Romano Prodi, University professor-at-large and former prime minister of Italy, will take part in a final series of events this week before his appointment at the University ends in December. On Monday, Oct. 28, Prodi will participate in “Terrorism in Sub-Saharan Africa? Perspectives on Political Crisis in the Sahel.” The following day, Prodi will deliver an address on “The Italian Crisis in Perspective,” which is the keynote of a two-day conference on the state of Italy. On Thursday, Oct. 31, Prodi will take part in “European Mediterranean and Middle East Policy,” a panel discussion on the challenges and opportunities facing Europe and the Middle East. All three events will take place at the Watson Institute for International Studies. Details about each event can be found on the Watson website. Appointed University professor-at-large in 2009, Prodi also served as president of the European Commission, where he oversaw the introduction of the Euro. He currently serves as the U.N. special envoy for the Sahel. Prodi has been a frequent visitor to North Africa and the Middle East, including both Libya and Egypt, where he spent considerable time before, during, and after the Arab Spring. As the U.N. special envoy for the Sahel, he has meet with political leaders across the region, including Mohamed Morsi, former president of Egypt; President Abdelaziz Bouteflika of Algeria; and Moncef Marzouki, caretaker president of the Republic of Tunisia.