TNWAC This Week
May 11, 2021
Dear Members and Friends:
Thank you to the friends who gave on the Big Payback day last week to support the World Affairs Council. We appreciate your generosity and the support you show for our mission — to bring the world to our community.
This week we continue to present dozens of programs produced by our World Affairs Council and the network of Councils around the country. Browse the lists below for special presentations and distinguished speaker programs.
This week we also have invitations to our corporate members and individuals at the “Ambassador” and “Consul” levels for a special program. (Membership details) Through our association with the World Affairs Councils of America we’re able to offer exclusive access to a conversation on “Business Transformation in a Post-Covid World,” with Jacek Olczak, the new Chief Executive Officer of Philip Morris International (PMI). Shoot me an email if you’re interested in participating.
Speaking of member benefits, if you’re a member make sure you’re receiving your complimentary copy of “Daily Chatter,” a quick hitting, concise summary of must know and good to know global news. It’s yours free with your membership. While you’re keeping up with global news make sure you check out the “What in the World?” Weekly Quiz every Monday morning. If it’s not in your email, check your TNWAC mail preferences — links at the top and bottom of this newsletter.
Please make sure to register for the terrific TNWAC programs ahead, including Ambassador Capricia Penavic Marshall, talking with Kelly O’Connor of our Board, and my conversation with travel guru, Rick Steves. And don’t forget the treasure trove of programs available to you across the WACA network.
Wishes for a safe and prosperous week ahead.
Sincerely,
Patrick W. Ryan
Founding President, TNWAC
MARK THE CALENDAR
- WACA/TNWAC Exclusive | Business Transformation in a Post Covid World with PMI CEO Jacek Olczak | May 12 | Email Pat Ryan
- Global Dialogue | Power of Diplomacy with former White House Chief of Protocol Amb Capricia Penavic Marshall and Kelly O’Connor | Jun 1
- Global Dialogue | On Travel with Rick Steves | Jun 15
- National Conference of the World Affairs Councils of America | Nov 17-19
THE POWER OF DIPLOMACY WITH AMBASSADOR CAPRICIA PENAVIC MARSHALL
On JUNE 1 AT 7PM we’ll be talking about diplomacy. From 2009 to 2013, Capricia Penavic Marshall was Chief of Protocol of the United States, bearing the rank of Ambassador and setting the stage for diplomacy at the highest levels. In this capacity, she worked to leverage U.S. relationships with foreign governments developing strategies to transform global engagement. Ms. Marshall oversaw six State and Official Visits, countless Working Visits, the G20, Nuclear Security, APEC, G8, NATO and Sunnylands Summits, and the protocol arrangements during travel with the President and Secretaries of State to forty-two countries. Details/Registration.
SCRATCH YOUR TRAVEL ITCH WITH A CONVERSATION WITH RICK STEVES
Rick Steves turned backpacking across Europe as a young man into a travel industry. Books, tours, television programs, web specials, merchandise — if it has anything to do with travel to Europe, Rick Steves name comes to the top of the list. We’ll be talking with Rick on JUNE 15TH AT 7PM CT about his experiences in international travel, what we should expect in the post-pandemic era and the ability of travel to remove barriers and build bridges. Small fee for non-members. Free for new and existing paid members. Details/Registration.
GREAT POWER COMPETITION: RUSSIA AND IRAN WITH PROF MARK KATZ
Did you miss our conversation with Professor Mark Katz last week? These are relationships and regions you should be keeping an eye on. You can watch it now. Archived Video.
THE BIG PAYBACK – WEDNESDAY EVENING, MAY 5TH AND THURSDAY, MAY 6TH
Thanks to the friends of the Tennessee World Affairs Council who helped us surpass our goal of $5,000. In the 24 hours of last week’s Big Payback you gave $6,442.00 to make sure global affairs awareness and education programs are possible. Big hat tip, friends.
If you miss the chance to donate on the Big Payback day, no worries, you can show your support HERE.
YOU SHOULD SPONSOR THESE PROGRAMS
We invite businesses, organizations and individuals to sponsor these events. It is through your support that we are able to bring quality global affairs programs to the community. Your sponsorship also highlights your commitment to education and global affairs awareness in the community. For information about sponsoring other programs and series of events contact Patrick Ryan, TNWAC President @ 931-261-2353, [email protected]
SPECIAL PROGRAM — MEMBER BENEFIT
TNWAC CORPORATE MEMBERS AND “AMBASSADOR” AND “CONSUL” LEVEL INDIVIDUAL MEMBERS
You’re invited to an exclusive conversation with Jacek Olczak. For individual registration details contact Patrick Ryan ([email protected])
SPECIAL PROGRAM — MEMBER BENEFIT
TNWAC CORPORATE MEMBERS AND “AMBASSADOR” AND “CONSUL” LEVEL INDIVIDUAL MEMBERS
You’re invited to an exclusive conversation with Jacek Olczak. For individual registration details contact Patrick Ryan ([email protected])
THIS WEEK AROUND THE NETWORK OF WORLD AFFAIRS COUNCILS


- WorldDenver hosts Michael Shifter, President, Inter-American Dialogue, for “Electoral Trends in Latin America: Democratic Renewal or Political Instability?”
- World Affairs Council of Greater Houston hosts Brad Stone to discuss his book Amazon Unbound: Jeff Bezos and the Invention of a Global Empire.
- World Affairs Council of Dallas/Fort Worth hosts James Lindsay, Senior Vice President, Council on Foreign Relations, for “The End of the American Century – What Comes Next?”
- World Affairs Council Western Massachusetts hosts Charlie Epstein, Founder, Epstein Financial Services, for “Instant Issues Online: Charlie Epstein on COVID-19 and Global Markets.”
- Santa Fe Council on International Relations hosts filmmaker Ryan White to discuss his film Assassins!
- Montana World Affairs Council hosts a panel of experts for “Forum on Indigenous Issues.”
Wednesday 5/12
- World Affairs Council of Maine hosts Mari Pangestu, Managing Director of Development Policy and Partnerships, World Bank, for “Cornerstones of a Robust Recovery: Green, Resilient, and Inclusive Development.”
- World Affairs Council of Connecticut hosts journalist Roya Hakakian for “A Beginner’s Guide to America: For the Immigrant and the Curious.”
- World Affairs Council of Inland Southern California hosts Kate Raftery, Expert Consultant, Peace Corps, for “Peace Corps Return to its Global Presence.”
- World Affairs Council of Charleston hosts Michael Sun, Assistant Professor of Political Science at Citadel, for “China’s Military Threat Against Taiwan.”
- World Affairs Council of Greater Reading hosts Joseph Braude, Founder and President, Center for Peace Communications, for “Arab/Israel Relations.”
- WorldOregon hosts a panel of experts for “The Security Threat That Binds Us: Challenges to Ecological & National Security.”
- International Relations Council (Kansas City) hosts a panel of experts for “World Trade Day 2021.”
- World Affairs (Northern California) hosts Madeleine Albright, Fmr. U.S. Secretary of State, and Federica Mogherini, Fmr. High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, for “Hope Amid Uncertainty: The Future of Afghanistan.”
- World Affairs Council of Atlanta hosts Manoj Gopalakrishna, CEO of CARE India, and Dr. K.M. Venkat Narayan, Professor of Epidemiology and Medicine, Emory University, for “The Covid-19 Crisis in India.”
- San Diego World Affairs Council hosts Anish Goel, Senior Analyst at the U.S. Department of Defense, for “India in South Asia: Fraught Regional Relationships.”
- World Affairs Council of Tacoma hosts Andrew Griffin, Deputy Director, Office of Global Change, Bureau of Oceans and International Environmental and Scientific Affairs, U.S. Department of State, for “Global Impact: Global Policy and Climate Change.”
- World Affairs Council of Seattle hosts Brad Adams, Executive Director of Human Rights Watch’s Asia Division, for “An Update on Chinese Repression of Uyghur Muslims.”
- Los Angeles World Affairs Council & Town Hall hosts Glenn Gerstell, Fmr. General Counsel, National Security Agency, for “National Security & the Right to Privacy in the Digital Age.”
- World Affairs Council Dallas/Fort Worth hosts Jack Devine, President, The Arkin Group LLC, and Jonathan D. T. Ward, Founder, Atlas Organization, for “China and Russia: The Two Major Threats Facing the U.S.”
- Southeast Connecticut World Affairs Council hosts Fearghal McGarry, Queens University Belfast, for “The Irish Revolution 1919-1921 in a Global Context.”
- World Affairs Council of Connecticut and World Affairs Council of New Hampshire co-host Amb. Reema Bandar Al Saud, Ambassador of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to the U.S., for “A Conversation with HRH Ambassador Reema Bandar Al Saud.”
- World Affairs Forum (Samford) hosts Klon Kithcen, Resident Fellow, American Enterprise Institute, for “Cybersecurity: Strategic Explanations.”
- World Affairs Council of Atlanta hosts Jim Reed, President of YKK Corporation of America, for “Exclusive Exchanges: Networking Made Easy.”
- Indiana Council on World Affairs hosts Amb. Bill Brownfield (Ret.), Center for Strategic and International Studies, for “Latin America: Challenges and Opportunities for the Biden Administration.”
- World Affairs Council of Charlotte hosts Jake Wood, CEO of Team Rubicon, to discuss his book Take Command: Lessons in Leadership: How to Be a First Responder in Business.
- Dayton Council on World Affairs hosts Anna Taft, Founding Director of the Tandana Foundation, for “Virtual Voyages: Service Travel with Tandana Foundation.”
- Santa Fe Council on International Relations hosts a panel of experts for “President Bukele: El Salvador’s Authoritarian Ruler?”
- World Affairs Council of Greater Houston hosts Kelly J. Zuniga, the CEO, Holocaust Museum Houston, for “Legacies of the Holocaust & Fighting Hatred Today.”
- Peoria Area World Affairs Council hosts Kaveh Ehsani, DePaul University, for “Oil: Looking Beyond the Lifeblood that Shaped the Modern World.”
- World Affairs Council of Monterey Bay hosts Professor Sean Everton, Naval Postgraduate School, for “Understanding Dark Networks.”
THANKS TO OUR PARTNERS IN GLOBAL AFFAIRS AWARENESS AND EDUCATION OUTREACH
THANKS TO OUR PARTNERS IN GLOBAL AFFAIRS AWARENESS AND EDUCATION OUTREACH
THE MISSION of the nonprofit, nonpartisan Tennessee World Affairs Council is to promote international awareness, understanding and connections to enhance the region’s global stature and to prepare Tennesseans to thrive in our increasingly complex and connected world.
THE VISION of the Tennessee World Affairs Council is a well-informed community that thinks critically about the world and the impact of global events.