GIG.ORG

April 27, 2004

I am very pleased to announce the launch of Fairleigh Dickinson’s new Global Issues Gateway (http://www.gig.org), an educational Web site providing learning resources and in-depth analysis of global topics.

Global Issues Gateway will be a very selective digest focusing exclusively on issues that transcend boundaries and cultures. The site also allows FDU to draw attention, in a substantive and visible way, to our rich and growing resources and programs in global education.

The Web site is divided into subsections on culture, economics, ethics, politics and science. A faculty editorial board manages the content, and these dedicated individuals include: Nandita Ghosh (culture), Sorin Tuluca (economics), Odysseus Makridis (ethics), Christopher Devine and Marion McClary (science), Jack Becker (discussion forums), Walter Cummins (features and original content) and Jason Scorza (politics and general editor for the entire site).

In addition to editing the site’s content, FDU faculty offer original materials such as reviews and commentary. Global Virtual Faculty serve as Global Scholars in Residence (GSR), offering writings and dispatches and hosting discussions from their corners of the globe. The first GSR will be Kumar Ketkar, a journalist and editor from India. FDU symposia and global education events also will be highlighted. A special media section is devoted to FDU’s United Nations Pathways program, and all U.N. lectures and videoconferences will be available via streaming media. This presents a unique opportunity for faculty and students to integrate timely discussions by U.N. ambassadors and diplomats into classroom teaching and scholarly work.

Another major section of the site focuses on global education for K–12 teachers, and we will provide content and maintain links to lesson plans and other educational materials related to global affairs for primary and secondary school teachers.

The Global Issues Gateway is published by the Office of Global Learning. In addition to oversight by Jason Scorza and the editorial board, additional staff members dedicating many hours to this effort are: Diana Cvitan (associate editor, K–12), Cheryl McKay (associate editor, K-12), Mahesh Nair (technical designer/developer), Michael Sperling (publisher), Sesha Srinivas (graduate assistant), and Dalila Suhonjic (associate editor, U.N. features).

Please set your Web browser to http://gig.org and visit this wonderful resource.