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This Week

TNWAC This Week

March 16, 2021

Dear Members and Friends:

This month we observe the anniversary of Covid-19 being designated a global pandemic and the increases in public health efforts and social measures. As we mark the beginning of this life changing catastrophe we also remember and mourn the loss of over a half million Americans to the virus scourge.

As part of our global awareness work, the World Affairs Council reported early and often about the advance of the virus, its impact around the world and measures being taken by the global community to combat it.

Dr. MM Fill, Epidemiologist at the Tennessee Department of Health talks with TNWAC Board Member John Scannapieco about the advancing coronavirus epidemic in TNWAC’s “Global Tennessee” Podcast on Feb 6, 2020.

Before Covid-19 became a pandemic TNWAC was sharing information about the looming threat, such as our February 6, 2020 Podcast with Dr. Mary-Margaret Fill, MD, Deputy State Epidemiologist in the Tennessee Department of Health. In May Dr. James Hildreth, President and CEO at Meharry Medical College, and later member of President Biden’s Health Equity Task Force, talked with our “Global Nashville with Karl Dean” webinar about the impact of Covid-19 on Tennessee. In September we joined with a half dozen World Affairs Council to present a special two-evening program on the international impact of the pandemic with journalists reporting live from around the world. In between, our weekly Global News Review provided information and insights on the progress of the virus and effects on the global community. We will continue to work to bring you reports and speakers that are informative, relevant and accurate in educating the community.

This month the Peace Corps observes its 60th Anniversary! We want to take a moment to tip our hats to the men and women who have served abroad, frequently in demanding environments, in service to people around the world and to the United States. Let me share remarks from U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken on this occasion.

Established by President John F. Kennedy in 1961, the Peace Corps showcases America at its best and the importance of our continued global presence and leadership.  Peace Corps volunteers show us what is means to lead by the power of our example. Peace Corps volunteers immerse themselves in the local culture, learn the languages of the communities they serve, build long-lasting friendships, and represent the American people to the world.  Upon returning home, they share their stories, experiences, and skills with other Americans, bringing valuable insights that help them lead in their families, communities, and workplaces.

Thank you to the over 235,000 Americans who have served in 141 countries with the Peace Corps. Well done and happy birthday!

This week we’re honored to host Senator Bob Corker. He served as U.S. Senator from Tennessee from 2007-2019 and as Chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. We look forward to Senator Corker sharing his experiences and his perspectives on the challenges that face the United States abroad with you, on our “Global Nashville with Karl Dean” webinar program. Please register now.

Wishes for a safe and prosperous week ahead.

Sincerely,

 

 

 

Patrick W. Ryan
Founding President, TNWAC

TNWAC PROGRAM THIS WEEK

SENATOR BOB CORKER ON “GLOBAL NASHVILLE WITH KARL DEAN”

Join us for this important conversation with Senator Bob Corker who served in the Senate from 2009 to 2017. Corker served on the Foreign Relations Committee where he was Chairman from 2015-2019. The Tennessee World Affairs Council is proud to present one of Tennessee’s and the country’s most knowledgeable individuals on world affairs and the challenges the United States faces in the world. [Register]

THIS WEEK WITH TNWAC FRIENDS

TODAY 

International Relations Council Kansas City – Former Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel – The Global Rebalance of Power | Tue Mar 16, 12-1pm CT | TNWAC is invited to join our sister Council in Kansas City for this conversation with Chuck Hagel. Registration rate for IRC KC members extended to you. [Register]

Expeditionary Diplomats: On the Front Lines

Paul Richter, author and Ambassador Ryan Crocker, Ambassador Robert S. Ford, and Ambassador Anne Patterson. Diplomacy’s equivalent of the military’s special forces is the “expeditionary diplomat,” a resourceful professional with specialized training from the Department of Defense and CIA who can take on the toughest diplomatic assignments in high threat, unstable or failed states. [Register]

MARK THE CALENDAR

THIS WEEK AROUND THE NETWORK OF WORLD AFFAIRS COUNCILS

Register for these programs in the links below.

AND MORE

Tuesday 3/16
International Relations Council (Kansas City)’s annual Berkley Lecture features former Secretary of Defense Chuck Hagel for “The Global Rebalance of Power.”
Utah Council for Citizen Diplomacy hosts John Amaya, Counsel at Harris, Wiltshire & Grannis LLP, for “A Nation of Immigrants: The Dreams That Come With A New Administration.”
San Diego World Affairs Council hosts Audie de Castro, Honorary Consul of the Philippines, for “Trade and Tourism in the Philippines.”
World Affairs Council of Austin hosts Jean-Eric Paquet, Director-General for Research and Innovation at the European Commission, for “Horizon Europe: Investing in a Sustainable, Fair Prosperous Future.”
Montana World Affairs Council hosts Yael Tamir, President of Shenkar College, for “Why Nationalism?”
World Affairs Council Upstate hosts a panel of experts for “Chaos of a Military Coup.”
Wednesday 3/17
Global Minnesota hosts Efe Ukala, Vice President and Assistant General Counsel at JPMorgan Chase & Company, for “Global Conversations: Women Powering Africa’s Recovery.”
World Affairs Council Dallas/Fort Worth hosts Ayman Hussein Abdullah Al-Safadi, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, for “A Path to Peace in the Middle East.”
World Affairs Forum (Samford) hosts William Coen, Chair on the International Financial Reporting Standards Advisory Council, for “The Basel Committee & the Costs of Banking.”
World Affairs Council of Maine hosts Ambassador (ret.) Kurt Tong, Partner of the Executive Committee at The Asia Group, for “U.S. Priorities in the Indo-Pacific.”
World Affairs Council of Greater Reading hosts Nicholas Kralev, Executive Director of the Washington International Diplomatic Academy, for “Role of U.S. Diplomats.”
World Affairs Council of Kentucky and Southern Indiana hosts a panel of experts for “Sister Cities Lunch and Learn: Women in Leadership.”
Indiana Council on World Affairs hosts a panel of experts for “Diplomacy Through Sports: The Globalization or Sport and Societal Change.”
World Affairs Council of Austin hosts a panel of experts for “Joining Forces: A Techno-Democratic Approach to Big Tech.”
Thursday 3/18 
World Affairs Council of Greater Houston hosts Amb. Domingos Fezas Vital, Portugal’s Ambassador to the United States of America, for “Portugal’s Presidency of the Council of the European Union – Priorities, Expectations, and Challenges.”
Peoria Area World Affairs Council hosts Dr. Neal Barnard, President of the Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine, for “Change Your Diet, Change the World.”
World Affairs Council of Rhode Island hosts Kitty Block, President and CEO of The Humane Society of the United States, for “Global Animal Conservation Efforts and Big Game Hunting.”
World Affairs Council of Orange County hosts author Elliot Ackerman and Admiral (ret.) James Stavridis, Chairman of the Board of Counselors of McLarty Global Associates, to discuss their book 2034: The Next World War.
Tennessee World Affairs Council hosts former U.S. Senator Bob Corker, former Chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, for “Global Nashville with Karl Dean.” 
World Affairs Council of Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky hosts author Samantha Power to discuss her memoir The Education of an Idealist.
World Affairs Council of Greater Hampton Roads hosts professor Chris Zevenbergen, Water Engineering Department, TU Delft, The Netherlands, for “Adaptive Flood Risk Management: Lessons from The Netherlands.”
World Affairs Council of Austin hosts Thomas Gerassimos, Directorate-General for Taxation and Customs Union at the European Commission, for “European Green Deal: Innovative Ideas for the Recovery.”
World Affairs Council of Sonoma County hosts Keith McCormick, retired Foreign Service Officer, for “Restoring Trust: An Inside Look at How the Biden Administration is Engaging the World.”
World Affairs Council of Atlanta hosts Ambassador Louise Blais, Deputy Permanent Representative of the Canadian Mission to the UN, for “Women in Leadership: Achieving an Equal Future in a COVID-19 World.”
WorldBoston hosts Margaret MacMillan, distinguished historian at the Council on Foreign Relations, to discuss her book War: How Conflict Shaped Us.
Baltimore Council on Foreign Affairs hosts Audrey Cronin, Founding Director of the Center for Security, Innovation and New Technology at American University, for “Future Technology and Terrorism.”
Santa Fe Council on International Relations hosts professor Andrei P. Tsygankov, San Francisco State University, for “Russia and America After Trump.”
Northern Nevada International Center hosts Andrei Klikunou, co-founder of the Journalists for Tolerance Human Rights Initiative, and Anton Barysenka, Research Fellow and Sociologist at the Social Research Lab Novak, for “Voices from Belarus.”
World Affairs Council of Olympia hosts professor Sarah Curran, University of Washington, for “World Population Trends and Development: Future Forecasts Concerning Poverty, Aging, and Climate.”
International Affairs Forum (Traverse City) hosts Carl Ganter, Founder and Director of Circle of Blue, for “Finding Solutions to Global Crisis.”
World Affairs Council of Philadelphia hosts author Adrian Wooldridge for “One Year Later: What Have We Learned About COVID-19?”
World Affairs Council of Charlotte hosts Ambassador (ret.) Robert Pearson, non-resident Scholar at The Middle East Institute, for “A Democracy for the American People.”
Los Angeles World Affairs Council & Town Hall hosts Samantha Gross, Director or Brooking’s Energy Security and Climate Initiative, for “Assessing Climate Policy: Domestic Challenges, Geopolitical Strategy and Global Solutions.”
WorldDenver hosts a panel of experts for “Forging New Paths in National Security.”
World Affairs Council of Auston hosts their “Globalist Coffeehouse on the Future of Currencies.”
World Affairs Council of Pittsburgh hosts a panel of experts for “A Resilient U.S.-Japan Alliance in 2021 and Beyond.”
Friday 3/19
Alaska World Affairs Council hosts Mark Magnier, U.S. Correspondent for South China Morning Post, for “Understanding the U.S.-China Summit in Alaska.”
World Affairs Council of Seattle hosts Joshua Kurlantzick, senior fellow for Southeast Asia at the Council on Foreign Relations, for “The Implications of the Myanmar Coup.”
World Affairs Council of Greater Houston hosts Stephen Trauber, Vice Chairman and Global Head of Energy at Citigroup, for “Beyond 2021 – Global Finance and Energy.”
World Affairs Council of Hilton Head hosts Michael A. Reynolds, Director of Princeton University’s Program in Russian, East European, and Eurasian Studies, for “Russia and the Middle East in the Twenty-First Century.”
World Affairs Council of Austin hosts a panel of experts for “Getting to Net-Zero with Digital Tech.”
Saturday 3/20
World Affairs Council of Austin hosts a panel of experts for “Tune Up! Raising the Bar on Gender Parity In Music.”
Sunday 3/21
Windham World Affairs Council hosts interpreter Chiho Kaneko and author Norma Field for “Ten Years and Counting: Our Fukushima Journey.”
Thank you for your support of global affairs awareness and education!

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.

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