Hosted by Global Cornell, the Global Grand Challenges Symposium brought together more than 300 faculty, staff and students from Cornell and the new Cornell Global Hubs to discuss ideas for the next universitywide Global Grand Challenge.

The Laidlaw Scholars Program, hosted at Cornell by the Mario Einaudi Center for International Studies, trains early undergraduates in international research and leadership and sends them out into the world for hands-on experiences.

Here, four current Laidlaw scholars share their summer research or leadership in action experiences.

Guðni Th. Jóhannesson, president of Iceland, discussed his country’s commitment to peace, diversity and science-based climate solutions during a sold-out lecture held Nov. 10 in Klarman Hall and live streamed to an audience of hundreds.

Queen Mary University of London is a Cornell Global Hubs partner institution, enabling students, staff and alumni to study, research, and teach at both institutions. Global Hubs connect the whole of Cornell with strong international peer institutions and their communities, countries, and regions.

From Ken Roberts' recent research in Ecuador and evidence ripped from headlines worldwide, when political parties stoke partisan conflicts–often by contesting formal state institutions, like systems for managing elections–actual democratic capacity may take a hit as public opinion polarizes.