Last Month: Global Chatter, International Visitors and New Interns

Posted: September 12th, 2018 Uncategorized

Board Member of the Month: Bill Sena

Bill Sena, is a lifelong Cincinnatian who grew up in Hyde Park. He graduated from Xavier University in 1958 where he was President of the Student Council among several other activities. After a brief stint in the US Air Force, he went into the investment business. After a few years, he formed a small firm which grew into one of Cincinnati’s premier investment counseling firms, Sena, Weller, Rohs, Williams, Inc. He withdrew from active practice in 2014 but remains involved in a variety of investment and community entities. Bill is an active member of the Literary Club and a few small businesses. Bill currently invested in Tiger Muay Thai, boxing camp, in Phuket which is MMA and fitness business. Since the early 1990’s he has invested in Chinese stocks and has visited China a half dozen times over the past 20 – 25 years for business and pleasure. He recently joined the Board of Directors to unravel his broad perspectives, as he speaks a little Italian, Spanish, and French.

Farewell to Ciarra Wooten

Ciarra Wooten, Education and Development Coordinator, joined the World Affairs Council in September 2017. During her time here, she was responsible for the design and enhancement of global education initiatives for local K-12 and university students on both sides of the river. She led professional development opportunities for educators and developed community connections to local schools through experiential global learning programs.

We say farewell to Ciarra as she pursues a career to enhance her non-profit skills continuing to work with students with ArtWorks. Please join us in wishing Ciarra the very best of luck and the greatest success in all her future endeavors.

If you would like to stay in touch with Ciarra, here is her personal email: ciarra.wooten@gmail.com

Meet our New Interns:

Welcome to our Scripps Howard Communications Intern, Prateek Srivastava

Prateek Srivastava joined our team as the Scripps Howard Communication Intern. Prateek is an undergraduate student at the University of Cincinnati majoring in Journalism and International Affairs. Prateek is from Jaipur, India. As the Communications Intern, he will help with communications, social media, and marketing at the World Affairs Council. Prateek has always been interested in meeting and taking part in new and interesting activities and through this internship, he not only plans to learn communications practical work but also seek new experiences in different fields. Prateek is very interested in WAC programs like Global Classrooms and Global Chatter and hopes to continue his involvement here after his internship.

Welcome to our Global Exchange Intern Hillary Chidsey

Hillary Chidsey recently joined the team as the Global Exchange Intern for the fall semester of 2018. She will be helping the team to coordinate the international professional exchange programs including the International Visitors Leadership Program (IVLP), sponsored by the U.S. Department of State.

Growing up Hillary always had the urge to travel and bring people together. Her experiences abroad have varied from educational to personal including serving as a Peace Corps Volunteer in South Africa, completing her service in 2017. At the World Affairs Council, Hillary hopes to gain insight into the professional side of cultural exchange and the true benefit it can have for all involved.

Please join us in welcoming Hillary and Prateek to our team!

French sojourn with Michelle Harpenau

Did you know that the Council is a chapter organization? Our chapter in Philadelphia has been planning exchange trips for many years with unique offerings such as advance reading materials, substantive in-country briefings, and expert tour leadership.

In May 2019, our Executive Director, Michelle Harpenau, will be leading a nine-day French sojourn in world-famous Provence and in the Burgundy and Beaujolais wine regions. You will get to indulge in private wine tastings, walking tours, and extraordinary views that only this type of experience can provide.

Michelle spent time studying abroad and working in Paris, France. “I am truly honored to be selected as the group leader for this tour and excited to brush up on my French language skills. We are going to have some amazing new experiences. À bientôt !”

Make sure to sign up by September 27 for a huge discount.

Learn more here.

Big Thanks to AquiSense for sponsoring our International Education Summit!

We want to thank our generous sponsors, AquiSense Technologies for becoming our featured speaker and sponsor for our International Education Summit in November! AquiSense is passionate about developing solutions that solve real-world problems in water, air, and surface disinfection applications.

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!

Learn more here.

Oak Hills Challenge Day

Last week our Global Guide, Prateek Srivastava spoke at the Oak Hill Annual Challenge day, School and Security.

Prateek along with Global Guides from France and South India were able to talk about the challenges and overall developments in their countries educational systems. Prateek focused on issues like bullying and violence in schools in India reflecting, “It’s my time to create global awareness.”

Learn more here.

Miami Trivia

On August 21, the World Affairs Council welcomed International Students at the Miami University in Oxford, Ohio. The event included an International Trivia Game and students from Belgium, India, Korea, China, Nepal, South Africa were the key players.

“It was not only a great fun event but was also a very nice and helpful way to engage students in global communities and also prepare students for their first semesters with enjoyment and new interactions.” – Prateek Srivastava.

Learn more here.

Immigration Simulation at Roberts Paideia Academy

On August 14th, The Academy organized a Refugee Stimulation with the help of few community actors from the area and students and from Hispanic/Latino Affairs organization. More than 20,000 Hispanic/Latino immigrants call Cincinnati their home. The Refugee Stimulation at the Roberts Paideia Academy was a great exercise to showcase the dangers refugees face moving to America.

Global Chatter Series: That’s a Wrap!

This month we hosted three intellectually engaging and challenging events from our Global Chatter Series: Media and Foreign Policy, China and Geopolitics, and Global Health.

Media and Foreign Policy launched early this month, the themed discussion covered the White House, fake news, cyberwar, hacking and misinformation. Dr. Jeffrey Blevins from the University of Cincinnati launched the discussion, covering these topics in length. Our moderators, Dr. Nancy Jennings, University of Cincinnati, Dr. William Jennings, University of Cincinnati, and Jamie Grabert, DeanHouston Inc. concluded the event with an in-depth discussion on foreign policy, fake news and it’s international arena.

China and Geopolitics saw immense involvement of people from different backgrounds and nationalities discussing the events and future scenarios of China and Chinese politics and economics and how it affects the rest of the world. Leo Chan, the Executive Director of the Chinese Chamber of Commerce lead the conversation as he discussed Chinese leadership and the steps they take to maintain the dominance in different and vibrant fields. A big thanks to our moderators, Catalin Macarie, University of Cincinnati, Oxana Prokhorova, University of Cincinnati, and Jin Kong, Social Security Administration.

Global Health not only discussed important insights of health issues and challenges in the modern world but also shredded light on topics like substance abuse, infectious diseases and investments in international institutions to upgrade and maintain the mechanisms of global health. Our key speaker Charles Doarn from the University of Cincinnati Medical campus talked about issues related to the maintenance of the global health institutions which was followed by the thoughts of the moderators, Dr. Shibabrata Mukherjee, Cincinnati Children’s, Susan Casey, Village Life Outreach Program and Melissa Loyd, Northern Kentucky Agency for Substance Abuse Policy. The Global Health event marked the closure of the World Affairs Councils Summer Global Chatters Series.

World Affairs Council in the Community

Dr. Rich Lauf, Board Chair visits NKITA

This month, Dr. Rich Lauf, Board Chair for the World Affairs Council presented at Northern Kentucky International Trade Association (NKITA). During the lunch, Dr. Lauf featured the highlights of our nonprofit organization

. “The World Affairs Council is the bridge that connects the world to one of America’s most vibrant regions. Through global education, international exchange and cultural awareness initiatives, the council strengthens Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky’s international identity and engages individuals with foreign affairs.”

Please Join us in Congratulating our Executive Director, Michelle Harpenau

Michelle was recently accepted through Global Ties U.S. to attend University of Southern California Center on Public Diplomacy’s Summer Institute in Public Diplomacy (CPD) in July.

She along with 27 other global practitioners joined 300 alumni of the CPD Program by participating in a two-week, cutting-edge professional education program that integrates academic scholarship, and real-world problem-solving.

Established in 2006, the program provides an opportunity for practitioners to engage with peers and professors in a setting that presents a forward-looking public diplomacy curriculum that is both solution-driven and measurable. In addition, the program provides hands-on learning with the latest tools, technologies, and platforms for immersive storytelling.

We are so proud of Michelle! Please join us in congratulating her on this wonderful accomplishment!

World Leaders Visit Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky

A special thank you to our local hosts and volunteers, without you these memorable experiences couldn’t be possible. Your generosity in opening your homes to these international visitors will be fond memories of our area for years to come.

In the month of August, the Council hosted two International Visitor Leadership Program (IVLP) delegations with a total of 13 visitors from Nepal, Hong Kong S.A.R, Lebanon, Mexico, Moldova, and Venezuela.

Five international delegates from Hong Kong S.A.R, Lebanon, Mexico, Moldova, and Venezuela arrived late in the month to discuss Accountability in Government.

Eight international delegates from Nepal arrived in mid-August on the topic Women Working for Change in the Society. Thank you to Cincinnati YMCA, Railroad Freedom Center, Women’s Fund of Greater Cincinnati, Tamaya Dennard City Council, West End Council, Women of Cincy, Cincinnati City Council, Citizen Complaint Authority, Cincinnati Enquirer, Community Police Partnering Center and Matthew 25 ministries for taking the time to meet with our delegates.

Our Upcoming Events

GCWAC History Icon Fall Speaker Series 2018

September 20 | Defining Leadership, Russia with Professor William Taubman, Bertrand Snell Professor of Political Science, Emeritus at Amherst College – Register Here

October 16 | The Arctic, Dr. Robert Rich, Executive Director of the Arctic Research Consortium of the United States (ARCUS) – Register Here

November 13 | The Future of Failed, Failing, & Fragile States with Moeed Yusuf, Associate Vice President, Asia Center, United States Institute of Peace – Register Here

December 4 | China’s Maritime Aspirations with Lyle Goldstein, Associate Professor, and Director, China Maritime Studies Institute, Naval War College – Register Here