Thursday, January 26

 TOWN HALL
What Should the U.S. Do in the Middle East?

Registration: 5 PM; Program: 5:30 PM;

Reception to follow program

FREE; ADVANCE REGISTRATION REQUESTED

Walker Auditorium, Frost Hall, Southern New Hampshire University, 2500 N. River Road, Manchester NH 03106

A new year, a new administration, and a new look at critical issues facing the U.S. Join the World Affairs Council of New Hampshire for our first event of the year! Following the Presidential Inauguration, we will hold a Town Hall event, exploring the challenges facing President-Elect Trump and his administration in the Middle Ease, including ISIS, the conflict in Syria and the future of the Iran nuclear deal. On Thursday, January 26 at 5:30 PM at Southern New Hampshire University, special guests will examine what comes next for the U.S and its allies in the most turbulent region of the world. Panelists include Dr. Jessica T. Mathews, former President of the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, Ambassador Jim Smith, former Ambassador to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, and Colonel Wil Zemp, former Senior Policy Advisor to the Commander, International Security Forces – Afghanistan, and current Chief of Staff at SNHU. Register now!

A Program of the World Affairs Councils of America

MEMBERSHIP MATTERS

Make a Resolution to Connect with the World!

Join a community of more than 300 globally-minded Granite Staters, receive unique benefits, and support our (mostly free) educational programs this year! Stand with us in solidarity as we continue to connect you and your community with the world.

JOIN NOW!

P.S. WE did it! With your generous contributions, we surpassed our fundraising goal by raising more than $6,000 for the 2016 Annual Fund! A sincere thank you to members and donors who invested in our mission last year.

Latest news:

Council Announces Academic WorldQuest Keynote Speaker & Presenting Sponsors

 Registration Now Open!

The World Affairs Council of New Hampshire is proud to announce that Dylan Mahalingam - philanthropist, activist and social entrepreneur - will be the keynote speaker for this year's 3rd annual NH Academic WorldQuest competition. Dylan is best know for founding Lil' MDG's, a global non-profit organization at the age of 9.  We are also excited to announce our two presenting sponsors - Pax World and McLane Middleton- and thank these companies for their incredible support! Registration for Academic WorldQuest competition is now open! This team competition tests high school students' knowledge of global issues and foreign policy.  If you know any high school teachers or students, please let them know about this unique and exciting opportunity to expand their global knowledge in a fun yet competitive atmosphere. The competition will be held on Sunday, March 12, 2017, at Southern New Hampshire University. Team registration is due by February 12.

THANK YOU ACADEMIC WORLDQUEST SPONSORS!

 MORE INFORMATION HERE!

New Hampshire Volunteers Visit Estonia to Exchange Ideas with Former International Visitors

When the topic of refugee resettlement comes up, Estonia isn't the first place that comes to mind. However, with the mass influx of refugees to the continent, Estonia, along with the European Union, has agreed to accept some international refugees into their region. With this in mind, a group of 10 Estonians visited New Hampshire last year through the US Department of State’s International Visitor Leadership Program to learn about integrating refugees into schools and communities.

During their time in New Hampshire, the group found two of the meetings particularly useful and wanted to further the discussions on these programs back home. This past October, they invited Jodi Harper of the Granite State United Way's BRING IT program (above, right) and Anna-Marie DiPasquale (above, left), Concord High School’s Social Worker, to speak at a conference on refugee resettlement in Estonia. While both Jodi and Anna-Marie were extremely busy, they took this “opportunity of a lifetime” to visit another country and share their expertise in the field. Their schedule in Estonia provided several opportunities for them to engage with local people and explain how things are done in New Hampshire.

Following their presentations, Jodi and Anna-Marie both noticed that some were resistant to implementing their suggested changes, but that conversations started to bring people around to the ideas. Also, they helped the Estonian participants to think things through on issues the US just takes for granted, such as multiple menu choices at school lunch to accommodate dietary restrictions, and using the term "New Estonians" rather than refugees.

In the end, both Jodi and Anna-Marie loved this experience and hope to encounter more opportunities to be Citizen Diplomats. Not only did this trip benefit the people of Estonia, but both of them now have a wider world view, as well as many students at Concord High School who now feel more empowered than ever. Read the full recap on our blog or check out this article from the Concord Monitor.

 Former Council Team Members Recognized

Aseeb Niazi (left), former Council Intern and Program Manager, was recently selected as a Rangel Fellow. The Charles B. Rangel International Affairs Program is a unique program that promotes greater diversity and excellence in the U.S. Foreign Service. The program was named to honor Congressman Rangel for his longstanding and vocal support for showing the world the diversity that is the strength of America, as well as his example of global leadership.

The Rangel Program offers thirty graduate fellowships to outstanding seniors and college graduates who want to join the Foreign Service. These fellowships help finance two-year graduate programs, provide paid internships and other professional development activities, and facilitate entry into the Foreign Service for individuals who are able to complete the Foreign Service entry requirements. Congratulations, Aseeb!

Kristine Adams (right), our 2016 Spring intern and recent graduate of St. Anselm College, was selected to participate in the Emerging Leaders Program through Global Ties U.S.  Participants in this program are invited to participate in the 2017 Global Ties U.S. National Meeting (Washington D.C.) to be held in February, as well as take part in specially designed programs to advance their professional development and widen their network, including meetings with leaders in the field of public diplomacy and unprecedented networking opportunities.  Kristine will have a chance to reconnect with our Director, Anna Berry, and Associate Director, Tim Horgan, at the conference. Congratulations, Kristine!

Book Review: The Long Game by Derek Chollet

BY DAVID SANOK

Editor's Note: Derek Chollet spoke to the World Affairs Council of New Hampshire last November about his recent book, "The Long Game," and our intern, David, reviewed the book for our January 2017 e-newsletter. His opinions do not represent an endorsement by the Council.

Derek Chollet's book The Long Game examines the foreign policy legacy of President Barack Obama. Chollet makes the case that Obama's decisions in foreign policy were largely successful in keeping the United States out of another war. Having worked under the Obama administration as an insider, Chollet is able to provide a closer look at the foreign policy decisions made behind closed doors as well as an in-depth analysis of the situations Obama faced at the world stage such as Syria, Russia, Afghanistan, Iraq, and Libya. Chollet's book analyzes not just Obama's approach to foreign policy crisis’s, but also the circumstances that lead to America electing a president like Obama. Chollet examines how the Bush presidency conducted foreign policy prior to Obama and why the regime change philosophy of the Bush administration lead to many voters wanting a change. READ MORE ON OUR BLOG

Photo Gallery:

International Visitors from Sri Lanka studying Higher Education spent Thanksgiving day with Council Board Member Ginny Szymanowsky, and her husband, Joe (far right), an example of citizen diplomacy at its finest! Are you interested in hosting these emerging international leaders in your home for dinner and conversation? Become a citizen diplomat today!  Find out who will be visiting our state next here.

Community Events Calendar

Great Decisions

Foreign Policy Discussion Group

FREE 8-week course  @ Portsmouth Public Library

Tuesdays: January 10 - February 28;  10-11:15 AM or 7-8:15 PM

More information:  Call  603-766-1720 to register

Adilei: An Evening of Traditional Georgian Music

Friday, January 20 at 3S Artspace in Portsmouth 

8PM - Tickets: $9/ $5 Students

More information & tickets

SAVE THE DATE: Wednesday, March 8

International Women's Day

Stay tuned for details on all of the festivities and educational programs to be offered at SNHU! Find out how you can join the movement to #BeBoldforChange in 2017.

* Events listed here and on our website are not necessarily endorsed or supported by WACNH but we like to share information that might be of interest from other community organizations! To see all upcoming events, visit our Community Events page online and follow us on Facebook! *

World Affairs Council of New Hampshire              
SNHU - 2500 North River Road -  Manchester - NH - 01306

www.wacnh.org - 603.314.7970 -  council@wacnh.org

Copyright © 2016 WORLD AFFAIRS COUNCIL OF NH.   All rights reserved.

You are receiving this message because you are a member More informationor friend of WACNH. To remove yourself from our list, email council@wacnh.org with "unsubscribe" as subject or click "unsubscribe" below.

NEXT WEEK:
World Affairs at the Library with Stephen Walt on Tuesday, December 13 at Portsmouth Public Library

Join us at for our last event of the year! We've partnered with the Portsmouth Public Library to bring Dr. Stephen Walt to the seacoast on Tuesday, December 13 at 7 PM.
For the first time in recent memory, large numbers of Americans are openly questioning their country’s strategy when it comes to international affairs. An April 2016 Pew poll found that 57 percent of Americans agree that the United States should “deal with its own problems and let others deal with theirs the best they can." Walt, the Robert and Renee Belfer Professor of International Affairs at the Harvard Kennedy School of Government, will share his ideas on what the United States' global strategy should be.   
Stephen Walt is a contributing editor at Foreign Policy magazine, co-chair of the editorial board of International Security, and co-editor of the Cornell Studies in Security Affairs book series.  He is also the author of multiple books.  His most recent book, The Israel Lobby and U.S. Foreign Policy (co-authored with John J. Mearsheimer) was a New York Times best-seller and has been translated into more than twenty foreign languages.  

This event will take place at 7 PM in the Levenson Community Room at the Portsmouth Public Library - 175 Parrott Ave, Portsmouth. World Affairs at the Library events are free and open to the public.

SAVE THE DATE: 

Thursday, January 26, 2017

TOWN HALL: AMERICAN POLICY IN THE MIDDLE EAST UNDER THE NEW ADMINISTRATION

Join the World Affairs Council of New Hampshire for a special program on the challenges facing President-Elect Donald Trump and his administration in the Middle East, including ISIS, the conflict in Syria and the future of the Iran nuclear deal. What should the U.S. and its allies do next in the world's most troubled region? Panelists, including Dr. Jessica T. Matthews, former President of the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, and Jim Smith, former U.S. Ambassador to Saudi Arabia, will weigh options and dangers ahead followed by community discussion.

Registration: 5 PM; Program: 5:30 PM; Reception to follow program

FREE; ADVANCE REGISTRATION REQUESTED

Walker Auditorium, Frost Hall, Southern New Hampshire University, 2500 N. River Road, Manchester NH 03106

A Program of the World Affairs Councils of America

Upcoming Programs - 2016 CALENDAR

Latest news:

Derek Chollet shares his views on US Foreign Policy: The Very Recent Past and the Not-So-Distant Future

By David Sanok, Council Intern  - The World Affairs Council of NH hosted its final Global Tipping Points event of the year on November 15 at UNH Manchester. About 80 people came out to hear Derek Chollet's talk, which addressed the strengths of Obama’s decisions in foreign affairs over the past eight years and speculated on how the incoming Trump administration may impact Obama’s achievements. Chollet served for 6 years during the Obama Administration in senior positions at the White House, State Department and Pentagon, and as the US Assistant Secretary of Defense for International Security Affairs. These experiences inspired his new book The Long Game: How Obama Defied Washington and Redefined America's Role in the World.

Chollet praised Obama for his bold yet cautious approach when confronted with international crisis’s and defended the administration’s handling of Syria, Russia, Ukraine, and Iran. Chollet pointed to Obama's handling of the “red line” situation Syria as a success rather than a failure because Obama convinced the Syrian president to hand over chemical weapons without having to go to war. He also highlighted the President’s use of sanctions on specific Russian officials and the negotiation of the Iran deal to phase out Iran’s nuclear program as examples of achieving foreign policy goals without using military force.

Chollet expressed a mixture of worry and uncertainty as to whether Obama's foreign policy achievements would survive under the administration of President-Elect Donald Trump. Trump’s demonstrated tendency to quickly change positions makes it uncertain as to what course of action he ultimately will take. Chollet emphasized that the gains made by Obama and his legacy in terms of foreign policy may very well be diminished, or at the least altered by his successor. Watch for an in-depth review of Chollet's book coming next month in the dispatch!

The Annual Fund: Help Us Bring the World to NH

Collected: $4,170  -  Goal:$5,000 - DONATE NOW!

We're currently at 83% of our fundraising goal for the Annual Fund - that leaves us with $830 left to raise!  Please consider making a donation by December 31 to help support the World Affairs Council of NH, our mission, and our programs!  THANK YOU!!

Seacoast Library Talk Explores Details of Israeli- Palestinian Conflict 

By Doaa Shabana, Council Intern - In partnership with the World Affairs Council of NH, the Portsmouth Public Library hosted Dov Waxman, Professor of Political Science, International Affairs, and Israel Studies at Northeastern University, on Tuesday, October 25 .

Waxman discussed why Obama’s administration failed to solve the Israeli-Palestinian conflict over eight years, asserting that it wasn’t for a lack of trying.  "His time in office will be remembered as the time in which the possibility of a two state solution effectively ended," Waxman said.

Also, he elaborated on factors that caused a slow down in the peace process, including both Israeli and Palestinian political unwillingness to solve the conflict, and other problems in the Middle East that have taken attention away from the Israeli-Palestinian issue.

The event had about 70 attendee, who were very engaged with the topic. A lot of questions were asked by the audience, such as how the Arab spring affected the the peace process, the rise of the Islamic state and his predictions about the future of the conflict. Waxman said that he’s not very optimistic about the Israeli-Palestinian conflict being solved anytime soon, with the status quo prevailing.

Academic WorldQuest Registration Now Open!

Registration for our 3rd annual Academic WorldQuest competition is now open! This team competition tests high school students' knowledge of global issues and foreign policy.  If you know any high school teachers or students, please let them know about this unique and exciting opportunity to expand their global knowledge in a fun yet competitive atmosphere. The competition will be held on Sunday, March 12, 2017, at Southern New Hampshire University.

 MORE INFORMATION HERE!

Photo Gallery:

Council Executive Director Anna Berry, President Steve Solomon and Treasurer Andy Supplee all attended the World Affairs Councils of America National Conference in Washington D.C. in November. They attended many panel discussions, such as the one above on countering extremism.  Photo - @WACAmerica

International Visitors from Malta, in NH to study the US Elections, get the chance to speak with State Senator Donna Soucy at the NH Joint Democratic Campaign Office.  

The Maltese visitors, on a tour at WMUR's studios, pause to take a photo with anchor Erin Fehlau.

International Opportunities for Teachers & Students

TEACHERS: Study trip to the United Arab Emirates

The World Affairs Council of Dallas/Fort Worth invites educators from around the United States to apply for an expenses-paid study trip to the United Arab Emirates on March 11-19, 2017. The program is supported by the UAE Embassy in Washington, D.C. 

As many as a dozen 6th-12th grade educators from North Texas and across the U.S. may be selected for the trip that begins with a one-day get-acquainted workshop at the UAE Embassy in DC on March 10. Participants then travel to the UAE, a nation of more than 9 million people with a globally respected education system.

Applications will be accepted until 5:30 PM (CST) on Thursday, December 15.  Submit applications to Amy Miller, Director of Education at the World Affairs Council of Dallas/Fort Worth, at amiller@dfwworld.org.

STUDENTS:

High school:

 The Congress-Bundestag Youth Exchange Program (CBYX) offers merit-based scholarships for to study for an academic year in Germany. The program was established in 1983 to celebrate German-American friendship based on common values of democracy. Students live with host families, attend local schools, and participate in community life in Germany. For more information and application deadlines, visit the organization in charge of recruitment for your state at usagermanyscholarship.org. Deadline for NH students is December 12.

Undergraduate:

Cultural Vistas Fellowship, a funded professional development program, is now accepting applications for the 2017 program year! The Cultural Vistas Fellowship is an 8-week summer internship program that gives undergraduate students who have not yet participated in a formal study or internship abroad program the opportunity to gain practical work experience in Argentina, Germany or India. The Cultural Vistas Fellowship is open to students in all fields who can demonstrate their interest in or commitment to advancing their career goals, developing global competencies, and experiencing life in another culture. Application Deadline is January 6.

Community Events Calendar

TONIGHT! Wednesday, December 7 at 5:30 PM

Going Global Entrepreneur Forum

Laconia-based Orion Entrance Control, Inc. will be the featured presenter at the next Entrepreneur Forum, one of the Council’s marquee events. The kick-off theme will be “going global,” an issue Orion faces as the company looks to expand its reach to the worldwide market.

FIRST, 200 Bedford Street, Manchester, NH 03101

MORE INFO

Friday, December 9, 12 - 1:30PM

Opportunities for the New President and Congress:  A Discussion on How to Address the Nation's Fiscal Challenges

Brown bag lunch and panel discussion with Former US congressmen for NH Charles Bass, Paul Hodes, William H. Zeliff and Ambassador George Bruno.

Co-sponsored by The Concord Coalition and the Warren B. Rudman Center

The Rich Room, Warren B. Rudman Center at UNH School of Law (2 White St. Concord)

Details and Event RSVP

* Events listed here and on our website are not necessarily endorsed or supported by WACNH but we like to share information that might be of interest from other community organizations! To see all upcoming events, visit our Community Events page online and follow us on Facebook! *

World Affairs Council of New Hampshire              
SNHU - 2500 North River Road -  Manchester - NH - 01306

www.wacnh.org - 603.314.7970 -  council@wacnh.org

Copyright © 2016 WORLD AFFAIRS COUNCIL OF NH.   All rights reserved.

You are receiving this message because you are a member or friend of WACNH. To remove yourself from our list, email council@wacnh.org with "unsubscribe" as subject or click "unsubscribe" below.