Countdown with us – A look into our year with you!
Cheers!!
It was so lovely to see so many familiar faces and new ones as the World Affairs Council held its annual meeting last week for the first time on on Zoom! Thank you to all of you who were able to join us to celebrate the accomplishments of 2020 and talk 2021 things you will see. It has been a challenging year in many ways, but I am so thankful that our community and my team have come together to continue pursuing international awareness and cultural understanding.
I am so proud of the work we did adapting to a virtual platform. This past year has strengthened our resolve for the need to continue this important international work.
I cannot say enough about the amazing World Affairs Council team that we have here who been working from home since last March. James McManus, Director of International Programs, and Hannah Gerth, Global Education Manager, are rock stars and have stepped up in their roles to help build a brighter future for our community and advance our mission in a virtual setting. Thank you both for all your hard work!
Let’s talk highlights of 2020 and to kick us off, here is 2020 by the the numbers.
2020 has been a demanding year, but leave it to our global community to be a beacon of hope amidst the disorder!
So I want to celebrate those accomplishments with a 2020 best countdown!
Here is a roundup of your 5 most loved global content! You can still check out the resources by the clicking on each.
5 Sustainable Development Goals Teacher Training
Get your useful tricks and tips were shared to use the goals in your classroom for high school students.
4 Mandarin Language Lesson with Weijie Li
As we look to the future of virtual learning resources, I am excited that this Mandarin Language Lesson made it to the top 5. This is a little teaser video.
3 What does Peace & Justice mean?
Our annual International Education Summit on Peace and Justice went virtual and expanded to a week long program that was open for the first time to the public. We collaborated with chapters across OH, IN, and KY as well and held 2 teacher workshops!
2 Yum Yum Box from Brazil with Elsa
You loved watching Elsa and our staff member Hannah try out foods from Brazil. There were tasty treats and not so good ones, but you must watch to find out!
1 Around the World – Japan & How to make Origami at home
And our most loved global content was our Around the World Family Event focusing on Japanese culture as we visited local bakery, Chako, in Covington, KY and learned how to make Origami at home.
Alright, the results are in for your 4 top-rated global events! These were your 2020 favorites.
4 What’s the new normal for air travel
Doug Goldberg, of Strategic Planning Services, Inc. and Board Member joined by Brian Cobb of CVG spoke about this topic! I know for me one of the first places I have an itch to visit is Norway!
3 America’s Forever Wars
This event was a part of our series on pre-election issues facing the coming administration. Linda Robinson with RAND Corporation discussed Ending America’s Forever Wars.
2 Kroger’s Impact on Local and Global Amid COVID-19
With Kroger headquartered here in Cincinnati, our very first webinar offered in 2020 was to talk groceries with Sean Brislin, at Kroger, & a new WAC Board Member along with Liz Coleman from 84.51, who shared the latest grocery news about safety, changes in consumer food purchasing trends, and food import and exports.
1 The One World Gala & Global Trivia Competition
As our annual fundraiser hits #1 supporting student access to global programming throughout the year. This was our last in person event before COVID-19 shut the world down. It was a tough trivia competition, and everyone played their part to make it the loudest gala in town!!
It is because of your generosity that we were able to continue providing our youth with the resources they need to become the next generation of global leaders.
3 First Virtual High School Exchange
We started 2020 by connecting 10th grade students from Pakistan and Winton Wood High School. Our first high school virtual exchange culminated with the PAK-USA Film Festival as student videos highlighted cultural diversity and things learned from each other. 1st and 2nd place winners were from Winton Woods, discussing the topics of “The Conflict in Police Brutality & Superiority” & “Racial Profiling.” Some powerful words coming from our local students. Read more about it – Intercultural Conflicts – In the Eyes of High School Students
2 The International Visitor Leadership Program (IVLP) celebrates 80 years!
The International Visitor Leadership Program (IVLP), the premier exchange program of the U.S. Department of State, celebrated 80 years! We have been a proud partner and hosted visitors since 1940. Usually, we host more than 200 exchange visitors from 70 countries to build understanding between professionals from abroad and local communities. Read more about it – Celebrating 80 Years! This is diplomacy at its best.
1 IVLP Goes Virtual
On Zoom, the Council and the Cincinnati Police Department hosted Brazilian police officers discussing the challenges in combatting gender-based violence during the COVID-19 pandemic. Also, for fun, we did a recipe swap! Staff tried cooking Brigadeiro, a chocolate dessert while our virtual guests attempted Cincinnati chili. We enjoyed exploring this new way of staying connected to each other.
Even in a year where we were just trying to do our best, you stepped up and made the lives of this community better. You didn’t stop helping!
2 Tech to Students
Our school partner, Sixth District is a high priority school where 91% of students are on free and reduced lunch, making remote learning and technology access a serious obstacle to continued learning. Our community raised over $7,000 to provide 30 computers, WiFi, and gave those students the opportunity to learn about culture through art becoming our first group of Virtual Global Ambassadors. These students can continue learning again because of those donations.
1 Young Philanthropist Gives Back
Last April, I received an email from Hajar, a 7th grade student at Conner Middle School, who did thorough research and nominated the Council for a Magnified Giving grant. She raised $1300 to support cultural awareness and the creation of culture boxes filled with art supplies and knowledge. What an extremely talented young lady who has a very bright future ahead of her. Read more about it – 7th Grader Giving Back to a Global Cause – Magnified Giving Student Philanthropy Program
We cannot do this work without you!
From our board member, Dale Dean with DeanHouston Inc., giving materials to make masks to all the volunteers who sewed them together – From our volunteers who created videos about their country’s culture, gave language lessons, or helped create a new art project – From our interns who stayed with us on virtual platform and helped us engage more through social media and IVLP – From our corporate sponsors and foundations who continue to believe in this important global cause – From our entire board and advisory members always being there for advice and signaling leadership to the community – Michele Mansfield who finished her first year as board chair which was quite demanding. I, also, cannot thank enough: Catharina Toltzis, Linette Kuy, Francois LeRoy, and Elizabeth Coleman who are rolling off the board or advisory group this year for their leadership and service over the years.
I cannot thank you enough for making this challenging year better, because we knew you were in it with us!
For a quick look into 2021, you will be seeing some big programs come out this year! We will be hosting events like Around the World, Water Wars, FlashChats with the Consul General of various countries, and make sure to keep an eye out in February for information about our Annual One World Gala going virtual.
We also are working to connect better with students and teachers through the creation of a Global Education Portal. Even though exchanges are postponed in person through end of May, we will still be programming virtually.
And members we have some new ways to give and benefits coming soon!
Despite everything, this has been one of our community’s most successful years to date. Thank you for continuing to support us.
No matter what year it is, one thing rings true: you show up to the challenge! We love serving our community and are looking forward to a great 2021! Thank you!
