris Coons (D-DE), facilitated by Ford School Dean Michael Barr.   

The 2022 North American Colloquium—on nationalism and extremism in North America—is a collaborative venture between the Autonomous National University of Mexico, University of Toronto, and University of Michigan. 

An epic account of the Navy SEALs of Alpha platoon, the startling accusations against their chief, Eddie Gallagher, and the courtroom battle that exposed the dark underbelly of America’s special forces–from a Pulitzer Prize-winning reporter.

Gay McDougall and Jamil Dakwar will join Professor John Ciorciari in conversation as part of a virtual series on the historical roots and impact of race shaping public policy in the global context.

Two Parents Circle-Families Forum members—an Israeli and a Palestinian—will join us to tell their personal stories of bereavement and explain their choice to engage in dialogue instead of revenge.

Dr. Kelebogile Zvobgo will join Professor John Ciorciari in conversation as part of a virtual series on the historical roots and impact of race shaping public policy in the global context.

The fourth webinar of the North American colloquium will discuss new approaches to countering nationalist extremism in North America.

Dr. Bama Athreya is an expert on international labor issues, gender and social inclusion, business and human rights and will run a student workshop style discussion on using trade to address forced labor worldwide.

Defense Intelligence Senior Executive Service (Retired) Colonel James T. (Tom) Faust will reflect on his career in the military and civilian service.

The heyday of the human rights movement—the 1990s—is well behind us. At its peak, the human rights movement was the most captivating ideology of its time. 

National Museum of American Diplomacy and the Weiser Diplomacy Center will host a virtual simulation for all Ford School students focused on an international migration crisis.

This panel discusses how nationalism and extremism pose mounting challenges around the world, including in North America.

This session will discuss the current landscape of threats posed by extreme forms of nationalism in Canada, Mexico, and the United States.

An expert panel will explore elements of U.S.-China relationship in 2021. Ambassador Gerald Feierstein will moderate conversation with Ambassadors Sylvia Stanfield, Craig Allen, and David Shear. 

Amid continuing uncertainties around the U.S. retreat from Afghanistan, journalists Robin Wright and Jawad Sukhanyar will give their perspectives on the evolving situation, in conversation with Lynette Clemetson, Director of Wallace House.

Eric Beinhart of the U.S. Department of Justice will discuss approaches to police reform in societies affected by conflict and ways to bridge the divide between formal law enforcement and traditional community governance structures in areas where state institutions have lacked capacity and/or legitimacy.

This event will feature Dr. Vivian S. Walker, Executive Director of the United States Advisory Commission on Public Diplomacy, in conversation with Professor John Ciorciari, Director of the Weiser Diplomacy Center at the University of Michigan, with a welcome address by Rejaul Karim Laskar, representing the Global Forum for Scholars & Practitioners of Diplomacy. 

The Ford School and the Weiser Diplomacy Center invite all University of Michigan students to join us for a presidential debate debrief with Ambassador Susan Page and Associate Professor John Ciorciari.

Please join us for a virtual seminar with Jason Carter, Chairman of the Carter Center Board of Trustees, Ms. Narcis Scope, Chief Elections Officer, Elections and Boundaries Commission of Trinidad and Tobago representing CARICOM, and Ms. Pauline Chase from Guyana Bar Association in conversation with Ambassador Susan Page, Professor of Practice in International Diplomacy at the Gerald R. Ford School of Public Policy discussing about the Guyana Electoral Observation Mission (EOM).

Join us for a lunchtime webinar to learn more about the Ford School's research centers.

Please join us for a talk with Denis McDonough, former White House Chief of Staff for President Barack Obama, in conversation with Associate Professor John Ciorciari, director of the Weiser Diplomacy Center and International Policy Center.

Please join us for a Career Talk & Seminar with Eric Beinhart and Gregory Ducot from U.S. Department of Justice in conversation with Associate Professor John Ciorciari, director of Weiser Diplomacy Center and International Policy Center about the Practice of International Development.

Please join us for a Lunch Talk with Susan C. Doman in conversation with Associate Professor John Ciorciari, director of Weiser Diplomacy Center and International Policy Center about the Public Diplomacy in Afghanistan.

Former U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations and National Security Advisor Susan E. Rice will reflect on her career and on her new memoir, Tough Love: My Story of the Things Worth Fighting For.

The Weiser Diplomacy Center in collaboration with The University of Virginia National Security Policy Center and Meridian International Center will host a forum that will engage policymakers, military officials, academic experts, diplomats and other thought leaders to examine challenges and opportunities at the intersection of defense and diplomacy during this crucial transitional period in Afghanistan.