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Dear Friends,
This month ends with mixed sentiments:
We gratefully look back over an excellent year of mission delivery, and confidently look forward to more next year. At the same time, we all have many questions about what 2025 will bring.
We bid fond farewell to some of our team. And we also look forward to greeting wonderful newcomers.
In the meantime, we unequivocally wish everyone very Happy Holidays!
We hope to see you soon,
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P.S. WorldBoston will be closed December 24-January 1.
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Help WorldBoston bring the world to you!
As a non-profit organization, WorldBoston relies on community support to deliver our mission of fostering engagement in international affairs and cooperation between people of all nations.
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This month WorldBoston board member extraordinaire Leslie Griffin concludes six years of outstanding service.
Leslie has contributed in every way, large and small, from serving as co-chair of our Development Committee to hosting numerous citizen diplomacy groups. A consummate ambassador for the WorldBoston mission, Leslie recruited many donors, board members, and other key people for our network. On our behalf she deployed her deep professional expertise as well as tireless enthusiasm for the work and the people who do it.
Thank you, Leslie! We hope to see you soon.
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This month, we bid a fond farewell to WorldBoston team members: Miranda Kerr and Matt Zuccaro. Miranda and Matt joined the team in January as part of the Northeastern Cooperative Education Program, and have worked closely on our Global Engagement and Citizen Diplomacy programs during their six months with us.
We thank Miranda and Matt for their hard work and wish them the best of luck with their future endeavors!
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We're delighted that starting in the New Year, Heather Pierce Lee will join WorldBoston as Operations and Finance Manager. With a B.A. and M.B.A. from Boston University, Heather brings to WorldBoston extensive experience in finance, client service and systems, as well as a passion for international travel and languages including French and Portuguese.
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We're equally pleased that starting in January, Justin Dynia will join us as Manager of Citizen Diplomacy Programs. Having received his M.A. from B.U.'s Pardee School in May, Justin has served in various capacities at World Boston, and is currently the Fulbright Enrichment Programs Coordinator.
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A Life in the American Century
Wednesday, January 22, 6:00 – 7:30 PM
Hybrid Event at the Pardee School, Riverside Room
This installment of our popular Chat & Chowder series will feature Joseph S. Nye Jr., Distinguished Service Professor Emeritus at Harvard University, discussing his book A Life in the American Century.
Chat & Chowder programs are an excellent opportunity to engage with expert speakers and to network with other globally-oriented participants in an informal environment. Each event features a presentation, audience Q&A, dedicated time for networking, and (of course!) a selection of chowders and beverages.
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Science Across Borders
Tuesday, January 28, 6:00 – 7:30 PM
Hybrid Event at Boston University's CDS Building
Collaboration benefits science, but is there a middle ground between sharing information and denying access? In the era of rapidly developing technology, how can science both create international bridges and serve national interests?
Join us for a timely discussion of this topic with, Tim Ritchie, President of the Museum of Science. This program will feature an expert discussion, live audience Q&A, and time for networking with other globally oriented participants.
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Fulbright Visiting Scholars Enrichment Program
Last month, WorldBoston welcomed Fulbright Visiting Scholars to experience America’s Hometown Thanksgiving Parade in Plymouth. Despite the rain and chill, scholars enjoyed front-row seats to this celebration, complete with colorful floats, confetti, marching bands, and dance performances by both local and national groups. The parade highlighted Plymouth’s 400-plus-year role in shaping American history. Scholars used the opportunity to connect, share stories, and capture the spirit of Thanksgiving in pictures and videos they later shared with friends and family back home. The excursion received glowing reviews, underscoring the value of cultural immersion as part of the Fulbright experience.
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To enrich the Scholars’ understanding of Thanksgiving’s origins and Plymouth’s early role in American history, WorldBoston also hosted a 90-minute virtual discussion with Steven Peters, a member of the Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe and Creative Director at SmokeSygnals, before Thanksgiving. Steven offered a candid and thoughtful perspective on the first Thanksgiving, highlighting the cultural traditions of the Wampanoag people, such as Cranberry Day, and the ongoing challenges faced by Native Americans, including historical discrimination. Scholars appreciated the open dialogue format, which allowed ample time for questions and a nuanced exploration of indigenous history. The discussion provided a counterbalance to the celebratory aspects of the parade and a fuller understanding of Thanksgiving.
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The Visiting Fulbright Scholars Cultural Enrichment activities are sponsored by the U.S. Department of State with funding provided by the U.S. Government and supported in its implementation by the Institute of International Education (IIE) and WorldBoston, Inc.
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Join YLAI in Boston as a Fellowship Host!
Are you passionate about mentoring young leaders and fostering international collaboration? The Young Leaders of the Americas Initiative (YLAI) Fellowship Program is seeking Fellowship Placement Organizations in Boston for its 2025 cohort. Fellowships will take place between May 19th and June 12th. Host an entrepreneur from Latin America, the Caribbean, or Canada for a four-week professional exchange, build enduring partnerships, and gain invaluable insights from a global perspective. Your collaboration could make a lasting impact!
Fellowships are sought in:
- Agriculture and Food
- Healthcare and Wellness
- Technology and Innovation
- Education and Training
- Hospitality and Tourism
- Sustainability and Environment
- Community Development and Advocacy
- Fashion and Design
- Transportation and Logistics
- Finance and Legal Services
If you are interested, please send a brief email to Director of Citizen Diplomacy Programs Joshua Bruno at jbruno@worldboston.org. He will reply with more information.
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We welcome your thoughts and ideas for in-person visitors programming. If you have suggestions, please contact Vice President for Citizen Diplomacy, Sarah Sibley.
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Now more than ever, WorldBoston relies on the support of our community to fulfill our mission. Donors who contribute $25 – $999 are proudly recognized on our website as Community Supporters. (Donors of $1,000 and above are Sponsors and enjoy year-round benefits; learn more here.)
We encourage you to contribute to WorldBoston to become a 2024 Community Supporter. Donors will receive this year's special pin to recognize their support!
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Asteriks indicate first-time sponsors to WorldBoston.
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Check your inbox every Friday for WorldBoston Recommends – our staff picks for high-quality programs and opportunities on global topics in the coming week.
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Don't forget to subscribe to our channel for updates!
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Wait, Did You Miss Something?
Check our News section for announcements and past newsletters.
And for the latest, be sure to follow us on Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, and Instagram!
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The International Visitors Leadership Program (IVLP) is the U.S. Department of State's premier professional exchange program and WorldBoston's main citizen diplomacy partner. Launched in 1940, the IVLP is a professional exchange program that seeks to build mutual understanding between the U.S. and other nations through carefully designed short-term visits to the U.S. for current and emerging foreign leaders. These visits reflect the International Visitors' professional interests and support the foreign policy goals of the United States.
The U.S. Department of State's bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs administers the IVLP. In doing so, the bureau enters cooperative agreements with National Program Agencies, a group of private, not-for-profit organizations based in Washington, D.C., that design and implement national IVLP itineraries. In addition to the National Program Agencies, the IVLP relies on the commitment and skills of local community organizations across the U.S., known as Community Based Members (CBMs). Under the professional association of Global Ties U.S., local CBM members develop professional programs, arrange cultural activities, and provide home hospitality for international visitors.
WorldBoston is part of the Global Ties Network of more than 90 CBMs in 45 states.
WorldBoston is a member of the World Affairs Councils of America,
a network of more than 90 independent Councils in more than 40 states.
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