2022 World Affairs Council of the Year
Network of Independent World Affairs Councils of America
Week of March 18-24, 2019
Dear Members and Friends,
There is no shortage of heart wrenching natural and man-made disasters, conflicts and human suffering every day around the world. But the brutality of the mass murders carried out on Friday by a self-described white supremacist at the Al Noor and Linwood mosques in Christchurch, New Zealand is nearly incomprehensible. Fifty Muslim faithful at prayer were ruthlessly killed in their houses of worship and fifty more were wounded. A community and country known for its peacefulness is left to recover from a tragedy as sudden and sweeping as the earthquake that rocked the city in 2011. Christchurch resident Eleanor Morgan told a reporter, “It should have been their haven, their safe place.”
Such a horrendous act rightly has shaken people beyond those in New Zealand and those in the Muslim community. It is unfortunately shocking but not surprising. We live in a time when violence is too often delivered upon people simply because of their differences. Hatred of “the other” is commonplace and those who would act on it are on the rise and given license by voices of bigotry. That hatred is a product of resentment and ignorance. We cannot be silent in its face. Silence is affirmation.
A Nashville vigil was held Sunday to break the silence and to express condolences and solidarity with the victims of the Christchurch mosques attacks and those affected by the heinous crimes. Ossama Bahloul of Nashville’s Muslim community said, “We are in this together,” according to “The Tennessean.” Congressman Jim Cooper said, “There is no room for hate in Nashville, Tennessee.”
Bahloul added, “Racism, xenophobia, anti-Semitism and Islamophobia are all equally forms of hatred. They are branches of the same tree. You can cut or trim back any branch, but it will regrow unless the entire tree is chopped down. Destroying hatred does not require violence, instead it requires goodness.”
And it requires education.
Educating yourself is one of ten principles you can employ to respond. You can learn more in “Ten Ways to Fight Hate: A Community Response Guide,” published by the Southern Poverty Law Center (SPLCenter.org), a long-time champion in the fight against hate and bigotry and an organization worthy of your support.
For our part your World Affairs Council will redouble our work to build bridges and international understanding and, by extension, understanding of “the other,” whether around the world or in our neighborhood.
There is no room for hate.
Patrick Ryan, President
[email protected]| 615.460.6011
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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
WEDNESDAY GLOBAL TOWN HALL | KURDISTAN TODAY | REGISTER NOW
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!
INTERNATIONAL CAREER PANELS AT BELMONT (4/8) AND TTU (4/9)
[New: International business professionals added to the panels.] 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.
DR. THOMAS SCHWARTZ ADDED TO U.S. FOREIGN POLICY TOWN HALL PANEL (4/15)
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! GERMANY | A FEW SEATS LEFT | 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]
KNOW ANY HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS? TELL THEM ABOUT THE 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
WHAT IN THE WORLD? WHAT’S YOUR GLOBAL IQ THIS WEEK?
If you haven’t taken our “What in the World? Weekly Quiz” in awhile it’s time to get back in the swing. Every Monday at 10:00 a.m. we email the quiz (if your TNWAC email preferences include that option) and share it online and via social media. Ten questions ripped from the headlines — and if you follow @TNWAC you’ll already have a leg up on the stories that we curate all week long. See how you do and be in the running for a prize for a top world news junkie. This week we welcome Colleen Ryan who joins the “What in the World? Weekly Quiz” writing team that includes Dr. Debbie Barnard, Debbie Monroe and Patrick Ryan. Colleen is a Schwarzman Scholar at Tsinghua University in Beijing and a member of the TNWAC Advisory Board. Volunteers make the world (affairs council) go round!
SPEAKING OF VOLUNTEERS (AND INTERNS)
THANKS to our volunteers and interns who make our global affairs awareness programs possible. Please consider joining the Council as a volunteer. If you’re a student, at any campus, and want to know more about an internship at the Tennessee World Affairs Council give us a call or email. Volunteers too! Phone: 931-261-2353 or Email: [email protected]
PODCASTS: TAKE THE WORLD ALONG ON YOUR COMMUTE
“Global Tennessee” our new Podcast brings you the world whether you’re on a jog, working around the kitchen (careful with that knife) or sitting in traffic on your way to work (eyes on the road). 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 some time and to learn about the world and “Global Tennessee.” Enjoy, and don’t forget to add your review to the iTunes and SoundCloud pages for “Global Tennessee.” Tell your friends. Check out the Podcast archive HERE.
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 | [email protected]
Best wishes for a great 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.
Be A Stakeholder In Promoting Global Literacy
