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Dear Friends,
Welcome to this week's WorldBoston Recommends email, highlighting high-quality programming for the upcoming week, special opportunities, and event recordings, whether our own, from other World Affairs Councils, or other excellent venues.
We hope these recommendations help you stay internationally engaged, wherever you may be.
Best regards,
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Mary P. Yntema
President & CEO
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Monday, June 23rd
10:30 AM – 12:30 PM ET
How have African countries met the challenges and opportunities of the 21st century? At the turn of the century, international agencies and governments alike planned for how African countries could succeed in a changing world. While the experiences of individual countries differ and significant progress has been made, much of Africa is still struggling to achieve goals and address issues identified 25 years ago. And with unanticipated challenges—such as China’s growing influence, the digitalization gap, and expanding climate risk—on the rise, examining lessons learned is vital to reshaping Africa’s development trajectory and facing new challenges. In collaboration with the World Bank, Brookings Global’s Africa Growth Initiative (AGI) looks back on a quarter century of African development, chaired by Pierre Nguimkeu, Brookings. The event will begin with a presentation from Chorching Goh, World Bank Group and editor of the new publication 21st-Century Africa: Governance and Growth, a retrospective on Africa’s performance over the last 25 years. This event will assess the state of Africa’s political, economic and social development in 2025, reflecting on lessons learned with an eye to future development and growth.
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Monday, June 23rd
12:00 – 1:00 PM ET
The U.S. tried to isolate Iran. Instead, it helped build a regional power. In his riveting new book, Iran’s Rise and Rivalry with the U.S. in the Middle East, author and renowned scholar Mohsen Milani dissects the strategic logic behind Iran’s regional policy and tells the story of how a revolutionary state, boxed in by sanctions and war, emerged as one of the most influential forces in the region. From Iraq to Lebanon and Syria, and from Gaza to Yemen, Iran has entrenched itself through proxies, alliances, and a long-game the U.S. never fully grasped. Milani unpacks how Washington’s post-1979 containment strategy backfired—and why Iran’s asymmetric approach to power still frustrates U.S., Israeli, and Saudi goals today. In conversation with Trita Parsi, Quincy Institute, this talk will explore the evolution of the U.S.-Iran rivalry, the architecture of the so-called “Axis of Resistance,” and the mounting internal and external pressures that could reshape the region again.
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Wednesday, June 25th
11:00 AM – 12:00 PM ET
Join the Cato Institute for an in-depth fireside chat featuring Congressman Rich McCormick and Matt Mittelsteadt, Cato. This timely conversation will explore the evolving landscape of artificial intelligence (AI) and cybersecurity policy, and the state of AI in Congress. Whether you’re a policymaker, tech professional, academic, or simply interested in the future of AI regulation, this is a must-attend conversation on how to balance innovation, security, and civil liberties in the age of artificial intelligence.
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Thursday, June 26th
12:00 – 1:00 PM ET
The 2025 International Speaker Series will examine how shifting policies and priorities will influence the role the U.S. plays in global affairs, from technological advancements and economic resilience to trade dynamics and diplomatic strategy. This session is part of a four-part series that will bring together thought leaders, policymakers, and experts to explore how the new administration will impact key global issues and what these changes mean for Vermont and the world. As technology continues to shape economies, security, and daily life, the U.S. plays a pivotal role in setting global standards. This session will explore the relationship between the government and private businesses and the real-world implications of these relationships. We’ll look at navigating new rules and regulations, the role of artificial intelligence, and the delicate balance between national security, economic growth, and ethical governance. Speakers for this event are Nazli Choucri, MIT, and Michael Igoe, Devex.
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Thursday, June 26th
12:30 – 1:30 PM ET
Solidarity among advanced market democracies, collectively known as “the West,” has underpinned the post-1945 liberal international order. Those foundations, already eroding, are now crumbling. Under President Trump, the U.S. has abandoned aspirations to international leadership and is charting an “America First” course that promises to upend longstanding alliances, multilateral institutions, and commercial arrangements. With America no longer seeking to anchor world order, its closest partners are feeling unmoored. What are the roots of this growing estrangement, and how is it expressing itself? How is the fragmentation of the West shaping NATO, the G7, and U.S.-EU relations? What strategies are America’s erstwhile allies and partners adopting to hedge (or even balance) against an unpredictable U.S.? As America retrenches, what openings might arise for other Western and non-Western powers to advance their visions and preferences for multilateral institutions, international cooperation, and global order? Join Stewart Patrick in conversation with Rosa Balfour and Sophia Besch, Carnegie Endowment, and Kori Schake, American Enterprise Institute, as they unpack the recent NATO and G7 summits—and what they tell us about the fate of the West.
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Friday, June 27th
11:00 AM – 12:15 PM ET
Please join CSIS and the Association of the U.S. Army (AUSA) for a Strategic Landpower Dialogue event, featuring General Ronald Clark, Commanding General, U.S. Army Pacific. The discussion will explore the role of landpower in the Indo-Pacific, contributions to joint operations, and the Army’s posture in the region. This discussion will be moderated by Dr. Tom Karako. The Strategic Landpower Dialogue is a quarterly event series that serves as a unique source of data and insight into the current thinking of and future challenges facing the U.S. Army and land-based forces across the services. The series convenes senior Army officers and leaders to discuss the most critical landpower issues.
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Join WorldBoston’s Dinner Diplomacy program! Engage with international professionals of visiting delegations for a meal at your home. We often have opportunities to get involved! Hosting in an informal setting allows you to meet distinguished visitors from all over the world and learn more about their country, culture, and professional expertise. Dinner Diplomacy can take various forms, from brunch to afternoon tea to a sit-down dinner with small groups. Reach out to Sarah Sibley, Vice President of Citizen Diplomacy (ssibley@worldboston.org) to learn more about upcoming opportunities!
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Named for the proverbial “green room” where people wait before going on stage, the new Green Room Scholars initiative is part of WorldBoston's growing NextGen programming, an essential element of our effort to fulfill and expand our mission of “fostering international engagement and global cooperation.”
For each regular WorldBoston event, the selected Green Room Scholar will help greet and orient the speaker, serving as part of the WorldBoston event team.
What benefits do Green Room Scholars receive?
- Networking
- Participation in a well-tuned, professional event team
- Blogging with byline
- Recognition in WorldBoston social media
- Connecting with one of WorldBoston's outstanding speakers, who are leading scholars and practitioners in global affairs
Who is eligible to be a Green Room Scholar?
Students at universities that are currently sponsoring WorldBoston!
For further information contact Manager of Global Engagement Programs and Operations Harrison Zeiberg at hzeiberg@worldboston.org
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ENGLISH FOR HERITAGE LANGUAGE SPEAKERS
Native speakers of critical languages are in high demand in the U.S. government. EHLS trains advanced English speakers to be effective communicators and strong candidates for federal jobs. All EHLS participants receive a full scholarship from the Defense Language and National Security Education Office (DLNSEO) that includes tuition and a living stipend. As part of the scholarship obligation, participants agree to fulfill the EHLS service requirement, which requires you to work for the federal government in a position with national security responsibilities for one year after you complete the program. The 2026 EHLS Program is open to native speakers of: Chinese Mandarin, Arabic, Russian, Persian Farsi, Korean, Ukrainian, Kazakh, Turkish, and Hausa.
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INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT MUTUAL AID PLATFORM
The Boston Network for International Development created a Mutual Aid platform to support individuals in Greater Boston / New England who have been directly impacted by the foreign aid pause and USAID shutdown. This peer-to-peer resource connects community members who need assistance with those who can offer help in areas such as career mentorship, job search support, networking, housing, and more.
How It Works:
If you need assistance, submit a request and your request will be shared (without personal contact details) on a public listing (see list of requests).
If you can offer assistance, submit an offer and your information will be listed publicly for those seeking help (see list of offers).
If you see a specific request you can help with, submit a response and your offer will be forwarded to the requestor.
This platform is a community-driven mutual aid network. BNID does not verify, vet, or endorse any requests, offers, or responses. All interactions are voluntary and at participants’ own risk.
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The UNAGB Summer Institute in Global Leadership offers week-long leadership development programs for middle and high school students that are designed to cultivate global awareness and leadership skills among students through the core principles of Model UN. Throughout the week, participants engage in dynamic simulations of international diplomacy, participate in meaningful skill-building workshops, and explore complex global issues such as human rights, global health and climate change.
Led by experienced educators and industry professionals, UNAGB’s Summer Institute helps participants develop practical skills in public speaking, research, and consensus-building, preparing them to become effective global citizens and future leaders. By the end of the program, students emerge with a deeper understanding of global challenges and the confidence to contribute positively to their communities and the world at large.
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The Alumni Resource Center (ARC) is an online career development hub for U.S. citizen ExchangeAlumni. ARC provides ExchangeAlumni with courses, trainings, and other resources to develop professional skills and abilities, market themselves, and explore careers in and outside of public service. The Alumni Resource Center is offering a new online course, Seize the Advantage: Understanding Non-Competitive Eligibility. This course will explore non-competitive eligibility and how you can leverage this unique opportunity to apply for federal jobs. You must be a U.S. citizen ExchangeAlumni and a member of the Alumni Resource Center.
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Writing Opportunities
Are you interested in writing about international affairs? Below are opportunities for you to submit your pieces to publications nationwide!
- WorldBoston's #BostonPhotoFriday: We want to see your pictures of Boston! As part of our #BostonPhotoFriday series, we would like to feature our community's photos on our social media. For more information, please email Harrison Zeiberg, Manager of Global Engagement and Operations.
- The Journal of Carnegie Council for Ethics in International Affairs: This quarterly journal is accepting submissions of features and essays, as well as online exclusive submissions to appear on their website on a rolling basis. Submit your piece here.
- Realist Review Article Submission: This policy publication is accepting submissions from anyone interested in writing a commentary or analysis piece that expresses a perspective on policies or developments in international affairs and diplomacy. Submit your work here.
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