Dr. Victor Borges

Reaching Out Globally (Multimedia)

Posted on September 21, 2011 - Permalink
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Dr. Victor Borges, whose work with education and foreign affairs in Cape Verde spans two decades, will bring to campus his experienced perspective on international relations as BSU's first ever diplomat in residence.

Until mid-October, Dr. Borges will lecture on foreign affairs and related topics in classrooms and at campus events, as well as at higher education institutions and additional venues across Massachusetts and Rhode Island.

The Center for International Engagement is hosting Dr. Borges and each September will select a new diplomat in residence as part of an effort to bring distinguished international figures to campus.

Dr. Borges said his role as diplomat is an important one, emphasizing the reciprocal benefits for him and the campus community.

"Being the diplomat in residence means having the opportunity to share my experience, my knowledge and doubts with the university community and bring something to the students," he said. "The position also represents a chance to learn a little bit from academia and contrast my experience and knowledge with other perspectives."

From 2004-2008, Dr. Borges served as Minister of Foreign Affairs for Cape Verde. Before that, he was a minister of education for four years (2001-2004) and held numerous positions in the field of education. Today, he is an international consultant and trainer in the country.

One major benefit Dr. Borges said he found in coming to BSU was the university's strong connections and close proximity to many surrounding Cape Verdean communities, especially in Brockton.

The message he hopes to provide those Cape Verdean communities is one of empowerment. "The most important thing for Cape Verdeans is for the young generation to get good education and training," he said. "They need to take their own responsibility, because they have a lot of opportunities here."

In his first weeks on campus, Dr. Borges talked with the university's Cape Verdean students about foreign affairs and their roles on campus and in the community.

On September 27 at 12:30 pm, he will present his talk, "The Challenges and the Impact of Globalization in Africa," in the Moakley Center, room 221. For more information contact: CART@bridgew.edu. (Story and photo by Rob Matheson, '07, Office of University Advancement)

VIDEO: Dr. Michael Kryzanek, executive director of the Center for International Engagement, interviews Dr. Victor Borges.