The World Cup Begins: Good Luck to all the "Sturm College of Law" Countries!

The World Cup, the every four year event that marks the world's largest sporting event, kicked off yesterday in South Africa for the first time ever.

As I look over the contingent of teams vying for the title "Champion of the World," it is hard not to think about the rich history and tradition of the University of Denver Environmental and Natural Resources Law & Policy Program and to reflect on the wonderful students we have enjoyed from every corner of the world.

As World Cup 2010 gets underway, it is fitting to call attention to the countries that have a specific link to DU through students who have attended our program but call other countries home. Out of the 32 qualifiers for the World Cup in South Africa, DU is proud to have had students from the following qualifying countries:

• Argentina
• Brazil
• Cameroon
• Chile
• Germany
• Ghana
• Japan
• Mexico
• Nigeria
• South Korea
• Spain
• Switzerland
• Uruguay
• United States

All told, 14 of the qualifiers are from DU "countries," thus giving our community a significant chance to win. Of course the fact that our community includes football powerhouses such as Argentina and Brazil improves our chances.

As each of us so clearly understands, while football is the world's game the challenge of using our resources carefully and prudently and being mindful of environmental protection and the need for development is also the "world's game." Each of us as individuals and all of us as community members have shown a level of commitment to these objectives. Consequently for the next month, we will enjoy the football "world game" while we also think about how best to develop, use, and protect the world's resources.

May best team win and may South Africa enjoy its historic opportunity to host the games! The fact that South Africa can host these games so soon after its tragic history of segregation and inequality should inspire all of us.

--Don Smith