A Message from the Chair

Welcome to the Maxwell School's International Relations Program!

As we approach the end of the first decade of the 21st century, the international scene is more complex and dynamic than ever before.  The world has moved quickly from the immediate post-Cold War period, through 9/11, to the uncertainties of the present time.  Today, almost every public policy issue has an international dimension.

Absent from this fast-paced, multidimensional world, however, is a clear conception of where we are headed.  What will the world look like in 2020?  Will governments and international organizations be overwhelmed by problems like climate change and international terrorism?  Or will enhanced global cooperation lead to a more orderly world characterized by understanding and cooperation among nations and other international actors?

Our goal at the Maxwell School is to prepare you for a position of responsibility in this changing and challenging world.  Our academic programs, both the undergraduate major and the professional graduate program, provide a rigorous education for those who seek to understand the world and to make it a better place.

Our faculty, and the research centers and programs they lead, are innovators of public policy and international affairs.  The Maxwell School IR Program has hundreds of alumni who are moving into positions of leadership in government, NGOs and international organizations in many different fields, including international security, development policy, conflict resolution and international trade.

Whether you are planning to visit in person, or conducting a virtual tour, I urge you to join us as we explore these international horizons together.

Sincerely,
Ambassador Donald J. Planty
Chair, IR Program
Professor of Practice