World Affairs Council of Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky

The US role in the world: Ukraine, Russia, Taiwan & China ft. Senator Rob Portman
2023-06-14 11:30 - 13:00 (America/New_York) | Bricker Graydon Offices 312 Walnut Street – 18th floor Cincinnati, OH 45202, 312 Walnut Street - 18th floor, Cincinnati, OH, 45202, United States
Centennial Series Strategic Issues Forum

The World Affairs Council is thrilled to launch its Centennial Series under the theme 100 Years of Global Issues – Looking Back and Look Forward – History Repeating Itself with this important strategic issues forum.
Event sponsored by Bricker Graydon
Event Details:
This will be a forum about strategic issues for the United States relating to the war in Ukraine, including especially the possible scenarios on how the war will could end and what its each of those endings could mean for Russia’s and China’s relationships with the U.S. and Europe. A related issue – reparations – also touches on a topic of a speech given during the inaugural year for the predecessor of the World Affairs Council in 1923 about WWI reparations. Sen. Portman, who prior to his retirement in January served on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, will share his views on these important topics followed by an opportunity for attendees to present their questions.
**Space is limited. Register early.**
Sen. Portman Biography:
Rob Portman’s career in public service spanned three decades and included service in three presidential administrations as well as two terms in the United States Senate and six terms in the United States House of Representatives.
In the George W. Bush administration he served in two cabinet-level jobs, as Director of the Office of Management and Budget as well as United States Trade Representative. Under President George H.W. Bush, he served as Associate Counsel to the President and Director, White House Office of Legislative Affairs.
Known for his civility, successful bipartisan policymaking, work ethic, and grasp of a broad range of complex issues, over 220 of Portman’s bills were signed into law by Presidents Biden, Trump and Obama during his tenure in the Senate. He served as the lead Republican negotiator on the bipartisan infrastructure law that is making historic improvements to our nation’s roads, ports, rails, bridges, broadband and more.
He played a key role in U.S. foreign policy through his seat on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee and as co-chair and founder of the Senate Ukraine Caucus. He made ten trips to Ukraine since the Revolution of Dignity in 2014 and is a key advocate for congressional support of Ukraine against Russia’s unprovoked war of aggression.
Portman currently serves as the Founder of the Portman Center for Policy Solutions at the University of Cincinnati and a Distinguished Visiting Fellow in the Practice of Public Policy at the American Enterprise Institute.
Rob was born and raised in Cincinnati, Ohio, where he still lives today with his wife, Jane. Together they have three adult children: Jed, Will, and Sally.

Foreign Policy Delegation Reception and Information Exchange
2023-09-05 09:00 - 11:00 | Northern Kentucky Chamber of Commerce, 300 Buttermilk Pike #330, Fort Mitchell, KY, 41099
Tuesday, September 5, 2023 9:00 AM – 11:00 AM EST

Northern Kentucky Chamber Of Commerce
300 Buttermilk Pike Suite 330
Ft. Mitchell, KY 41017

Join us for this reception and information exchange as the NKY Chamber of Commerce, in partnership with the World Affairs Council – Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky, hosts a 20-member delegation from the U.S. Department of State’s International Visitor Leadership Program (IVLP) for a discussion on US Foreign Policy Decision Making.

The program will look at foreign policy from a local level perspective, immigration in the Midwest, and tariffs in the Midwest. Program objectives include:

• Examine the process and key players in formulating, articulating and implementing foreign policy in the U.S. federal system.
• Review U.S. foreign policy priorities and trends in U.S. international relations.
• Explore the domestic political and economic forces that influence U.S. foreign policy decisions
• Discuss how social media is transforming the practice and formation of foreign policy.

Members of the 20-member delegation are traveling from a multitude of countries, including Argentina, Bangladesh, Djibouti, Estonia, Fiji, Finland, France, Japan, Kyrgyz Republic, Lebanon, Republic of Korea, Republic of Turkiye, South Africa, Taiwan, Thailand, and Tunisia.

The International Visitor Leadership Program (IVLP) is the U.S. Department of State’s premier professional exchange program. Through short-term visits to the United States, current and emerging foreign leaders in a variety of fields experience this country firsthand and cultivate lasting relationships with their American counterparts. Professional meetings reflect the participants’ professional interests and support the foreign policy goals of the United States. Each year nearly 5,000 International Visitors come to the U.S. on the International Visitor Leadership Program (IVLP).

DELEGATE PARTICIPANT LIST

Ms. Martina GUARNASCHELLI (Argentina)
Secretary of Embassy and Third Class Consul, Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Mr. Tanzim ANWAR (Bangladesh)
Diplomatic Correspondent, Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, National News Agency of Bangladesh
Mr. Mahdi OBSIEH BOUH (Djibouti)
Director of Bilateral Affairs, Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation
Ms. Helen NEIDER VEERME (Estonia)
Advisor on Strategic Border Management Cooperation, Estonian Police and Border Guard Board
Ms. Telupe TEPAUKIE (Fiji)
UN Desk Officer/Acting Senior Adviser-UN Division, Government of Tuvalu
Mr. Tero Heikki Artturi SUONIEMI (Finland)
Foreign and Security Policy Advisor to Green Party, Foreign and Security Policy Advisor to Green Party
Ms. Christina Rebecca OKELLO (France)
Bilingual reporter, Radio France Internationale
Prof. Tomohiko SATAKE (Japan)
Associate Professor, Department of International Politics, Economics and Communication, Aoyama Gakuin University
Ms. Tolkunai ERKINBEK KYZY (Kyrgyz Republic)
Attaché/Desk Officer for U.S.A., Third Political Department, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Kyrgyz Republic
Ms. Albina SUINALIEVA (Kyrgyz Republic)
Third Secretary of Economic Diplomacy Department, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Kyrgyz Republic
Mr. George EL JALLAD (Lebanon)
Head of the Americas/UN Desk, Lebanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Emigrants, Beirut Lebanon
Mr. Gi Bum KIM (Republic of Korea)
Associate Research Fellow, Korea Institute for Defense Analyses
Ms. Suheyla DEMIR (Republic of Turkiye)
Chief Editor, World News Desk, Haber Global TV
Mr. Hakki UYGUR (Republic of Turkiye)
President, Center for Iranian Studies
Ms. Tsioane MOTSAI (South Africa)
International Relations Coordinator, African National Congress(ANC)
Mr. Tebogo THOTHELA (South Africa)
Director: Parliamentary Counsellor to Gauteng Premier, Gauteng Office of the Premier
Mr. Fei Fan LIN (Taiwan)
Board Member, New Frontier Foundation
Mr. Yeh Chung LU (Taiwan)
Professor and Chair, Department of Diplomacy, National Chengchi University
Mr. Pheeradej KUMSAMOOT (Thailand)
Member, Bhumjaitai Party
Mr. Taha BOULAARES (Tunisia)
Head of Department of Multilateral Cooperation at the Directorate General of the International Cooperation, Ministry of Interior

Location
Northern Kentucky Chamber Of Commerce
300 Buttermilk Pike Suite 330
Ft. Mitchell, KY 41017
St. Elizabeth Board Room
Event Schedule
8:30am – 9am: Registration/Networking/Breakfast
9am – 11:00am: Program

Pre-registration is required.

Afghanistan: The Women Left Behind
2023-09-13 17:00 - 19:00 | University of Cincinnati College of Law, 2925 Campus Green Dr, Cincinnati, OH, 45219
Centennial Series Strategic Issues Forum
The World Affairs Council is thrilled to launch its Centennial Series under the theme 100 Years of Global Issues – Looking Back and Look Forward – History Repeating Itself with this important strategic issues forum.

Event co-sponsored by World Affairs Council, U.S. Institute of Peace, and Urban Morgan Institute for Human Rights
Event Details:

**Please click here for general registration.
**Teachers and students are FREE to attend. Please register by clicking here.
You are invited to a candid conversation with Belquis Ahmadi, Senior Program Officer with the U.S. Institute of Peace and a head nurse and administrator in Kabul during the Soviet withdrawal and through the rise of the Taliban. Since 2001, she has spent years on the ground in Afghanistan leading efforts by USAID, the Red Cross and other organizations to strengthen women’s rights, civil society, the rule of law and democracy, all to fill the information gap.
The 22nd Anniversary of 9/11 has passed. The US withdrawal of combat forces from Afghanistan in 2021, our nation’s longest war, took a massive toll in human lives and resources. Those events continue to have a lasting impact for the world and on foreign policy.
Come with us as we take a look at some of the struggles and successes of nations as they try to rebuild after devastating wars. Belquis will discuss the effects on people’s everyday lives, women and human rights issues, and what needs to be done inside Afghanistan to build a case against the Taliban. What is the outlook for Afghanistan, as the Taliban leadership makes decisions? What will happen to the gains made in education, women’s rights, healthcare and infrastructure? How do future foreign policy and relationships in the Middle East look? How does the struggle for democracy play out? In 1923 our predecessor organization had a debate about the Middle East and human rights between Palestine and Turkey. History will repeat itself as we discuss this topic again one hundred years later.
**Space is limited. Register early.**

Belquis Ahmadi, U.S. Institute of Peace Biography:
Belquis Ahmadi has over 20 years of experience working in Afghanistan on issues related to gender, human rights, civil society development, rule of law, governance and democracy. Ahmadi’s extensive experience includes senior management positions under large USAID programs in Afghanistan, evaluation of USAID gender and democracy and governance programming, and analysis and design of gender and human rights programming, and training and mentoring Afghan civil society and government candidates. She has also published extensively on democracy, governance and women’s rights in Afghanistan.
From November 2010 to March 2014, Ahmadi worked on the USAID-funded Regional Afghan Municipalities Program for Urban Populations Regional Command East (RAMP UP), implemented in 14 provinces. In this role, Ahmadi managed the technical work of the program to ensure high quality results and deliverables. In addition, she developed core skills training modules to integrate and mainstream gender in all aspects of governance, service delivery, and leadership to over 200 municipal officials in fourteen provinces.
From 2006 to 2009, Ahmadi served as senior human rights advisor in Afghanistan. In this role, she provided leadership and management oversight of resources, including budget, planning, and program monitoring; designed and implemented activities promoting women’s rights through the use of religious arguments, providing analysis of the Shiite Personal Status Law, as well as providing advice and guidance in drafting of the Law on Elimination of Violence Against Women; and oversaw the preparation of training materials for programs.
From 2000 to 2004, Ahmadi served as program coordinator for Global Rights Partners for Justice in Washington D.C., managing their Afghanistan program. From 1987 to 1999, Ahmadi worked for the International Committee of the Red Cross, CARE International, and the Agency Coordinating Body for Afghan Relief (ACBAR) in Afghanistan. Ahmadi earned her LLM in International Human Rights Law from Georgetown University Law Center and her LLB of Law from Kabul University.
Photo featured above:
When Afghan women step out of their homes, everywhere they look they see a range of Taliban restrictions affecting all aspects of society and their lives — from education and employment to public services and access to justice. This interactive graphic depicts what they see through their burqas — the breadth of the Taliban’s gender apartheid — and serves as a portal to learning more about Taliban restrictions on women’s social and political life. Along with a description of the types of restrictions the Taliban have imposed, clicking on an “X” links to USIP’s documentation of the relevant decrees, orders and edicts issued by the Taliban since they took power in August 2021.
Original artwork by Ahmad Fahim Hakim
Please click here for an interactive graphic illustrating how the Taliban are attempting to erase Afghan women from public life.

2023 Climate Candidate Forum - Cincinnati Council & School Board
2023-10-04 17:30 - 19:00
World Affairs Council, Green Umbrella, and partners present a candidate forum about climate action and policy in Cincinnati for candidates running for local office.
Join us at this public forum where City Council and School Boards candidates will have the opportunity to share their position and plans on issues related to climate, environmental justice, and resilience.
All Cincinnati City Council and School Board candidates who have successfully filed their petitions have been invited. This event follows up on the “Candidate Education Night: Sustainable Action in Cincinnati” event in July.
The event is free and open to candidates, their staff, and the general public, but requires RSVP. Please register at this site and reach out to Savannah Sullivan, Senior Director of Programs, with any questions (savannah@greenumbrella.org).
We also invite Cincinnati residents to submit questions they want candidates to answer. Submit your questions here by September 22nd.

Climate Migration with United States Institute of Peace
2023-11-09 16:00 - 17:00
Register Here
The links between climate change, conflict, and human mobility are complex. In 2022, disasters internally displaced 32.6 million people, more than at any other time over the last decade. Most of these displacements occurred in areas that are fragile or conflict-prone. In fact, ninety percent of all refugees come from places that are some of the most vulnerable to climate-related impacts. Right now, these fragile regions already grapple with increased food insecurity, unemployment, and competition over resources – particularly water. In what ways does climate change exacerbate such situations? In what ways may that lead to conflict or forced migration?
In partnership with Green Umbrella, we invite students, educators, and community members for an evening exploring Climate Conflict and Climate Migration with Kayly Ober, Senior Program Officer for U.S. Institute of Peace.
Kayly Ober is a senior program officer for the climate, environment and conflict program at USIP. In this role, she leads research and analysis on climate change, migration and displacement as well as transboundary water and conflict issues.
Prior to USIP, she was the senior advocate and program manager of the climate displacement program at Refugees International. She also served as a member of the Task Force on Displacement established under the U.N. Framework Convention on Climate Change’s Warsaw International Mechanism for Loss and Damage. She has worked on climate change and migration issues for more than 15 years, during which time she has held positions at organizations such as the Asian Development Bank, the Overseas Development Institute, the Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars, and the World Bank, where she authored the flagship report “Groundswell: Preparing for Internal Climate Migration.”
Ober holds a master’s in environment and development from the London School of Economics and a bachelor’s in international studies from American University. She is currently completing her doctorate in geography at the University of Bonn, where her dissertation analyzes policymaking and governance structures around the climate change-adaptation-migration nexus.

VIRTUAL EVENT: Dan Schnur Political Report: July 2024
2024-07-18 20:00 - 21:00 | Virtual Event
REGISTER HERE

Event Overview

Thursday, July 18th, 2024
5:00 p.m. PST/ 8:00 p.m. EDT
It’s nearly impossible to find intelligent political analysis in today’s hyper-polarized and ideologically segregated information sphere. From Fox News to MSNBC — political commentators focus more on inflammatory bickering than the deep issues shaping all American political life. The Dan Schnur Political Report offers a different way to consume political information. Dan moves beyond the partisan noise to analyze the core issues and critical headlines shaping our world. Dan not only offers a fresh perspective to understand politics, he invites everyone into the conversation.

Fireside Chat with Deputy Ambassador Axel Dittmann
2024-10-01 17:00 - 19:00 | First District Cafe, 525 Scott St, Covington, 41011, United States
Deputy Ambassador Axel Dittmann of the German Embassy Washington will be visiting Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky this October!
Deputy Ambassador Dittmann will discuss the state of U.S. and German trade relations. The event will be October 1st at 5pm at First District Cafe.
The event is free for all WAC members and European American Chamber of Commerce (EACC) members. Tickets are $10 for non members.
REGISTER HERE

2025 Annual Meeting
2025-02-13 12:00 - 13:30 | The Mercantile Library, 414 Walnut St #1100, Cincinnati, Ohio, 45202, United States
Register Today!
During the 2024 year, the World Affairs Council has continued to provide a wide variety of educational and professional opportunities for students and teachers; fostered impactful international exchanges; and connected our community through inspiring speaker events. The event offers a chance to connect with like-minded individuals passionate about global affairs from throughout the Greater Cincinnati region.
Join us as we:

Celebrate the achievements of 2024 and the incredible impact you helped make possible.
Honor community members whose dedication has made a difference.
Share stories and highlights of our global and local successes.
Unveil exciting plans for the year ahead.

We look forward to reflecting on the 2024 community impact as we could not have done it without your support.
Looking ahead to 2025, we remain committed to serving the community, diminishing boundaries, and fostering global understanding. Together, we’ll continue:

Creating international connections.
Raising awareness of pressing global issues.
Cultivating empathy and understanding in the next generation.

Seats are limited, so save your spot today and be part of this vital work.
We can’t wait to celebrate with you and share how YOU can make a difference!

Youth Leaders for Glocal Impact Celebration
2025-05-21 17:30 - 19:30 | Headquarters, 935 Monmouth St, Newport, KY 41071, KY, 41071, United States
To celebrate the recipients of the World Affairs Council’s Youth Leaders for Glocal Impact Grant, we cordially invite you to Headquarters in Newport, KY on Wednesday, May 21st.
The Youth Leaders for Glocal Impact Grant in Honor of Richard I. Lauf is a grant opportunity for students, educators, and school organizations alike to create or expand on a project that benefitted their school or community based on the United Nations Global Goals. This is Global Impact, Local Action.
We look forward to seeing you there as we hear from the students and educators about their projects in action!

SAVE THE DATE: Mohawk Global Seminar
2025-10-23
Registration opens soon!
We look forward to another partnership with Mohawk Global!
Even if you’re not familiar with the topic, this professional development seminar will give you the essential tools understand the complexities of import control regulations!
Date: Thursday, October 23
Location: TBD

From Cincinnati to the World: Revolutionary 3D Learning for the Blind
2026-02-25 18:00 - 20:00 | Cincinnati Art Museum, 953 Eden Park Drive, Cincinnati, OH, 45202, United States
Did you know that a 3D printer in North College Hill is changing the way students learn in East Africa?

Join us for an inspiring evening at the Cincinnati Art Museum to discover how the Clovernook Center for the Blind & Visually Impaired is leading a global movement in accessible education.
What started as a local initiative in Cincinnati has evolved into a worldwide network of innovation. Clovernook is now placing 3D printers and custom-designed model kits in classrooms across Kenya, Ghana, South Africa, and Vietnam, ensuring that blind and visually impaired (BVI) students have the tactile tools they need to succeed.
Why Attend?

See Innovation in Action: Learn how 3D-printed models of regional monuments and geographies are helping students in Kenya connect with their own culture and landscape.
Global Insight: Meet Dominic Kiamba, a Kenyan-based expert with 20 years of experience, and learn how international partnerships are creating sustainable educational solutions.
Local Impact, Global Reach: Discover why Cincinnati is a global hub for tactile literacy and how our region is exporting “accessible innovation” to the world.

This event highlights a core pillar of the World Affairs Council – Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky: the power of citizen diplomacy. By bridging our local expertise with international needs, we strengthen our region’s identity as a leader in global cooperation and development.
Register Now to Secure Your Spot!
Featured Speakers:
Samuel Foulkes, Director of Braille Production & Accessible Innovation, Clovernook Center for the Blind & Visually Impaired: A recipient of a 2025 Kennedy Center Award for their work in cultural accessibility and a board member of the World Affairs Council, Samuel holds six patents for accessible products. He leads Clovernook’s Tactile Literacy program, which empowers organizations globally through technology and training.
Dominic Kiamba, Program Coordinator, Clovernook Center for the Blind & Visually Impaired (Nairobi): With over 20 years of experience as a disability inclusion expert, Mr. Kiamba is a leader in advancing Braille literacy across Africa. He works on the ground in Kenya to implement cost-effective, high-tech solutions that foster independence and education for BVI learners.
About Clovernook Center for the Blind & Visually Impaired:
Since 1903, Clovernook Center for the Blind & Visually Impaired has been providing life-enriching opportunities and empowering people who are blind or visually impaired to be self-sufficient and full participants in their communities. Clovernook Center’s Braille Printing House is the largest volume printer of braille in the world. Clovernook prints books, magazines and other materials for the National Library Services and braille patrons worldwide. Additionally, Clovernook provides Pediatric Low Vision Clinics, adaptive sports and social activities, as well as employment opportunities for individuals who are blind and visually impaired. For more information, visit www.clovernook.org.

Navigating the Future of Work with AI Panel Discussion
2026-05-21 17:30 - 19:30 | First Financial Bank, 1 E 4th St, Cincinnati, OH, 45202, United States
This session is designed to help the next generation of leaders understand and navigate the growing role of artificial intelligence in the workplace. We aim to move beyond the hype and provide practical insights on how AI is transforming industries and what it takes to succeed in this new landscape.
Join us at the First Financial Bank location on E 4th St in the Community Room (1st Floor) from 5:30 PM – 7:30PM May 21st!

Tickets are $10 .

Soccer Diplomacy: A Fireside Chat with Jeff Berding
2026-06-08 17:30 - 19:00 | TQL Stadium
Join us on June 8 for an exclusive Fireside Chat with Jeff Berding, Co-CEO of FC Cincinnati and member of the FIFA World Soccer Committee. This featured keynote explores how elite sport serves as a powerful engine for economic growth and international diplomacy, transforming Cincinnati into a world-class global city. Jeff will share his “Berding Blueprint” for leveraging soft power and global talent networks to bridge the gap between local impact and transnational influence.
To celebrate this connection between the global and the grassroots, the Council will donate FIFA official soccer balls to a local youth program in Jeff’s honor. Don’t miss this opportunity to hear from the visionary leader redefining what it means for a city to stay “globally connected. The event will serve cocktails and lite bites, with a chance for attendees to tour the stadium.
Early Bird tickets are $20 and will increase to $35 on June 1st.
