UNM'S INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS FOCUS OF TASK FORCE

Contact: Laurie Mellas Ramirez or Carolyn Gonzales, 277-5813

April 21, 2004

UNM'S INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS FOCUS OF TASK FORCE
FACULTY, STAFF SOUGHT FOR SMALL WORKING GROUPS

The University of New Mexico Provost's Task Force on International Relations (formerly known as the UNM Circle on Sovereignty and Sustainability) has been assigned to Associate Provost for Academic Affairs Paul Nathanson.

The task force will identify central themes within the university's teaching, service and research activities to broaden UNM's international profile.

Preliminary goals include promoting a UNM-based international research agenda, expanding international student and faculty exchanges, enhancing international service and service contracts and developing an international studies program at UNM encompassing all departments and colleges.

Nathanson met with dozens of individuals across campus associated with international projects. He is now organizing small, working groups to explore cross-disciplinary themes and begin a three-part planning process. Steps include:

• Define a vision of what UNM has to offer the world and what the world has to offer the university

• Inventory UNM's existing programs

• Develop a business plan to stimulate UNM's international efforts

Faculty and staff involved with projects or programs or who have strengths related to the six thematic areas – all of which grew out of UNM's connection to and strengths within the Southwestern United States – are asked to join the task force.

The themes are:

• Indigenous peoples

• Arts and culture

• Borders

• Economic development

• Environment (with special focus on water issues)

• Political and human rights

“A lot of medical schools ask for help from UNM's School of Medicine because if we've solved some problem here, whether it's related to medicine, borders or water, it is more important to those in the developing world because we are more like them. We have something unique to offer here at UNM,” Nathanson said.

To create a UNM vision for each theme, he said, the self-selected groups will be asked to address issues that cut across them all – questions such as: What are the appropriate research questions UNM should pursue? What are the relevant health issues? What law and public policy issues arise? How does each theme relate to women/gender issues? Are there special language/linguistic issues? How can distance learning and conferencing technologies available at UNM contribute to international studies? What external partnerships are possible? How do UNM's region-centered resources affect our international profile? What should the role of a public university be in this arena?

Nathanson anticipates the planning phase will be completed within a few months, followed by work to implement the new international agenda.

Faculty and staff interested in working on one or more themes should email Karla Crawford at karlac@unm.edu .

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