Kal Raustiala, a professor at the UCLA School of Law and the
UCLA International Institute, was appointed director of the Ronald
W. Burkle Center for International Relations last month.
According to a press release, the Burkle Center is a branch of
UCLA’s International Institute that supports
interdisciplinary research and teaching on global affairs, with an
emphasis on the role of the United States. One program in the
center is the Burkle Forum, which has brought prominent figures to
campus such as former President Jimmy Carter and scholar Alan
Dershowitz.
Raustiala, who received his law degree from Harvard Law School
and doctorate in political science from UC San Diego, brings his
expertise on international law and global governance to the
center.
“Kal is an outstanding legal scholar who has written
extensively about global legal issues,” said Michael
Intriligator, professor emeritus of political science and economics
and a past director of the center. “He is undertaking several
new initiatives at the center, and is (bringing in) many
distinguished experts.”
Raustiala said he is looking forward to his new position, and is
also working closely with center fellows General Wesley Clark and
outgoing Mexican Finance Minister Francisco Gil Diaz to host a
conference on nuclear arms proliferation March 6-7 at Covel
Commons.
“The issue of proliferation is very pressing and important
in light of the ongoing crises in North Korea and Iran,”
Raustiala said. He added that a “terrific lineup” of
speakers were attending, including former Defense Secretary William
Perry and former UCLA Chancellor Albert Carnesale.
A key challenge facing the Burkle Center is fielding a wide
array of programs across the spectrum of international relations
while also examining local issues that students and faculty at UCLA
can have the greatest impact on, Raustiala said.
“I’ve been meeting with past directors and
evaluating past forums and programs to determine what ought to be
revived and what ought to be changed,” Raustiala said.
Other faculty familiar with Raustiala expressed confidence in
his appointment.
“Professor Raustiala cares deeply about international
policy, and moreover is pragmatic when appropriate,” said
Richard Steinberg, a UCLA law professor. “(His) broad
intellectual bandwidth and his deserved reputation for exercising
good judgment make him well-suited to lead the Burkle
Center.”
Amy Zegart, associate professor at the UCLA School of Public
Policy and Social Research, said with the challenges offered by
world politics, the Burkle Center has never been more important.
“Kal will take the center in exciting new directions with his
immense energy and intellect,” Zegart said.
Raustiala noted the changing dynamics of foreign affairs in the
21st century and said the Burkle Center needs to address new
concepts such as intellectual property and global health. He also
mentioned that the center would continue to focus energy on more
traditional concerns.
“International trade and national security are still (two
of the most) pressing matters our world faces today,”
Raustiala said.