About the State of International Legal Order Lecture Series:
Join the European Studies Center as we examine the post–World War II international legal order, tracing its achievements—from landmark global agreements to the creation of international courts—alongside the growing challenges posed by nationalism, power politics, and treaty violations. Against the backdrop of war, climate crisis, and mass displacement, the series asks whether a just and secure global order remains possible. Through conversations with leading experts, the series will explore how the system works, where it is failing, and whether it can be reformed or must be reimagined.
WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 9, 2026
ESC Welcome Back Reception and Lecture: "What do Transatlantic Economic Troubles Mean for Pittsburgh and Pennsylvania?"
A joint collaboration with the German American Chamber of Commerce
Latin American Cultural Center (LACC)
4338 Bigelow Blvd, Pittsburgh, PA 15213
5:00 PM - Welcome Back Reception | 6:00 PM - Lecture
REGISTRATION LINK: HERE
About the Speaker:
Dr. Hamilton is a Senior Fellow at the Brookings Institution and at SAIS, where he served as Austrian Marshall Plan Professor, Richard von Weizsäcker Professor, and founding director of the School’s Center for Transatlantic Relations. He is President of the Transatlantic Leadership Network. He has also been a senior U.S. diplomat and served as the first Robert Bosch Foundation Senior Diplomatic Fellow in the German Foreign Office.
Dr. Hamilton will explore how shifting transatlantic economic relations are impacting businesses, policymakers, and communities in our region.
Sponsors: European Studies Center/Jean Monnet EU Center of Excellence I German American Chamber of Commerce I German Department I Embassy of the Federal Republic of Germany, Washington I Germany on Campus
THURSDAY, APRIL 16, 2026
"When the World Must Act: Why Multilateralism Matters in Preventing Genocide"
University of Pittsburgh, Barco Law Building, Alcoa Room
6:00 PM - Reception | 7:00 PM - Roundtable Discussion
REGISTRATION LINK: HERE
On the 75th anniversary of the Genocide Convention and the 20th anniversary of the Responsibility to Protect, this roundtable asks why the world still struggles to stop mass atrocities. From Rwanda and Darfur to Ukraine, Sudan, and Gaza, we invite you to consider why global commitments have repeatedly failed—and what can be done about it.
Panelists:
Mikhail Minakov, European University Viadrina
Jonathan Hafetz, Seton Hall Law School
Ruth Mostern, University of Pittsburgh
Moderators:
Betty Cruz, World Affairs Council of Pittsburgh & Randall Halle, University of Pittsburgh
Sponsors: European Studies Center/Jean Monnet EU Center of Excellence I Department of History I Dietrich School of Arts and Sciences I Center for Russian, East European, and Eurasian Studies I Center for African Studies I Global Studies Center I University Center for International Studies I World Affairs Council of Pittsburgh
THURSDAY MARCH 5, 2026
“Displacement, the Right of Asylum, the Need to Migrate”
University of Pittsburgh, 125 Frick Arts Building
6:00 PM - 8:00 PM
This month, inspired by the 75th anniversary of the Geneva Refugee Convention, the series turns its attention to questions of migrant and refugee rights. With more than 122 million people displaced worldwide in 2025, we face conditions we have not experienced since the end of World War II. Along with this record of people fleeing war and conflict, there are further millions who have set out to find a better life for themselves and their families.
Often classified as economic migrants, they are also subject to aggression in their new countries of residence: the ICE actions in the US represent currently the most visible backlash migrants confront worldwide.
Join in a discussion with experts in our community to consider where we are, who we are, and what we can do.
Panelists:
Rosamaria Cristillo, Latino Community Center
Joseph Murphy, Esq, Allegheny Immigration Center
Anouar Rahmani, City of Asylum
Ankur Sakaria, Mayor Corey O’Connor
Moderator: Randall Halle, University of Pittsburgh
Sponsors: European Studies Center/Jean Monnet EU Center of Excellence I Center for African Studies I Center for Latin American Studies I Dietrich School of Arts and Sciences I Global Studies Center I University Center of International Studies
THURSDAY, JANUARY 29, 2026
"The US, the EU, the Past and Future of the International Legal Order"
University Club, Conference Room A
4:00 -5:30 PM
REGISTRATION LINK: HERE
Discussions of the state of the international legal order fill our headlines and newsfeeds. They compel us to ask: what is happening to our world? The transatlantic relationship has provided the foundation of the International Legal Order for decades, but at this moment, that foundation seems to be crumbling.
Pause your podcasts and join in for a live discussion of where we are and where we are headed!
Panelists:
Ruth Bajada, Deputy Ambassador of the EU Delegation of the US
Prof. Ronald Brand, Chancellor Mark A. Nordenberg University Professor and Director of the Center for International Legal Education
Prof. Randall Halle, Klaus W. Jonas Professor and Director of the Jean Monnet EU Center of Excellence
Moderator: Prof. Carissa Slotterback, Dean of the School of Public and International Affairs
Sponsors: European Studies Center/Jean Monnet EU Center of Excellence I Dietrich School of Arts and Sciences I Global Studies Center I Center for International Legal Education I School of Public and International Affairs I University Center for International Studies