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Dear Friends,
Well, 2025 is truly underway. The 47th President of the United States was inaugurated in a peaceful transfer of power yesterday in Washington, D.C., while around our region universities and workplaces are humming again.
What an excellent time for what's next — as in our Next Generation. This month we inaugurate our Green Room Scholars initiative, which brings a scholar from a WorldBoston partner university right into the “Green Room” of our public events to help greet the speaker and later create a recap for worldboston.org. On January 28, please say hello to inaugural “GRS”, Savannah Lavigne, an undergraduate at Bridgewater State University, at our Great Decisions on Science Across Borders with Museum of Science President Tim Ritchie.
This is also the right time to get involved in Academic WorldQuest, the fun nation-wide high school international affairs tournament. WorldBoston will host the Massachusetts competition at Emmanuel College on March 15. The winning team gets an all-expenses paid trip to Washington D.C. for the national competition and other enrichment activities. Teams are forming now and space is limited, so join in soon. (Last year our team took fifth place nationally: Go, Massachusetts!)
These students are amazing; and amazing educators back them up. We are once again offering high school educators the professional development certification, Global Up in tandem with Academic WorldQuest. Any educators from schools participating in Academic WorldQuest are invited free of charge to this global skills training, with curriculum provided by AFS, a recognized leader in the field.
Finally, this national moment is a good one for considering A Life in the American Century. Join one of the preeminent scholar-policymakers of our time, Joseph Nye, in tomorrow's Chat & Chowder episode. In-person spots are sold out but you can still join us online.
We hope to see you soon.
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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, we bid a fond farewell to WorldBoston team members: Josh Bruno and Gene Fullam.
Josh joined the WorldBoston team five years ago and has served as the Director of Citizen Diplomacy Programs. In his time at WorldBoston he has made countless contributions to WorldBoston and has greatly expanded our Custom Visitor Programs.
Gene joined WorldBoston in May of 2024 as the Interim Operations Manager. Gene came to WorldBoston as part of the Empower Success Corps. While at WorldBoston Gene has worked tirelessly to improve WorldBoston's operational systems.
We thank Josh and Gene for their hard work and wish them the best of luck with their future endeavors!
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This month WorldBoston welcomes Jonathan Dorfman and Heather O'Brien to the Board of Directors. We greatly look forward to working with Jonathan and Heather!
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We're delighted to welcome Madeline Marsh and Isabella Stevens as our new Northeastern Co-Ops.
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Madeline is a fourth-year at Northeastern University studying International Affairs and Media & Screen Studies. She has studied in London and the Balkans, delving into conflict negotiation, nuclear deterrence, and diplomacy. Madeline is director of Northeastern’s video production organization, NUTV and helped reinstate the Alexander Hamilton Society, for which she runs media and outreach. Madeline is beyond exhilarated to be with WorldBoston and looks forward to learning from our staff and programming.
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Isabella is a fourth-year student at Northeastern University studying Political Science and International Affairs with a minor in French. She spent a semester abroad in Rome and recently completed a program on French Language and Culture in Lyon and Paris where she developed her French fluency skills. Isabella’s first Co-op experience was with the International Law Institute in Washington, DC.
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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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International Affairs Book Swap
Tuesday, February 11th, 5:30 – 7:30 PM
In-Person Event at Foley & Lardner LLP
Show your love for international affairs, books, and networking with globally-minded friends! (And clean out some of the clutter you made that resolution about, too.)
This annual fun program features book “shopping” and swapping, slam-style book pitches, networking, beverages, apps, and … raffle prizes! Please bring at least one and no more than six books on any topic in international affairs. We ask that all books be in good condition and published within the past ten years. If you are interested in “pitching” your book please fill out this form. Spots are limited. Ooh, look: If you pitch a book you'll receive a free copy of the 2025 Great Decisions Briefing Book.
And, please join us at 5:30 PM for an informal chat with WorldBoston staff and what we're looking forward to in 2025.
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Highlight
As we did last year, we are starting 2025 by reflecting on the impressive international leaders and diverse delegations we welcomed to Eastern Massachusetts in 2024. As the graphic below shows, WorldBoston hosted just under 700 visitors from over 149 countries, and organized 289 meetings on their behalf. We gratefully recognize all the citizen diplomats across our community who helped us welcome these groups and shared their professional insights with them.
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Additionally, this month, we welcome aboard our newest Manager of Citizen Diplomacy Programs, Justin Dynia. Justin has been associated with WorldBoston since May 2024, working on implementing the International Visitor Leadership Program (IVLP). Prior to joining the team, Justin gained experience in political communications, nonprofit management, and community engagement. He served as an Advocacy Associate for the Boston Climate Action Network, promoting climate justice policies and co-hosting sustainability events. Additionally, he worked in the office of Massachusetts State Representative Kevin G. Honan, focusing on constituent services and legislative research. He holds advanced degrees in Political Science and Latin American Studies from Boston University. We’re thrilled he’s joined us in this new role.
We hope you'll have the opportunity to connect with Justin soon at jdynia@worldboston.org!
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Custom Visitor Programs
We are thrilled to announce that WorldBoston has been awarded the opportunity to host four participants of the 2025 Women in Cybersecurity Fellowship, a prestigious exchange program funded by the U.S. Department of State. This initiative brings mid-career professionals from the Western Balkans and Moldova to the U.S. to enhance their technical skills, deepen their understanding of cybersecurity policies, and build lasting international collaborations. As a member of our network, you can take part by serving as a host or collaborating with fellows during their two-week placements in Boston. Together, we can support these leaders as they tackle pressing cybersecurity challenges. Please reach out to Justin Dynia at jdynia@worldboston.org to learn more about how you can get involved!
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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 2025 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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