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Conference attendees learned that the Wisconsin Idea - the renowned Badger ideal, which involves extending the intellectual capital of the university to the entire state and beyond — has become increasingly global in nature. They learned, among other impressive facts, that each year, UW faculty make three hundred invention disclosures to the Wisconsin Alumni Research Foundation, and that the UW Graduate School is currently educating students from ninety-six different countries. They also learned that the European Union is moving toward a more flexible attitude on stem cell research, and that companies worldwide will likely adopt the European model of corporate governance. And, true to the spirit of free thinking at UW-Madison, they debated: whether the UW — or any other entity — should be allowed to own stem cells, whether it was appropriate for the U.S. to bypass the U.N. and wage war in Iraq, and whether there's a test for personal integrity that can put truly ethical leaders in charge of our companies. Through it all, conference attendees heeded Bonner's call, making unexpected connections and taking existing ties to a new intensity. Europe 2003's most memorable associations were old and new, personal and professional, and born in academics and politics. And they happened both inside and outside the classroom. Many facets of the conference illustrated ways that Wisconsin-Norwegian
partnerships have flourished over hundreds of years. And from the
very first day, Europe 2003 participants could note a deepening
of these long-standing relations. When UW-Madison Chancellor John
Wiley MS'65, PhD'68 spoke at the welcome reception in Oslo's City
Hall, he said, "I'm convinced that success belongs to institutions
that forge alliances — within a university, with other universities,
and internationally." His words alluded to a ceremony that
would take place the following day, making the University of Oslo
the first European university outside of Britain invited to join
the Worldwide Universities Network. This consortium was created
in response to the challenges of globalization, bringing together
research-led universities and corporate partners to address complex
problems of international concern. While the daily discussions at Europe 2003 were engaging, not all were easy. Day two of the conference caused quite a stir - both in the classroom and in the community. An esteemed panel addressed the issue of transatlantic relations, and Norway's two leading TV channels — NRK and TV2 — were there to cover it. For starters, the panel featured such high-ranking officials as Ambassador Ong; Alfred Defago, former Swiss ambassador to the U.S.; and Knut Vollebaek, former Norwegian foreign minister and current ambassador to the U.S. It was the first time Ong and Vollebaek had been seen together in public since the countries' disagreement over how to handle Iraq. A frank and engaging discussion ensued about the relationship between Europeans and the U.S. concerning such issues as terrorism, the war in Iraq, and the role of NATO. That evening, NRK quoted Ong as saying, "Any relationship can get better, and I'm sure that goes for U.S.-Norwegian relations as well. I believe there is potential for continued development of mutual interests and mutual gain." That same afternoon, Conchita Poncini-Jimenez MS'64 brought her own distinct perspective to transatlantic relations, addressing the role that women can — and have — played in the peace movement throughout history. Her statements impressed Norwegian club leader Rasmus Falck MBA'69, and he passed her name along to the Norwegian University Women, an organization of professional women who are part of the Confederation of Norwegian Business and Industry. Poncini-Jimenez extended her stay in Oslo to address the group on the following Monday, and was thrilled at the additional opportunity to convey her message about gender equity. "The UW has always been global in thinking — I learned that from another international student thirty-five or forty years ago," she said. "But the only way to effect a true paradigm shift is to continue having conferences like this one." I was so busy noting the nuances that made Europe 2003 memorable that I didn't sit down to talk with Maruyama again until the final event of the conference, the gala dinner reception at Holmenkollen Park, home to Norway's most famous ski jump and renowned for its spectacular views of the city. We recalled our earlier conversation, and Maruyama chatted about the new acquaintances she'd made — and, to her surprise, some old ones, too. "Many of the participants who had attended the first International Alumni Convocation in Madison in 1999 were also on this trip," she said. "We reconnected in Oslo." A few weeks later, when Maruyama had returned from Europe 2003 and the Alumni College Abroad trip that followed in Voss, she e-mailed me a postscript to our last exchange. "When we last talked, I was anticipating beautiful scenery in Voss, and I was not disappointed. In retrospect, I realize that each day in Norway brought forth something more spectacular than the day before," she wrote. Maruyama's is one of many stories that came to life at Europe 2003. Those I've missed are probably being told right now over cubicle walls, on a train, or via e-mail. And somewhere in the world, it's dinnertime, where one of these stories will spark the sequel to this conference of invaluable connections. Christine Lampe '92 is the senior copy writer for the Wisconsin Alumni Association. |
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Fall 2003 Features
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Ideals, Global Connections