With Maxmillian Angerholzer III, President and CEO, Center for the Study of the Presidency and Congress; James Kitfield, Senior Fellow, CSPC, Contributing Editor, National Journal; Christopher P. Lu, Deputy Secretary, US Department of Labor; Norman Ornstein, Senior Fellow, CSPC, Contributing Editor and Columnist for both the National Journal and The Atlantic. Recorded live April 14, 2015.

From Port-au-Prince to Lima to Boston, much of the world is experiencing rising levels of inequality. Among some of the poorest communities in the world, Dr. Paul Farmer, as a physician and anthropologist, and Fr. Gustavo Gutiérrez, as a theologian and priest, have worked towards their shared goal of building a better and more just world for the poor. Today, both are internationally recognized for their pragmatic approaches to global health and social justice. What has influenced their life’s work? How can societies advance the cause of their most marginalized citizens? Join Dr. Farmer, a leading figure in global health, and his mentor Fr. Gustavo, a noted theologian widely known as the father of liberation theology for a discussion about inequality, social justice, medicine, and lessons from their lifelong experiences of living and working with the poor.

Former chairman and CEO of Hewlett-Packard, Carly Fiorina, on leadership across the corporate, nonprofit, and political sectors.

In the two years since Egypt’s revolution, the country has seen violent clashes among various groups with weakening prospects for a negotiated political solution and needed economic growth. As the temporary government continues to emerge from the present crisis, what does the future hold? Join international law and human rights scholar M. Cherif Bassiouni, who first spoke at the Council shortly after Egypt’s revolution in February 2011, for a conversation about the next steps for Egypt, the impact of the Syria crisis, and the role of the US.

Join the Chicago Council for its continued coverage on the popular protests and uprisings taking place throughout the Middle East. Three Egyptian, Israeli, and Palestinian scholars will discuss the latest on the sweeping changes of recent months and what lies ahead for the Middle East. Abdel Monem Said Aly, President, Al-Ahram Center for Political and Strategic Studies Shai Feldman, Judy and Sidney Swartz Director, Crown Center for Middle East Studies, Brandeis University Khalil Shikaki, Director, Palestinian Center for Policy and Survey Research Moderated by Rachel Bronson, Vice President, Studies, The Chicago Council on Global Affairs

Throughout its recent history, the United States has made great efforts to ensure that human rights are respected and that laws are established and followed, often serving as a model for other nations. According to M. Cherif Bassiouni, following the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks, the practice of torture as a means of gaining intelligence was not only used, but also justified through the U.S. legal system, thus eroding US credibility as a champion for human rights. Please join us for the first program of the three-part spring series a “Perspectives on Iraq.” M. Cherif Bassiouni will examine the interrogation policy and practices during the Bush Administration, their legal backing, and the long-term risks to the United States arising out of such abuses of power.

The last two decades have witnessed big steps forward in efforts to bring perpetrators of international crimes to justice. There has also been a sharp rise in international attention to the “rule of law.” How has the field of international justice changed? Why is establishing rule of law in fragile and post-conflict societies important and what are the challenges to doing so? The success of rule of law reforms often seems to hinge on political will; how can this political will be created, and what incentives encourage it? Have Western countries led by example? Listen to the second part of our Chicago and the World Forum Series, when Louise Arbour and Cherif Bassiouni addressed these and other questions.