Association of Third World Studies - Objectives

Objectives

1. Provide ongoing open forums to discuss and analyze Third World problems and developments from different perspectives or viewpoints, and thus improve understanding of the underlying forces shaping the destiny of the Third World and impacting global developments.
2. Promote professional development through the encouragement of research, publication and teaching in the area of Third World Studies.
3. Facilitate professional and social communication by sponsoring activities which will bring together persons interested in Third World Studies
4. Promote the enhancement of the quality of life of Third World peoples through application of primary research findings, and formal association with private and public institutions involved with development in the Third World.

Association of Third World Studies - Founding Members

Founder:

Dr. Harold Isaacs served as Executive Director from 1983 to 1989, and organized the first eight annual meetings. In 1984 he founded Journal of Third World Studies (JTWS) and has served as Editor-In-Chief to the present time. Dr. Isaacs was also Provisional President and Secretary-Treasurer between 1989 and 1991, and served as Treasurer from 1983 to 1997.

Founding Members:

Dr. William Head, Chief Historian, Warner Robins Air Logistics Center, Robins AFB, Georgia, has served as Chairman of the ATWS Nominating Committee, 1991 to 1997, and as Associate Editor of the Asian sections of JTWS from 1986 to 1997. He worked with Dr. Isaacs and Dr. Zia H. Hashmi in developing ATWS into a permanent institution. In 1997Dr. Head created the award for the "Best Book-Length Publication Authored by an ATWS member" during the preceding year. He was President of ATWS, 2002-2003.

Dr. Zia H. Hashmi, Formerly Professor of Political Science and Director of Center for International Studies at Georgia Southern University served in several positions: Associate Editor of Middle East sections of JTWS, 1986-1991; Provisional Vice-President/President-Elect (1989-1991), a capacity in which he organized the 9th annual meeting at Temple University; first elected President of ATWS from 1991 to 1992; Executive Director between 1992 and 1996, with Georgia Southern as Executive Headquarters; and chairperson of the committee which obtained U.N. "consultative status."

Dr. John Mukum Mbaku, Professor of Economics & Willard L. Eccles Public Choice Research Fellow, Weber State University. He was first Secretary of ATWS, from 1991-1994, and in the capacity of Vice-President/President-Elect, between 1993-1994, organized the largest annual international conference of ATWS at College of William & Mary in 1994. Dr. Mbaku served as Associate Editor of the African sections of JTWS, 1986-2007. He is the 1998 recipient of the "Cecil B. Currey Book-Length Publications Award," and in 2007 he received the "ATWS Outstanding Leadership And Service Award."

Dr. Marcia White Jones, Professor of Economics, Georgia Southern University. Dr. Jones is founding editor ATWS Proceedings, and was co-editor, now editor of ATWSNewsletter. As Vice President/President-Elect she organized the 15th annual ATWS meeting at Central Connecticut State University in 1997. Dr. Jones served as President ofATWS, 1997-1998.

Dr. Michael B. Bishku, Associate Professor of History, Augusta State University. As 5th Vice-President/President-Elect, 1994-1995, Dr. Bishku organized 13th annual ATWSmeeting at University of North Florida in 1995, and served as President of ATWS, 1995-1996. From 1991 to 2002, he served as Associate Editor of the Middle Eastern sections ofJTWS.

Dr. Steve Y. Rhee, Professor Emeritus of Political Science at Armstrong Atlantic State University. Dr. Rhee was in charge of local arrangements for the 6th annual ATWS meeting atAASU in 1988, the first truly national ATWS conference. He was elected to the Executive Council in 1997, served as President-Elect, 1999-2000, and was the President of ATWS, 2000 – 2001.

Dr. Paul J. Magnarella  is Professor and Director of the Peace Studies Program at Warren Wilson College in Asheville, North Carolina. As Vice-President/President-Elect from 1991 to 1992 he organized 8th annual ATWS conference at University of Florida. During his term as President, 1992-1993, Dr. Magnarella created the "ATWS PresidentialAward," and Mario D. Zamora Award for Outstanding Scholarship on the Third World." Additionally, he provided Dr. Hashmi with substantive assistance in obtaining "consultative status" from U.N. Dr. Magnarella is also Special Counsel of ATWS and its Special Representative to the UN Economic and Social Council. He received the "Cecil B.Currey Book-Length Publications" Award for 2000.

Other Key Members:

Dr. Abdul Karim Bangura, Howard University, served as Vice-President/President-Elect, 2000-2001, and President of ATWS, 2001-2002. He organized the extremely well-attended and highly successful 19th (2001) annual ATWS meeting in Savannah. Dr. Bangura is presently chair of the Toyin Falola ATWS Africa Book Award Committee, and serves as moderator of the ATWS Discussion Group (list).

Dr. Oscar Arias Sanchez, former President of Costa Rica, 1986-1990, and winner of Nobel Peace Prize for his Central American Peace Plan. Dr. Arias established the Arias Foundation for Peace and Human Progress, which focuses on promoting nonviolent conflict resolution, demilitarization, ecological preservation, and reduction of socioeconomic injustice.

Dr. Akwasi B. Assensoh, Professor of History, Indiana University-Bloomington, created "Lawrence Dunbar Reddick Memorial Scholarship Award," and is a member ofJTWS Editorial Board. He was elected to the ATWS Executive Council in 1999,  in 2002 he became Vice-President/President Elect, and served as President of ATWS, 2003-2004.

Dr. Edwin G. Clausen, Vice-President for Academic Affairs and Dean of the College, Daemen College (NY). As 3rd Vice-President/President-Elect, between 1993-1994, Dr. Clausen organized the 10th annual ATWS meeting at Pacific Lutheran University.

Dr. Martin J. Collo, Professor of Political Science at Widener University, served as Associate Editor of the Latin American sections of JTWS from 1986 to 1997. Dr. Collo passed away in 2002. 

Dr. M. Bazlul Karim created the superlative ATWS web site in 1996. He maintained the site until early 2000.

Dr. Gary Kline, Professor of Political Science, Georgia Southwestern State University, served as Treasurer of ATWS, 1997-2006, and was elected Vice-President/President-Elect in 2006. He served on the Executive Council (1995-1997), and has been a member of the JTWS Editorial Board since 1993. He is recipient of several ATWS awards, to include "Presidential Award;" "ATWS Distinguished Leadership and Service Award;" ATWS Outstanding Leadership and Service Award;" and the "Mario D. Zamoro Award" for Excellence in Scholarship on the Third World.Dr. Kline served as Vice-President/President-Elect, 2006-2007, and is the current President of ATWS.

Dr. Julius Ihonvbere, currently serving as advisor to the President of Nigeria, received the "Mario D. Zamora Award" in 1994, served on the JTWS Editorial Board, and was elected to the Executive Council in 1995. Dr. Ihonvbere was ATWS' official representative to meetings of the U.N.'s Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) in New York.

Dr. Thomas M. Leonard, Professor of History, University of North Florida. Dr. Leonard served as chairperson of local arrangements committee for 13th annual meeting, is a member of the JTWS Editorial Board, and was elected ATWS Vice President/President Elect for 1998-1999. He organized the first ATWS meeting outside U.S., in San Jose, Costa Rica,November 18-20, 1999, and was President of ATWS, 1999-2000.

Dr. Rolin G. Mainuddin, Associate Professor of Political Science, North Carolina Central University. As Chairperson of the Teaching Committee, 1994-1997, Dr. Mainuddincompiled ATWS Area Interest List. He was elected Vice-President/President-Elect for 1997-1998. As President-Elect he organized 16th annual meeting in Durham, North Carolina, and in 1998-1999 served as President of ATWS. He served as Associate Editor of the Middle Eastern sections of JTWS, 2003-2006.

Dr. Mary Muller, Human Resources Consultant, Sarasota, Florida. Dr. Muller served on the Executive Council, and Information Services Committee.

Dr. Paul A. Rodell, Assistant Professor of History, Georgia Southern University, served as Executive Director of ATWS, 1996-2002, and as editor and co-editor of ATWSNewsletter.

Dr. Nancy Shumaker, Professor of Spanish and Director of the Center for International Studies at Georgia Southern University, is Chairperson of the Information Services Committee, and former co-editor of the ATWS Proceedings. She won 1999 ATWS Presidential Award.

Dr. Chaitram Singh, Professor of Political Science and Director of International Studies Program at Berry College, was Secretary of ATWS from 1994 to 1997.

Dr. Donald Simmons, Executive Director, McGovern Center for Leadership and Public Service, organized the 14th annual ATWS conference at Troy State University - Montgomery, Alabama, and served as President of ATWS, 1996-1997. He was Chairperson of the Membership Committee from 1993-1995. In 1997 Dr. Simmons was elected Chairperson of the Nominating Committee.

Dr. Mario D. Zamora, Professor of Anthropology, College of William and Mary. He was Vice-President/President-Elect, of ATWS, 1993, and a world-renowned scholar and promoter of Third World Studies who passed away in 1993.