Johns Hopkins SAIS to Host “Building Resilience to the Economic Threat of Invasive Species,” on Wednesday, April 25, 2018

WASHINGTON, April 18 -- Johns Hopkins University's Paul H. Nitze School of Advanced International Studies issued the following news release:

"Building Resilience to the Economic Threat of Invasive Species," a presentation and panel discussion, will be hosted by the Energy, Resources and Environment (ERE) Program at the Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies.

Invasive species are bleeding public coffers and harming commercial industries, leading to billions of dollars in damages and maintenance costs. The presentation by the 2017-2018 ERE-Swiss Re practicum team seeks to reveal the true costs of invasive species in North America including the Great Lakes area, identify gaps in invasive species management, examine opportunities for the insurance industry to offset these risks, and explore where cooperation between the U.S. and Canada can promote creative solutions.

The panel featuring experts from the U.S. and Canadian governments, as well as global reinsurance company Swiss Re, will discuss the intersection between invasive species risks and innovative insurance tools.

Agenda

5:30 - 5:50 p.m.

Introduction

Celeste Connors

Associate Practitioner in Residence, Johns Hopkins SAIS

Opening Remarks

Vali Nasr

Dean, Johns Hopkins SAIS

5:50 - 6:10 p.m.

Presentation of Research Findings

2017-2018 ERE-Swiss Re Practicum Team:

Jessica Chin

George Gao

Rebecca Schloemann

Sonia Sharan

6:10 - 6:45 p.m.

Panel Discussion

Panelists:

Alex Kaplan

Head of North America and Senior VP of Global Partnerships, Swiss Re

Rachel McCormick

Counsellor of Energy and Environment, Embassy of Canada

Stas Burgiel

Assistant Director at the National Invasive Species Council, U.S. Department of Interior

Stephanie Shwiff

Research Economist at the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture

Moderator:

Celeste Connors

Associate Practitioner in Residence, Johns Hopkins SAIS

6:45 - 7:00 p.m.

Q&A Session

Time and Date

5:30 -7:00 p.m.

Wednesday, April 25, 2018

A reception will follow the conclusion of the event.

Location

Room 500, Bernstein-Offit Building

1717 Massachusetts Avenue, NW

Washington, DC 20036

Register

The event is open to the public and media, with registration. Members of the working press can request to cover the event by selecting "Media" on the online registration form. Final media access will be confirmed at least one day prior to the event. Pre-authorized camera setup will only be permitted from 4:30 - 5:30 p.m.