The Keough School of Global Affairs at the University of Notre Dame will welcome a number of prominent voices in diplomacy, policymaking and humanitarian action this semester as part of a new speaker series, the Dean’s Forum on Global Affairs. The forum is designed to bring world leaders into conversation with Notre Dame students, faculty and the broader community around current challenges shaping global affairs.
Launching this fall, the series highlights leaders whose work reflects the Keough School’s mission of advancing human flourishing through research, teaching and real-world engagement.
“The Dean’s Forum brings global leaders involved in some of the most consequential issues we face, from the geopolitics of the Indo-Pacific to the future of development,” said Mary Gallagher, the Marilyn Keough Dean of the Keough School of Global Affairs. “It’s an opportunity for our community to learn directly from leaders applying ideas to global challenges.
This semester’s featured speakers include:
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David Miliband, president and CEO of the International Rescue Committee, will deliver a lecture titled “The Future of International Aid: Reforming a System Under Strain” at 4 p.m., Oct. 14 in the Hesburgh Auditorium. The international aid system is facing unprecedented pressures. Rising global risks, shifting geopolitical dynamics and reduced funding have left aid efforts increasingly stretched, particularly in the world’s most fragile and conflict-affected regions. Miliband, president and CEO of the International Rescue Committee and former UK Foreign Secretary, will explore these challenges and the need for a focused reform agenda. He will examine how aid can concentrate on the areas of greatest need, foster efficiency and innovation and continue its essential mission of combating extreme poverty and alleviating human suffering even in the face of tighter budgets. This event is in partnership with the Keough School’s Pulte Institute for Global Development.
- Pete Buttigieg, former U.S. Secretary of Transportation, will be on campus Nov. 7. Buttigieg served as U.S. secretary of transportation from 2021 to 2025 under President Joe Biden, overseeing thousands of new infrastructure projects, strengthening consumer protections for airline passengers, and helping the country navigate supply chain challenges in the wake of COVID-19. Before joining the Cabinet, he was elected mayor of South Bend, Indiana, at just 29, serving two terms and leading a major effort to revitalize the city’s economy. A Navy Reserve intelligence officer, he also served on active duty in Afghanistan.
The Dean’s Forum underscores the Keough School’s role as a bridge between scholarship and policy. Through its Washington, D.C., office and ongoing policy engagement, the school connects faculty and students with policymakers and practitioners, fostering dialogue that informs research and translates ideas into action. This year’s forum builds upon that existing mission, featuring top global affairs experts who bring real-world expertise to campus.
“Our students don’t just want to study global affairs in the abstract,” Gallagher said. “They want to understand how choices are made, what values guide them, and what it means to lead responsibly. Engaging with policymakers and global leaders gives them that perspective.”
These events are free and open to the public. More information about the series can be found on the Keough School’s news and events page.