Social development, including changes in demography, the emancipation of women, the transformation of social structure and the extensive use of information technology, has profoundly influenced international relations. Meanwhile, this development is leading us to an unknown and unpredictable future, and to a set of questions. What path will our economy follow? Is perpetual peace still achievable? What impact will technology have on culture and communication? How will the power structure of institutions shift?
On September 16th, 2013, The Brookings-Tsinghua Center for Public Policy and The School of Public Policy and Management (SPPM) were honored to invite Dr. Cesare Merlini, chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Italian Institute for International Affairs, and nonresident senior fellow at Brookings Institution, to give a lecture. During the lecture, Dr. Merlini shared his insights on the development of society and its impact on international realm in terms of economy, security, culture and institutions.
Mei Ciqi, assistant professor at SPPM, moderated the lecture and discussion. At the end of the lecture, the audiences asked various questions related to religion, industrial revolution, immigration and so on.
