Retired U.S. diplomat to discuss peace between nations at Feb. 29 Stratton Conference
01/22/20 ASHLAND, Ohio – Retired senior diplomat Philip Shull will present The Eagle and the Dragon: Different Views, Common Challenges as part of the Ashland Center for Nonviolence’s Sixth Annual John D. Stratton Conference on Saturday, Feb. 29.
Shull, a Wooster native, completed 31 years of foreign service with the U.S. Department of Agriculture, including assignments in Korea, Argentina, Hong Kong, the Philippines and three postings to China. The 1 p.m. keynote address is free and open to the public and will be held at the Dauch College of Business and Economics on the Ashland University campus.
The U.S.-China relationship has been called the most important in the world, as the two countries have the largest economies and two of the largest militaries. Yet their histories, cultures and views vary widely on everything from the role of government in trade, the rule of law and the role and responsibility of the individual. Shull will discuss these differences and offer suggestions on how the Eagle and the Dragon might best coexist and cooperate.
Dr. Craig Hovey, executive director of the Ashland Center for Nonviolence, said that Shull’s keynote is part of a day-long conference titled “Seeking Peace in a World of Nations.”
“There are so many important questions about what peace means in today’s world,” Hovey said. “Why do international violence and other conflicts arise and how can they be prevented? What are the roles of international law, national law, local governments and NGOs? Which approaches to diplomacy, mediation, and conflict resolution are best suited to a global context?” Hovey said that the conference is meant to address questions like these.
No registration is required for Shull’s lecture, but those interested in attending the whole conference from 8:30 a.m. until 4:30 p.m. need to register.
Registration for the conference is open through Feb. 26. The cost is $60 for general admission, $50 for ACN members and $25 for students. Registrations can be made online at acn.nationbuilder.com/conference_2020 or by calling 419-289-5313.
Ashland University is a mid-sized, private university conveniently located a short distance from Akron, Cleveland and Columbus, Ohio. Ashland University (www.ashland.edu) values the individual student and offers a unique educational experience that combines the challenge of strong, applied academic programs with a faculty and staff who build nurturing relationships with their students.###