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What is the Carnegie Council?
The Council was established by Andrew Carnegie in 1914 to work toward the
ideal of world peace, and today it is the premier voice for ethics
in international policy. We provide a home for those who explore the
ethical dilemmas posed by issues such as deadly conflict, human rights
violations, the ethics of globalization, global economic inequalities, and the
increasing role of religion in politics around the world.
What does ethics have to do with
international affairs?
To talk about ethics on the individual or personal level is one thing. But
how can we talk about ethics in the collective, especially in the context of
international affairs? "The strong do what they will, the weak do what they
must" (Thucydides). Realism, however, does not explain everything. For
instance, it cannot explain the real gains we have seen in recent years in the
areas of moral restraint and the evolution of international moral norms. Today
it is hard to conceive of international relations—or politics itself—without the
notion of human rights somewhere near the center of our thinking. Understanding
how moral imperatives such as human rights affect the struggle for power and
peace among nations is the unifying theme of all the work of the Carnegie
Council.
What does the Council do? What are its
current activities?
The Council focuses on three core themes: Ethics, War, and Peace; Global
Social Justice; and Religion in Politics. Our current activities include
the Public Affairs program, a lecture series featuring prominent people in the
world of international affairs, from acclaimed authors to Nobel laureates to
high-ranking UN officials; and Global Policy Innovations, which publishes
Policy Innovations,an
online magazine that covers innovative ideas for a fairer globalization. The
Council's flagship publication, Ethics &
International Affairs is a quarterly journal for scholars, students,
and policy analysts. It covers global justice, civil society, democratization,
international law, intervention, sanctions, and related topics. The bulk
of our material can be found on our website.
What is special about the
Council?
There are very few institutions in the United States—perhaps even in the
world—where one can gather together people who come from different backgrounds
and with different expertise to study the moral aspects of a specific policy
issue. The Council is a special space where this kind of learning experience
happens on a regular basis. For example, we hosted a Middle East conference that
brought together Israelis, Arabs, Europeans, and Americans. Some were scholars.
Others were policy practitioners. Still others were religious leaders.
Does the Council have a political
agenda?
The Carnegie Council is an independent, nonprofit educational institution
with no formal ties to any religious group or government-affiliated
organization. As a nonpartisan organization, we do not have a legislative or
policy agenda. By providing a forum for many of today's most highly regarded
experts, and a home for discussions of international affairs that might not
otherwise take place, we have an indirect impact on policymakers shaping
today's—and tomorrow's—worlds.
What do people get from the
Council?
The Council serves educators, international affairs professionals, and
concerned individuals. We urge everyone to browse our website, where they can
watch, read, and listen to a rich variety of Council resources. They range from
scholarly articles, to interviews with the likes of Nobel Laureate Joseph
Stiglitz, to journalists' reports from Iraq, Afghanistan, and Africa.
What benefits do members and
supporters get from the Council?
Members at various levels receive free publications, free or discounted rates
for lectures and seminars, and invitations to private lunches and
programs. Of course, many of the benefits of supporting the
Council are intangible. Those who donate to the Council or join us as
members have the satisfaction of knowing that not only are they helping to
support our programs and publications, but they are also contributing towards
the costs of podcasts and online videos so that we can reach the widest possible
audience.
What is the difference between the
Carnegie Council and other Carnegie organizations?
The Carnegie Council is separate and independent from all other Carnegie
philanthropies. We have our own charter, our own endowment, and our own
governance structure. The Council is related to other Carnegie organizations by
virtue of our founder and principal benefactor, Andrew Carnegie. We are
especially proud of the fact that the Council embodies Andrew Carnegie's two
great philanthropic interests: extending educational opportunity and promoting
the peaceful resolution of conflict.
How is the Council organized?
The Council has its own board of trustees, composed of individuals with
distinguished backgrounds in academe, public service, and business. The
Council's staff comprises scholars, publishers, information specialists, and
administrators, who are responsible to the trustees for carrying out the mission
of the Council. Interns, usually undergraduates, support staff activities. The
president of the Council is Joel H. Rosenthal.
How is the Council funded and
governed?
Our activities are funded through an endowment, with other funds derived from
grants, gifts, membership dues, and individual contributions. Council affairs
are guided by our board of trustees, and our annual budget is overseen by a
finance committee consisting of members of the board. As a 501(c)3 public
charity, the Council complies with all IRS-mandated guidelines for nonprofit
educational entities.
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