November 2021 at WorldBoston


November at WorldBoston

Dear Friends,

“But when are we coming baaaack?” We hear this more and more these days. WorldBoston wants to connect, to talk and exchange, and to do so beyond the blasted, if essential, confines of Zoom. 

Trust, friends, that in-person programming, whether on the Global Engagement or Citizen Diplomacy sides of our house, is slowly starting. But it won’t happen all at once. The Big Return is small and slow at the moment, but it is happening. This week we had a small lunch meeting. In two weeks a small gathering for Fulbright Visiting Scholars. And we’ll keep making progress in a way that’s as comfortable and safe as reasonably possible.

One of the virtues of WorldBoston is that we program all over — from Roxbury to Beacon Hill to Andover to Plymouth, and beyond. And the drawback is the same: We program all over. WorldBoston does not have dedicated space, but rather works in brilliant partnerships to create our programs. And our partners have their own protocols and needs as we all emerge from the pandemic. But emerge we will!

In the meantime, note the grand, in-person convening later this month of the World Affairs Councils of America 35th anniversary National Conference in Washington, D.C. (For which you can still register until Monday, November 8th.) This is a great time to reflect on the riches of the national World Affairs Councils network, which has helped sustain the internationally-minded so much throughout these long months. For example, many of the great items in our weekly WorldBoston Recommends newsletter (itself a pandemic product) come from the WACA network. Even if you can’t make it to the conference, do consider signing up for WACA news and joining the nation’s oldest (1918, people!), largest, grassroots foreign policy organization.

We hope to see you, in-person or online, 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.
Corps Corner
On October 27th, WorldBoston hosted its 12th Annual Consuls Reception in honor of the Consular Corps serving Boston and New England, and in celebration of WorldBoston’s mission to foster engagement in international affairs.

The event focused on the local-international sustainability dynamic, highlighting Massachusetts’ leadership in sustainable energy and the role the local diplomatic corps plays in addressing global issues and creating local partnerships. As a timely reminder of the importance of this topic, the keynote speaker, Massachusetts Secretary of Energy and Environmental Affairs Kathleen A. Theoharides, was called to an urgent press conference about the nor’easter hitting the region. Despite the weather, the mission persisted! We had the privilege of hosting Undersecretary of Energy and Climate Solutions Judy Changin her place. 

After her remarks, we broke into discussion groups facilitated by consuls of Canada, Denmark, Mexico, and the UK. Then we enjoyed a fun raffle with prizes from outstanding local businesses, the Urban Grape and the Brattle Theatre. Our annual Toast to Diplomacy rounded out the proceedings on a festive note.

Thank you to our sponsors and attendees who helped make the Consuls Reception a festive and engaging event! Pictured below is the Toast to Diplomacy.
Please visit our website to read more about the Consuls Reception and to see a full list of sponsors.
WorldBoston celebrates the persistent work of Boston’s local diplomatic and representative corps. In the “Corner” of our monthly Newsletter we note recent arrivals and departures of senior members. Colleagues in the Corps – please contact Natalie Mase if you have a recent item to report! 


In summer of 2021, the United Nations Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) released the first portion of its Sixth Assessment Report, Climate Change 2021: The Physical Science Basis.The report addresses the most up-to-date physical understanding of the climate system and climate change. Hundreds of leading experts around the world volunteered their time and expertise as authors. 

As global leaders convene at COP26, join us to learn more about the report that is informing their discussions. In addition to coordinating lead author of the report Baylor Fox-Kemper, we will feature Michael Green, a member of the WorldBoston Board of Directors, for his on the ground insights in Glasgow. Please also join us for the informal post-Chat Chat, led by WorldBoston friend Bruce Berman, Director of Strategy and Communications at Save the Harbor/Save the Bay.
Baylor Fox-Kemper is a professor at Brown University, joining the Department of Earth, Environmental, and Planetary Sciences in 2013. He works mostly within the Climate and Environment Group, which studies the physics of the ocean and how the ocean fits into the Earth’s climate system, using models that range from the global scale to focused process models that apply universally. Fox-Kemper was a coordinating lead author of the Ocean, Cryosphere, and Sea Level Change chapter of the IPCC Sixth Assessment Report.
WACA’s 2021 National Conference will take place in Washington D.C. from November 16th through 19th. Please visit WACA’s 2021 National Conference website for a detailed agenda and a list of the excellent speakers who will attend. WorldBoston President Mary Yntema and Manager of Operations and Global Engagement Programs Natalie Mase hope to see you at the conference in D.C.!
The last day to register for the conference is Monday, November 8th!

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 October! They got nearly every question right on all quizzes. Our high scorers are:

  1. Peter Sharadin
  2. Terry Quist
  3. George King
  4. Jonathan Daube
  5. Laura Dziorny
  6. Tom Ebling
  7. Nancy Graham
  8. Paul McManus
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:

Francis O’Rourke

Miss Something?
If you missed a quiz or would like to retake one, click on the links below.

To learn more about Global Engagement, contact Natalie Mase, Manager of Operations and Global Engagement Programs.
“Cit Dip” is busy in November! As usual, we look forward to hosting several IVLP groups. We also look forward to the start of this year’s Fulbright Visiting Scholars Enrichment Program and its return to in-person activities. November also marks the end of the virtual Russian Business Leadership Program, hosted by a range of area businesses. 


The U.S. Department of State continues its hold on in-person programming for the IVLP through March 2022. We remain committed to welcoming virtual delegations to our community and continue to thank all of our local citizen diplomats for joining us in this endeavor. Here’s who is “visiting” in November:

Multi-Regional Project 

Multi-Regional Project 

Multi-Regional Project 
We are looking for new ideas for virtual cultural activities, especially seasonal options. If you have any, please contact our Vice President for Citizen Diplomacy, Sarah Sibley.

The new year of the Fulbright Visiting Scholar Enrichment Program kicks off with a welcome reception and a cultural event at America’s Hometown for Plymouth’s annual Thanksgiving parade – both events in-person! We are thrilled to have 86 Fulbright scholars living in our community this year.

We are pleased to hold the welcome reception at Berkshire Bank’s socially responsible space in historic Nubian Square, Reevx Labs. Thanks to Berkshire Bank for their support! We are delighted to welcome Gretchen Cook-Anderson, inaugural Executive Director of Lab Central’s Ignite, as our guest speaker.

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.

November is the final month of the Russian Business Leadership Program. In this program, WorldBoston and its implementing partner, American Councils, arranged for 8 Russian Business Leaders to complete four-week virtual fellowships with inspiring local businesses that align with their professional experience and interests. Thank you to these organizations for hosting a fellow and for supporting this unique program:

 
The meaningful work that these fellows are doing at their placements supports the missions of their local host businesses and fosters greater global cooperation. Thank you to all who took part!
Have an idea for virtual international exchange? 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.
Updates From the Office

Thank you, Irv! This month we express our gratitude to long-time board member, Irving Kempner. Since 2011, Irv has been a steadfast board member, notable for his commitment to the WorldBoston mission, as well as to the ever-changing, dedicated team that is the WorldBoston board — someone who leaves an organization better for his having participated. Knowing Irv, it is not surprising that he now turns to a long and growing list of civic, philanthropic, and family commitments to pursue. We are delighted that Irv will stay involved as a deeply thoughtful participant in our programs and as an engaged sponsor through the Kempner Family Foundation. See you soon, Irv!
Don’t forget to subscribe to our channel for updates!
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Welcome to last month’s new and returning WorldBoston members: Leslie Barrett, Bonnie Gossels, Elaine Gossels, Robert Martin, Larry Post, Patricia Roach, and Nelson Tamayo. 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. 
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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. 
And for the latest, be sure to follow us on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram!
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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