NEWS RELEASE
LAKEHEAD UNIVERSITY
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How are international power dynamics shifting? Is the Western leadership of the world in decline? And what do these geopolitical changes mean for global peace and security?
Beginning Sept. 21, Third Age Learning Lakehead (TALL) will host Fault Lines and Fractures: Shifts in the Global Balance of Power, a five-part lecture series that will seek to answer these questions.
From the relevance of the Arctic in geopolitical rivalries to the role of oil in ongoing conflicts, these five talks will shed light on the shifting dynamics of global power structures. And, for the first time ever, we will deliver this series in a hybrid format: Choose to connect virtually from the comfort of your own home, or attend in person at St. Paul’s Centre in Orillia.
The series will open with Dr. Alexander Lanoszka, a University of Waterloo professor and associate fellow at the U.K.-based think-tank Council on Geostrategy, who will discuss the European security order in the wake of Russia’s renewed invasion of Ukraine. He will outline the North Atlantic Treaty Organization’s (NATO) response to the invasion and what its future prospects are as the main vehicle for security co-operation in Europe.
Dr. Danita Burke, a research fellow at the University of Southern Denmark and founder of Women in the Arctic and Antarctic, will outline the role of the Arctic region and the Arctic Council in emerging geopolitical conflicts, including the Russian invasion of Ukraine, on Sept. 28.
The following week will focus on the position of Indigenous self-determination and sovereignty in global politics. We will hear from an expert specializing in Indigenous governance and politics.
On Oct. 5, John Foster, an international oil economist with more than 40 years of experience working with organizations such as the World Bank and Petro-Canada, will address the role of oil in ongoing tensions and rivalries between the United States, Russia and China. He will explain how Western sanctions have distorted prices, forcing prices up worldwide, resulting in Europe facing a severe economic crisis.
The series will close on Oct. 19 with Dr. Robert Latham, the director of the Centre for International and Security Studies and associate professor of political science at York University. He will explore changes in the international order, including U.S. leadership, challenges presented by Russia and China, multilateralism, and the increasingly complex political terrain.
Join TALL on Wednesday mornings to listen, share, and learn more about the geopolitical conflicts and challenges that shape our world. This speaker series will be delivered in a hybrid format, allowing you to connect virtually or attend in person at the St. Paul’s Centre in Orillia. More information, including how to register, can be found at www.lakeheadu.ca/tal.
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