World Affairs Council of Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky

Taft Business Roundtable: Hybrid Onshore/Offshore Strategies for Suppliers/Buyers
2022-05-31 08:30 - 10:00 (America/New_York) | 1819 Innovation Hub
Join us for a discussion with experts, specialists and innovators on the topic of Hybrid Onshore/Offshore Strategies for Suppliers/Buyers. We are the epic center for goods and services distribution. Find out how geopolitics, technological innovations and other factors will impact how entrepreneurs can create, market and distribute products across the country and around the world.
Agenda:

8:30 Registration & lite refreshments
8:45 Opening remarks
9:00 Panel discussion
9:45 Q&A
10:00 Closing remarks

Some of the questions the panel may attempt to answer include:

Lessons learned from the supply chain bottlenecks
Just in time (JIT) dead or alive?
Is offshore manufacturing and supply chain obsolete?
How to reshore/onshore and what it means to cost and inflation?
Is there a hybrid onshore/offshore model for supply chain?
China-US decoupling or recoupling? Are there legitimate Indo Pacific substitutes to Chinese suppliers?

IDEA Summit 2022
2022-06-10 07:30 - 12:00 | St. Elizabeth Training and Education Center
The Northern Kentucky Chamber of Commerce (NKY Chamber) and St. Elizabeth Healthcare are partnering to host the first IDEA Summit – Building an Inclusive Community: The Business Case for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion powered by Fifth Third Bank. The event will be held from 8 a.m. to Noon on Friday, June 10, at the St. Elizabeth Training and Education Center (3861 Olympic Blvd., Erlanger, Ky., 41018) and will address removing barriers to employment, effective talent attraction and retention strategies, the importance of an inclusive workplace culture and building a plan for supplier diversity.
Tentative Event Schedule
7:30am – 8am: Registration/Breakfast/Networking
8am – 9am: Welcome and Keynote Speaker Stephanie A. Smith from Fifth Third
9am – 10am: Panel Discussion – All hands on deck: Removing Barriers to Employment. Panel moderator Dr. Eddie Howard, VP of Student Affairs at NKU.
Panel: John Hawkins MPI Consulting, Catrena Bowman-Thomas NKCAC, Alecia Webb-Edgington Life Learning Center, Paco Tello, Pefetti Van Melle
10am – 12pm: Break Out Sessions (Topics TBD)

Cost to Attend

Member Rate
$55

Future Member Rate
$70

NKYP Pass Rate
$50

Pre-registration is required. Click the “Register” button to reserve your seat! The NKY Chamber has a 48-hour cancellation policy for all events.

Midwest Regional Sustainability Summit
2022-06-16 | Hybrid
Join us as we explore Emergent Strategies for an Equitable, Climate Prepared Region.
In-person tickets to all days of events are limited. Please secure your spot early.
Award nominations and speaker, field trip and art submissions have closed.
Learn more about opportunities to sponsor the Summit.​
Our program includes a keynote, plenary, breakout sessions and short talks covering a broad range of relevant topics, including:

Healthy & Resilient Communities

Business & Green, Circular Economy

Government & Policy

Healthy, High-Performing Infrastructure

Creating a Food Secure Community

Climate Justice, Equity & Inclusion

Emergency Preparedness

30th Anniversary JASGC Golf Outing
2022-07-23 08:00 - 14:30 | The Links at Rising Star Casino and Resort

Expanding Inclusion: Why Antisemitism Must Be Incorporated into DEI Work
2022-08-22 11:30 - 13:00 | Nancy and David Wolf Holocaust and Humanity Center

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)

Mason Symphony Orchestra: Broadway to Bollywood
2023-02-11 19:30 - 21:30 | OH
A great night at a great venue! This musical theater-themed concert is sure to get you humming along and tapping your feet! Enjoy themes known and unknown, from East and West, with guest artist, Rahul Deshmukh on tabla and Broadway artists Melanie Woodruff and Henry Benson!
Due to generous, significant and substantial support of the City of Mason, we are able to offer you this concert for only $15. Come early for “happy hour” and enjoy our young artists’ pre-concert entertainment. Then take the party inside to the concert (refreshments purchased at Great Wolf Lodge are permitted inside the concert hall — please note Great Wolf Lodge is a CASHLESS venue).

Program to include:
Arrangements of music by A.R. Rahman
Testament by Reena Esmail
Selections from your favorite musicals

Lunar New Year Gala by M3C
2023-02-18 17:00 - 21:00 | OH
This momentous event is our opportunity to celebrate the most important holiday in Asian culture together. We want to bring the business community of Cincinnati (and beyond) together to mix, mingle and enjoy a fine evening of Asian cultural celebration.

Kazakhstan Delegates Visit to discuss Data-Drive Prevention Policy in Public Health - Need Homestays
2023-04-07 - 2023-04-15 | OH
The World Affairs Council is hosting a delegation from Kazakhstan traveling on The Open World Leadership Center’s exchange program to discuss data-driven prevention policy in public health. The group will be in the region from April 7-15, 2023 and are looking for volunteers who can host the group in their home for the week. Please let us know if you are interested by filling out this application (less than 1 minute) and email Emily Rose, International Programs Lead, at erose@cincyworldaffairs.org for more information.
The Open World Leadership Center administers the Open World program, one of the most effective U.S. exchange programs for countries of the post-Soviet era. The program has enabled more than 29,000 current and future leaders from Azerbaijan, Georgia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Moldova, Russia, Ukraine, Tajikistan, and Turkmenistan to meaningfully engage and interact with Members of Congress, Congressional staff, and thousands of other Americans, many of whom are the delegates’ direct professional counterparts.

The US role in the world: Ukraine, Russia, Taiwan & China
2023-05-25 08:00 - 17:00 | Greydon Law Offices, 312 Walnut Street, Suite 1800, 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 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.

The US role in the world: Ukraine, Russia, Taiwan & China ft. Senator Rob Portman
2023-06-14 11:30 - 13:00 | 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.

TechGirls Exchange - International high schools visit in July
2023-07-22 - 2023-07-26 | OH
The World Affairs Council is hosting a delegation of high schools students from Eurasia traveling on TechGirls. The group will be in the region from July 22-26, 2023 and are looking for volunteers who can host the group in their home for the week. Please let us know if you are interested by filling out this application (less than 1 minute) and email Emily Rose, International Programs Lead, at erose@cincyworldaffairs.org for more information.
Since 2012, TechGirls has trained and mentored 528 teenage girls (ages 15-17). The program began supporting girls from the Middle East and North Africa (Algeria, Egypt, Jordan, Lebanon, Libya, Morocco, Palestinian Territories, Tunisia, and Yemen). In 2019, the program expanded to include young women from Central Asia (Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan). In 2022, the program underwent a global expansion to begin serving girls in six world regions (Western Hemisphere, Sub-Saharan Africa, Europe and Eurasia, East Asia Pacific, Middle East and North Africa, and South and Central Asia).
TechGirls connects and supports the next generation of women leaders in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics by providing them access and opportunities to advance their skills and pursue their dreams.

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.

Educator Professional Development Webinar: Inclusion and Peace Building
2023-09-21 16:00 - 17:00 | OH
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 | OH
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.

Green Drinks: Happy Hour in Partnership with Green Umbrella!
2024-03-14 17:00 - 19:00 | Esoteric Brewery, 918 E McMillan St., Cincinnati, OH, 45206, United States
Once a month Green Umbrella has a monthly social event, offering a networking opportunity with sustainability leaders across Greater Cincinnati. World Affairs Council is proud to be collaborating with this amazing nonprofit Thursday, March 14th, along with our TESOL group who will be in Cincinnati to learn about environmental conservation and sustainability. This free event is open to anyone interested in climate action issues and getting involved in local sustainability initiatives. We kindly ask you register here. Hope to see you there!

Global Impact Celebration: In Honor of Rich Lauf Global Studies Grant
2024-05-15 17:30 - 19:30 | Somerhaus Event Space, 1415 Republic St, Cincinnati, OH, 45202, United States
To celebrate the recipients of the World Affairs Council’s inaugural Richard I. Lauf Global Studies Grant, we cordially invite you to Somerhaus in OTR on Wednesday, May 15th.
The winning grantees will be joining and sharing about their Global Impact, Local Action projects from the five schools who won: Aiken High School, Holmes High School, St. Ursula Academy, St. Xavier High School, and Winton Woods High School. Food and drinks will be provided as well as a scheduled program.
The Global Studies Grant in Honor of Richard I. Lauf was 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. All projects were implemented in Spring 2024. This is Global Impact, Local Action.
The grant recipients were announced at the 17th Annual International Education Summit this past December, 2023.
The following projects have since been implemented:
– Aiken High School: Appreciation of Cultural Diversity Through Memoir Story Time
– Holmes High School: Operation Compassion
– St. Xavier High School: Global X-plorers Club: Celebrate Cincinnati
– St. Ursula Academy: Recycling Initiatives at SUA
– Winton Woods High School: Taking Action with International Coffee
We look forward to seeing you there as we hear from the students and educators about their projects in action!

Register here!

VOLUNTEERS NEEDED: Home hosts needed for short stay with high school aged TechGirls!
2024-07-26 - 2024-07-31 | OH
Click here to learn more!
TechGirls is an international summer exchange program designed to empower and inspire young women (ages 15-17). The students have been selected and provided security screening by the US Department of State to participate in a 3-week program during the month of July. They are focusing on building understanding of careers in tech fields and relationships with incredible local companies in the region. The students are from Algeria, Egypt, Jordan, Lebanon, Morocco, Palestinian Territories, and Tunisia.
They will be in Cincinnati/NKY from July 26th-31st and we need individuals, couples, or families who are willing to host one or two of these amazing on these dates.
Volunteered in the past? Email Melissa Mcdonald, Director of Global Education, at mmcdonald@cincyworldaffairs.org
First time Volunteer? Fill out the form
Here are some photos from last year!

YOUTH LEADERSHIP DIGITAL LITERACY & BICOMMUNAL COMMUNICATION
2024-08-11 - 2024-08-26 | OH
We need home hosts! Click here to learn more!
The On-Demand Youth Leadership Program (ODYLP): Digital Literacy is an initiative of the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA), administered by Legacy International. We will have 20 youth leaders from Cyprus!
The Digital Literacy program will empower participating youth to…

Learn to use digital media to promote active citizenship and democratic principles through storytelling, audiovisual techniques, engaging campaigns, and facts-based approaches.
Recognize manipulation, misinformation, and disinformation in the digital information space and avoid its spread.
Use their social media presence to promote positive actions and shared values in their communities – from environmental stewardship to the prevention of gender-based violence.
Be aware of emerging trends in technology, like artificial intelligence, that affect digital spaces and democratic communication
Lead in their communities by promoting positive community action and understanding the responsibilities of citizenship and the power of civic engagement.
Build opportunities for mentorships with US-based organizations and school partnerships.

Home stays are a crucial component of this program that enrich the intercultural experience by allowing these leaders to become more deeply immersed in our local culture. They are also a unique opportunity for host families to learn from and form a long-lasting friendship with an individual from a different country without even leaving Cincinnati!

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!

Farmer's Market & Friends - Be an Ambassador for Your City!
2025-08-02 09:00 - 13:00 | North South Baking Company, 39 W Pike, Covington, KY, 41011, United States
Join the World Affairs Council – Cincinnati & Northern Kentucky for a global gathering right in the heart of our local community! Discover the opportunities we have for you to get involved with our organization!
Register now to visit our booth at the Covington Farmers Market and:

Learn about the World Affairs Council and how you can get involved.
Explore fun ways to connect with people from different countries.
Great conversations can happen right at your kitchen table.
A simple way to help build friendships across the globe.

Want to learn more? Visit us August 2 at the Covington Farmers Market!
Stop by our booth and get a free pastry voucher from North South Baking! Visit the bakery and connect with visiting delegates.
This event is free, but you must visit us at the booth to claim your pastry voucher.
This event receives support from Marriott International and Global Ties U.S. Learn more about the Dinner Diplomacy Program, a small grants initiative.

From Leaf to Matcha: A Holiday Experience at Churchill’s Fine Teas
2025-12-06 09:30 - 11:00 | Churchill’s Fine Teas, 6709 Madison Rd, Cincinnati, OH, 45227, United States
All contributions will benefit World Affairs Council 100%, a 501 (c) 3 non profit organization. A portion of your ticket is tax deductible.

Celebrate the season with a morning of tea, music, and mindfulness. Join us as we kick off the holidays with an inspiring matcha experience and a live violin performance, setting the perfect tone for a serene and uplifting gathering.

In this immersive workshop, you’ll explore the world of green tea and matcha—from the Camellia sinensis plant to the art and culture behind its transformation into matcha powder. Along the way, we will share stories, traditions, and insights into what makes this centuries-old tea so treasured around the world.

You’ll also enjoy an interactive Matcha 101 session, learning how to whisk matcha at home, use essential matcha accessories, and embrace the art of mindful tea preparation. The experience concludes with a guided tasting featuring a matcha shot, matcha latte, and matcha-inspired desserts, each designed to awaken the senses and celebrate connection.

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!

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.

WAC Non-Profit Spotlight: Covington Business Council March Luncheon
2026-03-19 11:30 - 13:00 | Embassy Suites RiverCenter, 10 E Rivercenter Blvd, Covington, KY, 41011, United States
We are so excited to announce that World Affairs Council will be Covington Business Council’s Non-Profit Spotlight for their March Luncheon. Join us Thursday, March 19 at Embassy Suites RiverCenter from 11:30AM-1:00PM where you will learn about Covington’s new City Hall AND more about the organization!
Covington is a city full of organizations we are lucky to partner with as well as a region we love to showcase to visiting international delegates. It is truly a bridge between the local and global community. We hope you can join us!
Buy tickets today
