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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,
Your Friends at WorldBoston
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Monday, November 24th
10:00 AM – 11:00 AM ET
In China's exam-centric education system, high scores become the most influential determinant of a student’s educational pathway and future career opportunities. These scores can confer access to elite universities, rewarding jobs, and other benefits. The Highest Exam: How the Gaokao Shapes China, unpacks this system, showing how it serves as a centralized instrument of governance. The event will begin with remarks from Ruixue Jia, Professor of Economics at UC San Diego, and Hongbin Li, Faculty Co-Director at Stanford Center on China's Economy and Institutions. Scott Kennedy, Senior Adviser and Trustee Chair in Chinese Business and Economics, will then moderate a discussion with Ethan Michelson, Professor of Sociology and Law at Indiana University Bloomington, Yu Zhou, Professor of Geography at Vassar College, and Elizabeth Knup, Honorary Senior Fellow at the Center for China Analysis at the Asia Society Policy Institute.
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Tuesday, November 25th
12:00 PM – 2:00 PM ET
Coordinated hybrid campaigns led by Russia and China are increasingly targeting institutions, exploiting vulnerabilities, eroding trust, and reshaping narratives in Europe’s democracies. From disinformation and digital propaganda to election meddling and hybrid threats, these campaigns test the resilience of citizens who must remain vigilant, well-informed, and prepared to counter threats to their democratic systems. Join YPFP Brussels and the GMF Brussels for a discussion with policy experts and practitioners on how Europeans and international institutions are addressing these efforts by authoritarian states. Speakers for this event will include Etienne Soula, Acting Manager for Europe, Dimitar Lilkov, Senior Research Officer at the Wilfried Martens Centre for European Studies, and Alexis Cudey, YPFP Programs Officer.
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Tuesday, November 25th
10:00 PM – 11:30 PM ET
Japan stands at a pivotal moment in its research journey. Despite being the world’s fifth-largest producer of scientific papers, its share of high-impact publications has slipped to 13th place. At the same time, bold new investments signal a renewed commitment to research excellence and innovation. The question is no longer about capacity — Japan has the talent, infrastructure, and funding. The challenge is creating the conditions where such excellence becomes more systematic across the research ecosystem — turning these strengths into breakthrough discoveries that drive economic competitiveness and global influence. This event will feature Motoko Kotani, Executive Director of Science at RIKEN, Nicholas Luscombe, Genomics Research lead at the Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology, Noriko Watanabe, Special Advisor to the President of Chiba Institute of Technology, and Shunichi Kasahara, project leader and researcher at Sony Computer Science Laboratories, Inc.
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Wednesday, November 26th
7:00 AM – 8:00 AM ET
At a time when global cooperation is under unprecedented strain, how can global institutions such as the United Nations remain relevant and effective in a world defined by competition, great power rivalries and rapid change? From climate to trade, the established multilateral system faces mounting challenges to its legitimacy and its ability to deliver collective solutions. This discussion will feature Dr Samir Puri, Director of Global Governance and Security Centre, Rebeca Grynspan, Secretary-General of UN Trade and Development (UNCTAD), and Sir Mark Lyall Grant, former Senior Adviser. From reforming global bodies and rebalancing representation to ensuring that trade, technology, and development serve all nations fairly, this session will explore what saving multilateralism really means in practice, and how the UN can evolve to meet the expectations of a new global era.
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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 Director of Global Engagement Programs and Operations Harrison Zeiberg at hzeiberg@worldboston.org
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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 Elena Castellini, Citizen Diplomacy Associate (ecastellini@worldboston.org) to learn more about upcoming opportunities!
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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!
- 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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