Dear Friends,
Programs change, but the mission persists. During the pandemic, WorldBoston is remaining vital to our international affairs community by creating a wide array of virtual programming, until we can resume live opportunities (and maybe even beyond). Our mission, to “foster international engagement and global cooperation” will endure as long as the need for those things persists.
The need also persists to eliminate systemic racism in America.
Since its inception, the United States has struggled with slavery and slavery’s aftermath. Throughout our history, we have seen how hard times such as the current pandemic make lingering inequities chronic: People of color are disproportionately suffering and dying from the virus. Inequities have become observably acute in the week since George Floyd’s grotesque death in police custody on May 25 – just the latest high-visibility incident involving police, violence, and African American citizens. Outrage, sorrow, and mass protest are sweeping across the land, as the nation now faces a crisis of two deadly afflictions, COVID-19 and racism.
At WorldBoston we say our work exemplifies, “the World in Boston, and Boston in the World”, as we connect visitors with local peers and provide community programming on our global context. We do not typically address domestic issues in our community programming, nor do we engage in advocacy, other than on behalf of diplomacy itself.
Yet even in this critical moment — or perhaps because of it — we are convinced that maintaining a global focus is essential: We must seek to understand international trends influencing our deeply rooted local ills. Further, as a country, we ignore at our great peril the effect of these ills on our ability to pursue our national interest in the global environment.
As we all rightly address in our individual ways our urgent domestic concerns, at the same time, the WorldBoston community can never turn our back on the world. With your help, we’ll continue our non-partisan, independent, and globally-focused mission in these difficult days and beyond.
We hope to see you soon,
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Jeffrey J. Cymrot
Chair
Board of Directors
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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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Dr. John Gans
White House Warriors: How the National Security Council Transformed the American Way of War
Thursday, June 18th
6:00 – 7:00 PM
We are excited to host our first virtual Chat & Chowder event in partnership with the WGBH Forum Network. Even virtually, the spirit of Chat & Chowder will persist! We encourage everyone to Bring Your Own Chow(der) & Beverages (BYOCB) and we will host a 30 minute post-Chat chat. Longtime and first-time chatters alike are welcome!
John Gans, PhD. is the Director of Communications and Research at the University of Pennsylvania’s Perry World House global policy center. Read more here.
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Since its founding more than seventy years ago, the National Security Council has exerted more influence on the president’s foreign policy decisions―and on the nation’s conflicts abroad―than any other institution or individual. White House Warriors is a revelatory history written with riveting D.C. insider detail.
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While questions will challenge global knowledge, each week, the WorldBoston competition will “travel” to a dream destination – bring your themed food, drink, and outfits for a mini-getaway. Next week’s stop will be a classic, summer beach destination on Thursday, June, 11th at 6:00PM!
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If you haven’t already heard the news: we are proud to be running a weekly virtual series, International Exchange in a Time of Isolation!
With the pause in hosting international leaders in our community for in-person professional exchanges now through September, we are still creating international exchange opportunities. In case you missed any from the last two months, you can view them on our renewed YouTube channel:
Join us next Tuesday for another culinary diplomacy opportunity, this one focused on Venezuela! We have a weekly episode planned through June and will then pivot with the series next month. Watch this space!
If you have any ideas or questions, please contact our VP for Citizen Diplomacy, Sarah Sibley.
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Live from their home in Barquisimeto, Venezuela, YLAI Network alumnus Arturo Riera and his wife Yajaira Echeverría performed traditional Venezuelan musical pieces.
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Welcome to WorldBoston, Alexander!
This summer we welcome Alexander Beatty to the WorldBoston team as a Citizen Diplomacy Intern. A native of Ireland, Alexander is currently earning a Master of Arts in International Relations and Affairs at Boston University’s Frederick S. Pardee School of Global Studies.
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You can find videos of all of our virtual events on our Youtube channel. Check out our “Playlists” tab for curated playlists of Citizen Diplomacy and Global Engagement events.
Subscribe to our channel, like our videos, and chat in the comments section!
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Membership
Welcome to last month’s new and returning WorldBoston members: Michael Charland, Francis Lomami, Kaly Moot, Bryan Stevens, and Patricia Tobin. Thank you, we appreciate your support!
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Don’t forget to check your inbox every Friday for “WorldBoston Recommends” as we continue to recommend virtual events for the following week.
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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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