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  January 29, 2007
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Student panel discusses policy decisions with former president
By Kelly Simmons
simmonsk@uga.edu
From left: Jimmy Carter listens to student panelists Yannick Morgan, who talked about nuclear nonproliferation, and Helen Smith, who talked about human rights. (Photo by Rick O’Quinn)
UGA Honors students turned the tables on former President Jimmy Carter during the conference, analyzing his policy decisions and recommending ways they could be used to shape future foreign and domestic policy.

Economics, energy, nuclear nonproliferation, Islamic radicalism, Middle East policy and human rights were the issues the students studied and evaluated over the past few months to ready themselves for their panel discussion, which Carter specifically requested be a part of the symposium.

Carter was a participant in the session, moderated by Thomas P. Lauth, dean of the School of Public and International Affairs. The former president first listened attentively as six of the students summarized their findings, both praising and criticizing the Carter administration’s policy decisions.

Among the students’ recommendations for current and future presidential administrations:
• Resurrect efforts begun under the Carter administration to create a renewable and sustainable energy industry to promote conservation and alternative fuel use.

• Re-establish diplomatic ties with Iran to support the country’s democratic population over a fundamentalist regime, using trade as an incentive to persuade the government to improve its human rights record.

• Renew efforts to bring peace to the Middle East by bringing together leaders from Israel and Palestine.

• Reaffirm the commitment of the U.S. to human rights domestically and throughout the world.
The student panelists were given the opportunity to ask Carter questions.

Helen Smith, a senior from Charlotte, asked how he would address the situation at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, where suspected terrorists are being held without charges or legal representation.

“Close it down,” Carter said without hesitation. “It has been an abomination and a disgrace to our country.”

The Carter Presidency: Lessons for the 21st Century
Carter: United Staes should epitomize human dreams
‘No road maps’: Mondale discusses forging of a new vice presidency
Panelists: U.S. needs to develop othe fuel sources
Foreign exchange
Former first lady sheds light on private thoughts behind public face
More than 1,000 turn out for conversation with the Carters during town hall meeting
Student panel discusses policy decisions with former president
Journalists discuss Carter’s political rise. . . and fall
 


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