The student leaders of Notre Dame Women in International Security (WIIS) invite women at Notre Dame and Saint Mary’s College who are interested in global and human security to join them for learning, professional development, and networking in the 2013-14 year.
The group’s meetings are open to all women faculty, Ph.D. students, master’s students, and undergraduates, in any field.
WIIS a national non-partisan organization that advocates for women’s inclusion and leadership in peace and security. The purpose of the group is both learning and support, said Kathrin Kranz, Ph.D. student in political science and peace studies and WIIS liaison to the Kroc Institute.
“WIIS draws attention to the issue of women in conflict, as well as the challenges for women to break into the field of international security,” Kranz said. “It’s a network of women who are strongly supportive of each other.”
The ND group is co-sponsored by the Notre Dame International Security Program and the Kroc Institute for International Peace Studies. Professor Mary Ellen O’Connell of the Notre Dame Law School and the Kroc Institute is the faculty advisor to the chapter.
WIIS bridges gap between “traditional security” (the role of the state) and “human security” (individuals and the building of society), said Ji Eun Kim, Ph.D. student in political science and peace studies and Co-president of ND WIIS. Its members might be interested in arms embargoes or nuclear issues, but ultimately “We put the human being in the center. Anyone who cares about the well-being of people around the globe and who cares about role of women in building community, is welcome to join us,” she said.
The other officers in ND WIIS are Co-president Lizzy McCourt, Ph.D. student in political science; Treasurer Kathryn Green Boehlefeld, Ph.D. student in political science; Secretary Laura Weis, Ph.D. student in history and peace studies; and NDISP-WIIS Coordinator Kirstin Hasler, Ph.D. student in political science.
ND WIIS invites prominent women in international security to speak at Notre Dame — lectures are open to the whole campus community, men and women — and arranges for small group meetings with speakers invited by the ND International Security Program, the Kroc Institute, and others.
Last year, for example, the group met privately with Jessica Tuchman Mathews, president of the Carnegie Council for International Peace, before she presented the annual Hesburgh Lecture in Ethics and Public Policy.
“We offer a unique opportunity to meet these high profile academics and policymakers on a one-on-one basis, and to learn from their professional and personal experiences,” Kranz said.
Contact Ji Eun Kim to learn more or for details on the WIIS opening reception of the academic year and to be added to the mailing list.