The Center for Peace Studies (CPS) and the Office of External Affairs at North South University (NSU) jointly organized a seminar titled “Revisiting the Global South’s Contribution to Global Peace – A French Perspective,” in collaboration with the Embassy of France in Dhaka. This insightful event brought together diplomats, academics, and students to discuss the impactful role of the Global South in promoting peace and stability on the world stage.
The seminar featured Her Excellency Mrs. Marie Masdupuy, Ambassador of France to Bangladesh, as the keynote speaker. In her address, H.E. Masdupuy highlighted the significant contributions of the Global South to global peace initiatives, reinforcing France’s commitment to diplomacy and intercultural collaboration. She noted that, “The challenges to peace—whether political conflicts, military threats, climate change, or pandemics—demand humility from all global actors. By moving beyond division and building concrete projects together, we can promote stability and foster development where it is most needed.” She emphasized that this inclusive, cooperative approach remains at the core of France’s foreign policy today.
The event began with welcome remarks by Dr. Abdul Wohab, Assistant Professor in the Department of Political Science and Sociology, NSU and Coordinator of CPS, who encouraged attendees to reflect on the Global South’s contributions to peace from both historical and modern perspectives. Dr. Cynthia McKinney, Assistant Professor in the Department of Political Science and Sociology, NSU and Director of External Affairs, NSU, served as the moderator, facilitating the discussions and guiding the seminar through various perspectives on peace and diplomacy.
Prof. Abdul Hannan Chowdhury, Vice-Chancellor of NSU, chaired the session and welcomed the collaborative efforts between NSU and the French Embassy, noting the importance of such discussions for the academic growth of students and faculty alike. The event concluded with closing remarks from Professor Sk. Tawfique M. Haque, Director of the South Asian Institute of Policy and Governance (SIPG), reflected on the discussions and underscored the importance of ongoing dialogue in building sustainable peace.
The seminar attracted a diverse audience, including faculty members, students, diplomats, and representatives from the international community in Dhaka, who engaged in a vibrant Q&A session. Discussions explored themes such as peace diplomacy and regional security cooperation which provided participants with a deeper understanding of the significance of collaborative efforts in global peacebuilding.
This seminar represents NSU’s dedication to promoting a global perspective among its students and contributing actively to the discourse on peace and diplomacy. NSU looks forward to further cooperation with the French Embassy, aiming to foster ongoing discussions on international relations and peace initiatives.
