Skip to main content
Intellect

BYU spring Global Focus Series to offer lectures, films on war

Will include Afghani Ambassador to the United Nations on May 20

Focusing on the horrors or war, the Global Focus Series spring term schedule has been announced at Brigham Young University.

Sponsored by the David M. Kennedy Center for International Studies, the series offers students and faculty opportunities to explore current events, scholarly research and diplomatic concerns facing the global community.

Each event is free and the public is invited to attend.

Formerly known as the International Forum Series and Area Focus Lectures, the series will also include "Ambassadorial Insights" from ambassadors of other nations who are regular guest lecturers.

All films and lectures will take place at noon in 238 Herald R. Clark Building unless otherwise noted. The spring term schedule will include:

  • Wednesday, May 12: A documentary film, "War Photographer," by Christian Frei will be shown. The film features photojournalist James Nachtwey.

  • Thursday, May 20, at 11 a.m.: His Excellency Ravan Farhâdi, Afghani Ambassador to the United Nations, will discuss "War Against Al Qaeda and Terrorism" at an "Ambassadorial Insights" lecture.

  • Wednesday, May 26: The film "Ghosts of Rwanda" will look at the Rwandan genocide. The session will also feature Lt. Gen. Romeo Dallaire.

  • Wednesday, June 2: The film "The Fog of War: Eleven Lessons From the Life of Robert S. McNamara" will be shown.

  • Wednesday, June 9: Ryan Chavez, an analyst with Information Analysis and Infrastructure Protection Directorate, U.S. Department of Homeland Security, will discuss "Homeland Security in an Age of Transnational Terrorism."

  • Wednesday, June 16: Bruce Grant, a BYU Korean instructor, will discuss "War in Korea?" For more information on news, events, archived lectures or a Kennedy Center calendar, visit the Web at http://kennedy.byu.edu, or call Lee Simons at (801) 422-2652.

    Writer: Lee Simons

    Related Articles

    data-content-type="article"

    Wildflowers not wildfires: How BYU and Provo City are helping to restore Rock Canyon Trailhead

    July 10, 2025
    At Rock Canyon Trailhead in Provo, Utah, BYU researchers are fighting fires with flowers. By replacing a problematic weed called cheatgrass with wildflowers, students and faculty are working to protect and restore one of Provo’s most popular hiking spots.
    overrideBackgroundColorOrImage= overrideTextColor= promoTextAlignment= overrideCardHideSection=false overrideCardHideByline=false overrideCardHideDescription=false overridebuttonBgColor= overrideButtonText= promoTextAlignment=
    data-content-type="article"

    Wildfires in residential areas are on the rise; why hydrants and the water system behind them were never meant to stop those fires

    July 01, 2025
    BYU professor Rob Sowby teaches and studies environmental engineering, urban water infrastructure and sustainability. He has particular expertise in the planning, design, construction and operation of public water systems. That expertise has been increasingly important (and regularly sought out) in the wake of apocalyptic wildfires that have taxed those public water systems.
    overrideBackgroundColorOrImage= overrideTextColor= promoTextAlignment= overrideCardHideSection=false overrideCardHideByline=false overrideCardHideDescription=false overridebuttonBgColor= overrideButtonText= promoTextAlignment=
    data-content-type="article"

    Meet the BYU math student helping make wildfire predictions faster and smarter

    June 25, 2025
    Using machine learning and math, a BYU student improved a key tool firefighters rely on during wildfire season
    overrideBackgroundColorOrImage= overrideTextColor= promoTextAlignment= overrideCardHideSection=false overrideCardHideByline=false overrideCardHideDescription=false overridebuttonBgColor= overrideButtonText= promoTextAlignment=
    overrideBackgroundColorOrImage= overrideTextColor= promoTextAlignment= overrideCardHideSection=false overrideCardHideByline=false overrideCardHideDescription=false overridebuttonBgColor= overrideButtonText=