World Affairs Council News - Week of Mar 11-17, 2019

Week of March 11-17, 2019

Dear Members and Friends,

You’ve been kept up to date with our regular event announcements* but we’ve gotten behind with the weekly newsletter. So let me first catch you up on Academic WorldQuest, our flagship program promoting global affairs awareness among high school students. We had 16 teams from three states at the annual competition on February 24th at Belmont University and it was a very tight match. A team from Nashville’s Hume-Fogg Academic Magnet HS emerged the winner with second place going to Gwinnett School of Science, Math and Technology from Atlanta and a team from the Randolph School from Huntsville in third — after a 2nd/3rd place tiebreaker.

So we’ll be taking Hume-Fogg students Sarah Matthews, Christine Li, Elizabeth Riddle and Gillian Sjoblom and teachers Philip Lovell and Christopher Hedglin to Washington, DC at the end of April for the national championship match. [Sarah, Christine and Elizabeth were on the HF team that won last year.] They’ll compete with teams from around the World Affairs Councils of America network for the title and a grand prize of a trip to Qatar. [TNWAC champs’ pics below]

The continued success of our Academic WorldQuest program is possible through your support and the dedication of our volunteer Education Outreach Coordinator Catherine Kelly. She spearheaded the recruiting of students and teachers, the preparation for our fall practice match and all the pieces that went into the February championship. On top of staying on top of our Academic WorldQuest program Catherine has been for many years the Tennessee State Coordinator for the annual National Geographic Society’s “Geo-Bee,” another educational effort to forge excellence among our students. At the opening of last month’s Academic WorldQuest match we were pleased to present Catherine with the Presidential Volunteer Service Award (PVSA) for Lifetime Achievement for her untiring work to make our community a better place through service.

About the PVSA and volunteers. The Tennessee World Affairs Council is accredited as an agency that can certify and apply for volunteer recognition under the program. In that regard we remind you that we can always use your help as volunteers in many aspects of running a nonprofit educational association devoted to increasing global affairs awareness in our community. Call or email the office to find out more. [email]

Make sure you check out the “Global Tennessee” Podcast series. We’ve been talking with some fantastic guests about their work in international affairs and the things that make Nashville a “global city.” We were especially honored to host Ambassador of Japan to the United States H.E. Shinsuke J. Sugiyama for the Pod when he visited Nashville. TNWAC Board member John Scannapieco and I asked him about the strategic relationship between Japan and the United States, the economic impact of foreign direct investment and trade with Japan to Tennessee’s economy and the people to people bridge building that cemented the bilateral ties, as well as the upcoming Cherry Blossom Festival. You can get the “Global Tennessee” Podcast on iTunes, SoundCloud and everywhere you get your Pods.

We have some terrific programs on the calendar. Take a look. Come our for an event. And don’t forget to become a member and make a gift to support global literacy.

Have a great week!

Patrick Ryan, President
patryan@tnwac.org| 615.460.6011

*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

March 20, 2019 | 6:00 p.m. | Global Town Hall — “Kurdistan Today – No Friends But the Mountains?” — Michael McClellan | Belmont University | Massey Boardroom REGISTER NOW

March 21, 2019 | 1:00 pm | Cover to Cover Teleconference | Talk to Author and Distinguished Ambassador William Burns “Back Channels”

April 8, 2019 | International Careers & Jobs Panel – Belmont University, Nashville

April 9, 2019 | 1:00 pm | Cover to Cover Teleconference | Talk to Author Beth Gardiner, “Choked: Life and Breath in the Age of Air Pollution”

April 9, 2019 | 6:00 pm | International Careers & Jobs Panel – Tennessee Technological University, Cookeville

April 13, 2019 | Nashville Cherry Blossom Festival – Look for a TNWAC event related to the Japan Week.

April 15, 2019 | Global Town Hall: U.S. Foreign Policy in the Age of Trump | Amb Charles Bowers, Amb Ronald Schlicher | Belmont University

April 27, 2019 | Academic WorldQuest National Championship Match — Washington, DC

September 21, 2019 | International Day of Peace Celebration (TBD) Look for a TNWAC event related to this celebration.

October 5, 2019 | Celebrate Nashville Cultural Festival (Participating)

November 6-8, 2019 | National Conference of World Affairs Councils of America, Washington, DC

KURDISTAN TODAY: NO FRIENDS BUT THE MOUNTAINS

The title plays on a common Kurdish saying but opens up many areas to talk about modern Kurdistan. Join us next week as Michael McClellan, retired career American diplomat and current President of the American University of Kurdistan Foundation in Dohuk, Iraq brings an update on this important region and close ally of the United States. As McClellan says, “Kurdistan is one of the very few bright lights in the Middle East – the cornerstone of stability and a model of tolerance and diversity for the entire region.” McClellan will address independence/autonomy and focus on the positive role of education in advancing the cause of the Kurds. REGISTER TODAY!

WORKING IN THE WORLD? COLLEGE STUDENTS CHECK THIS OUT

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 spring’s iterations will assemble a Foreign Service Officer, an official from the US Institute of Peace, a career member of the U.S. Intelligence Community, a leader in a Nashville international aid NGO, and more. Join us on April 8th at Belmont University in Nashville to explore the careers and jobs that are open to you to get out into the world. There will be a second night of the International Careers and Jobs Panel on April 9th at Tennessee Technological University in Cookeville. Panel details and registration: April 8|Belmont|Nashville and April 9|TennTechU|Cookeville.

JUST ANNOUNCED – U.S. FOREIGN POLICY IN THE AGE OF TRUMP – APRIL TOWN HALL

Were you at our November 2016 program with Ambassadors Charles Bowers and Ronald Schlicher when they tackled the question of “What foreign policy challenges will be in the President’s inbox on January 21, 2017? [Youtube] Well, now it’s time to look back over the first two years of POTUS45 at the helm of the ship of state and to talk about where we’re going. The Ambassadors are back with insights and perspectives you won’t get in very many places. REGISTER TODAY!

GLOBAL EATS! NEW MONTH, NEW COUNTRY, ANOTHER EXCITING FOOD EXPERIENCE WITH A SUPER SPEAKER – TNWAC MEMBERS

Come out to the Bavarian Bierhaus at Opry Mills Mall on March 28th for our next “Global Eats!” adventure. This month we’re joining a planned celebration of German cuisine as Chef Dennis Stukel presents a special dinner with matched drink pairings. Top it off with our TNWAC touch of an expert on the country of interest. This night it will be Honorary Council General of Germany Douglas Berry who will talk about German heritage in America. This is a limited seating opportunity for TNWAC members. Make sure to use the discount code on our web site for a 10% discount to this terrific evening out. REGISTER TODAY!

Want to be invited to our Global Eats! events? Join TNWAC Today [Link]

TENNESSEE GLOBAL SCHOLAR CERTIFICATE PROGRAM

High School Students! It’s time to plan those last few events you need to get to 100 points on the Global Scholar Certificate checklist [link]. Won’t being designated as a “Global Scholar” by the TN World Affairs Council look GREAT on your high school transcript and college applications? The deadline for completion was extended to April 30 but you’ll need to get your completed check sheet to our office by April 5 if you’d like to receive your certificate and medallion in a ceremony at our April 15th Global Town Hall. Final deadline to complete all requirements April 30. DETAILS/CHECK SHEET HERE

BREXIT ON OUR MINDS

Tick Tock. March 29th is … well … nigh. And with it the deadline for Brexit. Fortunately you were briefed by Dr. Adam Bronstone in January about the background and context for the United Kingdom’s separation from the European Union. ICYMI we’ve got his slides posted on our sharing site. Visit: SlideShare.net/tnwac to catch up on this yet to be sorted out historic mess in our midst.

PODCASTS: THINKING GLOBAL, ACTING LOCAL

“Global Tennessee” our fabulous new Podcast is off and running. Subscribe today through iTunes, SoundCloud and wherever you get your Pods, so you’ll see the new episodes as they’re 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 and SoundCloud pages for “Global Tennessee.” And tell your friends.

BRINGING YOU THE WORLD WHEREVER YOU ARE

Don’t forget the two teleconferences we bring you every month with book authors and specialists on hot topics. These interactive opportunities to gain hard to find insights come to us through membership in the World Affairs Councils of America network. This month you won’t want to miss distinguished Ambassador and former Deputy Secretary of State William J. Burns talk about his new book, “Back Channel,” and take your questions on March 21st. [Link] A week later join a conversation with H.E. Lolwah Al-Khater from the Qatari Foreign Ministry to learn about Qatar today. That’s March 28th. [Link]

YOUR WORLD AFFAIRS COUNCIL

Chairman Jim Shepherd
President Pat Ryan
Vice President Marieta Velikova
Secretary Dr. Susan Haynes
Treasurer Mike McCooey
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 and designate TNWAC as your chosen charity, or get more details on our Web site. [Here]
Hi School Students! Tennessee Global Scholar Certificate Program – Deadline Apr 30 [Here]

Best wishes for a great week!

PICS OF THE WEEK

They are the champions! Congratulations to the 2019 TNWAC Academic WorldQuest champions and best wishes in the National Championship match in Washington on April 27th. Sara Matthews, Elizabeth Riddle, Christine Li, Gillian Sjoblom and teacher/coach Philip Lovell.

TNWAC Board Chair Jim Shepherd presents the Presidential Volunteer Service Award – Lifetime Achievement to TNWAC Education Outreach Coordinator Catherine Kelly. Well done!

Your World Affairs Council continues to bring exceptional speakers to Nashville for its community outreach programs like last month’s hosting of Joe Cirincione of the Ploughshares Fund to talk about the escalating global nuclear weapons threat. Joe, seen here at the Nashville Rotary Club at the Wildhorse Saloon, met with civic, business, student and community groups while hosted by TNWAC. (Your support is needed for programs like this.)

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.

Be A Stakeholder In Promoting Global Literacy

World Affairs Council News – Week of Mar 11-17, 2019