Symposium will explore human security challenges

The University of North Georgia's (UNG) Institute for Leadership and Strategic Studies (ILSS) will host its annual symposium exploring the role of state, non-state and international actors in solving or mitigating human security challenges on April 5-6 in the Convocation Center at UNG's Dahlonega Campus.

"The symposium brings together scholars and practitioners from all over the world to discuss this impactful and important topic of human security challenges," retired Lt. Col. Heath Williams, UNG director of federal liaison and military education coordinator, said.

This year's theme is human security challenges, which as a governing principle emphasizes freedom from want and freedom from fear as opposed to traditional national security. The conference's four featured speakers include Dr. Volker Franke, Maj. Gen. Joe Jarrard, Sarah Dawn Petrin and Dr. C. Anthony Pfaff.

The symposium brings together scholars and practitioners from all over the world to discuss this impactful and important topic of human security challenges

Heath Williams

retired Lieutenant Colonel

Jarrard, a 1988 UNG graduate who assumed his duties as the National Guard Bureau's Director of Operations in September 2022, will also be speaking at the symposium. Jarrard has been serving on active duty for more than 20 years.

Under Jarrard's leadership, the Georgia Army National Guard was selected by U.S. Army Forces Command to lead the way in implementing the Army's Associated Unit Program — the only state organization to have both division and battalion-level associations with the Active Army component. Additionally, the Georgia Air National Guard's 116th Air Control Wing won their 21st Air Force Outstanding Unit Award, the most of any Air Force Unit.

Petrin is an author, humanitarian and peace and security advisor who recently served as a peace operations and human security analyst with the U.S. Army Peacekeeping and Stability Operations Institute. Her speech will analyze the seven parts of human security — economic, health, political, food, environment, personal, and community — and discuss data on emerging trends in the concept of security.

"I’m looking forward to hearing from speakers what is currently taking place around the globe concerning the safeguarding and expanding people's freedoms," Williams said. "Petrin has real-world experience in the humanitarian sector leading teams as well as advising international agencies."

Pfaff has authored numerous articles in professional and scholarly publications, and he served twice in Operation Iraqi Freedom, once as the deputy J2 for a Joint Special Operations Task Force and as the senior military adviser for the Civilian Police Assistance Training Team.

Pfaff, who is currently a research professor for strategy, the military profession, and ethics at the U.S. Army War College, will speak at 4:15 p.m. on April 5.