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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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Wednesday, September 3rd
6:30 PM – 7:30 PM ET
What do ordinary Chinese citizens think about their country's role in the world? For the first time, the Chicago Council, in partnership with the Carter Center and with support from the Dr. Scholl Foundation, has conducted a comprehensive public opinion survey across mainland China to better understand Chinese public sentiment on foreign policy. What role do Chinese citizens see for China in the world? How do they view the U.S., trade relationships, and international cooperation? Join Paul Heer, Nonresident Senior Fellow at the Lester Crown Center on US Foreign Policy, Yawei Liu, Senior Advisor of China Focus at the Carter Center, and Dina Smeltz, Vice President of Public Opinion and Foreign Policy, for a conversation moderated by Leslie Vinjamuri, President & Chief Executive Officer of the Chicago Council, as they discuss the survey's findings and their implications for understanding one of the world's most significant bilateral relationships.
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Thursday, September 4th
11:00 AM – 12:15 PM ET
President Donald Trump is dramatically reshaping U.S. relations with international institutions. He has withdrawn the United States from WHO, UNESCO, the Human Rights Council, and the Paris Climate Agreement; ordered a review of all international treaties and organizations of which the United States is a member; and proposed slashing U.S. funding for the United Nations by more than eighty percent. However, these “America First” moves appear to be out of step with actual U.S. public attitudes. As the UN General Assembly prepares to open its 80th session, please join Carnegie’s Stewart Patrick, Senior Fellow and Director of the Global Order and Institutions Program, in conversation with Steven Kull, director of the Program for Public Consultation, and Suzanne Nossel, former head of PEN America and a longtime analyst of UN affairs. Our speakers will ask what Americans really think about the UN and unpack the arguments being put forward by the administration.
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Dis-organized Diplomacy: State Department Reorg
Thursday, September 4th
1:00 PM ET
The blows to America’s diplomatic corps continue. The latest, under the guise of reorganization, resulted in the layoffs of 1,353 State Department staff. This brings us to a 25 percent loss of our diplomatic force since January 2025. Join AFSA President John “Dink” Dinkelman and Rohit Nepal, diplomat and AFSA Vice President – leaders of the professional association representing America’s diplomats – for a candid conversation about what is happening inside the State Department, how the workforce is coping, and what these cuts mean for America’s role in the world. Bring your questions. This is a rare opportunity to hear directly from those navigating the crisis.
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Global Changemakers Salon
Thursday, September 4th
5:30 PM – 7:30 PM ET
The Global Changemakers Salon is your opportunity to connect with leaders, professionals, students, and community members who are shaping the future of international development. Building on our successful annual networking series, this event will celebrate and amplify the international development work happening right here in Greater Boston. Featuring a fireside chat with seasoned international development professionals, and ample networking possibilities with individuals and organizations, this event is a must-attend for anyone in or interested in the international development space. The Panelists will include Constance Kane, Executive Director of Women Changemakers for Education and Daniela Gissara, Assistant Director of International Partnerships for the Perkins School for the Blind.
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Friday, September 5th
10:30 AM ET
As AI systems become increasingly integral to national security, economic competitiveness, and democratic governance, ensuring trustworthy infrastructure and resilient supply chains has become essential. This discussion will explore strategies to measure, communicate, and govern the trustworthiness of critical AI components: data, models, semiconductors, data centers, talent, and capital. Speakers Kemba Walden, President of the Paladin Global Institute and Sarah Myers West, Co-Executive Director of the AI Now Institute, will address questions around building resilient AI ecosystems, managing technological dependencies, ensuring transparency in AI development, and fostering international cooperation while maintaining competitive advantages. The conversation will be moderated by Trey Herr, Senior Director of the Cyber Statecraft Initiative at the Atlantic Council.
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Friday, September 5th
3:00 PM – 4:00 PM ET
Join the World Affairs Council of Seattle for this discussion on global trade. The U.S. dollar has long served as the bedrock of global finance. In recent years, however, assertive economic policies and the growing use of financial leverage as a geopolitical tool have led other nations to question their dependence on the dollar—and on the U.S. as a financial safe haven. Could this trend accelerate the dollar’s decline as the world’s dominant reserve currency? And what would that shift mean for global power and economic stability? Dr. Radhika Desai, Professor at the Department of Political Studies and Director of the Geopolitical Economy Research Group at the University of Manitoba, will examine the future of the dollar in a rapidly evolving global landscape with Dr. Carla Norrlöf, Professor of Political Science at the University of Toronto, in a discussion moderated by Dr. Spencer Cohen, principal and founder of High Peak Strategy LLC.
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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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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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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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