Go-Go Forum: Global Issues
About this site:
In the world of the 24 hour news cycle, time for reflection and response to world events is often pre-empted to make room for the next story. Moreover, while many newspapers and magazines make room for responses to stories and editorials, this space is often reserved for invited writers, world-renowned experts, or those quick enough to beat the pack and submit their piece before everyone else. In the event that you are quick enough to respond, the 150-200 words is often too small to fully express your response. Other sources, such as academic journals or specialized periodicals (Foreign Policy, the Economist, Foreign Affairs) receive so many responses (many from well-known scholars or experts) that it is nearly impossible for the publishers to print all of the responses.
Often, professors and students alike wish to incorporate the events of the day within the classroom. However, with limited class time, professors sometimes need to stick to the fundamental topics of the course and current events discussions are sometimes started and not finished, or not even take place at all. Thus, this site is also meant to provide a space for these discussions.
This website is designed to remedy these two unfortunate circumstances by encouraging those so inclined to reflect on the news that they read and to provide space for original responses to events developing around the globe and the coverage of those events. Moreover, we hope that participants will read the work of others who post to this cite and respond to those pieces. Such dialogues can be not only stimulating for all those who participate, but can also lead to bigger and better ideas. In our experience, such dialogues and exchanges have created the foundation for substantial research projects—some of which have taken the form of published papers.
This site was funded by Seton Hall University, Technology Research Innovation Opportunity (TRIO) Grant in line with the University's sesquicentennial goals designed to increase the use of technology in the classroom to foster discussion both inside and outside of the classroom.
The site was created by Adam Godet and Omer Gokcekus. Gokcekus is a professor of international economics at the John C. Whitehead School of Diplomacy and International Relations at Seton Hall University. He has published widely on issues of economic development, corruption, and trade, as well as other topics. Godet is a former graduate student of Gokcekus and a recent Masters recipient from the Whitehead School.