This Week | TNWAC

TNWAC This Week

September 21, 2021

Dear Members and Friends:

The world turns its eyes to mid-town Manhattan and the headquarters of the United Nations this week for the opening of the General Assembly and remarks from world leaders including President Joe Biden.

Yesterday Biden met with UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres who said, “The cooperation between the United States and the U.N. is a fundamental pillar for the work of the U.N. The United States, with its strong commitment to human rights; its strong commitment to peace and security in the world; its strong commitment to development, cooperation; and now, with your leadership, a very strong commitment on climate change, the United States represents a fundamental pillar of our activity.”

Today, in his General Assembly speech, Biden called for global cooperation in the battles against Covid 19 and climate catastrophe and other challenges like endemic poverty.

Multilateral commitment to climate and global health are just two of numerous tasks before the international community and the United Nations, but we must remember that the organization was founded in the ashes of WWII to bring peace and stability to the planet. And so, today we observe International Peace Day, The UN General Assembly declared this as a day devoted to strengthening the ideals of peace, through observing 24 hours of non-violence and cease-fire.

The 2021 theme for the International Day of Peace is “Recovering better for an equitable and sustainable world.” The UN Peace Day statement reflected on the Covid-19 pandemic, “We are inspired to think creatively and collectively about how to help everyone recover better, how to build resilience, and how to transform our world into one that is more equal, more just, equitable, inclusive, sustainable, and healthier.”

We thank our friends at the United States Institute of Peace for offering the #PeaceDayChallenge to students, teachers and the rest of us. Among the resources they shared are the Olive Branch Blog where you can find inspiring stories of peace building, HERE. You can learn more about the USIP’s #PeaceDayChallenge in our post, HERE.

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

Sincerely,

Patrick W. Ryan
Founding President, TNWAC

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

MARK THE CALENDAR

Global Security Forum | Oct 1-2 | In partnership with CT WAC | Registration/Details
International Careers Panel | Across the Spectrum of Professionals | Oct 6 | 5:30-7:00
Symposium | Migration: Global to Local Challenges | Oct 13 | 11:30a
China Town Hall with Fareed Zakaria | Oct 19 | 5:30-7:30p
International Careers Panel | Women in International Business | Oct 27 | 5:30-7:00p
Ambassador Koji Tomita visit | Global Town Hall | Nov 1-3 | Save the Date
National Conference of the World Affairs Councils of America (WACA’s 35th Anniversary) | Nov 17-19
Academic WorldQuest | Fall Practice Match | Dec 5 | Save the Date
Academic WorldQuest 2021-22 Championship | Feb 6 | Save the Date

STUDENTS AND YOUNG PROFESSIONALS | INTERNATIONAL CAREERS

Mark you calendar for the fall 2021 sessions of our International Careers Panels. As we did in the spring we’ll have two panels, both via Webinar. On October 6th we’ll host a panel of specialists from a variety of international professions, such as diplomacy, business, NGOs, Peace Corps, legal, academic and military. [Link] Three weeks later, on October 27, join us again for a conversation with a panel focused on “Women in International Business.” [Link]

SYMPOSIUM | MIGRATION: GLOBAL TO LOCAL CHALLENGES

Join us on October 13th for a midday symposium examining the accelerating global trends driving migration and the flows of migrants and refugees into the United States and Tennessee. Dr. Marie McAuliffe, Head of Migration Policy Research at the United Nation’s International Organization for Migration will join moderator David Plazas of The Tennessean along with several other specialists. [Registration Link]

CHINA TOWN HALL: LOCAL CONNECTIONS, NATIONAL REFLECTIONS

This year’s China Town Hall on October 19th will feature Fareed Zakaria, CNN host and author, in a national broadcast that will be part of our TNWAC program. Professor Thomas Schwartz, John Scannapieco and Jeremy Goldkorn will anchor conversations prior to and following the Zakaria program. Join us for this virtual deep dive into U.S.-China relations. [Registration Link]

ACADEMIC WORLDQUEST

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 and topics are due for release in mid-September. 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! Topics and study guide coming soon.

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 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]

ICYMI – OUR CONVERSATION WITH UK CONSUL GENERAL STAUNTON

The ink had barely dried on news last week of a landmark defense pact among the United States, United Kingdom and Australia when we sat down for a “Global Tennessee” Podcast with Her Majesty’s Consul General Andrew Staunton. He represents the UK in the Southeast region from the Consulate in Atlanta. We talked about US-UK relations, economic developments especially trade and investment in Tennessee, post-Brexit issues, the AUKUS agreement, national security and global issues and the incomprehensibility of cricket. Check out the “Global Tennessee” series of Podcasts at Spotify, iTunes or wherever you get your Pods, and HERE.

TENNESSEE WORLD AFFAIRS COUNCIL RECOMMENDS

Join the U.S. Naval Institute and the U.S. Naval Academy on 20 October in Annapolis, Maryland, for a conference to address the role of the military in diplomacy throughout history and how diplomacy contributes to rule of law, national security, and the U.S. international image.

September 21, 2021 @ 11:00am-12:15pm

In the coming years, what trends are likely to be seen with regard to maritime security in the Gulf? How can the GCC states further protect and expand their critical maritime infrastructure? What steps can be taken to curb the danger posed by malign actors in the Red Sea, Bab-el-Mandeb, and Hormuz straits? And what additional role, if any, should the United States and Europe play in safeguarding international commerce?

Featured Speakers: Professor David Des Roches, Bilal Y. Saab, Dr. Cinzia Bianco, Dr. Rashid Abdi, and Dr. Geoffrey Gresh.

PROGRAMMING ON AFGHANISTAN

In recent weeks, our sister Councils have provided extensive insight into recent developments in Afghanistan. World Affairs (Northern California) has aired a podcast “Escape from Kabul” and held a “Virtual Town Hall: Supporting Local Aid to Afghanistan.”

Upcoming Programs:

September 28: World Affairs Council of Kentucky and Southern Indiana will host “America, the Taliban, and the War Through Afghan Eyes“
September 30: World Affairs Council of Rhode Island will host “Afghanistan: Beyond the Headlines with Anthropologist Thomas Barfield.”

Past Programs:

World Affairs Council of Atlanta hosted “Afghanistan’s Collapse” and “Afghanistan in Context“
World Affairs Council of Harrisburg hosted “Hot Topics Webinar: Leaving Afghanistan“
World Affairs Council of Greater Houston hosted “Afghanistan’s Withdrawal from Afghanistan: Realities for Americans, Afghans, and the Fight Against Extremism“
World Affairs Council of Maine hosted “Afghanistan: The Consequences with Ryan Crocker and David Pearce“
Santa Fe Council on International Relations hosted “Crisis in Afghanistan: What Were Our Choices? with Ambassador Ryan Crocker “
Vermont Council on World Affairs hosted “Vital Voices: An On the Ground Perspective in Afghanistan“

DETAILS AND REGISTRATION IN COUNCIL HIGHLIGHTS BELOW

All programs below are accessible online unless otherwise indicated.

Monday 9/20

International Relations Council (Kansas City) hosts Bob Kolasky, head of the National Risk Management Center, for “Nuancing National Security: Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Resilience.”
World Affairs Council of Philadelphia presents “WEBINAR: Global and Domestic Impacts of the Ever-Evolving Pharmaceutical Supply Chain.”

Tuesday 9/21

San Diego World Affairs Council hosts Jack Devine, former Acting Deputy Director of the CIA’s Operations Outside the U.S., and Jonathan Ward, Founder of the Atlas Organization, for “Russia & China – Preparing America for Our Greatest Strategic Challenge.”
World Affairs Council of Jacksonville hosts Gianrico Farrugia, President and CEO of the Mayo Clinic, for “Health Care Transformation in the Next Decade and Beyond.” (In Person)
World Affairs Council of Atlanta hosts Alan Bersin, former Commissioner of U.S. Customs and Border Protection, for “The Border Crisis: From Trump to Biden.”
International Relations Council (Kansas City) hosts a panel of international military officers currently studying at the U.S. Army Command and General Staff College for “UN Peacekeepers Round Table.” (In Person)
Cleveland Council on World Affairs hosts Adam Weinstein, Research Fellow at the Quincy Institute, for “Afghanistan’s Lessons for a More Sustainable Foreign Policy.” (In Person)
World Affairs Council Upstate hosts the International Women’s Club for “Coffee & Conversations with the International Women’s Group.” (In Person)
World Affairs Council of Dallas/Fort Worth hosts Dr. Diana Villiers Negroponte, Global Fellow at the Wilson Center, for “Master Negotiator: James A. Baker, III’s Role at the End of the Cold War.”
World Affairs Council of Greater Houston hosts Dr. Hans Stockton, Dean of the Division of Social and Behavioral Science and Global Studies at University of St. Thomas, for “U.S. – China Relations in Transition: Reading the Tea Leaves with Hans Stockton.” (In Person)
Vermont Council on World Affairs presents “International Day of Peace Conference.” (In Person)

Wednesday 9/22

WorldBoston hosts Nicole Perlroth, author of This Is How They Tell Me the World Ends: The Cyberweapons Arms Race, for a “Chat and Chowder.”
World Affairs Council of Western Massachusetts hosts Ryan Murphy, Program Officer of the U.S. Department of State’s Sport Diplomacy Division, for “Sports Diplomacy in Western Massachusetts and Beyond.”
Global Minnesota hosts Raymond Kuo, Political Scientist with the RAND Corporation, for “Global Conversations DIGITAL: The Two Koreas.”
Montana World Affairs Council hosts Dexter Roberts, author and Senior Fellow at the Atlantic Council Asia Security Initiative, for “The Myth of Chinese Capitalism: Can China Continue to Rise?” (In Person)
World Affairs Council of New Hampshire hosts Colin Bastable, CEO of LUCY Security’s U.S. operations, for “Global Cyber Threats: What You Need to Know.”
Santa Fe Council on International Relations hosts Ambassador (Ret.) Ronald E. Neumann, former Assistant Secretary of State for the Middle East, for “Can Foggy Bottom Be Revitalized? A Conversation with Ambassador Ronald E. Neumann.”
World Affairs Council of Charleston hosts Byron Miller, Director of Sales for the South Carolina Ports Authority, for “International Business Luncheon – ‘Global Supply Chain Challenges During COVID.’” (In Person)
World Affairs Council of Seattle hosts Nicole Bibbins Sedaca, Executive Vice President of Freedom House, and Ambassador (Ret.) Kelley Currie, former U.S. Ambassador-at-Large for Global Women’s Issues, for “Democracy and Human Rights: Why American Leadership Matters.”

Thursday 9/23

World Affairs Council of Western Michigan hosts Dr. Yawei Liu, Senior Advisor for China at the Carter Center, for “China and the U.S.: Where Do We Go From Here?”
Colorado Springs World Affairs Council hosts Roz Duman, founder of the Coalition Against Global Genocide, for “A Symposium for High School Students: Never Again? The Perpetuation of Global Genocide.” (In Person)
Los Angeles World Affairs Council & Town Hall hosts Eswar Prasad, Tolani Senior Professor of Trade Policy at Cornell, for “The Future of Money: With Economist Eswar Prasad and KABC Radio Host Frank Mottek.”
World Affairs (Northern California) hosts Philip Yun, President and CEO of World Affairs, for “What’s Going on with North Korea.”
Savannah Council on World Affairs hosts Dr. Charles Kupchan, Professor of International Affairs at Georgetown University and former National Security Council staff member, for ‘From Trump to Biden: Navigating Isolationist and Internationalist Traditions in U.S. Statecraft.” (In Person)
World Affairs Council of Atlanta hosts David Rennie, Beijing Bureau Chief and Economist columnist, for “David Rennie: The View from Beijing.”
World Affairs Council of Atlanta hosts Allison Padilla-Goodman, Vice President of Southern Division of the Anti-Defamation League and Council Board Member, for “Exclusive Exchanges: Networking Made Easy.” (In Person)
Indiana Council on World Affairs hosts Andreas Park, Professor of Finance at the University of Toronto, for “An Introduction to Blockchain, Cryptocurrency and Decentralized Finance with Andreas Park.”
World Affairs Council of Maine hosts Phyllis Johnson, author and Founder of the Coffee Coalition for Racial Equity, for “Stories of Coffee.” (In Person)
International Affairs Forum (Traverse City) hosts a panel of experts for “National Writers Series – IAF Joint Event.”
Foreign Policy Association hosts Dr. Stuart P.M. Mackintosh, Group of 30 Executive Director, for “Climate Crisis Economics with Dr. Stuart P.M. Mackintosh.”
World Affairs Council of Dallas/Fort Worth hosts Pete McBride, award-winning photographer, filmmaker, and writer, for “Members Only: Studying the World with a Camera-from the Grand Canyon to the World’s Most Quiet Places.”
World Affairs Council of Greater Houston presents “Global Young Professionals: Networking Mixer.” (In Person)

Friday 9/24

Global Minnesota, in partnership with Minnesota Africans United, hosts Her Excellency Dr. Joyce Banda, former President of the Republic of Malawi, for “Global Trade Virtual Conference.”
Global Affairs Council of Hilton Head hosts Matthew Costa, CPA and Certified Financial Planner, for “Community Global Forum: Matt Costa – Bitcoin.”

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

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.