The Spring Symposium is an event hosted by the Journal of International Service, the graduate student publication of the School of International Service. Each year, we invite approximately 100 students, faculty, experts, and policy makers to participate in this academic, student-organized event. This year’s Symposium is focused on the topic of Energy Security, and will be held on Friday, January 29, 2010 at 5:00pm in the Butler Boardroom on American University’s main campus. The Symposium will be comprised of a keynote address, a panel discussion moderated by Dean Louis Goodman with four experts from different disciplines, a question and answer session, and smaller discussions over dinner.

This year we chose to highlight Energy/Climate Security because we recognize that energy plays a crucial role in the lives of all human beings. It is essential to the global economy and the rising demand for cheap energy presents a challenge to governments, businesses, and families. Competition for finite fossil fuels and the race to develop clean and renewable energy sources will influence the actions of millions of people in the near future. If society wishes to move forward with strong economic growth, strong national security, and global stability, it will have to grapple with energy needs and ways to meet them.

Within the overall theme of Energy Security, we are seeking to represent various perspectives, including military, environmental, academic, economic development, and policy. Three speakers have already confirmed their participation in this year’s Symposium: Dr. Bernard Finel of the American Security Project, Dr. Duncan Wood of the Instituto Tecnologico Autonomo de Mexico, and Dr. Johanna Mendelson Forman of the Center for Strategic and International Studies.