Diplomacy Professor Featured in Global Media

Professor Martin Edwards, Ph.D., associate dean of the School of Diplomacy and International Relations, appeared on China Global Television Network (CGTN) to discuss humanitarian aid and the ongoing investigations surrounding allegations around the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA).

Seton Hall has had a special relationship with the United Nations community since the University founded the School of Diplomacy and International Relations. Secretary-General António Guterres delivered the commencement address at the 166th baccalaureate commencement ceremony in 2022, receiving an honorary degree for his lifelong dedication to fostering peace and social justice, which are among the ideals and aspirations to which Seton Hall is committed.

In the CGTN interview, Edwards was asked about the halting of funds to UNRWA due to allegations that a dozen of its staff members had been involved in the October 7 terrorist attack by Hamas on Israel.

"It’s going to put a real profound limitation on the credibility of UNRWA going forward, and whether or not it recovers, I think is an open question," said Edwards. He expressed concerns that UNRWA may not recover as donor countries suspend their funding, resulting in a catastrophic situation for the vulnerable population. 

Expressing similar concerns about the catastrophic nature to the population of Gaza with a cessation of humanitarian aid, Secretary-General Guterres is meeting with donor nations, pledging to take decisive action to respond should the allegations prove accurate.

An expert on international organizations, Edwards’ research on the International Monetary Fund has been supported by the National Science Foundation, and he has been a Fulbright Visiting Research Chair in Global Governance at the Balsillie School of International Affairs and a Research Fellow with the University of Southern California’s Center for Public Diplomacy. He serves as an associate editor for International Studies Quarterly, and has received acclaim for his book, "The IMF, the WTO & the Politics of Economic Surveillance" (New York: Routledge, 2018). He appears regularly in influential media including USA Today, The Washington Post, AP, AFP, Nikkei Asia, Foreign Affairs, IPS News, The Hill, Scientific American, Newsweek, Vox, and International Policy Digest.

View the CGTN coverage on aid suspension to UN program.

Learn more about the Center for U.N. and Global Governance Studies.

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