2018: Pax Technologica

The impact of technological advancement on peace and security is the focus of the 2018 University of Idaho Borah Symposium. This year’s event is Oct. 8-10 and revolves around the theme “Pax Technologica” – “peace through technology.”

Held annually since 1948, the Borah Symposium is dedicated to exploring new ideas for overcoming the obstacles to world peace. It is named in honor of former Idaho U.S. Sen. William Borah.

“Our goal for the 2018 Borah Symposium is to gain a deeper understanding of how technology continues to disrupt global economics, politics and power,” said Sara Mahuron, co-chair of the Borah Committee and coordinator of assessment and accreditation in U of I’s Office of Institutional Effectiveness and Accreditation.

The symposium begins with a keynote address by David E. Sanger, a three-time Pulitzer Prize winner and a national security correspondent for The New York Times. During his 36-year career at the paper, Sanger has specialized in foreign policy, national security and the politics of globalization. He is the author of two best-selling books on foreign policy and national security. The topic of his latest book, “The Perfect Weapon: War, Sabotage and Fear in the Cyber Age,” will be the theme of his keynote address.

Next, John Anderson will present "Gaming for Peace.” John Anderson is an associate professor and program head of the University of Idaho’s Virtual Technology and Design Program.

The Symposium will close with “The Role Technology is Playing in the Modern World,” presented by Jane McGonigal, game designer, inventor of SuperBetter, and author of The New York Times bestseller “Reality is Broken.”

“Technology has altered our prospects for and methods of communication for waging peace,” said Steven Daley-Laursen, professor of society and natural resources and co-chair of the Borah Committee. “It 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.”

See the schedule below to attend the events for this year's symposium.

Schedule of Events, 2018

Monday, October 8 at 7 p.m.

• Location: International Ballroom, Bruce Pitman Center
• Opening Keynote Address: “War, Sabotage, and Fear in the Cyber Age”
• Presented by David E. Sanger, national security correspondent and senior writer for The New York Times

Tuesday, October 9 at 12:30 p.m.

• Location: Vandal Ballroom, Bruce Pitman Center
• “Gaming for Peace” (Co-sponsored by the Malcolm M. Renfrew Interdisciplinary Colloquium)
• Presented by John Anderson, associate professor and program head of the University of Idaho’s Virtual Technology and Design Program

Wednesday, October 10 at 7 p.m.

• Location: International Ballroom, Bruce Pitman Center
• Closing Keynote Address: “The Role Technology is Playing in the Modern World”
• Presented by Jane McGonigal, game designer, inventor of SuperBetter, and author of The New York Times bestseller “Reality is Broken”