On Monday, October 21, Acting Director Ken LaPlante welcomed 79 students from 23 countries in the Western Hemisphere to the in-person phase of the Fall 2013 series of specialized courses at the Perry Center. The following courses will be in residence at the Center from October 21 to November 1:
All of the courses, while distinct in subject matter, follow a similar format of lecture, discussion, independent research, and practical group exercises. The students will have opportunities to hear from guest speakers representing the highest levels in the US government, academia, and private enterprise in the fields in which they are studying. Larger group discussions and lectures will enable the students to share insights and perspectives with their peers who are enrolled in the other courses.
For example, on October 21, students from all four courses attended a guest lecture by Amb. William Brownfield, a career foreign service officer with extensive experience in the Western Hemisphere who currently serves as the Assistant Secretary of State for International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs. In his lecture, he made clear the connections between the rule of law, technology in law enforcement, and the nature of transnational organized crime, providing key insights for students in each of the distinct subject matter areas. Following the lecture, he participated in a candid and broad-ranging discussion with the students about the unique security challenges facing the Western Hemisphere.
