PHILADELPHIA (September 29, 2014) — China’s rapid development and Sino-American relations have a direct impact on the lives of all Americans. To help illuminate this important international relationship, Saint Joseph’s University (SJU) will host the National Committee on United States-China Relations’ (NCUSCR) eighth annual China Town Hall: Local Connections, National Reflections, on Thursday, Oct. 16.

This year, the NCUSCR has partnered with The Carter Center of Atlanta, Ga., and will present the 39th president of the United States, Jimmy Carter, in a live, interactive webcast that will be streamed nationally in 70 locations. Held locally in SJU’s Wolfington Teletorium in Mandeville Hall, this national day of programming on China is designed to provide Americans the opportunity to discuss U.S.-China relations with leading experts. Stephen A. Orlins, president of NCUSCR, will moderate the webcast. The national audience, including SJU students and guests, will submit questions.

Known as a champion of human rights throughout the world, James Earl Carter Jr. was elected Chief Executive of the United States on Nov. 2, 1976. President Carter counts among his administration’s significant foreign policy accomplishments the Panama Canal treaties, the Camp David Accords, the peace treaty between Egypt and Israel, the SALT II treaty with the Soviet Union, and the establishment of U.S. diplomatic relations with the People’s Republic of China.

In 1982, President Carter became University Distinguished Professor at Emory University in Atlanta, and founded The Carter Center to address national and international public policy issues, working to resolve conflict, promote democracy, protect human rights, and prevent disease. He is the author of 28 books, most recently A Call to Action: Women, Religion, Violence, and Power, published in April 2014. He was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 2002.

The webcast is followed by a presentation on-site at 8 p.m. by Tansen Sen, Ph.D., associate professor of history at Baruch College, City University of New York. Sen, an expert in Sino-Indian relations, has authored numerous books and articles on the topic. He is currently working on two book projects: one examines cross-cultural trade in Asia during the 14th and 15th centuries, and the second is titled India, China, and the World: Networks of Exchange and Interaction.

A reception at 6:15 p.m. will be followed by welcoming remarks by SJU Professor of History James Carter, Ph.D. An expert on the history of Chinese-Western relations, Carter is a fellow of the National Committee’s Public Intellectuals Program. Carter is the author of two books and numerous journal articles on China.

“Saint Joseph’s is honored to again be chosen to host the China Town Hall,” says Carter. “The program offers an innovative use of technology to bring experts into conversation with citizens to improve understanding of the U.S.-China relationship, which is among the most important bilateral relationships, not only for these two countries, but for the entire world. Having President Jimmy Carter speak with us is a rare chance to hear a former President bring his first-person experience of that relationship.”

China Town Hall schedule:

6:15 p.m. – Reception.

6:45 p.m. – Welcoming remarks from James Carter, Ph.D., professor of history, Saint Joseph’s University.

7 p.m. – Live webcast with Jimmy Carter, 39th president of the United States.

8 p.m. – Commentary and discussion with Tansen Sen, Ph.D., associate professor of history, Baruch College of the City University of New York.

9 p.m. – Adjourn.

Mandeville Hall is located at the intersection of 54th Street and City Avenue. This event is free and open to the general public. The Starr Foundation underwrites China Town Hall; SJU’s international relations and Asian studies programs are sponsors of event.

Source: St. Joseph’s University News