 |
| Marshall Mitchell |
Wilberforce University is proud to announce the creation of the Center for Defense and Security Policy (CDSP) to address the pressing need for informed debate on the main strategic events touching on U.S. and international security issues, including: Terrorism and the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction; crisis management for humanitarian and emergency situations; and dialogue between the West and Islam.
Wilberforce University, named in honor of the 18th century British abolitionist and Member of Parliament, William Wilberforce, is an ideal home for this form of intellectual examination of the leading issues of our time. Wilberforce University, the first private historically black college in America, has a rich history of leadership in international affairs and global engagement.The first president of Malawi (Central Africa), H. Kamuzu Banda, was a graduate of Wilberforce. The University’s current President, Floyd Flake, is a former member of the US House of Representatives and served on the important House Banking Committee.
In this capacity, he chaired and was a ranking member on the subcommittee with jurisdiction over the world’s multilateral development banks like the Asian Development Bank, the African Development Bank, and the World Bank. This institution is no stranger to international engagement and foreign policy. Indeed, it is logical that we, Wilberforce University, would examine the most potent forces facing this nation and the world at this moment.
Dr. Anouar Boukhars was also a logical choice to lead this effort. He brings to the University -and the issue at hand- depth, humanity, a global perspective and honesty. Along with Dr. Boukhars, we have invited participation of many of the world’s leading thinkers, policymakers, journalists, and scholars. As a result, you will witness that the Center for Defense and Security Policy is representative of the excellence anticipated when the Center was imagined.
I am personally proud of this effort as it grew out of my vision to engage the world in an age when there are motivations and calls by many to withdraw into illusory national, ethnic, religious, cultural and ideological cloisters because of current turmoil around the world. Now more than ever, there is a need for serious, honest, thoughtful and robust engagement of the world, not retreat! Suo marte!
Sincerely,
Marshall Mitchell
Executive Vice President
Wilberforce University
