The Future on the Persian Gulf Security
2021-11-05 13:00 - 14:30 (America/New_York) | Virtual Event
Is using military force a viable foreign policy option for 2021 and beyond?
The Persian Gulf remains tense as the rivalry between the regional powers of Saudi Arabia and Iran continues. Tensions escalated in early 2020 as the United States began to intervene in the Gulf, launching an airstrike that killed two Iranian military commanders. What are the historical influences that have led to these tensions? What role, if any, should the United States play? Is using military force a viable foreign policy option for 2021 and beyond? This program is presented in cooperation with the World Affairs Council – Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky and OLLI at University of Cincinnati.
The group will enjoy a short film about this topic provided by the Foreign Policy Association’s Great Decision program. Following this, there will be a moderated discussion by Padamar Niskode, Richard Lauf, and Michelle Harpenau.

Teacher PD: Educating for the Global World of Work
2022-01-04 08:00 - 17:00
Virtual Zoom Webinar, Thursday March 17, 2022 from 4-5:15 pm. Register here to receive a Zoom invitation prior to the event.
About the Program: What skills are needed to succeed in a fast-paced, technologically advanced, and globalized economy? In this session, we will discuss ways in which to bring career exploration into your subject area and highlight enrichment opportunities available for students to set themselves up for success. Teachers will hear from a panel of individuals from organizations focused on technical education and experiential learning that help students prepare for the jobs of the future. We will also reflect on how this work contributes to the Asia Society’s “Investigate the World” global competency theme as well as P21’s “Life and Career Skills” focus. This session is open for middle and high school teachers of all subject areas and teachers have the opportunity to earn 1 CEU for participating in this session.
Learning Outcomes
Teachers will be able to

Identify social and cross-cultural skills that are needed in the modern workplace.
Identify ways in which students can further develop technical or industry-specific skills to better position themselves among other future job applicants.
Develop a strategy for introducing career exploration into a lesson or unit plan.
Reflect on ways in which their lessons can help students develop necessary soft skills such as initiative, flexibility, leadership, and accountability.

Teacher PD: Using Inquiry-Based Learning to Teach Global Topics
2022-01-20 16:00 - 17:00 | Virtual
Virtual Zoom Webinar. Register to receive a zoom invitation.
Join us for the kick off to our professional development series, “Skills for Students’ Future in the World.” In this session, teachers will learn more about the Inquiry Design Model and how inquiry-based learning can help students develop skills within the “investigate the world” domain of the Asia Society’s global competency framework. Teachers will explore resources that they can use to bring inquiry into the classroom. This session is geared toward middle and high school teachers who may be new to inquiry-based learning or want to view inquiry lessons that are more specific to cultural or global topics. Teachers have the opportunity to earn 1 CEU for participating in this session.
Learning Outcomes
Teachers will be able to:

Define inquiry-based learning and develop a rationale for how it can contribute to the development of global competency.
Identify resources that they can use to develop their own inquiry-based lessons, including lesson and unit plan templates, as well as other pre-made inquiry lessons that are ready to use in the classroom.
Explain the difference between guided inquiry and direct inquiry and determine which would be appropriate for their students at a particular point in their learning.
Identify at least one concept and/or unit in which they would be able to use an inquiry-based method of instruction in the classroom and develop compelling and supporting questions for the lesson.

Teacher PD: The Power of Storytelling in Communicating Ideas
2022-02-17 16:00 - 17:00
Virtual Webinar. Register here to receive a Zoom link.
Join us for our February professional development session, “The Power of Storytelling in Communicating Ideas.” In this session, teachers will discover resources and methods to engage students in the writing process and help students develop skills within the “communicate ideas” domain of the Asia Society’s global competency framework. We’ll move beyond the five-paragraph essay with methods such as editorial writing, podcasting, spoken word, and personal memoirs. Teachers will receive resources from The New York Times, The Pulitzer Center, Newseum Ed, Edutopia, and other organizations so they can implement these methods in their classrooms. This session is geared toward middle and high school teachers of all disciplines, particularly those in Language Arts and Social Studies. Teachers have the opportunity to earn CEU credit for participating in this session.
Presenters Include:

Erika Lundstedt, Global Education Manager at the World Affairs Council of Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky
Kate Currie, Educator and Executive Director at MAKETANK Inc.

Webinar: Educating for the Global World of Work
2022-03-17 16:00 - 17:00 | Virtual Event
March Educator PD Session: Educating for the Global World of Work
Thursday March 17, 2022 from 4-5pm
Register here to receive a Zoom Link prior to the event.
About the Program: What skills are needed to succeed in a fast-paced, technologically advanced, and globalized economy? In this session, we will discuss ways in which to bring career exploration into your subject area and highlight enrichment opportunities available for students to set themselves up for success. Teachers will hear from a panel of individuals from organizations focused on technical education and experiential learning that help students prepare for the jobs of the future. We will also reflect on how this work contributes to the Asia Society’s “Investigate the World” global competency theme as well as P21’s “Life and Career Skills” focus. This session is open for middle and high school teachers of all subject areas and teachers have the opportunity to earn 1 CEU for participating in this session.
Panelists Include:

Heather Ackels, Executive Director of INTERalliance of Greater Cincinnati
Jeff Brokamp, Vice President of Education at Junior Achievement of OKI Partners

Taking Action: Using Service-Learning to Develop Global Competency for Teachers
2022-04-21 16:00 - 17:00 | Virtual Event
Teacher Professional Development Workshop

How can we inspire students to apply concepts that they’ve learned in the classroom to the real world? In this session, we will discuss how service-learning creates opportunities for students to take action and develop the planning, leadership, and cultural and community awareness skills necessary for success in this interconnected world. Educators and other professionals working with service-learning initiatives will share their insights on what components are necessary for a successful service-learning experience and how teachers can implement these experiences in their own school or classroom.
This session is open for middle and high school teachers of all subject areas and teachers have the opportunity to earn CEU/contact hour credit for participating in this session.
Learning Outcomes
Teachers will be able to:

Identify how service-learning addresses the “Take Action” domain of the Asia Society Global Competence matrix and P21’s Leadership and Responsibility skills.
Explain how service-learning can lead to an enhanced understanding of academic content.
Identify resources they can use to develop and implement a service-learning project in their classrooms.
Discuss best practices for implementing service-learning in an educational setting and making experiences meaningful and relevant to students.

Speakers
Ms. Rachel Kemper (’91), Saint Ursula Academy, Director of Global and Service Learning
Wendy Silvius, Indian Hill High School, Social Studies Department | Experiential Learning & Internships

Creating Well-Informed, Responsible, and Curious Global Citizens
2022-05-26 16:00 - 17:00 | Virtual Event
Teacher Professional Development Workshop

How can we ignite students’ curiosity about the world around them and outside their immediate environment? In this session, we will discuss how to address global issues and become responsible global citizens while working collaboratively across diverse classrooms. Educators and other professionals working with a culturally aware mindset will share their insights on what components are necessary for a successful collaboration leveraging social and cultural differences and how teachers can implement these strategies in their school or classroom.
This session is open for middle and high school teachers of all subject areas and teachers have the opportunity to earn CEU/contact hour credit for participating in this session.
Learning Outcomes
Teachers will be able to

Identify how cultural awareness and responsibility addresses the “Investigate the World” domain of the Asia Society Global Competence matrix and P21’s Social and Cross-Cultural Skills
Explain how cultural awareness can lead to an enhanced understanding of academic content.
Identify resources they can use to develop and implement a collaborative project in their classrooms.
Discuss best practices for implementing cultural awareness initiatives in an educational setting and making experiences meaningful and relevant to students.

Speakers
Mr. Joshua Amstutz, Math Department Head & Teacher Coordinator of the Academy of Global Studies at Winton Woods High School
Mr. Andrew Lock, Social Studies Department Head and Teacher within the Academy of Global Studies, American Studies at Winton Woods High School

Expo Community Conversation
2022-06-23 18:30 - 19:30 | Virtual Event
Join us for this Expo Community Conversation event brought to you in partnership with the World Affairs Council – Cincinnati & Northern Kentucky, Global Ties, the U.S. Department of State and the National Endowment for the Humanities.
Join us for a discussion on how we bring Expos back to the United States and do so in a more inclusive way that highlights our country’s diversity as a strength of our democracy. Expos, also known as World’s Fairs, are the world’s oldest and largest mega event, held every three-five years in host cities around the world since their inception in 1851 in London. Similar to the Olympics, which are world festivals of sports, Expos are festivals of culture, technology, innovation, design, and human excellence. Past Expos have seen a multitude of countries showcase innovations such as the mobile phone, the X-Ray Machine, and the ice cream cone.
Though Expos have not captured many U.S. citizens’ imaginations, for those who experienced the events within the United States and overseas the last sixty years, the experiences impacted simultaneously their worldviews and views of their communities.
The physical legacies of Expos in New Orleans, New York, San Antonio, and Seattle—four of the last ones hosted inside the United States, between 1960-1984—are well established. But the “felt” legacies are underexplored and powerful. With geopolitics rapidly shifting, these soft power platforms are critical to illuminating U.S. values to international audiences. We also have an opportunity to rethink how we bring Expos back to the United States and do so in a more inclusive way that highlights our country’s diversity as a strength of our democracy.
Join us for a conversation on a groundbreaking oral history project to explore the future of International Expositions and the United States’ role in them. The event will also feature Oral Historian, Anna F. Kaplan, PhD, and Paul Kruchoski, a career member of the Senior Executive Service, is the Director of the Office of Policy, Planning, and Resources for Public Diplomacy.

Let’s Talk Oil - Energy Security and Transition Virtual Event
2022-07-27 18:30 - 19:30 | Virtual Event
Professor Theresa Saboni-Helf, PhD, an international energy expert & Georgetown professor, will share insights on how energy, technology & governments intersect, including discussing questions like:

How does the quest for adequate energy shape international relations?
How do policies, technologies and markets interact in the realm of energy?
How do states balance among technological risk, environmental risk, economic risk and political risk?
How do climate goals change the energy strategies of states?
As the United States simultaneously faces the long-term threat of climate change and the near-term threat of Russian behavior in Europe, what policies are emerging, and how are they prioritized?

Theresa Sabonis-Helf is a Professor of the Practice in the Georgetown School of Foreign Service Master’s Degree program, and serves as the Inaugural Chair of the Science, Technology and International Affairs concentration. Prior to joining Georgetown, she was a Professor of National Security Strategy at the National War College in Washington DC. She has lived and worked in seven countries of the Former USSR, has assisted two nations with the development of their first National Security Strategies, has written a textbook on Caucasus regional energy issues, and has co-edited two volumes on Central Asia’s political and economic transition. She has also published and lectured extensively on energy security, climate change policies, post-Soviet energy and environmental issues, regional water politics, energy transition, and the politics of electricity. She is a frequent advisor to the US Department of State and USAID and is also a member of the Council on Foreign Relations. She holds a PhD in Political Science from Emory University, and an MPA in International Affairs from Princeton University.
Register here.

Open Data: Promise and Peril in Modern Data Flows Virtual Event
2022-08-25 18:30 - 19:30 | Virtual Event
Every day, information flows at rates and quantities that are difficult for the human mind to comprehend. Within this vastness of data exist two competing concepts:

Data should be proprietary and guarded,
Data should be open and publicly available.

It is generally believed that data related to personal financial and medical data should be private and secure, while it may be important for items such as NASA and SEC data to be open and publicly available. There can be gaps in security for both types. Those gaps are exploited by opportunists engaging unknowing targets. When technology outpaces oversight, it can create friction between the parties involved. It can also bring opportunities for good.

What happens when intellectual property rights impede research?
How do the strategies used by large corporations and individuals vary when it comes to making use of open data and where does each have a competitive advantage?
What are governments doing to confront these new challenges, and do they play by the same rules?
How do companies create value for their customers by sharing data?

Join us as we dive into this broad topic with our panel of three technology leaders:

Jason Barkeloo, Founder and CEO, Open Therapeutics
Debbie Kramer, Sr. Director – Privacy, The Kroger Co.
Michael Wilhite, VP Enterprise Standards, 84.51°

A Just Transition to a Green Economy: The Impact on Businesses, Workers & Government
2022-09-28 17:00 - 19:00 | Cincinnati Marriott RiverCenter, 10 W Rivercenter Blvd., Covington, KY, 41011
The shift to a greener economy has the potential to create employment across a range of sectors. As our nation shifts its focus to sustainability, there will be job losses in certain carbon-intensive sectors and new jobs requiring new skills and talents.
Join us for a conversation with national thought leader Kevin Cassidy, as he shares insights on Just Transition, a vision-led, unifying and place-based set of principles, processes and practices that build economic and political power to shift from an extractive economy to a regenerative economy.
About the Speaker: Kevin Cassidy is Director and Representative to the Bretton Woods & Multilateral Organizations for the International Labour Organization (ILO) Office for the United States. The United States office of the ILO has been in Washington, DC since 1920, and is a specialized agency of the United Nations. Its mission is to promote decent work for all women and men, by bringing together workers, employers and governments. The US is the largest development partner of the ILO. The US government works closely with the ILO primarily through the Department of Labor, the Department of State and the United States Agency for International Development.
Wednesday, September 28, 2022 from 5PM-7PM

5PM Cocktail Reception
6:15PM Speaker and Q&A Portion
7PM Event Concludes

Tickets:

Free for WAC Members
$20 for Non-Members
$10 for Students & Professors

This event is made possible by a generous grant from the World Affairs Councils of America and the International Labour Organization.

Society and Cyberthreats: Risks to National Security in a Global Economy
2022-10-19 18:30 - 19:30 | Virtual Event
Join us for a Virtual Event on Wednesday, October 19th at 6:30 PM via Zoom Webinar, Society and Cyberthreats: Risks to National Security in a Global Economy.
Today, we transact vast amounts of data through smart-devices for work, home life, and everything in between. Data is the ‘new oil’ and cybersecurity has evolved into a primary focus for malicious actors—some of whom are foreign State actors and often very well organized, coordinated, with the objective of achieving strategic outcomes. To better understand this landscape of cyberthreats, we bring together this panel discussion on Society and Cyberthreats to examine our country’s cyber strategies.
We are joined by Dr. Harknett and Ms. Guider to start by asking some simple questions to better understand Cyberthreats in our daily lives beyond our mere distant awareness about coercion, militarized crisis, and war:

Is cybersecurity more of a technology or people problem?
How have the nature of cybersecurity threats changed in the recent decade(s)?
How has the training/education curriculum evolved in response to the changing global cybersecurity threats?

Guest Panelists:
Kathy Guider, Vice President Veracity IIR, retired FBI Special Agent
Richard Harknett, PhD, University of Cincinnati, Professor & Director, School of Public and International Affairs (SPIC), Co-Director, Ohio Cyber Range Institute(OCRI), Chair, Center for Cyber Strategy and Policy (CCSP)

International Education Summit
2022-11-11 08:00 - 13:30 | NKU Student Union Ballroom, 20 Kenton Dr., Highland Heights, KY, Highland Heights, KY, 41076, United States
The 16th Annual International Education Summit (IES) will return to in-person this year! We are excited to offer interactive informative workshops for students with sessions focused on Climate Action. This year’s Summit will provide numerous opportunities to engage with international and local educators, community partners, and business leaders, etc. We look forward to welcoming you and your students to NKU!

SIjo Workshop: You Know Haiku, Now Try Sijo
2023-01-25 18:00 - 19:00
Elizabeth Jorgensen, Arrowhead Union High School
– Incorporating Sijo into the classroom will be discussed
– Professional Development (1.5) contact hours
– Resource material available for completing the workshop
– As stand-alone or complement to Asynchronous Sijo Teacher Workshop.
Most American students have written haiku poems. The 3 line, 17 syllable Japanese poetic form is a staple in elementary, middle and high schools. Haiku poems are a good introduction to both poetry and Japanese culture. However, there is another type of East Asian poetry called a sijo that is longer, and that can further challenge students to play with language, write poetry, and share their stories with the world. Participants will learn the history, structure, and themes of sijo, as well as make a plan for how to teach sijo poetry in the classroom. Instructors will learn about the benefits and logistics of entering students into sijo-writing competitions and have time to write and workshop their own poems.
Details about all Sijo programs at https://easc.osu.edu/sijo

NCTA Workshop: Folding it into the Curriculum: Origami and STEAM in the K-12 Classroom
2023-01-31 17:30 - 20:30
Presenters:
· Ann Marie Davis, Associate Professor, The Ohio State University
· Angie Stokes, NCTA Alumni, Wayne Trace Junior/Senior High
· Tammy Taylor, NCTA Alumni, Twin Valley School District

Through hands-on activities, films, lectures, and discussions, learn how origami illuminates new and exciting directions in the classroom from social-emotional learning to cross-curricular teaching. Come learn about the modern applications of paper-folding, a journey that takes us around the globe and to the stars and back! In this workshop, we will explore the “art of the fold” by investigating the multi-disciplinary aspects of origami in the classroom. While folding math and science into the curriculum, we will also consider the history of origami and paper-making in East Asia, paper-folding in Japan, and functional origami in modern scientific design. While supplies last, origami sets will be sent to workshop participants.

Free and Open to the Public

Educator Professional Development Webinar: Inclusion and Peace Building
2023-09-21 16:00 - 17:00
In this workshop, we will discuss the relationship between conflict and displacement, and the unique experiences and challenges faced by women, youth, and people with disabilities who are displaced. The workshop will conclude with a small group activity and a plenary discussion on how to incorporate lived experiences into curriculum.

Sponsored by: World Affairs Council – Cincinnati & Northern Kentucky, U.S. Institute of Peace, Cleveland Council on World Affairs, and World Affairs Council of Kentucky and Southern Indiana

Register for FREE here.

About Elizabeth Murray:

Elizabeth Murray is a senior advisor on peacebuilding and inclusion at the U.S. Institute of Peace. She leads the Institute’s efforts on disability-inclusive peacebuilding and advises on programming and research in the Sub-Saharan Africa region.

Murray first joined USIP in 2008 to work on the Institute’s grantmaking in Colombia. She has led USIP’s grantmaking in several countries and has managed programs and research in Sudan and Central African Republic. In addition to the inclusion of people with disabilities in peacebuilding, her thematic interests include national dialogues, political transitions and migration.

Prior to joining USIP, Murray managed educational programs at the Kennedy Center and served as a Peace Corps volunteer in Costa Rica. She holds a bachelor’s degree in international politics and Latin American studies from Georgetown University, a master’s degree in conflict analysis and resolution from George Mason University, and a graduate certificate in international migration studies from Georgetown University.

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.

Virtual Information Session for the International Education Summit
2023-11-06 16:00 - 17:00
We invite local educators, students, and community partners to join us in exploring the UN Global Goals from a “glocal” perspective. This info session will cover the details of the Summit including our new Lauf Global Studies Grant. We will also discuss the outcomes from the summit including:

To expand students’ awareness and provide experiences for them to make an impact in their community through the Global Goals
To enhance students’ understanding of global education and career pathways

Register Here!

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.

Apply Now! Richard Lauf Global Studies Grant Due November 27th!
2023-11-27
You cannot teach a man anything. You can only help him discover it within himself
-Galileo Galilei

To honor the legacy of Richard Lauf, the World Affairs Council is proud to announce five grants of up to $1000 for students and educators. For 59 years, Richard devoted his time and passion to world affairs, now hoping to inspire the next generation of leaders.
Who can apply?
Students, teachers, or student organizations.
What do I have to do to apply?
GLOCAL is the main focus for this project: Think Globally, Act Locally.
Support, expand, or strengthen an initiative of existing projects/clubs or create new initiatives that benefit your school or community based on the United Nations Global Goals. Click here for more information and to apply!
Step 1: Research ways to “take action” based on the UN Global Goals. Connect with a teacher to assist in your initiative.
Step 2: Write out your project description that aligns with the “take action” in your research.
For example, a student/teacher could receive up to $1000 to start or expand a student club. The club must meet at least two times a month to research local issues for their school or community. This will then be followed up by an initiative which will be reported back to the World Affairs Council. Funds could be used to get snacks for the meetings and for the selected project. This is only one example, we encourage you to also be creative!

How much funding can you receive?
Five grants of up to $1000 will be awarded!
What is the deadline to apply?
Submissions are due November 27, 2023.
Click here for more information and to apply!

International Education Summit: Changing the World Together as Young People
2023-12-07 08:00 - 14:00 | Northern Kentucky University, Nunn Dr, Highland Heights, KY, 41099
We are proud to announce the 17th Annual International Education Summit which will be held December 7th at Northern Kentucky University titled,
“Changing the World Together as Young People“.
Student? Teacher? Do you want to solve the world’s biggest issues?
This is the field trip you WANT to attend.
Noel Ifeyani Alumona, an international social development expert, will keynote the event. He started the Shaping the Future Project which provides young people a platform to connect with experts, mentors, and resources to help solve the world’s biggest challenges. Learn how when he was just in high school how his passions brought him to be where he is today. You can do it too!
“I used to think the summit was just a big lecture, and now I think it was a great opportunity to network with people in careers that I am interested in,” says Samuel, attendee from 2022 International Education Summit.
For only $20 (lunch included), you can expand your future possibilities.
Scholarships are available!
Learn more below or by clicking here.
Still need convincing to attend?

Discover how you can learn skills to apply to real life scenarios through workshops by our keynote speaker and local organizations such as Groundwork Ohio River Valley, Art Equals, and LaSoupe.
Network with some of the most fascinating, international leaders at the Rich Lauf Career Fair in the community. You get to shake hands with them at this event!
Want a head start in your education or career as a high school student. This is the event for you! Learn more by clicking here.
Apply for the inaugural Richard Lauf Global Studies Grant. You can win up to $1000! (Click here for more information).

We look forwarding to talking with you about attending this annual event for high school students! If you have any questions, please email Melissa McDonald, Director of Global Education, at mmcdonald@cincyworldaffairs.org.

Tickets on Sale Now: One World Gala & Global Trivia Competition
2024-04-12 18:00 - 22:00 | The Transept, 1205 Elm St, Cincinnati, OH, 45202
We are excited to host you at our most popular annual fundraiser! Join us on April 12, 2024 from 6:00 – 10:00 p.m. at The Transept in Over-The-Rhine!
Our 11th Annual One World Gala & Global Trivia Competition promises to be the most exciting event of the century – and an evening of fun and global connections that showcases our beloved City’s global sparkle! So dress your best for an evening of fun!
Supporting this event shows your commitment to preparing students to be globally competent in the 21st century global environment. For more than 100 years, the World Affairs Council has been committed to providing public school students with access to global learning opportunities. Click here for more information.

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!

Bites & Bytes: Google's Latest AI Rollouts Virtual Workshop
2025-10-16 11:30 - 12:30
Join us in partnership with the Hamilton County Educational Service Center (HCESC) for an informative workshop focusing on how to utilize AI in the classroom. Led by HCESC’s Instructional Technology Consultant, Sara Sheldt, learn how Google’s new AI tools—including Gemini—are transforming and supporting both educators and students.
These innovations are especially valuable for today’s global classroom, enhancing accessibility, collaboration, and cross-cultural learning. This workshop is offered in collaboration with the World Affairs Council – Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky, as part of our shared commitment to promoting education for all.
The workshop will go from 11:30-12:15PM and will be $20 per person.
About Sara:
Sara Sheldt is an Instructional Technology Consultant with Hamilton County ESC, bringing 20 years of experience in education. She supports schools and districts in integrating technology to enhance teaching and learning, with a current focus on artificial intelligence tools. Sara is passionate about helping educators leverage technology to engage students, differentiate instruction, and bring real-world skills into the classroom while also simplifying their tasks to give them more time to focus on what matters most.

Global Chat: Your AI Co-Pilot for Glocal Impact (Create and Use a Custom Bot in Under an Hour!)
2025-11-17 16:00 - 17:00
Are you ready to bring high-impact global education into your classroom without adding hours to your planning time?

Join us for an energetic, hands-on session that introduces you to the future of teacher support: Your Custom AI Co-Pilot.
The World Affairs Council of Greater Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky is launching the Youth Leaders for Glocal Impact (YLGI) platform, and we’ve built a dedicated AI chatbot powered by Google’s Gemini technology just for our educators.
In this 60-minute workshop, you will:

Unlock the Power of the YLGI Chatbot: Learn how to use this custom tool to instantly get answers on project deadlines, budget templates, and program rules, so you can focus on mentoring, not managing.
Generate Ideas on Demand: We’ll dive into practical prompts and use the bot to generate tangible ideas for connecting your current classroom topics to Global Themes and local community action. Walk away with ideas you can implement tomorrow, such as:

“How can my 9th-grade history class explore sustainable cities and communities using a Cincinnati-based current event?”
“Give me three quick community engagement activities for a project focusing on access to clean water around the world.”

Become AI Literate: Gain essential skills in AI prompting and learn the responsible way to use these tools to enhance global literacy and project-based learning in your school.

Your Takeaway: You will leave this session with a clear understanding of how to use this AI co-pilot as a permanent, always-on planning assistant, allowing you to lead your students to greater Glocal Impact with less effort!
About Joshua Amstutz – Josh has taught for 15 years, 14 of which have been for the Winton Woods City School District (WWHS). He is the current coordinator of the Academy of Global Studies at Winton Woods High School, the Math Department Head at Winton Woods High School, a certified New Tech Network trained teacher, and a New Tech Network trainer for project based learning at Winton Woods High School. Josh graduated from Capital University with a degree in Integrated Mathematics and from the University of Cincinnati with a MAT graduate degree from the Department of Mathematics.
In addition to his many roles at WWHS, Josh is part of the 2019-2020 Impact U cohort on improvement science through Cincinnati Children’s Hospital and Strive Partnership. He is a Fulbright Alum from the 2019-2020 cohort of the Fulbright for Global Classrooms program and a TOP alum from the 2025 cohort of the Transatlantic Outreach Program. He was selected as the 2022 AFS-USA Global Educator of the Year and is a current state finalist in Ohio for the 2025 Presidential Awards for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching (PAEMST). He has also worked closely with the curriculum director and his school’s physics teacher to implement multiple co-taught math and science courses as well as College Credit Plus (CCP) math courses in his school district. He currently teaches a combined math and science course called Pre-Calculus Aligned Physics (PCAP) in addition to CCP Statistics and CCP Calculus.

19th Annual International Education Summit
2025-12-09 08:00 - 13:30 | Northern Kentucky University, Nunn Dr, Highland Heights, KY, 41099
Curious about how the world is changing and what it means for your future?

Designed for high school students and educators, IES offers a day of hands-on workshops, inspiring speakers, and career-focused networking — all centered on how global events and local communities are more connected than ever.
Hosted by the World Affairs Council of Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky, this annual summit helps students explore real-world issues, develop practical skills, and discover career opportunities in a wide range of fields.

What you’ll experience:

Interactive workshops led by students and community leaders.
Community Fair + Speed Networking with local professionals.
Insightful discussions on current international topics and future careers.

Whether you’re planning your next steps or just want to understand the world around you better, this event will give you the tools and confidence to move forward.

Learn more here!

Youth Leaders for Glocal Impact Grant 2026
2026-01-09
Your World. Your Project. Your $1,000 Opportunity.
The Youth Leaders for Glocal Impact (YLGI) program transforms passion into powerful community action. We believe that global leaders aren’t just in boardrooms—they’re in your classroom. This free, introductory training gives you the foundational skills to identify a local problem, connect it directly to a UN Sustainable Development Goal (SDG), and design a measurable project blueprint. Watch the video to the left to get inspired, then jump into Module 1: Idea to Impact to secure your spot! The module, alongside the corresponding application, are due no later than January 9th, 2026 to be considered!
Only teams who complete Module 1 and submit a strong proposal are eligible to receive the full grant funding and move into the advanced training modules (2-4).
Your journey to making a real-world difference starts right here! Application deadline is January 9, 2026 .
Watch the first module

Supporting Every Voice: AI-Enhanced Classrooms for Multilingual Learners
2026-01-29 16:00 - 17:00 | Virtual Event
Artificial intelligence is opening new doors for supporting multilingual learners—making it easier than ever to translate materials, adapt lessons, and connect across languages. In this session, you’ll see how AI can help simplify complex texts, create bilingual resources, and strengthen communication between teachers, students, and families. Learn how to use AI tools thoughtfully to bridge language gaps, celebrate linguistic diversity, and build classrooms where every student feels seen, supported, and included.

Explore AI tools that support multilingual learners through translation, text simplification, and bilingual resource creation.
Learn how AI can strengthen communication between teachers, multilingual students, and their families.
Understand simple, responsible ways to use AI to bridge language gaps and create more inclusive classrooms.

Tickets are $20. Scholarships available!

Youth Leaders for Glocal Impact Celebration
2026-05-14 17:30 - 19:30
To celebrate the recipients of the World Affairs Council’s Youth Leaders for Glocal Impact Grant on May 14th at the Glendale Lyceum at 5:30PM
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.
We look forward to seeing you there as we hear from the students and educators about their projects in action!
