The first month of a new year was named January after the Roman god Janus, who was always depicted as having two faces: one looking backward and the other looking forward. This suggests the first month is a good time to take stock of the year just ended and to look to the future. I…
Looking for – and finding – solutions to hot-button issues from education to economic vibrancy to population growth
New Brunswick has much to learn from the Republic of Ireland. My recent selection as a Dobbin Scholar by the Ireland Canada University Foundation allowed me to conduct an academic visit to Maynooth University and the Republic of Ireland in June. The purpose of my visit was to explore the lessons that the Celtic Tiger…
They provide the machinery and the fuel for empowering and sustaining the new global economy of the 21st century
Rhodes, the modern capital city of the Greek island of the same name, is built around an historic landmark with a distinguished history. In 1988, the medieval city at the modern city’s core was designated a UNESCO world heritage site. It lays claim to being the only European medieval city in constant habitation since the…
Jesse Canney's performance at the recent Special Olympics has been a catalyst for breaking down the barriers of marginalization
Jesse Canney did New Brunswick proud. He was a competitive swimmer at the 2019 Special Olympics World Games in Abu Dhabi and Dubai, the United Arab Emirates. He returned to New Brunswick in late March with three gold medals – in the 1,500-metres freestyle, the 800-metres freestyle and the four-by-100-metres freestyle relay. He also won…
The Greeks believe that supporting the arts and culture is not a luxury but an investment in human progress
Throughout the ages, Greece has created a significant footprint and an inspiring legacy in the arts and culture. Hardly a day goes by when we don’t recognize the foundational endowments to the modern arts and culture made by ancient Greece. Renowned Greek philosophers, architects, sculptors, poets and playwrights have left their mark for future generations.…
An electronic empowerment has been unleashed by the information technology and communications revolution
By Constantine Passaris and Allen Bentley Contributors Troy Media The English language has traditionally embraced new words in response to the cultural evolution of civil society, in response to the production of new products and services, and to the articulation of innovative concepts in science and technology. However, English has, at times, been at a…
Transitioning from a communist economy to a free-market system is no simple task
Transition economies describes those eastern European countries that were under the grip of the Soviet Union until 1991 and subsequently moved away from a centrally-planned communist economic system toward a free-enterprise market economy. An invitation from the LCC International University in Lithuania to spend three months there as a visiting professor gave me the opportunity…
A visiting professor to Lithuania discovers a generation of bright, committed and principled students who aspire to change their world
University professors have a unique, daunting and exciting responsibility. They’re tasked with educating, empowering and inspiring the next generation of leaders. And not just our next political leaders. I’m also referring to the next generation of leaders in all fields of human endeavour. In the arts and sciences, in business and technology, in agriculture and…
Globalization takes the blame for the world’s many economic and social failures. In fact, it's the mechanism that can improve life for everyone
Economic globalization faces a clear and present danger. The grumblings about the adverse consequences of globalization, the despair about not sharing in its economic benefits, and the disaffection with the global political and social tensions it has created are real. The cacophony of voices raised in anger against globalization have been getting louder every year.…
Despite its status as an economic superpower, it is the U.S., under Donald Trump, that is shaping the narrative on the abuses of globalization
Modern globalization is creating a large number of discontents. Numerous countries feel they’ve been shortchanged over the economic benefits of globalization and free trade. This growing list includes many developing countries and, surprisingly, a few developed countries. One of the leading countries discontented with globalization is the United States. Despite its iconic status as an…