Dear Friends,
We all know that this month is starting on a variety of sobering notes: Standoff over Ukraine, new missile tests in Korea, and maybe another COVID variant.
And yet.
On February 1, something like two billion people started celebrating Lunar New Year and the Year of the Tiger. And about that many people will watch the Beijing Winter Olympics this month. (By the way, hooray for the 11 Massachusetts Olympians!) We also note that it’s Black History Month, a good time for celebration of achievements in black history nationally and here in Boston. (If you haven’t yet, have a look at “Voices on King”, an excellent video by King Boston that we’ve recommended to our international visitors.)
We celebrate when we can at WorldBoston, too: On February 23rd, we will host our first in-person event in two years, a highly relevant “Chat & Chowder” with noted Russia expert Fiona Hill.
We hope to see you soon.
|
Mary P. Yntema
President & CEO
|
|
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.
|
|
|
The current discussion of industrial policy in the United States is not simply about whether or not to support specific companies or industries, but about trust or mistrust of the government and its ability to manage the economy and deal with a rising China. The upheaval in supply chains during the pandemic exposed weaknesses in the international economy. What policies can the United States implement to deal with trade and the economy?
|
|
As founder and president of the Information Technology and Innovation Foundation (ITIF), recognized as the world’s top think tank for science and technology policy, Robert Atkinson leads a prolific team of policy analysts and fellows that is shaping the debate and setting the agenda on a host of critical issues at the intersection of technological innovation and public policy.
|
|
Wednesday, February 23rd
We’re back! And delighted that this “Chat” will be our first in-person program since January 2020, featuringThere Is Nothing for You Here with Fiona Hill, senior fellow in the Center on the United States and Europe in the Foreign Policy program at Brookings and deputy assistant to the president and senior director for European and Russian affairs on the National Security Council from 2017 to 2019. Join us to enjoy chowder, beverages, and chat with old and new friends. We look forward to seeing you there!
|
|
There Is Nothing for You Here is an urgent warning that America is on the brink of a socioeconomic collapse and authoritarian swing that could rival modern Russia’s, from the celebrated foreign policy expert who served under three U.S. presidents.
|
|
Can’t join us in-person? We will simultaneously stream this event to Zoom.
|
|
Saturday, March 5th
Bridgewater State University
Calling all high school students! Are you interested in history, international affairs, and current events? Do you keep up with the news? Then join us for this exciting annual program to put your global affairs knowledge to the test.
Any high school in Massachusetts can register teams of four students to participate in this fun, fast-paced global affairs competition. The winning team will be sent on an all expenses paid trip to the National Competition, hosted by The World Affairs Councils of America in Washington DC.
The deadline to register a team is February 14th.
|
|
|
Our What in the World? weekly quiz is a collection of 10 questions designed to test your knowledge of international affairs and current events. Every week on Monday, a new quiz is posted on our Twitter,Facebook, and Instagram stories. If you would like to receive the quiz by email, please contact Natalie Mase to be added to our What in the World? mailing list. The quiz can also always be found in WorldBoston Recommends, our weekly Friday newsletter.
Trivia Trail-Blazers
Congratulations to the top scorers in January! They got nearly every question right on all quizzes. Our high scorers are:
- Peter Sharadin
- Ken Cosgrove
- Leslie Griffin
- Terry Quist
- Diana Cerrone
- Jonathan Daube
- Tom Ebling
- Sally Stevens
|
|
Monthly Prize Winner
When you take What in the World?, you are automatically entered into a raffle to win exclusive prizes. The more questions you get right, the better your odds are of winning. This month’s prize winner is:
Randy Kluver
Miss Something?
If you missed a quiz or would like to retake one, click on the links below.
|
|
On Sunday, January 30th, our Fulbright Coordinator Dan O’Connor and Manager of Citizen Diplomacy Programs Josh Bruno accompanied 44 Fulbright Visiting Scholars and family members to a Boston University Terriers College Hockey Game. T he Terriers faced off against the Providence College Friars and won 5-2.The event was a fun excursion for all, and helped introduce the scholars to a sport that is little-known in much of the world, particularly in the global south.
|
|
The Fulbright Visiting Scholars Program continues in February with two in-person volunteer opportunities with Maverick Landing Community Services (MLCS) on February 19th and 26th. On both dates, scholars will attend a three-hour long community cleanup event in East Boston, a rich and diverse majority-minority community. Thank you to MLCS for helping us organize this mutually beneficial program.
And by the way, hearty congratulations to MLCS Executive Director, Rita Lara, for receiving a “2021 Changemaker Award” from the Institute for Nonprofit Practice, in recognition of individuals who have been on the frontlines supporting their neighbors and communities, demonstrating remarkable service, courage, and generosity while confronting unprecedented adversity over the past two years. Congratulations Rita!
|
|
This Fulbright Enrichment activity is 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.
|
|
The U.S. Department of State has continued a hold on in-person exchange programming for the IVLP until March 2022. We remain committed to welcoming virtual delegations – here’s who is “visiting” in February:
|
|
Regional Project for Middle East and North Africa
|
|
Inter-Regional Project for East Asia Pacific, South Central Asia, and Western Hemisphere
|
|
As we prepare for a return to in-person delegations, we welcome your thoughts and ideas for in-person programming. If you have any, please contact our Vice President for Citizen Diplomacy, Sarah Sibley.
|
|
Our team is hard at work planning many exciting programs! Do you have an idea for a virtual or in-person international exchange program? We do Custom Visitor Exchange programming to meet objectives of various clients — whether government or private. Contact Josh Bruno, Manager of Citizen Diplomacy Programs, to learn more.
|
|
Thank you Jarred! This month, WorldBoston bids a fond farewell to Jarred Guthrie, a long-time member of our board. Jarred joined us in fall 2015 and has since been an invaluable advocate and colleague, helping to shape and grow WorldBoston over the years. Jarred now turns his attention to a long list of other community commitments. Our sincere thanks to Jarred for his years of dedication to WorldBoston. See you soon, Jarred!
|
|
|
Missed any of our recent events? You can find video recordings of our events on our YouTube channel! Below are links to recent events:
|
|
Don’t forget to subscribe to our channel for updates!
|
|
|
|
|
You are able to contribute to WorldBoston at no additional cost to you! If you shop at Amazon through this link or the AmazonSmile logo to the right, a portion of your purchase will be donated to WorldBoston. Bookmark our page today.
|
|
Welcome to last month’s new and returning WorldBoston members: Jeremy Allaire, Joseph Antebi, Prudence Barker, Jason Dyett, Hilary Flynn, Jennifer Hanks Allaire, Ann LaFrance, David Lewis, Izabella Nickel, Ricki Nickel, and Jack Perenick. Thank you, we appreciate your support!
|
|
|
Check your inbox every Friday for WorldBoston Recommends – our staff picks for high-quality virtual programs on global topics in the coming week.
|
|
Your name here?
Learn more here about how to join these sponsors in supporting the WorldBoston mission.
|
|
Wait, Did You Miss Something?
Don’t forget to check our News section for announcements and past newsletters.
|
|
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.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
