The Young Initiative invites foreign policy experts and guest speakers to campus to engage in discussions on international relations and the global political economy with students and faculty.
Annually: United Nations Week
With the William and Elizabeth Kahane United Nations Program, the Young Initiative supports the annual United Nations Week at Occidental College, each spring. We are passionate in maintaining students involvement and engagement in sustainable development. Our students choose topics that link Global Political Economy, Social Justice, and Sustainable Development.
One Day Conference - Data and the Feminist City Conference - September 30, 2025
The Young Initiative will host invited representatives from city governments from around the world for a one-day conference on the Oxy campus. Attendants will share experiences and best practices on reporting mechanisms to gather data, identify gaps in data collection, and help develop strategies for data-driven, actionable solutions.
Ongoing Young Speakers Events
Young Initiative speakers give students and faculty an opportunity to expand their understanding of global issues. The Young Initiative sponsors several speakers each academic year highlighting particular aspects of global affairs and the global political economy. The Young Speakers program is devoted to highlighting the work and success of eminent international affairs experts and Oxy alumni in public service and academia.
Speakers: Prof. Kantathi Suphamongkhon and Amb. Stephen Bosworth
Moderator: Amb. Derek Shearer
Speakers: Ambassador Barbara Bodine, Ambassador Cameron Munter, Ambassador Chris O’Connor
Moderator: Professor Huss Banai, Occidental College
CPD Advisory Board Member
Chair, Southern California Committee for the Olympic Games
For the full video of Dr. Hill's talk, please see below.
In his talk "Education of a Diplomat," Ambassador Hill reflected on his 33-year career in the State Department and how this experience has influenced his role as Dean of the Josef Korbel School of International Relations at the University of Denver.
Professor Charles Call: Peacebuilding in the 21st Century: lessons from the US, the UN, and scholars
For Dr. Call's full talk, please see the video below.
For Dr. Byrne's full talk, please see video below.
Chris O’Connor has been the British Consul General in Los Angeles since August 2013. He represents the UK government in Southern California, Arizona, Nevada, Utah and Hawaii. He promotes trade and investment, scientific cooperation, creative and media collaborations and educational partnerships between the UK and the southwestern United States.
The Young Initiative is honored to welcome Peter Eigen to campus for a talk in the Young Speaker Series on the Future of the Global Economy.