Slovenian ambassador to give lecture

Wed, 04/08/2015

Christian Beer

LAWRENCE — The ambassador of the Republic of Slovenia, H.E. Božo Cerar, will visit the University of Kansas later this month and give a presentation on international criminal law.

Cerar will meet April 15 with Professor Marc Greenberg, director of the School of Languages, Literatures & Cultures, and tour the newly established school, housed in Wescoe Hall.

“The University of Kansas is recognized by Slovenia’s leadership as it is the only U.S. university to offer Slovene language and linguistics as part of its degree curriculum,” Greenberg said. “We were previously joined by Ambassador Samuel Žbogar for the same reason in 2007.”

Cerar will present “The International Court: From Nuremberg to Kampala and Beyond” at 9:45 a.m. in the Courtside Room of the Burge Union. The ambassador will examine the origins, proceedings and enforcement of international criminal law, spanning from the post-World War II era to the present day. This event is open to the public, and admission is free.

Cerar will then visit with Neeli Bendapudi, dean of the School of Business, who will also host a private luncheon with students and faculty.

“It is with great pride that we welcome Ambassador Cerar to KU,” said Bendapudi, adding that a “KU School of Business education provides students with opportunities to interact with dynamic leaders that are every day impacting the global economy. We are both excited and humbled to host and learn from the ambassador."

Cerar has a bachelor’s degree in law from the University of Ljubljana, a master’s degree in diplomatic studies from Westminster University in London and a doctorate in international law from the University of Ljubljana. He served as state secretary at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Slovenia from 2005-2006 and again from 2012 to 2013, and he was appointed ambassador and permanent representative of the Republic of Slovenia to NATO in Brussels from 2007 to 2011. Cerar currently serves as ambassador of the Republic of Slovenia to the U.S. and Mexico.