2022 World Affairs Council of the Year
Network of Independent World Affairs Councils of America

This Week

TNWAC This Week

October 21, 2021

Dear Members and Friends:

China…

Earlier this week one email in the pile included a note from Foreign Affairs editor Daniel Kurtz-Phelan with word of their new issue. In the tease he wrote this:

“In September, in his first address to the UN General Assembly as president, Joe Biden pledged that the United States was not “seeking a new cold war or a world divided into rigid blocs.” That pledge was echoed, in different words, by Biden’s Chinese counterpart, Xi Jinping, and reinforced by warnings from a slew of other leaders about the grim consequences of a world split into warring camps. Yet rather than offering reassurance, this chorus served mostly to highlight just how dismal the geopolitical reality has become, with suspicion and acrimony threatening to sink trust and cooperation even in the face of shared existential challenges.”

Meanwhile, Hal Brands and John Lewis Gaddis were writing about, “The New Cold War: America, China and the Echoes of History.”

THAT is the US-China relationship in 2021.

It is important that you know what’s going on there.

And so, we commend to your attention this week’s China Town Hall + — the plus was our local experts providing background, context and analysis of US-China relations, commercial ties and strains, regional defense concerns and alliances and what all this means to Tennessee and our communities. The second half of the program was a broadcast from the National Committee on U.S.-China Relations featuring CNN anchor and author Fareed Zakaria.

You can find a recording of the China Town Hall, both ends of the program, at our YouTube.com.tnwac channel and in our “Global Tennessee” series of Podcasts wherever you get your Pods

I am also recommending you join the “Cover to Cover” program on October 28th with Carla Power, author of “Home, Land, Security: Deradicalization and the Journey Back from Extremism.” It’s an issue and enduring challenge for security forces around the world, not just the Middle East. Extremism is expanding at home and abroad. “Cover to Cover” is presented by our friends at the World Affairs Councils of America (WACA) and a benefit we enjoy by being a member of the network. I was pleased to be invited as the program host and look forward to talking about this important issue with Ms. Power.

Lastly, big hat tip to Lucas Carvalho. He competed against a strong field of undergraduate students to win the TNWAC nomination to WACA for the 2021 National Conference Student Scholarship program. We just learned that Lucas was selected as one of the conference scholars. Lucas is a senior at Sewanee, The University of the South. He is a native of Brazil and is majoring in International and Global Studies. Lucas will attend the conference (and you can too) in Washington DC, November 16-19, 2021. This year’s focus is “Bridging Divides at Home and Abroad.” [Details/Registration]. 

Wishes for a safe and prosperous week and, as always, thank you for your support.

Sincerely,

 

 

 

Patrick W. Ryan
Founding President, TNWAC

p.s. Time’s running out to register and sponsor terrific upcoming events described below!

Thank you for your support. TNWAC is a public service bringing you global affairs awareness and education!

MARK THE CALENDAR

AMBASSADOR OF JAPAN TO U.S. KOJI TOMITA GLOBAL TOWN HALL

On November 2nd you’ll want to be at Belmont University as the World Affairs council welcomes Ambassador and Mrs. Tomita to Nashville. Join us for an IN-PERSON conversation on Japan-U.S. relations, the impact of Japanese investment on Tennessee, security issues in East Asia and building bridges between Japanese and Americans. [Details/Registration]

Note: Guests will be asked to comply with Covid-19 public health measures — full vaccinations and masks indoors (See below).

BUSINESSES… limited sponsorships available. [Details]

STUDENTS AND YOUNG PROFESSIONALS | INTERNATIONAL CAREERS | WEDNESDAY AND OCT 27

Join us on October 27th for a conversation with a distinguished panel of women working in global business fields. They will share with you what preparation they undertook to pursue their careers, what the day to day life is like in their jobs and the pros and cons of the work they undertake.  [Link]

CHINA TOWN HALL: LOCAL CONNECTIONS, NATIONAL REFLECTIONS

Did you miss this terrific program Tuesday? This year’s China Town Hall on October 19th featured Fareed Zakaria, CNN host and author, in a national broadcast that was part of our TNWAC program. Professor Thomas Schwartz, John Scannapieco and Jeremy Goldkorn shared their expertise on U.S. foreign policy, commercial relations and current developments. Check out this program for an exceptional virtual deep dive into U.S.-China relations. [Video Link] You can also here the program on our “Global Tennessee” Pod series wherever you get your Podcasts.

BELMONT PRESIDENT JONES TALKS WITH “GLOBAL NASHVILLE”

The World Affairs Council and Belmont University have enjoyed a partnership that goes back over a decade, bringing distinguished visiting speakers to the community and hosting high school students in our education outreach. We’re pleased to note that our home base has a new leader, President L. Gregory Jones. On October 26 at 7pm CT Jones will be our guest for the “Global Nashville with Karl Dean” Webinar program. They’ll talk about Jones’ approach to global engagement, Belmont’s mission for students to “engage and transform” the world, and the connections among the University, the city and the state with the world. [Registration Link]

ACADEMIC WORLDQUEST

We have our topics for the 2021-2022 season of our Anne Smedinghoff Academic WorldQuest global affairs challenge. Our practice match and championship match as well as the WACA national competition will be based on these topics:

  1. Where Climate and Migration Meet
  2. Afghanistan: End of the 20-Year U.S.-Led Intervention
  3. A Human-Centered Agenda for the Future of Work
  4. CDC and the Global Health Agenda
  5. Technology and Democracy: Threat or Promise?
  6. Great Decisions
  7. 21st Century Money: Dollars to Digital Currencies
  8. Working for Peace Through Legacies of War: The Case of Vietnam
  9. Insecurity in China’s Neighborhood
  10. Current Events

High school students and teachers be ready to start our Academic WorldQuest season, named in honor of Anne Smedinghoff, an American diplomat who was killed in the line of duty in Afghanistan. The study guide will be out this week. Our first practice match is set for Belmont University on Sunday, December 5th. The TNWAC championship match will be held in early February 2022. Be on the lookout for details on forming teams and getting ready for WorldQuest!

COVID-19 IN-PERSON PROGRAMS AND EVENTS POLICY

As we go back to hosting in-person programs and events, the Tennessee World Affairs Council will require our attendees to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19. In addition, masks will be required indoors except when eating and drinking. TNWAC will continue following the recommendations of the CDC and local health department to ensure that we can make our in-person programs and events as safe as possible for everyone. We look forward to seeing you in person this fall. Your understanding and continued support are important to the TNWAC. Thank you. 

VOLUNTEERS

The Tennessee World Affairs Council invites you to consider becoming a volunteer. TNWAC programs, development and administration are managed by a (very) small staff. We’re always on the lookout for people who are interested in our mission — bring the world to our fellow citizens — and have an opportunity to share their time and talents. There’s a great need so if you’re interested drop us an email. [[email protected]]

YOU SHOULD SPONSOR THESE PROGRAMS

We invite businesses, organizations and individuals to sponsor our programs. 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]


TENNESSEE WORLD AFFAIRS COUNCIL RECOMMENDS


Thursday 10/21
Friday 10/22
Saturday 10/23
Thank you for your support of global affairs awareness and education!

THANKS TO THE WORLD AFFAIRS COUNCILS OF AMERICA FOR COORDINATION OF WEEKLY PROGRAMS FROM AROUND THE NETWORK

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.