Dear Friends,
Perhaps in keeping with next week’s International Women’s Day and Women’s History Month, this note concerns lots of women.
As you’ll see below, last week we said the fondest farewell to Director of Operations and Global Engagement Programs, Elise Pitcairn. See Update from the Office, below, for more — including WorldBoston’s just-opened search for a Manager here. (No inquiries, please.)
Indeed, the month started on a feminine note with the the installation of Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala as Director-General of the World Trade Organization. You can watch her November interview with WACA President Bill Clifford here.
In Global Engagement, March Chat & Chowder features internationally-acclaimed historian Margaret MacMillan on her new book War. Be sure to check our website for the latest on Global Engagement, as spring events are being added now.
Citizen Diplomacy is also hopping as we move into spring: See below for updates on independent projects, as well as State Department initiatives Fulbright, YLAI, and IVLP — all virtual.
The wealth of such programs speaks to Boston’s appetite for international engagement — even during COVID. So we heartily endorse the current Administration’s intention to elevate the State Department.
This is a big topic these days with our friends in D.C. In addition to laudable calls for greater accountability and diversity in U.S. diplomacy, think tanks such as the Truman Center and German Marshall Fund are putting forward the idea of Subnational Diplomacy and the potential for State to coordinate efforts in cities and states and to raise the department’s domestic visibility.
We say, join the club! Strengthening global engagement is something many entities here in Boston have been doing for a long, long time. For example, for 60 years, WorldBoston has proudly served as our area’s main provider of State Department-funded citizen diplomacy. How? With the help of hundreds of individual professional resources and hospitable households, devoted board members, donors, enthusiastic local government cooperation, and community members like you.
Around here, it’s in our DNA to support global engagement, the role of the State Department, and diplomacy itself. Join in!
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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Thursday, March 18th
12:00-1:00 PM ET
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Chat & Chowder features key authors on global topics in an engaging setting. Even virtually, the spirit of “Chat” persists! We encourage everyone to BYOCB (Bring Your Own Chow(der) & Beverages), and also tojoin us for the informal post-Chat Chat with other WorldBoston members (separate Zoom link provided in registration confirmation email). Newcomers always welcome!
Margaret MacMillan is a Professor of History at the University of Toronto and Emeritus Professor of International History and the former Warden of St. Antony’s College at the University of Oxford. Her books include Women of the Raj (1988); Paris 1919 (2001); and The War that Ended Peace: The Road to 1914 (2013). She is also an honorary fellow of the British Academy and a fellow of the Royal Society of Canada.
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War is an uncomfortable and challenging subject not least because it brings out both the vilest and the noblest aspects of humanity. In War: How Conflict Shaped Us, Margaret MacMillan looks at the ways in which war has influenced human society and how, in turn, changes in political organization, technology, or ideologies have affected how and why we fight.
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Remember the rumors that then-President Donald Trump was looking to purchase Greenland from Denmark? While such a deal seemed wildly unlikely, the chatter did suggest a shift in the U.S. government regarding the Arctic. Because of climate change, large sheets of arctic ice are melting, exposing vast stores of natural gas and oil. With Russia and China already miles ahead with their Arctic strategies, can the U.S. catch up?
This event is produced by our partner GBH Forum Network and sponsored by the Lowell Institute.
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Professor Paul Arthur Berkman is a science diplomat. In 2010, he co-directed the first formal dialogue between NATO and Russia on environmental security in the Arctic Ocean. Most recently, he was awarded the Fulbright Arctic Chair 2021-2022. Professor Berkman founded the first Science Diplomacy Center in an academic institution, directed through EvREsearch LTD, where he is CEO.
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This year, WorldBoston is also holding an international relations-themed TikTok competition. Winners in either category get cash prizes for their schools!
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The World Affairs Councils of America Academic WorldQuest National Competition will take place on Saturday, April 17th.
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For example, this month we virtually hosted a group of 32 professionals from across Japan for discussions focused on “Promoting U.S.-Japan Study Abroad during COVID-19 and Beyond,” a project funded by the U.S. Embassy in Tokyo. Thank you to our community partners Atsuko Fish and Kozue Sawame of the Fish Family Foundation’s Japanese Women’s Leadership Initiative (JWLI), Katie Yokota of the Boston Career Forum, and David Nurenburg of Lesley University for your participation in what turned out to be a fascinating two-day event!
Contact Josh Bruno, Manager of Citizen Diplomacy Programs, to learn more.
Looking to get involved? This month and next bring more virtual home hospitalityopportunities and we’d love to get you in on the fun! If interested, please contact Sarah Sibley, VP for Citizen Diplomacy.
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The U.S. Department of State-sponsored Young Leaders of the Americas Initiative (YLAI) is now in full swing. By the first week of March, eight out of the 14 fellows will have completed their month-long virtual fellowships at their Boston-based work placements. On February 26th, WorldBoston hosted its second Cultural and Entrepreneurial Event featuring our friends at CyberGrants, the Consulate of Colombia, and the Consulate of Mexico, as well as Alumni from the 2018 Boston YLAI Cohort who had the opportunity to network with the fellows towards the end of the session.
Follow @YLAIBoston on Instagram for local updates about the fellowship program.
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The Fulbright Visiting Scholar Enrichmentprogram also is well underway. Currently, there are 10 scholars representing 8 countries living and working in New England. They are completing their scholarly work at the region’s prestigious institutions.
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As the official cultural enrichment host for the New England scholars, WorldBoston was excited to host two events in the month of February. On February 18th, the scholars met the host of the GBH’s Open Studio, Jared Bowen. On February 26th, the Fulbrighters were treated to an exclusive behind-the-scenes Boston Pops experience. During the month of March, WorldBoston will invite the scholars to participate in “Home Hospitality”, a unique opportunity to meet a New England host, learn about living in the region, share stories, and network. On March 23rd, WorldBoston will invite scholars to hear from local Massachusetts state representatives who are members of the Women’s Caucus, an event designed to recognize female leaders from the state, both past and present. These Fulbright Enrichment activities are sponsored by the U.S. Department of State with funding provided by the U.S. Government and supported in their implementation by the Institute of International Education (IIE), and WorldBoston.
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With the U.S. Department of State keeping a hold on in-person exchange programming for the International Visitor Leadership Program (IVLP) through May 2021, we remain committed to welcoming virtual delegations. A warm thank you to all of our local citizen diplomats for joining us in this endeavor. Here’s who’s “visiting” in March:
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Protecting the Integrity and Security of the International Research Enterprise
European Regional Project
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Transparency and Accountability in Government
Multi-Regional Project
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U.S. Labor Relations
Multi-Regional Project
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Resilience and Psychosocial Support for Human Rights Defenders
Cameroon
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We are looking for new ideas for virtual cultural activities, especially seasonal options. If you have any, please contact our VP for Citizen Diplomacy, Sarah Sibley.
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Last week we said goodbye to Director of Operations and Global Engagement Programs, Elise Pitcairn. Joining WorldBoston in July 2018, Elise oversaw a growing portfolio of programs and operations. She greatly expanded the size, quality, and number of our events along with our outreach. She also grew WorldBoston’s management capacity, overseeing a range of new outreach functions and administrative milestones.
And persisted. Elise was critical to leading WorldBoston through this pandemic year. Bringing professionalism, insight, and an upbeat outlook to every twist of fate, Elise also pushed our mission, always embracing new ideas and new kinds engagement. We’ll miss her a lot, and wish her well in her new chapter in London. Thank you, Elise.
And hello, Jordan! We’re delighted that Jordan Pederson steps in as Interim Manager of Operations and Global Engagement, part-time as she finishes her senior year at Northeastern, and then full-time in the summer, to assist in our transition.
So, WorldBoston is hiring! We seek our next Manager of Operations and Global Engagement, an extraordinary opportunity for a professional building a career in nonprofit management and international relations. Read more and apply here. Please, no inquiries.
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WorldBoston celebrates the persistent work of Boston’s local diplomatic and representative corps. In this new “Corner” we note some recent arrivals and departures of senior members. Colleagues in the corps – please contact Jordan Pederson if you have a recent item to report!
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Ambassador Meron Reuben
Consul General of Israel to New England
Ambassador Meron Reuben began serving as the Consul General of Israel to New England in November. He previously served as Israel’s Chief of State Protocol from 2015 to 2020. Read more and get in touch here.
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Roger Cuzner
Consul General of Canada in Boston
Rodger Cuzner was appointed the new Consul General of Canada to New England at the end of October. Mr. Cuzner previously served in the Canadian House of Commons as the Member of Parliament for Bras d’or Cape Breton. Read more and get in touch here.
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Welcome to last month’s new and returning WorldBoston members: Breana Cole, Joseph Iuliano, Amir Abedrabo, Dr. Dale A. Masi, and Catherine Zusy. Thank you, we appreciate your support!
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Check your inbox every Friday for “WorldBoston Recommends” — our staff picks international virtual programs in the coming week.
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Missed any of our recent events? You can find video recordings of our events on our YouTube channel! Below are links to the most recent events:
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Don’t forget to subscribe to our channel for updates!
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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.
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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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