2022 World Affairs Council of the Year
Network of Independent World Affairs Councils of America
Week of January 14-20, 2019
Dear Members and Friends,
Your World Affairs Council’s program committee tries to tackle important events in a timely manner. We probably couldn’t have picked a more timely issue for January’s Global Town Hall than the question of Brexit — the political and economic parting of the ways between the United Kingdom and the European Union.
The “Exit” results of the 2016 referendum take effect on March 29th but this week is critical. As this newsletter is being written the British Parliament is considering Prime Minister Theresa May’s exit plan in what is called “Brexit D-Day.” The shape of the plan will shape the future relationships in Europe. And the very act of the UK/EU split will shape U.S. economic and political outcomes for decades. And Americans should know the background and context of the Brexit issue.
As to TNWAC’s programming being timely. Well this week, on Thursday, we’re pleased to present Dr. Adam Bronstone, a scholar on European politics, at our Global Town Hall to present on: “Brexit 101: Unraveling A Thorny Issue.” We invite you to attend and remain aware of the global developments that affect your well-being.
Similarly timely, we will host Joseph Cirincione, President of the Ploughshares Fund and a preeminent authority on global nuclear weapons proliferation in February to talk about the present dangers we face. Check out details at the link here, including the opportunity to join Mr. Cirincione and a small group in a private dinner following the Global Town Hall — dinner link here.
Speaking of dinner, mark your calendar for February 19th for our next “Global Eats” dining out opportunity. We’ll have details this week on this members’ benefit get together for good food, good company and a good presentation from a specialist on the highlighted country.
Don’t forget to sign up for the lunchtime Global Dialogue sessions we host every month and the imformative, interactive teleconferences we present in cooperation with the World Affairs Councils of America.
Lastly and importantly, we’re closing in on the deadline for Academic WorldQuest high school teams to sign up for the February 24th TNWAC Championship Match. This exciting competition that encourages global affairs awareness among students will produce the team that represents Tennessee at the national championship finals in Washington, D.C. in April. Details below.
Have a great week!
Patrick Ryan, President
patryan@tnwac.org| 615.460.6011
On to the news.
WHAT’S NEXT AT THE WORLD AFFAIRS COUNCIL
January 17, 2019 | 5:30 p.m. | Global Town Hall — Brexit 101: Unraveling A Thorny Issue — Dr. Adam Bronstone — Massey Board Room, Massey Bldg., Belmont University
January 24, 2019 | 1:00 p.m. | Cover to Cover Teleconference | Talk to Author Francis Fukuyama [Register]
January 30, 2019 | 12:00 p.m. | Global Dialogue — Untangling Syria | Belmont University, Massey Business Center Room 203 [Details TBD]
February 6, 2019 | 1:00 p.m. | Cover to Cover Teleconference | Talk to Author Thomas J. Bollyky
February 11, 2019 | 6:00 p.m. | Global Town Hall — International Nuclear Weapons Developments — Joseph Cirincione, President, Ploughshares Fund — Curb Event Center, Beaman A/B — Belmont University
February 19, 2019 | 6:00 p.m. | Global Eats dining out experience. Details TBD.
February 24, 2019 | 12:30 p.m. | Academic WorldQuest Tennessee Championship Match — registered teams, open to the public — Belmont University, Ayres Academic Center
February 27, 2019 | 12:00 p.m. | Global Dialogue — China Rising: Storm Clouds in the Western Pacific — LCDR Patrick Ryan, USN(Ret) | Belmont University, Massey Business Center Room 203
March 27, 2019 | 12:00 p.m. | Global Dialogue — Afghanistan, Washington and the crisis in American civil-military relations – Col Jason Dempsey | Belmont University, Massey Business Center Room 203
April 8, 2019 | International Careers & Jobs Panel – Belmont University, Nashville
April 9, 2019 | International Careers & Jobs Panel – Tennessee Technological University, Cookeville
BREXIT D-DAY IS HERE; DO YOU KNOW ALL YOU SHOULD?
The United Kingdom’s plan for withdrawal from the European Union is being debated in Britain’s Parliament this week and the results will be critical for the outcome of Brexit. Join us on January 17th to find out what the Brexit process is all about. Dr. Adam Bronstone, Ph.D. will share his expertise on European politics with us in a Global Town Hall at Belmont on all-things Brexit. The future of our economic and political relationships with these strategic partners and allies is in the balance. Register today [Link]
ONE HUMAN ERROR FROM NUCLEAR CATASTROPHE
A year ago Hawaii residents experienced the horror of an imminent nuclear weapon attack on their state when an emergency warning, said to not be a drill, was flashed across the islands. It turned out to be a false alarm but highlighted the instability of the global nuclear regime. It was, what one Ploughshares Fund official said, “One human error from nuclear catastrophe.” Join us February 11 for a special Global Town Hall with Joseph Cirincione, President of Ploughshares, as we probe the nuclear weapon landscape and the dangers of living under a nuclear weapons threat. Register today [Link]
Thanks to the United Nations Association USA – Nashville Cordell Hull Chapter for joining with TNWAC and Belmont’s Center for International Business in presenting this important program.
WORLDQUEST COMPETITION SEASON
It’s Academic WorldQuest time in Tennessee for high school students and teachers. We’re ready for our February 24th Championship Match. If you’ve been on the fence about getting started now’s the time to get onboard. The winning team in February advances to the National Competition in Washington in late April on a trip that includes visits to international affairs venues in our nation’s capital. The National Championship winning team will enjoy an all-expenses paid visit to the State of Qatar. By the way, we’ve posted the practice match slides on our Slideshare.net/TNWAC pages. So you can start practicing now, but don’t forget to register. www.TNWAC.org/WorldQuest Deadline to register: Jan 31!
PODCASTS: THINKING GLOBAL, ACTING LOCAL
“Global Tennessee” our fabulous new Podcast is off and running. Subscribe today through iTunes, SoundCloud.com and wherever you get your Pods, so you’ll see the new episodes as their launched. Also take a look at what’s in the archive. Our Pod in your ears is a great way to spend a rush hour drive or a bike ride in the country. Enjoy, and don’t forget to add your review to the iTunes page for “Global Tennessee.”
Coming this week in Episode 11 — a “Global Tennessee” special report — “The Wide World” a discussion of the world today with Ambassador Dick Bowers and TNWAC President Pat Ryan.
EP 10 | Jan 8 | Global Tennessee Podcast – Ralph Schulz, President and CEO, Nashville Area Chamber of Commerce
EP 09 | Dec 27 | Global Tennessee Podcast – Legendary Photog Ron Modra | The Sweet Lizzy Project
EP 08 | Dec 13 | Special Report: Six EU Consuls General Interview — France, UK, Germany, Belgium, Ireland and Greece Talk to Global Tennessee and “The Tennessean”
EP 07 | Dec 11 | Roundtable: Nashville Business with Chamber’s Lori Odom | Conversation: Russia Today: Views from Both Sides of a Divide w/Marieta Velikova and Keith Simmons
EP 06 | Dec 07 | Special Report: Saudi Arabia: Relationship on the Rocks – Interview with Professor David Des Roches, Near East South Asia Center
EP 05 | Nov 27 | Roundtable: Braving the New World – WACA Conference | Conversation: Bart Edes, Asian Development Bank
EP 04 | Nov 19 | Special Report: Afshin Molavi: Where Are We Going?
EP 03 | Nov 05 | Special Report: Senator Bob Corker at the World Affairs Council
EP 02 | Oct 30 | Roundtable: Midterm Elections | Conversation: Qatar Delegation Visit
EP 01 | Oct 16 | Welcome to the Global Tennessee Podcast and the Tennessee World Affairs Council
YOUR WORLD AFFAIRS COUNCIL
- Chairman Jim Shepherd
- President Pat Ryan
- Vice President Marieta Velikova
- Secretary Dr. Susan Haynes
- Treasurer Mike McCooey
- Program and Development Manager Logan Monday
- Education Outreach Coordinator Catherine Kelly
Call or visit our office at 1513 Compton Avenue, Nashville | 615.460.6011 | info@tnwac.org
That’s it for now. Thanks for your interest in the World Affairs Council and our work bringing the world to Tennessee. Here’s your homework:
- Register for the Kroger Community Rewards Program — free to you, earns rewards to TNWAC. Simply visit krogercommunityrewards.com or get more details on our Web site. [Here]
- Teachers and Students! Academic WorldQuest awaits. Join the Quest! [Here]
Best wishes for a great week!
PICS OF THE WEEK
Ambassador Dick Bowers, a TNWAC Board Member, helped check out possible spots for the next “Global Eats” dining out for World Affairs Council members. Find out where we’re going on February 19th, this week.
SUPPORTING TNWAC – WE NEED YOU TO HELP
THANKS TO BELMONT UNIVERSITY’S CENTER FOR INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS
THANKS TO THE NASHVILLE AREA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE, INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS COUNCIL
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.
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