The Martin Institute at the University of Idaho is a research and outreach center that aims to understand the causes of war and the necessities for peace on the international scale, said Romuald K. Afatchao, associate director of the Martin Institute and Program in International Studies.
Afatchao said as a way to inform the community about specific aspects of International Affairs, the Institute puts on a series of events called the Martin Forum, which holds talks and presentations each semester.
This semester there is only one talk, on Jan. 31, as the Institute also holds the Borah Symposium in the spring, he said.
The speaker at this forum, Ambassador Richard LeBaron, is also coming to UI as part of the Visiting Distinguished Practitioners of International Affairs. This means LeBaron will also work with the UI ROTC program, because LeBaron was a military officer, Afatchao said.
He said in addition to the public talk, LeBaron will visit classes and hold office hours for students who wish to know more about different aspects of the international world.
“This is a very good opportunity to interact with someone who has done it all,” Afatchao said.
LeBaron has served as a United States diplomat for more than thirty years. His last position at the State Department was coordinator of the Center for Strategic Counterterrorism Communications, and he has also worked in various positions overseas.
Afatchao said the talk will center on U.S. foreign policy for the future, and he hopes in the question-and-answer session after the talk, people will investigate in detail the things that are going on right now from the U.S. standpoint.
He said since Idaho is a state that is separated far away from decision making on international affairs, the Martin Forum is a great way to update UI and the Palouse community.
In the past they have had a good turnout at the forums — from both students and community members, he said.
“I hope students actually appreciate the opportunity, so they can actually get involved with what is going on,” Afatchao said.
Allison Griffith can be reached at [email protected]