RECENT PROJECT

Old Dominion University was a partner in the Global Access Project (GAP) coordinated by the American Association of State Colleges and Universities (AASCU) and the US Department of State (DOS). GAP offered universities and their communities the opportunity to examine contemporary international issues using DOS resources concerning the art of diplomacy, enhancing international studies programs and encouraging careers in public diplomacy.

GAP also strengthened existing partnerships between ODU and such community groups as the World Affairs Council of Greater Hampton Roads and its Great Decisions Program, the Economics Club and the International Studies Magnet Middle School at Meadowbrook in Norfolk.

Dr. John D. Heyl, Executive Director of International Programs at ODU, was the campus coordinator for the project. George Mehaffy, Vice President for Academic Leadership and Change for AASCU, and Arlene Jackson, AASCU Director of International Education were project coordinators at AASCU.

During 2004-2005 the GAP project sponsored monthly programs on key international issues. These issues included: the Future in Afghanistan (September), Homeland Security and the USA Patriot Act (October), Social/Environmental Issues in Asia (October), Focus on Asia/China (November), the UN and International Terrorism (November), Africa: Women and Food Security (January), NATO and Central Europe (February), US Policy on Nation Building (March) and Resolving Tensions between India and Pakistan (April).

Teleconference Topics:
August 11, 2004 - Topic: Global Climate Change: Science and Politics. Lead University: South Dakota State University.

September 2004 - Topic: The Future of Afghanistan. Lead University: University of Nebraska-Omaha (co-leader - James Madison Univ.)

October 2004 - Topic: Homeland Security, the USA Patriot Act and the Practice of Diplomacy. Lead University: Portland State Univ. (co-leader: Western Connecticut State Univ.).

October 2004 - Topic: Social and Environmental Issues in Asia. Lead University: Western Connecticut State Univ. (co-leader - Portland State Univ.)

November 2004 - Topic: Focus on Asia/China. Lead University: Ball State University (co-leader - Univ. of Wisconsin/Whitewater).

November 2004 - Topic: The UN and International Terrorism. Lead University: Georgia Southern Univ. (co-leader - Dickinson State University).

January 2005 - Topic: Africa: Women and Food Scecuirty. Lead University: S. Dakota State Univ. (co-leader: UNC/Winston Salem State Univ.).

February 22, 2005 - Topic: NATO and Central Europe. Lead Universities: Old Dominion University and Troy State University.

March 2005 - Topic: The US Policy on Nation Building. Lead University: Dickinson State University (co-leader - Old Dominion University, Georgia Southern University).

April 2005 - Topic: Reducing Tensions between India and Pakistan. Lead University: Univ. of Wisconsin-Whitewater (co-leader - S. Dakota State Univ.).

Participating Institutions
Ball State University Dickenson State University Georgia Southern University James Madison University Old Dominion University Portland State University South Dakota State University	Troy State University University of Nebraska - Omaha University of North Carolina System University of Northern Colorado University of Wisconsin - Whitewater Western Connecticut University