SIU’s Paul Simon Institute hosts leading diplomat to discuss statesmanship, world issues

November 08, 2024

SIU’s Paul Simon Institute hosts leading diplomat to discuss statesmanship, world issues

CARBONDALE, Ill. — Jan Eliasson, a former Swedish and United Nations diplomat, will join Southern Illinois University Carbondale’s Paul Simon Public Policy Institute on Tuesday, Nov. 12, for a virtual discussion about the complex challenges and important opportunities facing global leaders.

Eliasson will join John Shaw, institute director, for a discussion that will center on how skilled diplomacy can help tackle vexing problems such as climate change, the wars in Ukraine and Gaza, U.N. reform and the global refugee crisis. He will also discuss the international implications of the incoming Trump administration with its “America First” orientation.

The discussion, via Zoom at 10 a.m., is free and open to the public, but registration to view the conversation is required. The discussion is part of the institute’s “Understanding Our New World” discussion series. Visit paulsimoninstitute.org/events to register.

Eliasson is the subject of Shaw’s recently published book, “The Education of a Statesman: How Global Leaders Can Repair a Fractured World.” The book examines Eliasson’s career, and Shaw offers insights into diplomacy and international politics, highlighting lessons to renew the global order in this period of what he describes as “maximum danger.”

A 2006 book on Eliasson by Shaw, “The Ambassador: Inside the Life of a Working Diplomat,” chronicles Eliasson’s work as Sweden’s ambassador to the United Nations. 

“Ambassador Eliasson is one of the great diplomats in the world. He is respected and revered everywhere for being principled, strategic, civil and effective,” Shaw said. “He has a deep interest in, and penetrating insights about, the United States, having lived here for nearly 20 years as a diplomat in Washington and New York.”

Eliasson held high level U.N. posts including president of the General Assembly, special envoy to Darfur, under-secretary-general for humanitarian affairs and deputy secretary-general.

During his diplomatic career, Eliasson made important contributions to human rights, U.N. reform, Sustainable Development Goals, international water policy and advocating for what he calls a culture of prevention.

Attendees are encouraged to submit questions for Eliasson on the registration form or email questions to paulsimoninstitute@siu.edu.

More information, a list of the institute’s upcoming events and past speakers and events are available.