The Liechtenstein Institute on Self-Determination will hold a Crisis Diplomacy Lunch seminar with Ambassador Francesc Vendrell, "Experiences in Asia and Conflict Mediation," at 12:00 p.m. on Thursday, March 12, 2015, in 012 Bendheim Hall. This seminar is open to faculty and students only. To attend, RSVP to Angella Matheney.

Francesc Vendrell is currently Adjunct Professor of International Relations at Johns Hopkins University. His recent appointments include Mediator-in-Residence, UN Department of Political Affairs, 2014-15; Senior Visiting Fellow, LSE, London since 2011; Chair of the Board of the Afghanistan Analysts Network since 2010; and Senior Adviser, Inter-Mediate, London since 2012. He served as Special Representative of the European Union for Afghanistan (2002-2008); Personal Representative of the Secretary-General and Head of the United Nations Special Mission for Afghanistan (2000-2002). In a diplomatic career spanning forty years, thirty-four with the UN and over six with the EU, Vendrell has been involved in mediating a variety of conflicts as EU special representative for Afghanistan, UN Special Envoy for Afghanistan, Bangladesh, East Timor, Cambodia, Papua New Guinea, Myanmar, Armenia, Azerbaijan and Central America. He has served as director of the Asia and Pacific Division at the UN Department of Political Affairs and as director for Europe and Americas in the Office of the UN Secretary-General. He was previously visiting fellow at the Liechtenstein Institute on Self-Determination and visiting professor at the Woodrow Wilson School at Princeton University, as well as a lecturer of Constitutional Law at the University of Papua New Guinea, director of studies at the Hague Academy of International Law, and adjunct professor at Yale University and Rutgers University.