In its 71st year with the University of Idaho, this year’s Borah Symposium will set its sights on modern approaches to securing peace and security Oct. 8 through Oct. 10.
Held every year since 1948, the Borah Foundation and Symposium explores the context of peace and security through honoring former Idaho Senator William Edgar Borah.
This symposium, titled Pax Technologica, meaning “peace through technology,” will feature a keynote address from David E. Sanger, a national security correspondent for The New York Times and a three-time Pulitzer Prize winner 7 p.m., Oct. 8 in the International Ballroom of the Bruce Pitman Center. Sanger will discuss the theme of his newest book, “The Perfect Weapon: War, Sabotage and Fear in the Cyber Age.”
Other speakers include John Anderson, the head of the UI Virtual Technology and Design Program, who teaches an ISEM 301 course titled “Gaming for Peace.” Jane McGonigal, a game designer and author, will also talk on the role technology plays in the modern world.
Steven Daley-Laursen, co-chair of the Borah Foundation and UI professor of natural resources, said the theme of technology fit this year’s symposium for two reasons: the influence of technology on society and the increasing relevance of technology on war and peace.
Below is a Q&A with Steven Daley-Laursen and John Anderson.
What makes technology so integral to the peace discussion the symposium tackles each year?
“Technology has altered our prospects and methods of communication for waging peace, and has transformed the way battles are fought and how they are reported and communicated between people and countries. This affects the safety of every person on earth and accentuates our ability to do both good and bad.” — Laursen-Daley
“Virtual environments are fantastic tools that can help simulate and model very complex processes of life. They allow people the ability to examine how particular actions can affect the future and can provide positive democratizing effects on decision making. These worlds provide the ability to manipulate and interact with our environment in new ways that allow people the capability to view the world from a variety of scenarios and perspectives.” — Anderson
What should attendees expect from attending this year’s symposium?
“Attendees should expect to learn something about the fundamental role of technology in today’s waging of war and peace and also to have some fun. Our first keynoter, Dr. David Sanger, will bring sobering and fascinating insights into technology’s role in national security and international gamesmanship, and our second keynoter, Dr. Jane McGonigal, will bring brilliant notions and about the technology of gaming can be used effectively to captivate our wondering about and achievement of peace.” — Laursen-Daley
How does gaming fit into this year’s symposium?
“Gaming technologies can help people understand potential risks that they may wish to avoid in the future and may provide information in such a way to allow individuals the ability to make decisions potentially against their own immediate self-interests for the benefit of future generations.” — Anderson
How have you seen the Borah Symposium change in size and scope?
“I’ve been fascinated and motivated by the symposium for the last sixteen years that I’ve been back at the University of Idaho. I’m so very encouraged by the consistent and enduring mission of the symposium to keep people focused on the possibilities for peace and the promotion and waging of peace. This theme is a personal and professional pursuit of mine, and so the symposium is a good match for my interests and passions and continually encourages me with hope for a peaceful future.” — Laursen-Daley
Hailey Stewart can be reached at [email protected] or on Twitter at @Hailey_ann97