Global Connections and Disconnections

Elizabeth Haygood - Georgia College & State University

The Global West’s Response the Rwandan Genocide

The research I would present at the conference on “Global Cooperation and Connections” covers the consequences of Belgium and the Global West’s overall role and response, or lack thereof, in the Rwandan Genocides which took place from 1994 to 1995. During Belgium’s colonial reign over Rwanda, Belgians artificially created two ethnic groups, the Hutu, the majority, and the Tutsi, the minority. The Belgians put the Tutsi in power in order to avoid rebellion against their colonial rule because it is strategically more efficient to place the minority in power over the majority as it is easier to control a smaller population of people. Although this segregation took place in the early 20th century, it still continues to have lasting effects. The Church, a product of European evangelization, also played a role in the genocides as the majority of murders occurred within a church.

While the genocides took place, the Global West refused to use the term “genocide” because calling the conflict a genocide would mean that the United Nations would be forced to intervene under their “responsibility to protect” concept. If we believe that Belgium shares blame for the genocides then it would be reasonable to argue that the world powers should have intervened when they did not. The consequences following Belgium’s colonization of Rwanda extend to not only years of internal conflict but include the murder of an estimated 1.5 million people and the displacement of families.

The topic of the Rwandan Genocides remains relevant because it is a tragic event that can be rooted back to a decision made by Europeans based on their ethnocentric ideals. If it were not for Belgium’s decision to create an imbalance of power between the Hutu and Tutsi, the mass ethnic conflict could have potentially been prevented. The Rwandan Genocides is just one instance illustrating the lasting negative impact of ethnocentrism and colonial rule.

Ibipo Johnston-Anumonwo - State University of New York at Cortland

Global Cooperation and Multidisciplinary Connections

Philip Szmedra - Gannon University

The Challenges Faced by Multinational Automobile Manufacturers in Mexico

Over the past two decades Mexico has been successful in attracting investment by multi-national automobile manufacturers. Between 2010 and 2020 automobile production in Mexico more than doubled placing Mexico just behind Germany as the sixth largest automobile producer globally and growing. The growth of the automotive industry in Mexico has differing implications for the various stakeholders in the automotive value chain. Management challenges faced by automotive multi-nationals operating in Mexico can be significant. In this paper we evaluate the strengths of the Mexican automotive industry and the challenges faced operating within a developing global south nation.