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Recent Program Images

View photos taken by Columbia University staff photographer Eileen Barroso of this year's World Leaders Forum programs.

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WLF 2006–7 Images

View photos taken by Columbia University staff photographer Eileen Barroso of previous World Leaders Forum programs.

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Letter from President Bollinger


President Bollinger's statement about the World Leaders Forum.

Welcome to the Columbia University World Leaders Forum

Launched in 2003, the World Leaders Forum is an annual University-wide initiative that helps realize Columbia's commitment to serving as a center for public discussion and debate on the large economic, political, social, and cultural questions of our time that cut across both traditional academic and international boundaries.

The Forum brings together a wide range of governmental leaders, influential citizens, and intellectuals from many nations to examine global challenges and explore cultural perspectives. Throughout the yearlong series of events, Columbia's students, faculty, and alumni, along with members of the wider New York City community, gather to engage in an open dialogue with a variety of world leaders.

Past Events

Emerging Leaders: Students Making an Impact

Wednesday, April 16, 2007, 6:00 – 7:30 p.m.
Rotunda, Low Memorial Library, 116th Street between Broadway and Amsterdam (Directions)

A panel discussion held in partnership with Student Affairs Caucus of the Columbia University Senate. The panel of Columbia University students will address student leadership and will be moderated by President Lee C. Bollinger.

Panelists:
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India: The Global Partner

Tuesday, April 15, 2007, 11:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
Rotunda, Low Memorial Library, 116th Street between Broadway and Amsterdam (Directions)

This program will feature a discussion with Dr. Y.V. Reddy, Governor of the Reserve Bank of India and Jagdish Bhagwati, University Professor, Columbia University.

Hosted by John Coatsworth, Dean of the School of International and Public Affairs, Columbia University.

Read a full transcript of Dr. Reddy's address.

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Superclass: The Global Power Elite and the World They Are Making

Wednesday, April 2, 2008, 6:30 – 8:00 p.m.
Rotunda, Low Memorial Library, 116th Street between Broadway and Amsterdam (Directions)

President Lee C. Bollinger will host a panel discussion with Columbia University's distinguished alumnus, David Rothkopf (Columbia College '77), on the topic of his provocative new book, Superclass: The Global Power Elite and the World They Are Making.

Moderator
  • Alan Murray, Executive Editor of the Wall Street Journal Online
Participants
  • Lee C. Bollinger, President, Columbia University
  • Merit Janow, Professor in the Practice of International Economic Law & International Affairs, School of International and Public Affairs, Columbia University and former member of the World Trade Organization (WTO) Appellate Body.
  • Luis Alberto Moreno, President of the Inter-American Development Bank
  • David Rothkopf, President and CEO of Garten Rothkopf and author of , Superclass: The Global Power Elite and the World They Are Making
  • Saskia Sassen, Robert S. Lynd Professor of Sociology and member of The Committee on Global Thought, Columbia University
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Wednesday, October 24, 2007, 4:30–5:45 p.m.
Davis Auditorium, The Schapiro Center for Engineering and Physical Science Research (Directions)

Nambaryn Enkhbayar, President of Mongolia

Co-sponsored by the Weatherhead East Asian Institute

A keynote address followed by a question and answer session with the audience.

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Friday, September 28, 2007, 11:00 a.m. –12:00 p.m.
Low Memorial Library, 116th Street between Broadway and Amsterdam

Bangladesh's Socio-economic Development: Successes, Challenges and Imperatives

A keynote address followed by a question and answer session with the audience.

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Thursday, September 27, 2007, 4:00–5:00 p.m.
Low Memorial Library, 116th Street between Broadway and Amsterdam

Željko Komšić, Presidency Chairman of Bosnia and Herzegovina

Co-sponsored by the Harriman Institute

A keynote address followed by a question and answer session with the audience.

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Wednesday, September 26, 2007, 10:00–11:30 a.m.
Low Memorial Library, 116th Street between Broadway and Amsterdam

A Conversation with Toomas Hendrik Ilves (CC' 76), President of the Republic of Estonia and Mikheil Saakashvili (LAW' 94), President of the Republic of Georgia

Co-sponsored by the Harriman Institute

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Tuesday, September 25, 2007, 7:30 p.m.
Low Memorial Library, 116th Street between Broadway and Amsterdam

The Conversations Series: Improvisation in Everyday Life

Co-sponsored by the Center for Jazz Studies at Columbia University

The purpose of the Conversations Series is to explore the role of improvisation in the widest array of fields and practices. The guiding premise of the series is that the study of improvisation can present a new animating paradigm for scholarly inquiry in the humanities, arts and the social, political and natural sciences. Learn from experts in many fields about improvisation, a practice that subsumes jazz and many other musical and non-musical areas of endeavor.

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Monday, September 24, 2007, 6:30–7:30 p.m.
Low Memorial Library, 116th Street between Broadway and Amsterdam

Michelle Bachelet, President of the Republic of Chile

Co-sponsored by the Institute of Latin American Studies

A keynote address followed by a question and answer session with the audience.

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Monday, September 24, 2007, 1:30–2:30 p.m.
Roone Arledge Auditorium, Alfred Lerner Hall, 2920 Broadway

Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, President of the Islamic Republic of Iran

Co-sponsored by the School of International and Public Affairs

A keynote address followed by a question and answer session with the audience.

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Monday, September 24, 2007, 10:00 a.m.
Low Memorial Library, 116th Street between Broadway and Amsterdam

Dr. Bingu wa Mutharika, President of the Republic of Malawi

Co-sponsored by The Earth Institute at Columbia University

A keynote address followed by a question and answer session with the audience.

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Monday, September 24, 2007, 9:00–10:00 a.m.
The Italian Academy, 1161 Amsterdam Avenue at 117th Street

Gurbanguly Berdymukhammedov, President of Turkmenistan

Co-sponsored by the Harriman Institute

A keynote address followed by a question and answer session with the audience.

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Click here for the complete list of past events.