EPIIC is a carefully integrated, multidisciplinary program. Through its innovative and rigorous curricula and projects, EPIIC prepares young people for informed activity in their communities, whether locally, nationally or globally.
The Course
At EPIIC's core is the year-long, multidisciplinary course -- The Sherman Teichman Education for Public Inquiry (EPIIC) Endowed Colloquium -- on a global theme. Undergraduate and graduate students of diverse nationalities, viewpoints, experiences, and interests participate in this rigorous colloquium that stresses critical, analytical, and normative thinking. Students are encouraged to confront the ambiguity and complexity of EPIIC's annual, global theme through a multi-disciplinary examination of the issues and controversies that the topic reflects. They are taught the subject under investigation by a broad range of distinguished academics and practitioners and as active participants in defining the issues through classroom discussions, extensive readings, and independent research. There is an emphasis both on individual progress and on the collaborative effort -- in essence, on growing as an intellectual team. Students produce tangible outcomes of their studies through their individual research papers or projects, the international symposium in late February, and the Inquiry simulation for high-school students in early April, as well as other activities.
In 2011, on the occasion of the 25th Anniversary of EPIIC - Education for Public Inquiry and International Citizenship, the core program of the Institute for Global Leadership, the alumni of EPIIC endowed the colloquium in honor of their teacher and mentor, the Institute's Founding Director, Sherman Teichman. Their funds contribute to covering the expenses for the colloquium's guest lecturers, teaching assistants, seminar mentors, an annual Outward Bound weekend, syllabus materials, subsidies for text books and other EPIIC expenses. The endowment helps ensure the high standard and quality of this preparatory course of the annual EPIIC symposium and enables all Tufts students to partake fully in its activities.
Symposium
The Norris and Margery Bendetson International EPIIC Symposium is an annual multi-day public forum featuring scores of international practitioners, activists, academics, public intellectuals, and journalists. EPIIC's symposia -- consisting of presentations, panel discussions, topical forums, informal gatherings, multimedia and dramatic presentations, and workshops -- are intellectually wide-ranging and accessible. The perspectives of the participants are intentionally diverse, often competing, anda at times adversarial, providing a continuum of viewpoints on the issues being discussed.
The 2018-2019 EPIIC colloquium will critically examine the multidimensional aspects of migration. The 2019 symposium will be EPIIC's 34rd annual symposium
Migration has become a worldwide phenomenon and its importance today is clear. Concerns with the demographic, economic, social, security, legal and political consequences of international migration have also increased.
Isabel Rosenbaum (A’21) moderates the first EPIIC Symposium panel “Barriers to Belonging.”
Madison Reid (A’21) and Shaobo Zhou (A’21) gave an introduction to begin the EPIIC Symposium.
TILIP Delegate Jianzhang Lu from Peking University in China asks a thought-provoking question about human trafficking in the 21stcentury.
EPIIC Colloquium student Carlos Irisarri poses questions to Symposium panelists.
Bringing her experience with the International Organization for Migration, Mariam Traore Chazalnoel speaks passionately on Defining Refugees in a Changing Climate
Joshua Clarkson (A’21) presents the Mayer Global Citizenship Award, 2019, to Sir Paul Collier
Attendees of the EPIIC Symposium listen eagerly as Professor Collier delivers his Keynote address.
EPIIC Colloquium student Mrugank Bhusari poses a questionon “south to south migration.”
Dr. Nina Hall gives her opening remarks on the “Defining Refugees in a Changing Climate”panel.
Tufts University professor Ayesha Jalal speaks on the EPIIC Symposium panel “How South to South Migration is Changing our World.”
Foreign Minister Mr. Miroslav Lajcákdelivers a beautiful keynote address on “The Need for Better Managing International Migration.”
Professor Williams introduces our first Keynote Speaker, Paul Collier, author of Exodus: How Migration is Changing our World.
The Right Honorable David Lammy, MP, speaks on inclusion and integration policies that affect migrants.
Nicole Mattey (A’22) moderates the “Gender and Migrati♀n” panel at the EPIIC Symposium.
The Hon Ratna Omidvar, C.M., O.Ont., Senator for Ontario speaks about Barriers to Belonging: Integration, Adaptation and Exclusion
Keynote Speaker Paul Collier brings his expertise to the EPIIC Symposiumin a passionate speech on migration in the modern world.
A student asks a question during the Q&A
Laura Rótolowith the ACLU of Massachusetts speaks on the “Paradox of Sovereignty and Global Migration”panel at the EPIIC Symposium.
Urban Technical Advisor for the International Rescue Committee, Samer Saliba, participates in the “Cities: Migration’s Frontline” panel.
E. Benjamin Skinner gives insight during the “Hidden in Plain Sight: 21st Century Slavery and Human Trafficking” panel at the EPIIC Symposium.
TILIP delegates enjoy the lively discussion at this year’s EPIIC Symposium panels.
Journalist Peter Tinti answers audience questions on modern day slavery and human trafficking.