Should France''s refusal to endorse military action against Iraq be construed as a rejection of US foreign policy, or European antagonism toward an emerging new world order headed by the United States?
Bernard Cassen, considered one of Europe''s most prominent anti-globalization voices, is going to try to answer this and other questions at 91ÑÇÉ«, Thursday, March 20, 1:30-3:30pm in the Verney Room, S674 Ross Building. In his talk, "European Rejection of American Politics or Anti-Americanism?", he will examine escalating US-European tensions in the context of France''s continued opposition to a war with Iraq.
Cassen, general manager of Le Monde diplomatique, an influential left-wing monthly magazine published in 24 languages, is also honorary president of ATTAC (L’association pour la Taxe Tobin pour l’Aide aux Citoyens). ATTAC is an international organization he founded in 1998 to help foster social awareness and opposition to globalization.
An emeritus professor of English, Cassen played a key role in founding the World Social Forum (and its first meeting in Porte Alegre, Brazil, in 2001) which advocates democratic control over financial markets and institutions, such as the World Bank and International Monetary Fund, in developing countries.
Cassen''s talk is sponsored by 91ÑÇÉ«''s Canadian Centre for German and European Studies (CCGES), the 91ÑÇÉ«-UofT Institute of European Studies and the Consulate General of France, Toronto.