The Europe Center is jointly housed in the Freeman Spogli Institute for International Studies and the Stanford Global Studies Division.
Encina Ground Floor Conference Room
Publicó su primer libro, la novela corta Ziutateaz, en 1976. Le siguió, en 1978, el libro de poemas Etiopia. A partir de entonces ha publicado con asiduidad, cultivando diversos géneros. Entre sus obras más importantes pueden citarse las siguientes: Obabakoak (1988); Gizona bere bakardadean (1993) -publicada en castellano con el título de El hombre solo (1994)-; Zeru horiek (1995), Esos cielos (1996)-; Poemas & Híbridos (1990); Groenlandiako lezioa (1998), Lista de locos (1998); Soinujolearen semea (2003), El hijo del acordeonista (2004).
En el ámbito de la literatura infantil y juvenil, cabe destacar los siguientes títulos: Behi euskaldun baten memoriak (1991), Memorias de una vaca (1992) Sara izeneko gizona (1996), Un espía llamado Sara (1996); Xola eta lehoiak, Shola y los leones(1995); Bambulo (1998).
Ha publicado artículos y textos literarios en diversas publicaciones de todo el mundo: El País, El Mundo, El Correo, The New York Times, The Guardian, Corriere della Sera, El Paseante, Matador, Vuelta, Die Horen, Lichtungen, Lyrikkklubbss Bibliotek, Linea d ómbra, La Main du Singe, Le Serpent à Plumes, La Femelle du Requin, Tabacaria, Modern Poetry in Translation, Poetry London, Revue Labyrint, Threepenny Review etc.
Premio de la Crítica en diversas ocasiones; Premio Euskadi, Premio Nacional de Literatura, Prix Millepages, finalista en dos ocasiones en European Literary Award, Premio Cesare Pavese etc.
Su obra ha sido traducida y publicada en 30 lenguas.
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Bernardo Atxaga belongs to a group of writers who began to publish in the Basque language at the beginning of the 1970's. He graduated with a degree in Economics from the Facultad de Bilbao in 1973. Later, he completed his studies in Philosophy at the University of Barcelona (1980 - 1983). He published his first book, the short novel Ziutateaz, in 1976, followed by Etiopia, a book of poems, in 1978. Since then, he has published prolifically and developed a varity of styles. Among his most important works are: Obabakoak (1988); Gizona bere bakardadean (1993) -published in Castilian and titled El hombre solo (1994)-; Zeru horiek (1995), Esos cielos (1996)-; Poemas & Híbridos (1990); Groenlandiako lezioa (1998), Lista de locos (1998); Soinujolearen semea (2003), and El hijo del acordeonista (2004).
In the world of emerging young literature, the following titles of Mr. Atxaga are worth noting: Behi euskaldun baten memoriak (1991), Memorias de una vaca (1992) Sara izeneko gizona (1996), Un espía llamado Sara (1996); Xola eta lehoiak, Shola y los leones (1995); Bambulo (1998).
He has published articles and literary texts in many publications around the world, including: El País, El Mundo, El Correo, The New York Times, The Guardian, Corriere della Sera, El Paseante, Matador, Vuelta, Die Horen, Lichtungen, Lyrikkklubbss Bibliotek, Linea d ómbra, La Main du Singe, Le Serpent à Plumes, La Femelle du Requin, Tabacaria, Modern Poetry in Translation, Poetry London, Revue Labyrint, Threepenny Review etc.
Atxaga has won many awards including the Premio de la Critica on many occasions, the Premio Euskadi, Premio Nacional de Literatura, Prix Millpages, and he was a finalist on two occasions for the European Literary Award.
His works have been translated and published in 30 languages.
German Studies Library
Building 260, Room 252 (Pigott Hall)
Stanford University
The 2007 Ukrainian elections are a clear move forward in a variety of ways. Ambassador Steven Pifer sets out why, as well as the options for the creation of a coalition government. Mr. Pifer also clearly explains the number of key issues that the new government will have to face.
Synopsis
Ambassor Pifer begins by explaining the election results from September 2007. He reveals who he believes were the winners and losers, as well as who thinks we will have to wait for and see. Mr. Pifer argues that, in any case, the election was good news for democratization in Ukraine. Citing that this has been the third consecutive national election, he believes that the country is getting a grip of how elections are to be run. Mr. Pifer reinforces this by explaining that the election was free, fair, and basically fraudless. Another point Mr. Pifer emphasizes is the fact that the parties generally accepted the outcome, as well as that major parties such as Tymoshenko’s bloc are breaking out of their regional bases.
However, Mr. Pifer explains that the elections do not mean the work is over as a coalition is yet to be formed. He examines the possibility of the an ‘orange restoration’ involving a coalition between President Yushchenko and Yulia Tymoshenko, but there are some fears that Tymoshenko may not receive the necessary number of votes in Ukraine’s parliament to become prime minister. On the other hand, others have looked towards the possibility of a coalition between President Yushchenko and Viktor Yanukovych. Mr. Pifer believes this seems more natural, but he is again not sure deputies would support it. Mr. Pifer also examines what President Yushchenko might want personally and what would benefit him politically.
Although which coalition will be formed is not clear, Mr. Pifer feels there are some clear challenges for the government to face when it comes into power. He argues that while the economy is strong, evidence includes the emergence of a middle class, there are several steps to be made on the economy. He explains that Ukraine must complete WTO accession, abolish its outdated commercial code, free the sale of agricultural land, and reform the tax and regulatory systems. Most urgently, Mr. Pifer argues that energy security must be taken care of, and this must be part of a necessary effort to manage relations with Russia better. Inside the government, Mr. Pifer notes ambiguities in the constitution which must be amended, and he stresses serious steps must be taken to counter corruption. Mr. Pifer also hopes that Ukrainian government can develop habits of cooperation and compromise and move beyond politics to pass policies. He concludes by emphasizing that he is optimistic about Ukraine’s opportunities, but he also feels Ukraine has a tendency to miss them rather than seize them.
about the speaker
Steven Pifer is a senior adviser with the Center for Strategic and International Studies. A retired Foreign Service officer, his more than 25 years with the State Department focused on U.S. relations with the former Soviet Union and Europe, as well as on arms control and security issues. His assignments included deputy assistant secretary of state in the Bureau of European and Eurasian Affairs (2001-2004), ambassador to Ukraine (1998-2000), and special assistant to the president and National Security Council senior director for Russia, Ukraine and Eurasia (1996-1997). He also served at the U.S. embassies in Warsaw, Moscow and London, as well as with the U.S. delegation to the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces negotiations in Geneva. He holds a B.A. in economics from Stanford University, where he later spent a year as a visiting scholar at Stanford's Institute for International Studies. He is a member of the Council on Foreign Relations.
Reuben W. Hills Conference Room
Barry Eichengreen is the George C. Pardee and Helen N. Pardee Professor of Economics and Professor of Political Science at the University of California, Berkeley, where he has taught since 1987. He is also Research Associate of the National Bureau of Economic Research (Cambridge, Massachusetts) and Research Fellow of the Centre for Economic Policy Research (London, England). In 1997-98 he was Senior Policy Advisor at the International Monetary Fund. He is a fellow of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences (class of 1997). He is the convener of the Bellagio Group of academics and economic officials. He has held Guggenheim and Fulbright Fellowships and has been a fellow of the Center for Advanced Study in the Behavioral Sciences (Palo Alto) and the Institute for Advanced Study (Berlin). He has authored and edited many books, including, Golden Fetters: The Gold Standard and the Great Depression, 1919-1939 (Oxford University Press, 1992), Global Imbalances and the Lessons of Bretton Woods (MIT Press, September 2006), and The European Economy Since 1945: Co-ordinated Capitalism and Beyond (Princeton University Press, 2007). Dr. Eichengreen was awarded the Economic History Association's Jonathan R.T. Hughes Prize for Excellence in Teaching in 2002 and the University of California at Berkeley Social Science Division's Distinguished Teaching Award in 2004. He is also the recipient of a doctor honoris causa from the American University in Paris.
Dr. Eichengreen received his Ph.D from Yale University in 1979.
Encina Ground Floor Conference Room
In the debates surrounding genetically modified organisms in the food supply, the issue of labeling has become ever more salient. The EU is developing regulations to require labeling and traceability for all foods containing or derived from GMOs. Other countries, including Australia, Brazil, Japan, New Zealand, Russia, South Korea and Thailand are also in the process of developing voluntary labeling guidelines. In January of 2000, 130 countries adopted the Cartagena Protocol on Bio-safety which calls for bulk shipments of GMO commodities, such as corn or soybeans that are intended to be used as food, feed or for processing, to be accompanied by documentation stating that such shipments "may contain" living modified organisms and are "not intended for intentional introduction into the environment." Will these labeling systems prevent trade disruptions and enhance the international trading system established by the WTO? Or will they act as non-tariff barriers that obfuscate consumer decisions and lead to greater expense, confusion and ultimately to new trade wars?
Any GMO labeling debate must take into consideration the political, economic, legal, operational and administrative aspects of such labeling. The political considerations include the maintenance of confidence in the food system and how policy makers balance the demands of domestic constituencies against their various international obligations, such as under WTO Technical Barriers to Trade Agreement. The economic questions focus on a cost/benefit analysis of segregation and identity-preservation and whether labels provide information or capture a premium for producers. The legal issues include the possible challenge of discrimination in trade and the extent of liability under domestic law for misleading or incorrect labels. Operational adn administrative questions center on whether to make labels mandatory, whether to take a product or process approach, how feasible and costly are particular approaches and whether it is necessary it is necessary to require full traceability.
The workshop will be hosted by the European Forum of the Institute for International Studies at Stanford University. The goal of the workshop is to make a significant contribution to the ongoing policy debate. Participants will include academic, government and private sector specialists and bring expertise in economics, law and political science.
Daniel and Nancy Okimoto Conference Room
Ambassador John Beyrle presented his credentials to President Parvanov as U.S. Ambassador to Bulgaria on September 8, 2005. A career officer in the senior Foreign Service at the rank of Minister-Counselor, Ambassador Beyrle has held policy positions and foreign assignments with an emphasis on U.S. relations with Central and Eastern Europe, Russia, and the USSR since joining the State Department in 1983.
Ambassador Beyrle's overseas service has included two tours at the U.S. Embassy in Moscow, most recently as Deputy Chief of Mission. He was Counselor for Political and Economic Affairs at the U.S. Embassy in Prague, and a member of the U.S. Delegation to the CFE Negotiations in Vienna. He served an earlier tour at the U.S. Embassy in Bulgaria 1985-87. His Washington assignments include Acting Special Adviser to the Secretary of State for the New Independent States, and Director for Russian, Ukrainian and Eurasian Affairs at the National Security Council. He served as a staff officer to Secretaries of State George Shultz and James Baker, and as a Pearson Fellow and foreign policy adviser to the late Senator Paul Simon.
Ambassador Beyrle received a B.A. degree with honors from Grand Valley State University, and an M.S. degree as a Distinguished Graduate of the National War College.
Ambassador Elena Poptodorova has been the Ambassador of the Republic of Bulgaria since February 2002. Prior to assuming the ambassadorial post, Mrs. Poptodorova has held a number of government positions and served as a member of parliament for 11 years (1990-2001) as a representative of the Bulgarian Socialist Party. She is a signature figure of the new Bulgarian democracy, playing an active role in policy making and known as one of the liberal and maverick members of her party. In the period of June 2001 to August 2002, she led the Directorate of International Organizations and Human Rights. She served as Spokes of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs immediately before becoming Bulgarian Ambassador to the United States.
Ambassador Poptodorova received her B.A. and M.A. in English and Italian Language and Literature from Tthe Kiment Ohridski University of Sofia, Bulgaria. She has a M.A. in international relations and diplomacy from the University of National and World Economy, Sofia, Bulgaria.
This event is co-sponsored by the Forum on Contemporary Europe and the Center for Russian, East European and Eurasian Studies.
CISAC Conference Room
