Atlas Week is designed to recognize the international dimension of Saint Louis University’s academic programs and to celebrate SLU’s role in international education and service in light of the Jesuit tradition. Emphasizing the University’s leading role in international education, the theme of this year’s celebration is “Our World View: After 9/11” focusing on the political, economic, cultural and religious impact of Sept. 11.

“The roundtables have really highlighted the broad implications of 9-11,” said Michelle Lorenzini, associate professor in the Political Science Department.

This past Monday, “Roundtable #1: Clash of Civilizations” focused on the discussion and debate of the nature of homeland defense after Sept. 11, especially on national security, terrorism and civil liberties.

The panelists debated over what implications should be imposed on U.S. citizens, non-U.S. citizens, students studying in the U.S. from other countries and tourists.

Concerns emerged about the implication of national identification cards and whether they would impose on people’s freedom.

Since the attacks of Sept. 11, the Department of Justice has looked at many factors to decide what needs to be done to prevent further instances.

The department has established an anti-terrorism task-force that provides a critical foundation for communications between other government agencies and even the military in fighting and engaging in hands-on activity to prevent terrorism.

On Tuesday, “Roundtable #2: Religion and Culture in Conflict” featured SLU faculty and a student expressing their perspectives on cross-cultural and interreligious conflict focusing on raised issues of whether religion and culture are in conflict after the Sept. 11 attacks.

“I learned that you need to strike a balance of holding onto your culture as well as blending in with the culture around you,” said Muhammad Usman, a SLU student from Pakistan. “The challenge is not to become numb to the culture around you but to understand by identifying what your values are, putting yourself in positions where you get to know people from other cultures and search out the truth.”

Religions and cultures are in conflict because of their different values and beliefs. The panelists agreed that conflict arises when people believe what they say and know it is the only truth. There are differences between the religions and cultures of the world but the similarities outnumber those differences as long as you are willing to look past them.

Yesterday, “Roundtable #3: Security and International Business” focused on how the U.S. business community had responded to the events of Sept. 11. SLU faculty members and local business executives discussed the economic impact of Sept. 11 within international business.

“We are concerned with Budweiser being an American icon, therefore we continue to do business internationally but with a higher concern for our employees and customers,” said Marty Cargas, vice president of government affairs, Anheuser Busch International, Inc. “Since Sept.11 Anheuser has tightened their security principles and practices in addition to seeking help from outside sources on how to handle and be prepared for terriosts attacks.”

“International business provides education to commercial and culture ties around the world,” said Steve Miller, associate dean of John Cook School of Business.

“Students have the opportunity to exchange ides through study aboard programs.” This roundtable brought into perspective how businesses have been impacted by the attacks of Sept. 11 said Karen Schnider, assistant director of the Boeing Institute of International Business. “One such example is how the cost of consumer products have increased due to the cost of insurance and stricter security measures.”

Atlas Week continues with the two-part Signature Symposium, “After 9/11: A New Global Perspective?” which will take place today in Anheuser-Busch Auditorium.

Part I, “The Threat of Bioterrorism” will take place from noon to 1:30 p.m. Nationally renowned SLU faculty members, Greg Evans, Sharon Frey, Bruce Clements and Brooke Shadel, from the School of Public Health will discuss the preparedness of the U.S. public health system in dealing with bioterrorist events.

“Part I is designed for the panelist to talk about the threats of bioterrorism and how prepared we are as a nation to deal with those threats,” said Lorenzini.

“Part II, Global Conflict, Crises, and Cooperation,” will take place from 2:30 p.m. to 4 p.m. Robert Jervis and Adlai Stevenson, a professor of International Politics at Columbia University, will speak on the dangers of a “clash of civilizations” from an international relations perspective. Mike Marks, vice president of the Boeing Company, will speak on the economic impact of Sept. 11 from the perspective of a major U.S. multinational firm involved in both commercial and military productions. Frances Clooney, S.J., professor of Theology at Boston College, will address religious-cultural conflicts in light of the Jesuit tradition of Robert de Nobili. John Padberg, S.J., director of the Institute of Jesuit Sources, will serve as moderator.

This part of the symposium is designed to unify the previous three roundtables, said Lorenzini. Immediately following the symposium a reception will be held in John and Lucy Cook Hall Atrium.

On Friday, the Billiken World Festival will take place from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. in Quad I. The Parade of Nations will kick off the event that also features live cultural music and dance, academic and informational booths, carnival games and international student groups selling cuisine from their respective countries.

Friday from 2:30 p.m. to 4 p.m. Robert Jervis will present “Revolution in Political Science” in Room 374 of David-Shaughnessy Hall. Presenting his ideas about the current and future trends in the discipline. From 3 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. A “Conflict Resolution Workshop,” in which attendees will learn how to be more culturally sensitive, will take place in the basement of the St. Francis Xavier (College) Church.

The Office of the Provost, in conjunction with college/schools at SLU along with various student organizations, sponsors Atlas Week.