Marco Polo: The Silk Road & China: The UN in Action

Guest Speaker: Dr. Joseph Baxer
President of the United Nations Association of Connecticut

Wednesday, June 24
7:00-8:00 pm

Registration is required. Click the link below to reserve a space for Marco Polo: The Silk Road & China: The UN in Action or email Donald at adult@pawlinglibrary.org. 

https://www.pawlingfreelibrary.org/event/marco-polothe-silk-road-china-the-un-in-action/2020-06-24/

Images of the ancient Silk Road and the medieval journey of Marco Polo invite fascinating images of caravans of camels navigating long stretches of desert, caravanserai hosting a veritable Babel of tongues and cooperation midst diversity as traders, diplomats and adventurers came in contact. The UN is far from an office building in Manhattan, but alive, in action, rooted across a continent in which China reimagines the ancient routes at sea, on ice and through cyberspace. Is it true that no longer do all roads lead to Rome, but now to Beijing?

Dr. Baxer, following an immersion in Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan, Bangkok and Istanbul, will explore the vitality and promise of the UN in action within the context of Marco Polo’s world.

About our presenter: Dr Joseph J Baxer is President of the United Nations Association of Connecticut and  has been US representative to the United Nations for the London based NGO, Strategies for Peace. He is engaged in sustaining cultural diversity and mediating cross-cultural conflicts. His focus involves creating the atmosphere/conditions in which reconciliation can occur. He has led seminars and lectured locally and internationally on conflict resolution and cross cultural dialogue, including participation in international peace missions to Uganda, Tanzania, Ethiopia, Kenya and Nicaragua. His first visit to Russia was in 1976  He has traveled extensively in Europe, both East and West,  South America and the Philippines and given priority time to the Middle East, especially Iran, Syria and Israel. Ordained a priest, he is affiliated with the American Catholic Church. He has been a high school principal in Connecticut, taught at Emory University, St Joseph University and the Hartford Seminary. He has ministered in multicultural churches, directed a large inner city homeless shelter/rehabilitation center, and in Rome, Italy served as Vicar General of an international Church Order.  He holds Masters’ degrees in Philosophy and Sociology and Doctorates in Theology and Psychology.   He has studied at the Gregorian University, University of Detroit, Catholic University of American, Oxford and Harvard. His most recent book, published in English and French, is An Intercultural Life, exploring the crossroads of religion and culture. He lives with his wife Barbara in Kent, Connecticut.