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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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Tuesday, September 16th
6:00-7:30 PM
Analysts of American policy in 2025 have the unusual advantage of being able to assess the new president’s likely policies regarding the Middle East against the backdrop of what he did in his first term, four years earlier.
Join us for a timely discussion of this topic with Mona Yacoubian, senior adviser and director of the Middle East Program at the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS). This program will feature an expert presentation, live audience Q&A, and time for networking and discussion with other globally-oriented participants.
This program is free and open to the public, but advance registration is required.
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The state of democracy: Global insights from Africa
Monday, September 15th
10:00 AM – 11:30 AM ET
Brookings’ Africa Growth Initiative invites you to an online discussion on the factors driving democratic development in African states. Opening remarks will be given by Pierre Nguimkeu, Director of the Africa Growth Initiative, followed by a fireside chat with Landry Signé, Senior Fellow of Global Economy and Development at the Africa Growth Initiative, and Hon. Saara Kuugongelwa-Amadhila, Speaker of the National Assembly at the Parliament of the Republic of Namibia. The event will then move into a panel discussion to explore continental and global trends, and highlight recent research on Ghana, Kenya, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, and Zimbabwe. The speakers for this panel will include Chipo Dendere, Assistant Professor of Political Science at Wellesley College, George Ofosu, Assistant Professor of the Department of Government at the London School of Economics and Political Science, Oscar Otele, Chairman of the Department of Political Science and Public Administration at the University of Nairobi, Danielle Resnick, Nonresident Fellow of Global Economy and Development, and Jason Stearns, Associate Professor at Simon Fraser University.
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Unyielding Principles: The Future of Human Rights in Foreign Affairs
Monday, September 15th
6:00 PM ET
The Carr-Ryan Center for Human Rights’ inaugural Human Rights & Foreign Policy Fellows cohort will convene for a crucial discussion on the role of human rights in shaping American foreign policy. At a time when human rights face unprecedented challenges, in the U.S. and abroad, this distinguished group of Senior Fellows will share their insights on why human rights are essential to national security, global stability, and sustaining democracy. They will also discuss how centering human rights can strengthen American leadership and advance a more just and equitable world. The speakers for this panel are Jessica Stern, former U.S. Special Envoy to Advance the Human Rights of LGBTQI+ Persons at the U.S. State Department, Desirée Cormier Smith, Inaugural U.S. Special Representative for Racial Equity and Justice at the U.S. State Department, Maggie Dougherty, former Special Assistant to the President and Senior Director for International Organizations at the National Security Council; former Senior Policy Advisor to U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Haley and former foreign policy advisor in the office of U.S. Senator Marco Rubio, Kelly Fay Rodriguez, former Special Representative for International Labor Affairs at the U.S. State Department. This panel will be moderated by Professor Kathryn Sikkink, Ryan Family Professor of Human Rights.
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The Impact of Foreign Regulation on US Technology Leadership and Security
Wednesday, September 17th
2:00 PM – 3:00 PM ET
America’s leading tech companies don’t just create commercial products and services, they develop the foundational technologies, research capabilities, and industrial capacity that strengthen America’s competitive position against strategic rivals like China. Yet America’s leading “Big Tech” firms face growing regulatory pressures from the EU’s Digital Markets Act, the Digital Services Act, and similar measures emerging worldwide that single them out and constrain their operations by imposing compliance burdens, fines, and other targeted market barriers. This expert panel discussion will examine the vital role Big Tech plays in U.S. technology leadership and national security. The speakers will include Hilal Aka, Policy Analyst at the Information Technology and Innovation Foundation, Christina Alfonso, President of the Council on Global Competition and Innovation (CGCI), Michael Brown, Partner at Shield Capital, Stephen Ezell, Vice President of Global Innovation Policy and Director of the Center for Life Sciences Innovation Information Technology and Innovation Foundation.
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Road to FIFA 2026: Strengthening homeland resilience ahead of the World Cup
Wednesday, September 17th
2:30 PM ET
As the United States and its partners Canada and Mexico gear up to host the 2026 World Cup, this panel will explore the national security resilience questions, threats, and opportunities facing the three nations ahead of and during the tournament. Discussion will focus on cybersecurity, protecting critical infrastructure, and countering terrorism threats. The panel will explore ways for the United States, Canada, Mexico, and FIFA to enhance coordination and strengthen resilience to withstand potential shocks and respond to disruptions. Opening Remarks will be given by Jenna Ben-Yehuda, Executive Vice President of the Atlantic Council. The panelists for this event will include, Adrienne Arsht, Executive Vice Chair of the Atlantic Council, Julia Nesheiwat, Distinguished Fellow of the Global Energy Center at the Atlantic Council, and Dilpreet Sidhu, Deputy Mayor of International Affairs for the City of Los Angeles, in a discussion moderated by, Samantha Vinograd, Nonresident Senior Fellow of the Adrienne Arsht National Security Resilience Initiative at the Atlantic Council.
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Countering China’s Digital Silk Road: Saudi Arabia
Thursday, September 18th
9:30 AM – 10:30 AM ET
The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is undergoing a historic, technology-driven transformation under Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman’s Vision 2030. As the kingdom transitions from its longtime petro-economy, it imagines nothing less than becoming a regional hub for artificial intelligence (AI), data centers, and emerging technologies. But realizing Vision 2030’s bold ambitions will require foreign partnerships, and the United States and China now compete fiercely to shape the kingdom’s technological trajectory. This event follows the release of a new CNAS report on the Digital Silk Road in Saudi Arabia, the fourth installment in an ongoing CNAS Technology and National Security Program research project assessing the economic and security implications of China’s Digital Silk Road and U.S. efforts to provide a compelling alternative. The speakers will include Mohammed Soliman, Director of Strategic Technologies and Cyber Security Program at the Middle East Institute, Karen House, Pulitzer Prize–winning Journalist, and Mohammed Al-Sudairi, Lecturer in Politics and International Relations at the Centre for Arab and Islamic Studies. The discussion will be moderated by Vivek Chilukuri, Senior Fellow and Program Director of the Technology and National Security Program at CNAS.
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America First, World Second? The Future of US Global Leadership
Thursday, September 18th
6:30 PM – 7:30 PM ET
Donald Trump’s return to the presidency has brought his “America First” approach back to the forefront of U.S. foreign policy. This shift is prompting countries to reassess their relationships with Washington, from trade partnerships to security alliances, as the administration increasingly favors bilateral deals over the international frameworks that have long shaped global governance. How are major powers and allies adapting to this change in American strategy? What does this mean for U.S. global leadership and international cooperation? Join us for a conversation with Julián Ventura, Senior Advisor at the Albright Stonebridge Group, Suzanne Nossel, Principal of Smart Power Strategies, and Leslie Vinjamuri, President & Chief Executive Officer of the Chicago Council on Global Affairs, as they examine how countries are navigating this evolving landscape.
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New Opportunity! Apply For a Scholarship to the WACA National Conference
Each year the World Affairs Council of America (WACA) holds its National Conference in Washington DC. Over the course of the conference, attendees will be able to attend lectures with internationally recognized experts, network with globally engaged peers from around the world, hear from think tank researchers, and even visit an embassy!
If you have participated in WorldBoston’s Green Room Scholars or EducatorQuest program, you are eligible to apply for the chance to attend this conference! WorldBoston will pay for and coordinate your domestic air travel, hotel room, and conference registration. Attendance to the National Conference is a great way to better develop your professional skills, expand your worldview, and network with people working in global affairs.
The National Conference takes place from November 19th to 21st, and attendees are expected to attend all available sessions.
Contact Harrison Zeiberg at hzeiberg@worldboston.org or Sarah Sibley at ssibley@worldboston.org for more information.
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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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BUILDING CULTURES OF REMEMBRANCE (BCOR) PROGRAM
Building Cultures of Remembrance (BCOR) is a reciprocal transatlantic exchange program for individuals who have a professional interest in the intersection of remembrance work and corporate social responsibility (CSR) in Germany and the United States.
Each program year consists of one Germany-focused and one U.S.-focused professional exchange. Participants take part in a study tour in the host country and in their home country, to gain comprehensive knowledge of the transatlantic dimensions of the topic.
In 2025 and 2026, the program will focus on the intersection of remembrance work and Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR). Together, they will explore the role of corporate responsibility in strengthening social cohesion, critically examine the importance of addressing (company) histories, and discuss lessons from the past that can inform both corporate and societal action today.
The U.S. study tour will take place from November 2 to 9, 2025, in Atlanta, GA, and Montgomery, AL (TBC).
The study tour in Germany is scheduled for March 22 to 29, 2026 (TBC). The final dates and locations will be announced shortly.
Applications are being accepted from representatives of the private sector who have a professional interest in remembrance work, as well as remembrance practitioners from civil society and academia who are interested in collaborating with the private sector in the fields of remembrance and civic engagement.
Applications for the 2025/2026 BCOR program are being accepted until September 14, 2025.
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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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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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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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