Gala Success, National Conference, Education, & International Visitors

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2017 – One World Gala to benefit Greater Cincinnati students

We couldn’t do what we do without the support of everyone who sponsored, supported, and attended our Gala. A world of thanks to all of our 2017 sponsors:

TITLE SPONSOR: Carol Ann & Ralph V. Haile, Jr./U.S. Bank Foundation

AMBASSADOR SPONSOR: Dover Foundation

DIPLOMAT SPONSORS: UBS Financial Services, Inc., Downtown Cincinnati Graydon, Head, & Ritchey LLP University of Cincinnati, International Miami University Global Initiatives UBS Financial Services, Inc., The Towers at Kenwood Miami University Department of Political Science DHL Express MCM CPAs & Advisors Richard Lauf, Ph.D.

GLOBAL CITIZEN SPONSORS: RiverPoint Capital Management, Anonymous, Anonymous

GLOBAL TEACHER SPONSORS: Cincinnati World Cinema, Anonymous

Thank you to all of you who joined and supported us in February for our 2017 “One World Gala”! The Greater Cincinnati World Affairs Council celebrated in style with over 175 community members from our region and the world. Congratulations to our top 3 teams: Czech-ing our Sources, Bearcat Brainiacs sponsored by University of Cincinnati International, and G8 sponsored by UBS Financial Services Downtown.

Please visit our Facebook page to see more photos from our signature annual event!

Click here for Gala Photos

Global Ties U.S. National Conference attended by GCWAC

Michelle Harpenau, Executive Director, and Arnela Zekic, Programs Manager, along with GCWAC Executive Board Member, Catharina Toltzis spent a few days in February in Washington D.C. at the Global Ties U.S. 2017 conference! As GCWAC is a member of Global Ties U.S., it is always a pleasure to spend time with colleagues from across the U.S. and the world to build global ties.

Michelle Harpenau, Arnela Zekic, and Dr. Catharina Toltzis

The Global Ties U.S. National Meeting is the premier gathering of organizations, U.S. government agencies, and leaders in the international exchange field. Held each year in Washington, DC, the National Meeting brings together nearly 1,000 participants over four dynamic days to gain high-level insights on trends affecting our field, engage in in-depth professional development opportunities, and build networks to strengthen international exchange with 45+ organizations exhibiting in our meeting hub.

At this year’s meeting, Michelle Harpenau was proud to showcase the work of the GCWAC by presenting on the topic of “Disability Programming for International Engagement” in partnership with Erin Riehle, Founder of ProjectSEARCH, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center; Rebecca Berman, World Learning; and Ann Cody, Senior Foreign Affairs Officer, US Department of State. In addition, Michelle presented on the topic of “Fee for Service Best Practices” in partnership with Dr. Christopher Washington, Provost & Senior Vice President, Academic Affairs, Franklin University & Meg Clifford Poole, Meridian International Center.

Trivia with Northern Kentucky University International Students

GCWAC hosted international trivia competition with Northern Kentucky University’s international in February! Similar to the Academic WorldQuest competition, the Council will work with a college or a business to host a Global Trivia night on campus for students or at a local business for staff! In this game there are no losers. Everyone wins by learning fun facts about our world that you did not know!

 

Good luck in D.C. to Indian Hill High School competing in national Academic WorldQuest

Academic WorldQuest, a flagship program of the World Affairs Councils of America that engages more than 4,000 high school students annually across the U.S. to test their knowledge of global issues and foreign policy. The national competition is attended by more than 225 of the nation’s most promising high school students, along with their parents, teachers, and chaperones. The 5-hour AWQ competition is a unique opportunity for many students to visit the nation’s capital for the first time. Indian Hill High School will represent the Greater Cincinnati area in the competition.

“Mr. and Mrs. Alvarez’s generosity is an inspiring affirmation of the purpose of Academic WorldQuest – to offer young people a fun and interactive way to learn about critical challenges facing the U.S. and the world – and their gift will enable WACA to sustain and expand the Academic WorldQuest national competition while enhancing support for educational programs provided by 96 local nonprofit World Affairs Councils,” says Bill Clifford, WACA President and CEO. “They truly understand the value of educating and engaging the public, and especially students, in international affairs and we are incredibly grateful for their commitment. Read More 

 Global Partners: Thank you for hosting visitors through the U.S. Department of State International Visitor Leadership Program!

University of Cincinnati meeting with “Our Planet” delegation

Four visitors from Bosnia & Herzegovina, Jordan, Malaysia, and United Kingdom came to the Greater Cincinnati area through the U.S. Department of Sate’s International Visitor Leadership Program (IVLP) entitled “Our Planet Urban Sustainability: Resilient Cities” to examine efforts to increase the adaptive capacity of urban populations to respond to climate change, examine implementation of various sustainable practices that lower emissions, and examine international cooperation driving urban action. Thank you to the City of Cincinnati Office of Sustainability, Duke Energy, US Department of Agriculture, University of Cincinnati, Xavier University, Cincinnati Zoo, and Rumpke for meeting with the delegation.

Three visitors from Serbia came to the Greater Cincinnati area through the U.S. Department of Sate’s International Visitor Leadership Program (IVLP) entitled “Small Business & Entrepreneurship Development” to discuss municipal support for SMEs and entrepreneurship, initiatives to advance minority and women-owned SMEs, the role of incubators, and banking support for small businesses. Thank you to the Kentucky Innovation Network, Northern Kentucky University, PNC Bank, Queen City Angels, Port of Greater Cincinnati Development Authority, City of Cincinnati Department of Business Inclusion, INTERalliance of Greater Cincinnati, and Cincinnati USA Regional Chamber of Commerce Minority Business Accelerator for meeting with the delegation.

Saudi Arabia delegation meeting with Justice Patrick Fischer of the Ohio Supreme Court at Graydon, Head, and Ritchey LLP with John Pinney

Nine visitors from Saudi Arabia came to the Greater Cincinnati area through the U.S. Department of Sate’s International Visitor Leadership Program (IVLP) entitled “Rule of Law & Judicial Reform” to discuss Federal District and Appellate Courts, role of media in criminal and legal proceedings, and legal arbitration to facilitate fair business practices. Thank you to Legal Aid Society, Justice Patrick Fischer of the Ohio Supreme Court, Matthew 25 Ministries, Graydon, Head, & Ritchey LLP, University of Cincinnati, and National Underground Railroad Freedom Center for meeting with the delegation.

Four visitors from Indonesia came to the Greater Cincinnati area through the U.S. Department of Sate’s International Visitor Leadership Program (IVLP) entitled “Sustainable & Livable Cities: Smart Cities” to discuss public art and urban planning & urban planning and technology. Thank you to ArtWorks Cincinnati, University of Cincinnati, and Nexigen for meeting with the delegation.

Upcoming Events

March 24-25, 2017 | Model United Nations with University of Cincinnati – Learn more here! 

March 29, 2017 | US Foreign Policy – What is it now? with moderators Todd Schwartz, Executive Director, European American Chamber of Commerce & James Buchanan, Executive Director, Edward B. Brueggeman Center for Dialogue: RSVP by calling 513-651-6111 – GCWAC, FPLC, Brueggeman, Indian Hill Historical Society  members $25 / guests $30


Prepared by Greater Cincinnati World Affairs Council staff

The Greater Cincinnati World Affairs Council (GCWAC) is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization that builds global understanding and promotes international awareness through education, information and exchange of people and ideas. We work in cooperation with the government, companies, as well as cultural and educational bodies.

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