May 29, 2018

WACA Weekly

This Week: Inside Gaza on KNOW NOW Thursday; FPA Centennial Dinner; Council Highlights

Thursday KNOW NOW: Inside Gaza

The Israel-Palestine conflict has reached yet another inflection point.

What's next for this protracted conflict? Is hope lost for a peaceful resolution? Is there an end in sight?

Yousef Bashir, a Gaza-born peace activist, will join WACA for a special KNOW NOW program, Inside Gaza, to shed light on these complex questions.

Born in the Gaza Strip, Yousef was paralyzed from the waist down at age 15 after being shot in the spine by an Israeli soldier. During an agonizing recovery at a hospital in Tel Aviv, Yousef was inspired to become a peacemaker by his father’s message of coexistence. Bashir holds a BA in International Affairs from Northeastern University and an MA in Coexistence and Conflict from Brandeis University. His experience includes serving as Congressional Intern, a Partnership for a Secure America Scoville Fellow, and partaking in the Seeds of Peace and Kids 4 Peace programs. His story has been featured on media outlets such as NPR and The Washington Post. Currently, Yousef works on Congressional Affairs for the Chief Representative of the PLO to the U.S. He will release a memoir, The Words of My Father, in late September of this year.

Join the May KNOW NOW call this Thursday, May 31, from 2:00-2:30 PM ET.

Foreign Policy Association Holds Centennial Dinner

Inge Thulin

Chairman, President, CEO, 3M

Foreign Policy Association (FPA) will host its 2018 Centennial Annual Dinner on Thursday, May 31.

FPA will present its Corporate Social Responsibility Award to Inge Thulin, President, Chairman, and CEO of 3M, and to Darius Adamczyk, Chairman and CEO of Honeywell.

Darius Adamczyk

Chairman and CEO, Honeywell

FPA will also recognize the work of William R. Rhodes, President and CEO of William R. Rhodes Global Advisors, LLC, and Sana Sabbagh, for their lifetime of philanthropy and work in international affairs education. Both Rhodes and Sabbagh are Directors of the Foreign Policy Association.

Welcome, Summer Interns!

Please join WACA in welcoming our two summer Program and Outreach Interns, Anna Bonsu and Kemal Taban!

Anna graduated Cum Laude with a BA in international studies and political science from Old Dominion University in May 2018. At ODU, she was a member of the International Studies and Political Science National Honor Societies, and served in an executive role at the organization Global Learning ODU. Anna spent her junior year in Seoul, South Korea. She previously interned on a campaign for the 2017 Virginia state election.

Kemal is a rising junior at The College of William and Mary, majoring in international relations and minoring in economics. He is active on campus and serves as Treasurer of the Muslim Student Association and Undersecretary of Diversity Initiatives on the Student Assembly. Kemal has previously worked at the American Psychological Association and with several political campaigns.

Are you a current university student, interested in joining the WACA team? We hire driven, internationally engaged students for fall, spring, and summer terms. Please check our employment page for timelines and information on how to apply!

WorldBoston Is Hiring!

WorldBoston is hiring a Manager of Operations and Global Education Programs!

Council Highlights

Tuesday, May 29

World Affairs Council of Maine hosts Judith Fergin, former U.S. Ambassador to the Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste, for “Asia-Pacific Views of the U.S. and Why They Matter.” Details

Wednesday, May 30

World Affairs Council of Greater Houston hosts James Clapper, former U.S. Director of National Intelligence, to discuss his book, Facts and Fears: Hard Truths from a Life in Intelligence. Details 

World Affairs Council of Dallas/Fort Worth hosts Paula Minnis, Founder of GAIA, for “How a Social Entrepreneur Is Helping Resettled Refugees One Pouch at a Time…” Details

World Affairs Council of New Hampshire hosts Dean Spiliotes, Civic Scholar in the School of Arts and Sciences at Southern New Hampshire University, for a film screening and discussion of The Final Year. Details

Thursday, May 31

World Affairs (Northern California) hosts Fran Ulmer, Chair of the United States Arctic Research Commission, for “After the Arctic Ice Melts.” Details

World Affairs Council of Dallas/Fort Worth hosts James Clapper, former U.S. Director of National Intelligence, to discuss his book, Facts and Fears: Hard Truths from a Life in Intelligence. Details

San Diego World Affairs Council hosts Y Pang Tsui, inventor and developer of engineering processes for manufacturing, for “Hong Kong: Reintegration into China.” Details

Santa Fe Council on International Relations hosts Rob Reider, former SFCIR Board Member, to discuss his books, The Genius Club and American Scream. Details

World Affairs Council of Western Michigan hosts Michael Hershman, President and CEO of the Fairfax Group, for “Global Corruption: Overview and Navigation for U.S. Businesses.” Details

World Affairs Council of Western Michigan hosts William Garvelink, former U.S. Ambassador to the Democratic Republic of the Congo, for “Global Trends in International Relations: Pandemics, Corruption, and Failed States.” Details

Travel the World with WAC Philadelphia

Travel with Council Leaders - hear them lecture on Travel the World tours from the World Affairs Council of Philadelphia!

2018 travel schedule includes trips to: 

·     Craig Snyder, President and CEO, World Affairs Council of Philadelphia, Poland & Moscow Seminar: July 14-22

·     Jim Falk, President and CEO, World Affairs Council of Dallas/Fort Worth, Cruise the Rhine, July 11-29

·     Megan Torrey, CEO, World Affairs Council of Connecticut, Himalayan Kingdoms, Sept. 11-25

·     Dixie Anderson, Executive Director Emerita, World Affairs Council of Western Michigan, Romance of the Douro River: Sept. 15-26

·     Joyce Davis, President, World Affairs Council of Harrisburg, Town & Country Life in Languedoc: Oct. 6-14

·     Don Samford, Board President, Peoria Area World Affairs Council, Cuba: Nov. 4-12

·     Megan Torrey, CEO, World Affairs Council of Connecticut, South East Asia: Jan. 29 - Feb. 11, 2019

·     Mimi Gregory, Vice President of Programs, Naples Council on World Affairs, Grand Seine: June 30 - July 18, 2019

·     Dr. Carla Thorson, Senior Vice President of Programs, World Affairs, Northern California, Arctic Expedition: June 21 - July 1, 2019

·     Derrick Olsen, President, WorldOregon, Trade Routes of Coastal Iberia: Oct. 13-21, 2019

Contact www.wacphila.org/travel or call 1-800-942-5004, ext. 209 or 217.