‘Winning’ not just for battlefield, group says

‘Winning’ not just for battlefield, group says

by Margaret Stevenson
New Haven Register

NEW HAVEN — Winning the war on terrorism and fostering better understanding between the United States and the rest of the world tops the agenda of a global town hall series that will unfold in part tonight at Yale University.

The event, titled "Hearts and Minds," is scheduled to begin at 7 p.m. at the Yale Law School, 127 Wall St. Admission is free.

The event was put together by the student-run Yale Chapter of Americans for Informed Democracy.

"It’s not just about winning the military battles," said Elizabeth Debevoise, 18, the Yale campus coordinator of the event. "It’s more about winning over the people and their opinions."

The organization’s goal is to increase Americans’ awareness of world opinions on U.S. foreign policy.

Organizers said they strive to increase dialogue in the United States and abroad about American foreign policy with the goal of bettering America’s relationship with the rest of the world.

"Winning the war on terror is very different from winning the hearts and minds," said Seth Green, 24, global coordinator of the organization and a Yale law student. "It’s very easy to build a security fortress. It’s critically important to win over hearts and minds as well."

The organization was established in October 2002 and has members at more than 65 universities in 10 countries.

Other events have attempted to decrease anti-American sentiment around the world, as well as perceived anti-Muslim sentiment in the United States. Organization members say they want to ease tensions between the Islamic and Western worlds and facilitate mutual understanding.

Speakers at tonight’s event will include Andrew Nagorski, senior editor of Newsweek, and U.S. Mission to the U.N. General Counsel Nicholas Rostow.

Other "Hearts and Minds" events are being held around the country, as well as in Berlin, Pakistan and Athens, organizers said.

For more information, go to www.aidemocracy.org.

Margaret Stevenson is a Register intern.

Please note: Seth Green does not recall saying that it is "very easy to build a security fortress."