Institute cosponsors symposium on the Carter presidency
Former U.S. President Jimmy Carter and his wife, Rosalynn, will participate in a conference to be held in Athens January 18-21 to commemorate the 30th anniversary of his inauguration as president.
The Vinson Institute is cosponsoring the conference with the University of Georgia's School of Public and International Affairs (SPIA). In addition to a keynote address from Carter, the conference will include a town hall meeting and a three-day symposium entitled, "The Carter Presidency: Lessons for the 21st Century." The symposium will bring leading scholars, Carter administration officials, and journalists to the UGA campus to examine lessons learned during the Carter years on such issues as energy policy, the Middle East, Islamic fundamentalism, environmental policy, and human rights.
The idea for the conference was proposed by Carter's former chief of staff, Hamilton Jordan, who has a temporary public service appointment at the Vinson Institute while writing a book on the Carter presidency. "I was particularly struck by the number of issues which will be debated and discussed in 2006-2008 that are the very same issues that we addressed a quarter of a century ago. For that reason, I believe there is considerable benefit to having a Carter retrospective close to the time of the inauguration anniversary," Jordan explained. John Maltese, SPIA political science professor, will direct the event.
"The Vinson Institute is very appreciative of Hamilton Jordan's efforts in bringing this conference to the UGA campus. We are privileged to help coordinate an event that can further our mission of helping provide better government for the people of this state," said Steve Wrigley, Vinson Institute director.
Lessons to learn (UGA News Service)
