Last Month: Art Meets World, Teacher Training, & World Leaders
Board Member of the Month: Robert Betz
Robert T. Betz retired as the President of Cognis Corp in 2002 and has previously worked with different chemical and technical companies. He holds a Masters in Business Administration and a Bachelor of Science in Chemical Engineering from the University of Cincinnati. Robert Betz served as the Chair of the Board of Directors for the World Affairs Council and is currently on the Board of the World Affairs Council – Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky. Mr. Betz is married with two children, three granddaughters, and a grandson and lives with his wife, Taffy, in Cincinnati.
He, along with the rest of the Board steer us towards a sustainable future by making sure our nonprofit has adequate resources to advance our impact to promote global competence in our community.
Meet our new Intern
Please join us in welcoming our new Global Programs Intern, Amanda Brandner!
Amanda recently joined our team for the Fall semester of 2018. She will coordinate with local schools in attempts to create a global classroom conducive of cultural understanding and respect in our ever-globalizing world.
Amanda is passionate about facilitating cultural understanding and respect and believes that global education is the best tool to create international understanding in our local community.
Currently, she is a Junior at Northern Kentucky University and is double majoring in History and Secondary Social Studies Education. Her goal is to teach abroad in multiple countries and cultures, then return to the United States synthesizing what she has learned to create a global classroom that promotes cultural awareness and respect, ultimately creating productive global citizens. Amanda has traveled to Mexico City, Mexico, as well as Lima, Peru. She hopes to travel back to Latin America as well as other countries including but not limited to Kenya, Uganda, Zambia, Japan, and Indonesia to further understand their culture and their influence on global education.
The Future of The Arctic
On October 16th the Council launched the first event to our series, The Future of… Dr. Robert Rich, former Executive Director of the Arctic Research Consortium of the United States (ARCUS). Dr. Robert Rich shared his findings of the Arctic system and its linkages to the Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky region. He also discussed the researchers trying to understand the system as it changes, and the importance of making connections across boundaries through communication, coordination, and collaboration in support of Arctic research. During his time in Cincinnati, he had the opportunity to visit Winton Woods High School, where he met with Josh Amstutz 9th grade students and discussed the current status of the Arctic region.
“The Future of the Arctic” was part of the World Affairs Council – Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky’s Fall Series. Interested in attending our future events? Sign up Today
French Sojourn with Michelle Harpenau
Join this exclusive, nine-day French sojourn in world-famous Provence and in the Burgundy and Beaujolais wine regions during the best time of year.
Cruise from Provençal Arles to historic Lyon along the fabled Rhône and Saône Rivers aboard the deluxe AMADEUS PROVENCE, launched in 2017.
Dock in the heart of port towns and visit the wonderfully preserved Roman Amphitheater in Arles, the medieval Papal Palace of Avignon, the Roman city of Orange and the legendary Hôtel-Dieu in Beaune. Enjoy a walking tour of Lyon and an excursion to the Beaujolais vineyards for a private wine tasting at the Château Montmelas.
From $3,995 per person – a savings of $1,000 if you book by December 4! Learn More
Volunteer at our International Education Summit
The International Education Summit (IES) is a program designed to raise student awareness about global careers in Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky. Professionals represent diverse expertise from governmental, community, business, and nonprofit organizations. Representatives of local universities are in attendance as well to inform students of study abroad opportunities. Each year, a different global topic is chosen and experts in that field discuss their role in approaching the issue.
This year we are so excited to work with AquiSense as they prepare a project based on our new theme: water!
Interested in sharing your global expertise with local High School students?
Join us as a Speed Networker this November at our International Education Summit on Thursday, November 15th from 10 am – 11 am or 11 am – 12 pm.
Contact Arnela Hepner, ahepner@cincyworldaffairs.org for more information.
Art Meets World: India and China
The Global Classrooms program has expanded to incorporate art education projects, transforming classroom presentations into experiential learning activities. To further develop intercultural understanding and awareness of being a good global citizen, students will meet with people from our community from Japan, China, Mexico, and India then together, they will create an art project respective to each country. With an intentional focus to collaborate with Northern Kentucky schools, over 800 elementary students will celebrate cultural diversity and inclusion in our community. In May 2019 with our school partners, we will host a global showcase for parents, students, volunteer artists, and the community to see the progress of this new program.
Due to the generosity of the community contributions to the ArtsWave campaign, the project is partially funded!
India and the art of Rangoli
Our Global Guide’s, Prateek Srivastava and Jerome Thomas presented India and the art of Rangoli to third, fourth, and fifth-grade students in Northern Kentucky elementary schools. The spoke about the cultural and regional significance of rangoli. Rangoli is created on the occasion of Diwali, the festival of lights, to welcome prosperity, health, and joy in one’s home. Following the presentation, students made their own colorful and creative rangolis.
China and Chinese Lanterns
Our Global Guide’s, Angel Siyuan He and Jin Kong presented China in Northern Kentucky Elementary schools. They spoke about China and the significance of Chinese Lanterns in the Chinese culture and the spirit it holds in the festivals. Angel gifted the student’s beautiful panda bookmarks and red Chinese envelopes, which is a custom to give children during the Chinese new year. Students were amazed by looking at the art pieces and the Chinese currency that Jin brought into the class to make students better understand Chinese culture and daily life.
Seeking volunteers to be Global Guides from China, Japan, India, and Mexico. Register here.
Teacher Training at Villa Madonna
The World Affairs Council hosted a teacher training for Villa Madonna Academy elementary teachers in Northern Kentucky with workshop hosts Mary Ann Buchino and Bob Herring, esteemed authors of the book, Connecting Across Cultures: Global Education in Grades K-8.
“The faculty really learned a lot and are already brainstorming some new ideas that they can implement into the curriculum.” said Soshana Bosley, Principal.
World Affairs Council in the Community
Mural Reveal at the Academy of World Languages
On October 24th, ArtWorks hosted a mural reveal, “The Hope Narrative: Finding Resilience in Contemporary Photography and Family Photo Archives” at the Academy of World Languages (AWL). The inspiration for each of the works came from interviews and personal artifacts from the Academy of World Languages families and Evanston residents.
AWL is a PreK-8 magnet school providing a diverse cultural climate and world-language learning opportunities including Arabic, Chinese, Japanese, Russian and English as a Second Language (ESL). Our staff and students represent over 35 nationalities and languages. AWL takes language learning seriously.
Our staff had the opportunity to attend the unveiling, create mandalas with the residents and other artists. The exhibition remains open from October 24, 2018, to September 26, 2019.
Staff Fall Party at Vine Hill Farm LLC.
The World Affairs Council staff enjoyed the beginning of the fall season with a fun-filled lunch at Vine Hill Farm LLC. Vine Hill Farm provides equestrian instruction and boarding services of unparalleled quality. When you step out at the barn, you are joining with the Harpenau Family horse legacy of over 100 years of operation.
Our Executive Director, Michelle Harpenau and her mother, Lisa Harpenau are dedicated instructors, they teach everything, from grooming to jumping fences. The staff had the chance to see where Michelle spends her spare time, assisting in the operations of the farm. The day was full of good food, beautiful horses, and a lovely view, with over 200 acres of pasture.
The World Affairs Council staff came together to celebrate a successful year filled with new programs and achievements.
World Leaders Visit Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky
In the month of October, the Council hosted three International Visitor Leadership Program (IVLP) from Argentina, Armenia, Bolivia, Canadá, Chile, Colombia, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, México, Paraguay, Venezuela, and Vietnam.
21 international delegates from Argentina, Bolivia, Canadá, Chile, Colombia, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, México, Paraguay and Venezuela arrived late in the month to discuss Women leaders promoting peace and Security on the Western Hemisphere.
Seven international delegates from Vietnam arrived in October to discuss combating trafficking in person. During their visit, they had lunch at Pho Lang Thang in Findlay Market with Jessica Donohue-Dioh, Co-Founder of Eyes Open International. Eyes Wide Open International is a non-profit that activates, mobilizes, and encourages people to work alongside local and global partners in providing relief to those in the midst of crisis and human suffering.
Six international visitors from Armenia visited late in October to discuss policies and best practices for domestic and sexual violence first responder. On October 26, the US Department of State International Visitor Leadership Program delegation from Armenia visited with collaborators of the Mayerson Center at Children’s Hospital efforts including Dr. Robert Shapiro, Heidi Malott, Cincinnati Police, and Hamilton County Prosecutor’s Office to discuss the importance of partnerships and best practices to create a successful recovery for children who suffer from abuse. The IVLP group from Armenia visited Cincinnati to discuss policies and best practices for domestic and sexual violence first responders.
Thank you to EWomen’s Network, CincyTech, Hamilton County Young Republicans, the European American Chamber of Commerce, for taking the time to meet with our delegates.
Just Dinner Opportunity – Thanksgiving Day
Make room this holiday season for international visitors at your dinner table. Eighteen delegates from Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania are visiting the Cincinnati Area to discuss Journalism in the 21st century. Participants in this program speak English.
When? Thursday, November 22, 2018
Interested? Contact James McManus, Director of International Programs, jmcmanus@cincyworldaffairs.org
The One World Gala is up and live! Game on!! Thank you to the Carol Ann & Ralph V. Haile, Jr./U.S. Bank Foundation for their continued support.
UPCOMING INTERNATIONAL EVENTS
December 4 | China’s Maritime Aspirations | Lyle Goldstein, Naval War College
October 19 – January 6th | The Fabric of India Exhibition
November 3 – November 17 | Cincinnati World Cinema: November Films at Garfield
December 13 | Cyberwar and Cybersecurity
