Programs
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Bernstein Forum
The World Affairs Council of Maine’s annual Sumner Bernstein Forum for International Understanding hosts prominent international figures to reflect on their societies and their perceptions of the United States. The Forum honors the memory of Sumner Bernstein (1924-2002), a distinguished attorney and Director of the Council with a life-long interest in international affairs. Each forum addresses the important lesson drawn from the terrorist attacks on America of September 11, 2001, that our society must better understand foreign cultures and their perception of us. The Bernstein Forum enables international figures to reflect on their societies and their perceptions of the United States. Past Bernstein Forums have been conducted by representatives of Afghanistan, Brazil, Israel and Korea.
Sumner Bernstein (1924-2002), a distinguished attorney, was a Director of the World Affairs Council of Maine, a member of numerous Board committees, a creator of many important corporate relations for the Council, and a counselor and friend to countless members. In 2001 he received its Bea Chapman Minott award for distinguished service. His firm, Bernstein, Shur, Sawyer and Nelson, has been one of the Council’s most generous supporters since the Council’s inception.
Sumner Bernstein had a life-long interest in international affairs, particularly the Middle East vision of a secure state of Israel living at peace with Arab neighbors progressing toward a more democratic and developed future. He was at home intellectually with the many dimensions of international affairs, including culture, history, and politics. He was a strong supporter of Seeds of Peace.
It is said of Sumner Bernstein that no matter how esteemed his position and reputation, he never lost his concern and interest for the "common man." He was supportive of those less fortunate, working to provide legal services for them and contributing his own time and expertise to their needs. Young people also represented an important interest for him, reflected in his weekly reading sessions with elementary school students from immigrant and refugee families.
The Bernstein Forum is free and open to the public, seeks the involvement of young people, and its record is available to the public including Maine schools. Proceeds support future forums and other Council programs devoted to the same purpose.
2007 Bernstein Forum
The program was addressed by his Excellency Lee Tae-sik, Ambassador of South Korea to the U.S., in May of 2007. His visit coincided with negotiations for a new free trade agreement between South Korea and the U.S. and also with preparations for a Maine Gubanatorial trade mission to South Korea in October 2007.
Ambassador Lee spoke on the topic of “The Political, Security and Economic Aspects of Relations between South Korea and the U.S.” A summary of his remarks follows. He began by honoring the Korean veterans for their service and aid to the creation of the Korean-U.S. alliance. Korea’s economic and political prosperity over the past fifty years has lead to Korea playing a greater role in the global community. The U.S. has assisted Korea’s growth with the expansion of trade and investments, helping Korea become the world’s tenth largest economy. The U.S has sent tens of thousands of troops to Korea in efforts to support the sustainability of Korea’s security. Korea has achieved the successes of a democracy and a market economy, and their alliance with the U.S. has proven to be very beneficial. Korea has mirrored the support by standing with the U.S. on the important conflicts that have occurred since the Korean War; Vietnam, the Gulf War, Afghanistan and Iraq. Also Korea donated 30 million dollars to the recovery efforts of Hurricane Katrina, which was the fourth largest foreign contribution.
Politically, the U.S. and Korea are joining efforts on key global issues such as terrorism, WMD proliferation, human rights, poverty, and the environment. On the security front, there has been a reduction in U.S. military presence, particularly along the DMZ. In a couple of years all American troops will be moved to the southern part of the country and replaced by Korean troops. Economically, trade and investment have been important in linking the two economies and have led to the recently negotiated Free Trade Agreement, the world’s third largest trade pact, following the EU and NAFTA.
Korea is the seventh largest trading partner with the U.S. and is Maine’s fifth largest export market, including paper products and computer chips among others.
Ambassador Lee also mentioned the challenges of dealing with the North Korean nuclear issue. A nuclear North Korea could lead to nuclear proliferation and the possibility of a nuclear arms race. This is a very fragile and complex issue and is in the process of resolution. A February 2007 agreement by the Six Parties of North and South Korea, the United States, China, Russia, and Japan included North Korea’s approval of shutting down and dismantling its Yongbyon nuclear facility and permitted the return of IAEA inspectors. Although this agreement is a step forward in making North Korea a responsible member of the international community, there are no guarantees in North Korea’s full abandonment of its nuclear program. South Korea and the U.S. will continue to encourage North Korea in making positive progress that will create peace in the peninsula and the region.
With the recent election of South Korean Ban Ki-moon to the position of Secretary General for the United Nations, he is leading international cooperation in maintaining peace and security for all member states.
Ambassador Lee closed by saying, Looking ahead, I believe Korea and the U.S. will continue to gather our combined wisdom and strengthen our coordination with confidence. With our track record of common values and cooperation, I believe we will do everything in our power to assure that our veterans can be proud of their service and sacrifice.”
A special thanks to our sponsors the Freedom Foundation, Bernstein Shur, and the University of Southern Maine and the Friends of Sumner Bernstein for making this event possible.
