2022 World Affairs Council of the Year
Network of Independent World Affairs Councils of America
HIT the donate button and sign up for $10.00 a month to support global literacy as we kick off the new school year and as we all struggle to keep up with a dazzling array of international troubles and challenges that affect our security and prosperity.
Week of Aug 26-Sep 1, 2019
Dear Members and Friends,
Happy New Year! Yes, it’s a new year for your World Affairs Council programs which follow the academic year calendar of the schools and colleges we serve along with the community.
You probably noticed we’ve already been busy with great season opener programs: a luncheon with Chinese Embassy Minister Xu Xuyuan — a timely conversation about US-Chinese relations, and a breakfast with United Kingdom Consul General Andrew Staunton on critical European challenges. Both of these programs were in partnership with the Nashville Chamber International Business Council and Baker Donelson.
You should check details on upcoming events on the calendar below — and don’t miss Wednesday’s Global Dialogue at Belmont. I’ll be leading a discussion on the “Transformation in National Security” at a new start time of 10:00 a.m. That will be followed by exceptional visiting speakers Ambassador John Kornblum (Sep 4) and Ambassador Christopher Hill (Sep 9). They kickoff a great fall calendar of diplomats, business leaders, military officers, scholars and other specialists who we’re assembling so you have access to hard to gain insights and perspectives on critical global issues. [Hot tip: Mark you calendar for Oct 13th when we’ll have a luncheon and book signing with former U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations, Hon. Samantha Power — details forthcoming.]
For the time you spend in your commute, standing in line at the Bluebird or any other situation where you can access our terrific Podcast series, “Global Tennessee,” you’ll find a great selection of content on global issues abroad and at home. Over the summer we added an interview with former Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano on “How Safe Are We” after 9/11, an eye-opening survey of the “new” global nuclear catastrophes we face with TNWAC Board Member and Lipscomb University Professor, Dr. Susan Haynes, and an insightful conversation with Connexion Americas founder Renata Soto in our new “Global Nashville with Karl Dean” Podcast. Subscribe now at SoundCloud.com/TNWAC or wherever you get your Pods so you don’t miss any of the great interviews and roundtables we have coming up.
Your World Affairs Council is also gearing up for the 2019/2020 season of support of global literacy in our schools through programs like WorldQuest. Thanks to the AWC Family Foundation and Bass, Berry and Sims for their crucial support to WorldQuest and the overall education outreach program. Thanks also to veteran MNPS teacher Catherine Kelly for her WAC volunteer leadership in building and delivering programs and resources to our schools. She exemplifies the best of our educators who are forging the next generation. (More info below)
As you know keeping the lights on at a nonprofit organization is never easy. The programs mentioned above all have a price tag that adds up to tens of thousands of dollars and that has to be paid by memberships, corporate sponsors and grants. All three areas present challenges but they are areas where you can help.
The World Affairs Council is a membership organization, anyone can join, and we rely on people like you becoming members as a primary source of money to do what we do. The council relies on volunteers and we do not receive any government funding. So, WAC operations depends on memberships, and gifts from generous people like you. We invite businesses to underwrite our events and we seek foundation grants for new programs. Thanks to long-time WAC volunteer Terry Rustan who is taking over the membership management portfolio. Under her efforts we’ll be catching up with membership renewals (be on the lookout) and polishing up the membership program benefits you earn by joining TNWAC.
Lastly, and beyond the math of program budgets and revenue streams I should mention that your World Affairs Council is YOURS. You are a stakeholder in global literacy in your community. You’re subscribing to and reading this newsletter so you have an investment in people knowing what’s going on in the world. If you value that you can make sure it is sustained. Out of the 1,100 or so subscribers to this newsletter about 100 are ‘paid’ members of the Tennessee World Affairs Council. So, to the 1,000 readers who are not active members, please join. If you’re a member, new or old, please write a check. You already know it will be put to good use.
Patrick Ryan, President
patryan@tnwac.org| 615.931.2636
p.s. Most receive only this weekly newsletter. To add other TNWAC email topics (i.e. event announcements, member news, etc.) click on the link above or below to “Update Your Preferences.”
On to the news.
WHAT’S NEXT AT THE WORLD AFFAIRS COUNCIL
December 8, 2019 | “Anne Smedinghoff Academic WorldQuest Challenge” Practice Match | Belmont University
November 20, 2019 | Global Dialogue | Topic TBD — based on issues in the news
November 18, 2019 | Global Town Hall | Dr. Paul Pillar | On the Brink of War With Iran
November 6-8, 2019 | National Conference of World Affairs Councils of America, Washington, DC
October 30, 2019 | Global Dialogue | Topic TBD — based on issues in the news
October 22, 2019 | International Careers Panel | Lipscomb University
October 13, 2019 | Amb Samantha Power – Luncheon and Booksigning | Location: TBD
October (Date TBD) | Global Town Hall | “Future of Korea” Panel | US State Dept/Embassy of ROK/Korea Economic Institute
October 5, 2019 | Celebrate Nashville Cultural Festival (Participating)
September 30, 2019 | Global Dialogue | Topic TBD — based on issues in the news
September 21, 2019 | International Day of Peace Celebration (TBD) Look for a TNWAC event related to this celebration
September 9, 2019 | Global Town Hall | Ambassador Christopher Hill | Trump-Kim and a Nuclear Deal: An Ambassador’s Take
September 4, 2019 | Discussion & Dinner | “Why Europe Matters” | Ambassador John Kornblum | Hillwood Country Club
August 28, 2019 | Global Dialogue | Transformation in National Security – LCDR Patrick Ryan | Belmont University
TRANSFORMATION IN NATIONAL SECURITY | A GLOBAL DIALOGUE (WEDNESDAY) AND A 5-PART SEMINAR
The United States is undergoing a major transformation in national security and foreign policy in response to developments at home and abroad. The current domestic political environment is driving a reassessment and realignment of America’s role in the world. This is the basis for two separate opportunities: our August 28th Global Dialogue at Belmont at 10am (REGISTER TODAY!) and a five-part seminar at Lipscomb’s Lifelong Learning program on Wednesdays (3-4:30 pm) starting September 3rd. (REGISTER TODAY!)
TOWN HALL WITH AMB CHRISTOPHER HILL ON KOREA AND CHINA, SEP 9
THIS IS A DO NOT MISS EVENT. Ambassador Christopher Hill is one of America’s most distinguished ambassadors who—in his career of service to his country—was sent to some of the most dangerous outposts of American diplomacy. From the wars in the Balkans to the brutality of North Korea to the endless war in Iraq, he will offer insight about the real life of an American diplomat negotiating with difficult partners. Based on his experiences, Ambassador Hill will lay out a vision for the role of diplomacy in addressing national crises, and America’s role in global politics.
Amb Hill is arriving in Nashville direct from meetings in China and can share the latest reports and assessments of America’s relations with Beijing and the developments in East Asia.
GLOBAL TOWN HALL, 6PM, SEP 9, Belmont University — (REGISTER TODAY!)
COLLEGE STUDENTS INTERESTED IN INTERNATIONAL CAREERS? WE’VE GOT EXPERTS FOR YOU
Do you wonder what jobs and careers there are in international affairs? There’s more than you think. Twice a year the World Affairs Council assembles diplomats, business people, NGO officials, returned Peace Corps volunteers and more to talk about their experiences and insights and to answer your questions at this very popular panel not limited to college students. This fall we will assemble another great panel of experts at Lipscomb University in Nashville to explore the careers and jobs that are open to you to get out into the world. MARK your calendar for OCTOBER 22 and stay tuned for details on the panel.
HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS, TEACHERS, PARENTS
We’re closing in on kickoff of the 2019-2020 World Affairs Council education outreach programs. This spring our Flagship global awareness competition WorldQuest was named in honor of Anne Smedinghoff, a fallen American diplomat — you can get more info here. The Anne Smedinghoff Academic WorldQuest challenge will be open to all high school students and will feature practice matches (Dec 8) and a state tournament (Feb 23, 2020) with the winning TNWAC team representing the council at the national match in Washington (Apr 25, 2020). This competition, four-student teams tackling 100 questions in ten topics, is supplemented with our “What in the World? Weekly Quiz” and the Tennessee Global Scholar Certificate program. Sign up for our newsletter to stay up to date and to get the quiz every Monday. This year’s topics and study guide should be available by late September.
YOUR WORLD AFFAIRS COUNCIL
- Chairman Jim Shepherd
- President Pat Ryan
- Vice President Marieta Velikova
- Secretary Allan Haynes
- Treasurer Mike McCooey
- Education Outreach Coordinator Catherine Kelly
- Membership Management Terry Rustan
Call or visit our office on the beautiful Belmont University campus in Nashville. We’re in Fidelity Hall, Room 304A | 931.261.2351 | info@tnwac.org
Best wishes for a great week!
PICS OF THE WEEK
“Election 2020”
Global literacy, understanding world affairs, is what the World Affairs Council is about. A key component is providing information to voters to be knowledgable about the perspectives and stands of candidates for Congress and the White House on international issues. TNWAC is a nonpartisan organization but will be talking with serious candidates for office in the 2020 election drive. Our first conversation with candidates was our “Global Tennessee” Podcast with James Mackler, candidate for U.S. Senate in the Democrat party. TNWAC President and Podcast host Patrick Ryan asked Mackler about his views on the role of the Senate in international affairs and a review of the challenges around the globe. Look for this Podcast in coming days. Subscribe to “Global Tennessee” Podcasts at SoundCloud.com/TNWAC and everywhere you get your Podcasts.
SUPPORTING TNWAC – WE NEED YOU TO MAKE THE DIFFERENCE
SUPPORT OF TNWAC’S EDUCATION OUTREACH
THANKS TO THE AWC FAMILY FOUNDATION
THANKS TO BASS BERRY + SIMS
THANKS TO SOUTHWEST AIRLINES
THANKS TO BELMONT UNIVERSITY’S CENTER FOR INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS
THANKS TO THE NASHVILLE AREA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE, INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS COUNCIL
THANKS TO THE TNWAC WEEKLY QUIZ PARTNERS
Mission
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.
Vision
A well-informed community that thinks critically about the world and the impact of global events.
The Tennessee World Affairs Council is a 5o1c3 tax exempt organization. All gifts are tax deductible to the full extent of IRS regulations.
Be A Stakeholder In Promoting Global Literacy
