Dear Friends,
Last week, several WorldBoston staffers and I attended the Global Ties U.S National Meeting in Washington, D.C. We connected with hundreds of peers from around the national network, and also visited members of the Massachusetts delegation on the Hill to advocate for international exchange. At this time of global challenge, it was inspiring to see the solid and widespread support for citizen diplomacy. See Citizen Diplomacy below for more information about WorldBoston at the recent National Meeting. And see the end of the newsletter for updates on the many delegations we are anticipating in Boston in coming weeks.
The new year of Global Engagement programming is also underway. Last week, Glen Johnson’s Window Seat on the World, proved a highly popular Chat & Chowder gathering. Make sure you register for our first Great Decisions session this year, on February 19, featuring Senior Director of Combating Human Trafficking at the McCain Institute, Kristen Leanderson Abrams, on “Modern Slavery & Human Trafficking.”
Finally, it’s time to say, “新年快乐,” “Xin Nian Kuai Le,” and Happy New Year. Last week marked the beginning of Chinese New Year. The holiday, celebrated by over 1 billion people, or about a fifth of the planet, has special poignancy this year, as China and the rest of the world warily monitor the advance of the corona virus. Let us all hope the traditional characteristics of vitality and renewal represented in the Rat will prevail this year.
We hope to see you soon.
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Mary P. Yntema
President & CEO
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Help WorldBoston bring the world to you!
As a non-profit organization, WorldBoston relies on the generosity and support of members, donors, and sponsors to accomplish our mission: foster engagement in international affairs and cooperation between people of all nations.
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Modern Slavery & Human Trafficking
Almost every nation has enacted laws criminalizing human trafficking, and international organizations, governments, and NGOs sponsor a large variety of projects to curb trafficking and slavery. Billions of dollars have been allocated to these efforts, but to what effect? And what are the experiences of those who nevertheless continue to be being trafficked?
Start the 2020 Great Decisions series with us on Wednesday, February 19th with Kristen Leanderson Abrams.
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Kristen Leanderson Abrams
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Senior Director of
Combating Human Trafficking,
McCain Institute
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Teams are signing up now: What are you waiting for?
Academic WorldQuest is the World Affairs Councils of America’s flagship youth education program and is a fun, fast-paced team competition for high school students. Academic WorldQuest tests players’ knowledge of current international politics, geography, global economics, history, and world cultures.
This year’s statewide competition will take place on Saturday, April 4, 2020 at Bridgewater State University. Teams are small (only four students), but your school can register more than one team. The competition includes a free tour of Bridgewater State University as well.
The team that places first in this competition will win a free trip to Washington, D.C. to compete in the Academic WorldQuest National Competition!
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WorldBoston shines at the 2020 Global Ties U.S National Meeting
Vice President of Citizen Diplomacy Programs Sarah Sibley Wins National Programming Award
Congratulations to Sarah on the 2020 Outstanding Paid-Staff CBM Programmer Award! This annual award was voted by members of the national program agencies and State Department who know her programming first-hand. From leading the coordination of thousands of international visitors on professional exchanges in Boston, to fostering partnerships with hundreds of local professional resources, Sarah has significantly grown the size and impact of WorldBoston’s International Visitors Leadership Program. We are proud of the impact Sarah has made on WorldBoston, the City of Boston, and the global community.
WorldBoston nominee Dave Fortier Receives National Citizen Diplomat of the Year Award
WorldBoston’s nominee, Dave Fortier, Founder of One World Strong Foundation and Boston Marathon bombing survivor, received the 2020 Citizen Diplomat Award at the conference. Dave’s keynote speech was an inspiring insight into the transformative effect of international exchange in establishing a global community of “peer-to-peer humanitarian diplomats”. We sincerely appreciate Dave’s work as a Citizen Diplomat and as a tireless professional resource for our IVLP visitors here in Boston.
WorldBoston Program Associate Megan (Meg) McCarthy recognized as a 2020 Global Ties U.S Emerging Leader
Every year, Global Ties U.S recruits standout young leaders in public diplomacy and international exchange. We are so proud of Meg for being recognized as an Emerging Leader, it was a pleasure to attend the National Meeting with her.
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To learn more about our upcoming or previous international visitors, click here!
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Higher Education Cooperation
Mongolia
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New Approaches to China Studies
Kazakhstan
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Healthcare Innovation and Entrepreneurship
Spain
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The Role of School Teachers in the 21st Century
Georgia
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Women as Political and Social Leaders
Middle East and North Africa
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Countering Violent Extremism – Community Strategies
Europe
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Management of Municipal Utilities
Turkmenistan
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Edward R. Murrow Program for Journalists – Research and Investigation
Multi-regional
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Welcome Josh!
Next week Joshua Bruno will join WorldBoston as Manager of Citizen Diplomacy Programs.
Josh’s background features the service of others, both domestically and abroad. Josh has volunteered in Bolivia and El Salvador, taught English in Spain and took graduate courses in Colombia. In 2017, Josh traveled to Puerto Rico following Hurricane Maria to help provide emergency aid and assistance to families. Most recently, Josh has served as a coach for Latino/a students entering college in the Boston area, providing them with wrap-around support to help them succeed inside and outside of the classroom.
Josh holds a B.A. from Endicott College in International Studies and an M.A. from Boston University in Latin American Studies. He speaks Spanish and intermediate Italian.
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Manager of Citizen Diplomacy Programs
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Membership
Welcome to last month’s new and returning WorldBoston members: Joseph Antebi, Rayan Atallah, Kate Curran, Jason Dyett, James R. Moore, Adrienne Petrillo, Michael Pizziferri, and Catherine Zusy. Thank you, we appreciate your support!
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The Opportunity Zone program was created in 2018 to spur economic development in underserved communities and census tracts. The Global Resilience Institute (GRI) provides an assessment that supports advancing mitigation and resilience best practices and achieving long-term economic development goals, thus providing the basis for productive and inclusive investments in Opportunity Zone communities. During this lecture, Robin White and Warren Edwards will discuss how Opportunity Zones shift the paradigm of community resilience, starting with the fundamental tenets and expanding the lens to include the Global Resilience Institute’s specific approach to this program.
Egan Research Center, Room #440
120 Forsyth Street
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Rapid technological developments including artificial intelligence and related technologies, and their deployment in various applications and tools, present opportunities and challenges for the workplace. Join us to hear a panel with deep experience in data science, employment law, data analytics, recruiting, marketing, learning & development, and leadership to discuss the evolving landscape and some of the strategic, technical, legal, and ethical issues involved. RSVP for an enriching discussion with panelists, followed by a networking reception. Tickets are $40 for members and $50 for non-members.
By: German-American Business Council of Boston, Inc.
Morgan Lewis
One Federal Street
Boston, MA 02110
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Beyond the Events: Get Involved in WorldBoston!
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Host
Engage with our visiting delegations by hosting them for a meal at your home. These “Dinner Diplomacy” events are an opportunity for international visitors to interact with local community members in an informal setting.
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Sponsor
Sponsor WorldBoston’s signature annual Consuls Reception! Sponsorship provides exceptional visibility, has benefits that last all year, and provides critical support for WorldBoston.
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Program
Take advantage of our extraordinary network of professional resources and our deep expertise in logistics and cultural programming and let WorldBoston create a Custom Visitor Program for you.
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Meet
Our international visitors come to Boston to meet key local professionals. If your expertise aligns with an upcoming group, we’d love to help create a professional connection.
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Wait, Did You Miss Something?
Don’t forget to check our News section for announcements and past newsletters.
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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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