World Affairs Council of Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky

NON-FUNGIBLE TOKENS (NFTS) AND THE GLOBAL ART MARKET
2022-03-16 19:00 - 20:00 (America/New_York) | Virtual Event
Non-fungible tokens (NFTs) are best described as “bitcoin for art.” NFTs allow pictures, videos, music, or anything other form of visual or digital culture to be to be traded, stored or authenticate. NFTs allow artits to see and protect their digitial creations as the block-chain technology means NFTs cannot be duplicated without permission. However, because there is no real oversight or regulation, NFTs are easy to exploit. Louise Carron, an associate at Klaris law, will be helping us understand this new frontier in the global art trade.
Louise Carron is an Associate at Klaris Law who is passionate about advising entrepreneurs, start-ups, and nonprofits across creative industries. Primarily focusing on contract matters, copyright use, and new technologies, Louise particularly enjoys helping artists protect their creations, rights, and legacies.
Prior to joining Klaris Law, Louise spent three years as the Executive Director of the Center for Art Law, where she ran daily operations, taught workshops on legal basics for artists, and mentored interns. She also worked on various transactional and litigation matters with J. Greenberger PLLC.
Louise has written on numerous topics at the junction of art and law, including street art and NFTs, and she is a regular contributor to the Entertainment, Arts and Sports Law (EASL) Journal published by the New York State Bar Association. She appeared on various panels and podcasts, co-chairs the EASL Pro-Bono Steering Committee, and is a member of the Art Law Committee of the New York City Bar Association. She also serves as secretary of the Center for Art Law’s board of directors.
Louise grew up Paris, France, where she pursued a double Bachelor’s in French Law and Common Law and a Master’s in Comparative Business Law. She also earned an LL.M from the Benjamin N. Cardozo School of Law (NY) with a concentration in Fashion, Art, Media and Entertainment Law. She lives in Brooklyn and is admitted to practice in New York State.

Small World Cafe: Contextualizing the Crisis in Ukraine
2022-03-14 13:00 - 14:00 | Virtual Event
Monday, March 14, 1pm EST
After the February 24 Russian invasion of Ukraine the world watched in horror as the situation rapidly escalated into a full-on war and refugee crisis. As Americans struggle to follow this crisis, we cannot begin to understand a possible outcome without a full picture view of the historical events and motivations that have shaped Russia’s actions. To contextualize this crisis, Dr. Steven Miner of Ohio University will share with us a history of Russia’s foreign policy aims since the end of the Cold War, Ukraine’s priorities and challenges as a young democracy, and Putin’s nationalistic rhetoric and motivations for pursuing Ukraine.
Speakers:
Dr. Steven Miner, Professor, Department of History, Ohio University
Steven M. Miner is Professor in the Department of History. He is a specialist in recent Russian/Soviet and East European history. He is currently at work on a history of the Soviet Union during the Second World War, tentatively titled The Furies Unleashed: The Soviet People at War, 1941-1945, to be published in the United States by Simon and Schuster and in Great Britain by Bloomsbury.
**This program takes place via Zoom from 1-2 PM EST as part of the 2022 Small World Cafe series with the World Affairs Council of Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky and Gulf Coast Diplomacy of Pensacola, Florida.

“Challenges of Leadership in Our Democracy” With Secretary of Defense Leon Panetta
2022-03-08 16:00 - 17:00 | Virtual Event
“Challenges of Leadership in Our Democracy”
With Sec. Leon Panetta
(Secretary of Defense, 2011-2013
Director of the CIA, 2009-2011)
A Zoom Webinar event
Tuesday, March 8th, 2021 at 1:00 PM PST
Conversation moderated by Dr. Richard Downie
—
Speaker Bio:
The son of Italian immigrants, born and raised in Monterey and graduate of Santa Clara University and Santa Clara University School of Law, Secretary Panetta began his long and distinguished public service career in 1964 as a First Lieutenant in the United States Army, and upon discharge went to work in Washington as a legislative assistant to United States Senate Minority Whip Tom Kuchel of California. In 1969, he was appointed director of the Department of Health, Education and Welfare’s Office for Civil Rights, where he was responsible for enforcing equal education laws. Later, he served as executive assistant to the mayor of New York City. He then returned to Monterey, where he practiced law until his election to the United States House of Representatives in 1976.
Serving in Congress for sixteen years, Secretary Panetta was a key participant in agriculture, healthcare, ocean and federal budget issues. From 1989 to 1993, he chaired the House Budget Committee. He authored a wide range of legislation, including the Hunger Prevention Act of 1988, Medicare and Medicaid coverage for hospice care for the terminally ill, and numerous measures to protect the California coast, including creation of the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary.
In 1993, Secretary Panetta left Congress to serve as director of the Office of Management and Budget for the Clinton administration. There, he was instrumental in developing the policies that led to a balanced federal budget and eventual surpluses. In 1994, he accepted appointment as the president’s chief of staff, and immediately brought order and focus to White House operations.
Upon leaving the Clinton administration in 1997, Secretary Panetta joined with his wife Sylvia to establish and co-direct The Panetta Institute for Public Policy, based at California State University, Monterey Bay. Reflecting Secretary Panetta’s own ideals and personal example, the nonpartisan, not-for-profit study center seeks to attract thoughtful men and women to lives of public service and prepare them for the policy challenges of the future.
Returning to public service in the Obama administration as director of the CIA, he ran the operation that brought Osama bin Laden to justice, and, as Secretary of Defense, led the effort to develop a new defense strategy, helped bring two wars to an end, and opened up opportunities for everyone to serve in the military.
Secretary Panetta returned to the Panetta Institute as chairman on February 27, 2013 and resumed his role as moderator of the renowned Leon Panetta Lecture Series. He chronicles his life in public service in his best-selling memoir Worthy Fights, which was published in 2014.

Stand with Ukraine
2022-03-07 19:00 - 20:00 | Clock Tower at the Square at Union Centre

DEMOCRACY & THE PRESS
2022-03-03 18:00 - 19:00 | NKU Griffin Hall
JOIN US FOR DEMOCRACY & THE PRESS
with AP photojournalists in conversation about how the free press plays an essential role in sustaining an informed democracy

March 3, 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.
NKU’s Griffin Hall, admission is free – or attend virtually
RSVP by CLICKING HERE
Presented with support from Kentucky Humanities

Community friends,
Even as democracy is threatened in the world, it has been under fire, too, in our own nation. On May 25, 2020, George Floyd was killed in police custody – awakening national protests. On Jan. 6, 2021, the nation’s Capitol was stormed by a mob that wanted to overturn a presidential election.
Covering both was the Associated Press, the stalwart news service that provides coverage of events in our home communities, in the nation and around the world. As I write this, AP reporters and photographers are in Ukraine, covering the outbreak of a war.
Next week, on Thursday, March 3, at 6 p.m., three AP photojournalists who have been in the thick of the events of the past few years, will visit Northern Kentucky University to talk about their work. The powerful images have helped to tell the story of America in our times.
The three are:

Kim Johnson Flodin, a deputy news directors based in Chicago, and one of AP’s photo editors who direct coverage.
Julio Cortez, staff photographer, and part of the 2021 Pulitzer Prize winning team of AP photographers – his widely published photo taken on the night of May 28 in riot-torn Minneapolis shows a lone, silhouetted protester running with an upside-down American flag past a burning liquor store.
Andrew Harnik, staff photographer, is based in Washington, DC, and was among the AP team who covered the storming of the Capitol. His work has taken him around the world with top U.S. diplomats and all over the country with presidents and candidates for president.

Standing Against Authoritarianism: Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya, Belarus’ Opposition Leader on Fighting the Lukashenko Regime from Exile
2022-03-03 12:00 - 13:00 | Virtual Event
Sponsored by World Affairs Council of Orange County
Conversation moderated by:
Melinda Haring, Deputy Director of the Atlantic Council’s Eurasia Center
—
Hosted in Partnership with UCLA Center for European and Russian Studies
—
A Zoom webinar event
Thursday, March 3, 2022, at 9:00 AM PST
Speaker Bio:
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya is the leader of the Belarusian democratic forces who independent observers agree won the presidential election on August 9, 2020, against the autocratic President Aliaksandr Lukashenka.
As the leader of the Belarusian democratic movement, she has visited 26 countries, gathering support and advocating for the release of almost a 1000 of political prisoners and a peaceful transition of power through free and fair elections. In meetings with President Biden, Chancellor Merkel, President Macron, President von der Leyen, President Charles Michel, and other world leaders, Tsikhanouskaya emphasized the need for a braver response to the actions of the Belarusian dictatorship.
Tsikhanouskaya’s story began when she entered the race after her husband Siarhei Tsikhanousky was arrested for voicing his presidential aspirations. Lukashenka publicly dismissed her as a “housewife,” saying that a woman cannot become president. Nonetheless, Tsikhanouskaya united and successfully led the democratic coalition along with two other leaders, Maria Kalesnikava and Veranika Tsapkala. Following her forced exile, Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya inspired unprecedented peaceful protests in Belarus, with some rallies numbering at least 200,000 people.
In 2020–2022, Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya became a symbol of the peaceful struggle for democracy and strong female leadership. Among dozens of distinctions, she is a recipient of the Sakharov Prize awarded by the European Parliament, 2022 International Four Freedoms Award, and Charlemagne Prize. She was nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize by Lithuanian President Gitanas Nauseda and Members of the Norwegian Parliament. Tsikhanouskaya has been recognized in Bloomberg’s Top 50 Most Influential People, Financial Times’ Top 12 Most Influential Women, and Politico’s Top 28 Most Influential Europeans.
Moderator Bio:
Melinda Haring is the deputy director of the Atlantic Council’s Eurasia Center. Previously, she was the editor of the Atlantic Council’s popular publication, the UkraineAlert blog. She is the author of the report Reforming the democracy bureaucracy (FPRI, 2013) coauthor of Biden and Ukraine: a strategy for the next administration (Atlantic Council, 2021), Biden and Belarus: a strategy for the next administration (Atlantic Council, 2021), Ukraine’s internally displaced persons hold a key to peace (Atlantic Council, 2017), and a contributor to Does democracy matter? (Rowman & Littlefield, 2017).
Haring has worked for Eurasia Foundation, Freedom House, and the National Democratic Institute, where she managed democracy assistance programs in Azerbaijan, Georgia, and Russia. A graduate of Georgetown University, she holds an MA in Government with a certificate in Russian, Eurasian, and East European Studies.
Haring is the vice-chair of the board of East Europe Foundation in Kyiv, Ukraine, a member of the supervisory board of Right to Protection in Kyiv, Ukraine, and a senior fellow at the Foreign Policy Research Institute. She is a term member of the Council on Foreign Relations.

Clear skies at last: Is 2022 the year the aviation industry makes its return?
2022-02-28 18:30 - 19:30
Could the year of the Tiger be the year the aviation industry makes a roaring comeback? Few industries have had to manage the logistical and health challenges that the COVID-19 pandemic has brought as directly and constantly as Airports and Airlines. With varying international restrictions, remote work changing the nature of business travel, and the pandemic continuing to affect how we travel for leisure and for business, we’ll discuss the outlook for the future of air travel. Our panel of airport experts will explore what trends in the airport/airline industry are here to stay, which we might say goodbye to in 2022, and what learning to live with COVID-19 means for travel. We will also have a sneak peek at some of the latest innovations happening at two leading U.S. airports.
Get to know our speakers & moderator and register for this virtual webinar event at the link below!
Keith Wilschetz, Director of Strategic Planning, Metropolitan Nashville Airport Authority
Keith Wilschetz brings over 35 years’ experience in airport planning, operations, and leadership. He is currently the Director of Strategic Planning for the Metropolitan Nashville Airport Authority, a position he has held since December 2020. Prior to his current position, Mr. Wilschetz was Deputy Executive Director of Operations and Emergency Management for Los Angeles World Airports (LAWA), where he was responsible for all airport operations of Los Angeles International Airport (LAX)–landside, terminal, and airside–as well as Emergency Management at both LAX and Van Nuys general aviation (VNY) airport. Mr. Wilschetz has also served as Director of Airport Planning & Noise Mitigation for the San Diego Regional Airport Authority and Vice President of Planning at Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport (DFW).
Brian Cobb, Chief Innovation Officer, Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport
Brian is the Chief Innovation Officer for the Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport, a 30-plusyear veteran in aviation, and a graduate from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University. From his flight instructor and commercial pilot certifications to his executive roles in the airline industry and CVG Airport, Brian has the experience and passion for bringing about advancements to aviation and beyond. He is a persuasive speaker for diverse industries and media, sharing a narrative of how visionary leadership through innovation supports a culture of collaboration, drives successive sustainable wins, and grows strategic value throughout business life cycles and personal growth.
Doug Goldberg, President, Strategic Planning Services, Inc. (SPS)
Doug has participated in master planning, strategy studies and operational analyses for dozens of airports throughout the Americas, Europe, Asia, India, the South Pacific and the Middle East. He serves as President and CEO of Strategic Planning Services, Inc., a global airport planning consultancy that embraces the transportation adventure with visionary thinking backed by deep technical expertise, state-of-the-art tools, and proven hands-on-experience to achieve solid strategic results today and into the future.

Lunar New Year Celebration
2022-02-18 17:00 - 20:00

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.

British Arrows 2021
2022-02-13 15:30 - 17:30, 2022-02-12 19:00 - 21:00, 2022-02-11 19:00 - 21:00
B R I T I S H A R R O W S

~ Exclusive Cincinnati Screening ~
☀ IN-THEATRE …
January Screenings Postponed. New Dates:
Feb 11 – 12 – 13, 2022

~ Open Caption Screenings ~
$10 adv, $15 door, Fridays & Saturdays – 7 PM, Sundays – 3:30 PM.
Proof of vaccination required for admission.
☀ STREAMING ONLINE …
$15, 24 x 7, available now

Short film fans rejoice! Always a crowd pleaser, the British Arrows return for our twelfth annual exclusive Cincinnati presentation — in person at the Garfield and online for those who wish to view from home.
The eclectic program features drama, spectacle and comedy from the evolving world of British advertising, including timely pieces advocating for social change to moments of much-needed comedic relief, from directors at the top of their game.
For newbies, the Arrows are highly creative, entertaining adverts and PSAs that are much different from their American cousins. No hype, no hard sell, they tell engaging stories, just like little movies, offering great variety that will keep you guessing.
Exhibition Notes: In-theatre and virtual presentations will include Open Captions.

Global Economic Outlook 2022
2022-02-10 12:00 - 13:00 | Virtual Event
Are you worried about the volatility of the stock market?
Do you have concerns about ongoing inflation and its impact on your wallet?

Despite pandemic stress and global supply chain woes, the U.S. economy grew last year at its fastest pace since 1984, rebounding from a sharp but limited coronavirus-driven recession in March 2020. The nation’s gross domestic product (GDP), a measure of all goods and services produced, expanded by 5.7 percent in 2021, the Commerce Department reported last Thursday. Growth accelerated even faster during the period from October to December, rising to 6.9 percent on an annualized basis. All good news right? Not so much as signs of volatility continue to rock the market.

In 2021, stocks were at a record high even with rising inflation, supply chain problems, and pandemic driven pressures. Unfortunately, the stock market has had its worst start to the new year since 2016. Because of this shift in 2022, the bull market is now facing significant uncertainty. Does this mean we are headed into a bear market?

Wage growth remains elevated in the U.S. However, consumer spending fell in December as Americans stayed home with spiraling coronavirus numbers and retailers struggled to keep up with demand due to holiday shopping disruptions. What is the Federal Reserve doing to reduce the impact of inflation on consumers? How many times will the Federal Reserve raise interest rates in 2022?

World food prices jumped 28 percent in 2021 to their highest level in a decade, and hopes for a return to more stable market conditions this year are slim, according to the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO). What does this mean for the working poor and the middle class who are already stretched thin?

Join the World Affairs Council of Charlotte on Thursday, February 10, 2022 with Dr. Jay Bryson, Managing Director and Chief Economist for Wells Fargo’s Corporate and Investment Bank. Bryson will share his expert insight into the global economic outlook for 2022, referencing domestic and major economies worldwide while addressing major challenges stemming from the pandemic and its impact to your bottom line.

WACC Distinguished Speaker Series (Virtual)
Thursday, February 10, 2022

Global Economic Outlook 2022

Dr. Jay Bryson
Managing Director and Chief Economist for Wells Fargo’s Corporate and Investment Bank

Presentation and Q&A (VIA ZOOM)
12:00 – 1:00 PM EST
Cost:
WACC & YPWACC Member / Student / Teacher Ticket:
FREE
UNC Charlotte Faculty / Students / Staff:
FREE
Non-member Ticket: $12

For non-online payments: Please call 704-687-7762 or mail your check to “World Affairs Council of Charlotte, 9201 University City Blvd., Charlotte, NC 28223)

British Arrows 2021
2022-02-06 15:30 - 17:30, 2022-02-05 19:00 - 21:00, 2022-02-04 19:00 - 21:00
B R I T I S H A R R O W S

~ Exclusive Cincinnati Screening ~
☀ IN-THEATRE …
January Screenings Postponed. New Dates:
Feb 4 – 5 – 6 & 11 – 12 – 13, 2022

~ Open Caption Screenings ~
$10 adv, $15 door, Fridays & Saturdays – 7 PM, Sundays – 3:30 PM.
Proof of vaccination required for admission.
☀ STREAMING ONLINE …
$15, 24 x 7, available now

Short film fans rejoice! Always a crowd pleaser, the British Arrows return for our twelfth annual exclusive Cincinnati presentation — in person at the Garfield and online for those who wish to view from home.
The eclectic program features drama, spectacle and comedy from the evolving world of British advertising, including timely pieces advocating for social change to moments of much-needed comedic relief, from directors at the top of their game.
For newbies, the Arrows are highly creative, entertaining adverts and PSAs that are much different from their American cousins. No hype, no hard sell, they tell engaging stories, just like little movies, offering great variety that will keep you guessing.
Exhibition Notes: In-theatre and virtual presentations will include Open Captions.

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: 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.

The World in Context with Ambassador Charles Shapiro
2021-12-15 12:00 - 13:00 | Virtual Event
Please join Ambassador Charles Shapiro, former U.S. Ambassador to Venezuela and the departing President of the World Affairs Council of Atlanta, as he discusses the state of the world in 2021 and into the future. We’ll cover Ambassador Shapiro’s role in the world affairs councils and what to look out for in the years to come.
Join us as we tackle questions like, what can we do to change the state of the world right now?
You won’t want to miss this. RSVP now.
World Affairs Council of Pittsburgh, World Affairs Council of Atlanta, and World Affairs Council of Connecticut

Tokyo Shaking (Film) at Garfield Theatre
2021-12-12 19:00 - 21:00, 2021-12-11 16:00 - 18:00 | The Garfield Theatre, 719 Race Street, Cincinnati, OH, 45202, United States
The biggest earthquake Japan has ever experienced triggers the Fukushima disaster. Alexandra has recently arrived in Tokyo as an executive with a French bank and is tasked with managing corporate profit and risk objectives as the crisis unfolds.
Torn between business and government disinformation, loyalty to her work team and love of her family, Alexandra must choose between shifting management mandates and her personal honor and compassion in the face of emerging terror and anxiety.
☀ Based on a true story and real events, Tokyo Shaking will appeal to general audiences who enjoy drama and suspense, and especially those with interest in global cultural contrasts … the conflicts faced by women in business … banking, finance and international commerce … current events and contemporary Japanese history … business and government ethics … how we cope with natural disasters.

Josep - Un Film de Aurel in French, Spanish, & English with English Subs at Garfield Theatre
2021-12-12 16:00 - 18:00 | The Garfield Theatre, 719 Race Street, Cincinnati, OH, 45202, United States
OVERVIEW: JOSEP is an animated biographic drama wrapped in 20th century history, based on real events, about Josep Bartolí (1910-1995), an exceptional artist and resistance fighter in the Spanish Civil War.
Best known for his sketches of life in French internment camps, 1939-1943, Bartoli’s subsequent life experiences inform his artistic evolution – captured in non-linear fashion by director Aurélien Froment (aka “Aurel”) by use of multiple styles to demarcate the periods in Josep’s life.
This powerful portrait of Bartolí’s triumph over adversity is fascinating, informative and inspirational.

Anatolian Food Fest
2021-12-12 11:00 - 16:00 | 2601 4th Street Dayton, OH 45403

Josep – Un Film de Aurel in French, Spanish, & English with English Subs at Garfield Theatre
2021-12-11 19:00 - 21:00 | The Garfield Theatre, 719 Race Street, Cincinnati, OH, 45202, United States

Stammtisch
2021-12-02 17:30 - 19:30 | Hofbrauhaus Newport, 200 East Third Street, Newport, KY, 41071
Stammtisch: German for “regulars’ table”; serves as an informal meeting and friendly get together
Join the European American Chamber of Commerce for business networking among current and prospective EACC members, as well as Austrian-Swiss-German Committee members.
Stammtisch networking events are held on the first Thursday of every month.

Role of International Organizations in a Global Pandemic
2021-11-30 13:00 - 14:00 | Virtual Event
The Covid-19 pandemic has thrust the World Health Organization (WHO) into the limelight, for better and for worse. While some of the Trump administration’s criticism of the organization was unfair, the response to the early stages of the pandemic left many experts wanting more from the WHO. What is the WHO’s role in responding to international pandemics? What can be done to improve the WHO’s response to future global health crises?
Dr. Samira Asma is the Assistant Director-General for Data, Analytics and Delivery for Impact at the World Health Organization where she leads WHO’s efforts to use timely, reliable and actionable data to drive progress towards the Triple Billion targets and health-related Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The COVID-19 pandemic has underscored the urgency to strengthen country health information systems. By aligning with countries and partners, Dr. Asma is working to ensure every country has a robust data and health information system, to make health data accessible, and to use data to improve health.

Introduction to the World of Butoh
2021-11-19 18:00 - 19:00 | Virtual Event
Join us as University of Michigan Professor Erik Santos provides insights into the history of Butoh and shares his perspective on this unique and sometimes controversial art form. Together with his wife, Japanese filmmaker Toko Shiiki, Professor Santos will share several Butoh dancers’ answers to the fundamental question: What is Butoh for you?
The webinar will feature two video clips, including “Manna” by Kumotaro Mukai, with an original musical score by Erik Santos, and artwork by Toko Shiiki. The Butoh dancer Mukai performed in 2008 at the University of Michigan, and the video of the performance has never been released to the public.
The presenters will also talk about the collaboration with Butoh dancers Jun Wakabayashi and Rie Kim and discuss their process for building a dance performance.

Disarray & Disaster in the Taliban's Afghanistan
2021-11-18 18:30 - 19:30 | Virtual Event
Please join us for a special, exclusive event featuring Lt. Tom Schram, a former U.S. Navy intelligence officer, who specializes in the study and reporting on national security and political-economic events in China, the Western Pacific, the Middle East, and Afghanistan.
Thursday, November 18 at 6:30PM EST
via Virtual Zoom Presentation
The disaster and chaos in Afghanistan just keep getting worse. With the government unable to pay its bills, the infrastructure crumbling, the ruthless treatment of remaining Afghans who could not escape during the U.S./NATO airlift, the ruling Taliban are finding it complex and difficult to govern and manage as they change from fighting a war to state building, all in a failing economy with no workable financial system in place.
The Taliban’s approach to government has been and continues to be a strict Sharia law under a vicious theocracy. Their merciless approach to those not conforming exactly to these beliefs knows no mercy for those left behind following the U.S. departure. Women’s rights are almost non-existent.
Our evening presentation will touch on the history of the region, previous conquests, topographic challenges, war after 9/11, the evacuation debacle and the poor planning decisions by National Command Authority. Last but not least, our speaker will discuss the strategic implications for the U.S. and the world going forward.

Our Presenting Guest Speaker
Tom Schram holds a Bachelor of Science degree in electrical engineering from the United States Naval Academy, Class of 1969. Tom also has an MBA degree in marketing and finance from the Shidler School of Business, University of Hawaii. He was commissioned in the Navy’s Restricted Line and
served 7.5 years as a special intelligence officer in the Naval Security Group. He was stationed in both Japan and Okinawa while serving on multiple deployments. In 1973, he was assigned to NSGA Anchorage, AK as Executive Officer. He resigned his commission in late 1976.
His specialty was electronic intelligence collection while serving in the Naval Security Group. He played a role in the Saigon evacuation in 1975. After leaving the Navy, he had an eclectic career starting with Procter & Gamble where he worked in manufacturing, research & development, advertising brand management, and sales. He was a co-owner of an advertising agency that he helped grow from $2M/year in revenue to $12M over five years. He ran a ballistics research firm for eight years, helped start a microbrewery and led an Internet security firm who had developed an unbreakable firewall.
Tom’s innovative approach in each of his endeavors led to patents and unique business opportunities. However, he never lost his interest in discovering and publishing about world events. For the past twenty years, he has been deeply involved in studying and reporting on geopolitical events around the world with special focus on the Middle East, Afghanistan, and China. His resurgence in learning about all things geopolitical began on 9/11/2001 when he lost his very close friend and USNA classmate in the South Tower of the World Trade Center during the attack on America. Most recently, Tom played a direct role in assisting 757 Afghan refugees flee in the recent aftermath of the Taliban takeover and is now currently assisting another group of refugees who desperately need to evacuate Afghanistan.

Distinguished Speaker Webinar | United Arab Emirates: 50 Years Young
2021-11-17 19:00 - 20:00 | Virtual Event
About the Program
On Wednesday, November 17, our Distinguished Speaker will be Ms. Shaima Gargash, Deputy Chief of Mission at the United Arab Emirates Embassy in Washington, D.C. This year marks the 50th anniversary of the establishment of U.A.E. as a united and independent country. This small, dynamic Middle Eastern country has recently launched the HOPE probe now orbiting around Mars, is aggressively investing in renewable energy sources back on Earth, and is hosting Dubai EXPO 2020 (the first-ever world’s fair in the Middle East). One of America’s strongest allies in the region, the UAE is exerting a leadership role in perennially dynamic Middle Eastern diplomacy.
Ms. Shaima will be interviewed by Pierre Atlas, PhD, who teaches graduate and undergraduate courses in the Public Affairs and Criminal Justice Programs at the O’Neill School of Public and Environmental Affairs at IUPUI. He was previously Professor of Political Science at Marian University where he served as the Founding Director of the Richard G. Lugar Franciscan Center for Global Studies and directed its annual speaker series. He writes a monthly opinion column for the Indianapolis Business Journal, and has been a board member of Indiana Council on World Affairs since 2020. A native of Texas, Pierre grew up in California and is a US Army veteran.

The Future of Arctic Security: Conversation with ADM. Karl Schultz, Commandant U.S. Coast Guard, Senator Lisa Murkowski of Alaska, U.S.
2021-11-16 16:00 - 17:00 | Virtual Event
Speaker Biography:
Admiral Karl L. Schultz assumed the duties as the 26th Commandant of the United States Coast Guard on June 1, 2018. As Commandant, he oversees all global Coast Guard operations and 41,000 active-duty, 6,200 reserve, and 8,500 civilian personnel, as well as the support of 25,000 Coast Guard Auxiliary volunteers.
He previously served from August 2016 to May 2018 as Commander, Atlantic Area where he was the operational commander for all Coast Guard missions spanning five Coast Guard Districts and 40 states. He concurrently served as Director, DHS Joint Task Force-East, responsible for achieving the objectives of the DHS Southern Border and Approaches Campaign Plan throughout the Caribbean Sea and Eastern Pacific Region, including Central America.
Prior flag assignments include Director of Operations (J3), U.S. Southern Command in Doral, Florida; Commander, Eleventh Coast Guard District in Alameda, California; and Director of Governmental and Public Affairs at Coast Guard Headquarters in Washington, D.C. Previous operational assignments include Sector Commander in Miami, Florida, as well as command tours aboard Cutters VENTUROUS, ACACIA, and FARALLON.
His senior staff assignments include Chief of the Office of Congressional and Governmental Affairs; Congressional Liaison to the U.S. House of Representatives; Liaison Officer to the U.S. Department of State, Bureau for International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs; Assignment Officer at the Coast Guard Personnel Command; and Command Duty Officer in the Seventh Coast Guard District Operations Center in Miami.
A native of Connecticut, Admiral Schultz graduated from the Coast Guard Academy in 1983, earning a Bachelor of Science degree in Civil Engineering. In 1992, he was awarded a Master’s Degree in Public Administration from the University of Connecticut, and in 2006, completed a one-year National Security Fellowship at Harvard University’s Kennedy School of Government. He and his wife, Dawn, have five children – Kelsey, Lindsey, Annaliese, Eric, and Zachary.
His personal awards include the Defense Superior Service Medal, four Legions of Merit, four Meritorious Service Medals, three Coast Guard Commendation medals, two Coast Guard Achievement Medals and various other personal and unit awards.
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Special Guest Biography:
Lisa Murkowski, Alaska’s senior U.S. Senator, is a third generation Alaskan proudly serving as the first Alaskan born senator.
Since joining the Senate in 2002, Senator Murkowski has worked tirelessly for Alaskans and earned a reputation in the Senate for her ability to work collaboratively and across the aisle to reach common sense solutions. Murkowski is well-known for her love and dedication to her state, which means putting Alaska first.
A leader on energy and public lands issues, Senator Murkowski recognizes that sound national policy will promote not only job creation and economic growth, but also higher standards of living and greater global stability. She supports the safe and efficient production and use of all forms of domestic energy, as well as research to help develop emerging technologies. Senator Murkowski continues to pursue policies to advance renewable energy, increase energy efficiency, and make America’s energy cleaner, more affordable, and more reliable.
Senator Murkowski has long advocated for the Arctic as a national priority and continues to push the United States to invest in the infrastructure and assets critical to supporting an Arctic strategy. She is leading the charge to recapitalize and expand America’s fleet of icebreakers and has introduced legislation to raise the nation’s presence in the Arctic through two bills that support responsible research and development as well as giving those who live in the region a greater voice on policy and research.
She is a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee (Subcommittees –Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies; Defense; Energy and Water Development; Homeland Security; Military Construction, Veterans Affairs, and Related Agencies), Ranking Member of the Interior-Environment Subcommittee, member of Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, member of the Senate Health, Education, Labor & Pensions Committee, and Vice Chairman of the Senate Indian Affairs Committee.
Murkowski was born in Ketchikan and raised in towns across the state, including Wrangell, Juneau, Fairbanks, and Anchorage. She is married to Verne Martell, and they have two grown sons. Lisa loves spending time in the Alaska outdoors. She’s an avid skier, has hiked on glaciers, enjoys fall duck hunts, and has an impressive King Salmon mounted on her office wall.
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Moderator Biography:
Heather Conley is senior vice president for Europe, Eurasia, and the Arctic and director of the Europe, Russia, and Eurasia Program at CSIS. Prior to joining CSIS as a senior fellow and director for Europe in 2009, Conley served four years as executive director of the Office of the Chairman of the Board at the American National Red Cross.
From 2001 to 2005, she was deputy assistant secretary of state in the Bureau of European and Eurasian Affairs with responsibilities for U.S. bilateral relations with the countries of Northern and Central Europe. From 1994 to 2001, she was a senior associate with an international consulting firm led by former U.S. deputy secretary of state Richard L. Armitage.
Ms. Conley began her career in the Bureau of Political-Military Affairs at the U.S. Department of State. She was selected to serve as special assistant to the coordinator of U.S. assistance to the newly independent states of the former Soviet Union, and she has received two State Department Meritorious Honor Awards.
Ms. Conley is frequently featured as a foreign policy analyst and Europe expert on CNN, MSNBC, BBC, NPR, and PBS, among other prominent media outlets. She received her B.A. in international studies from West Virginia Wesleyan College and her M.A. in international relations from the Johns Hopkins University School of Advanced International Studies (SAIS).
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Commandant’s White House Fellow Biography:
Victoria Herrmann is a 2021-2022 White House Fellow placed with the Commandant of the U.S. Coast Guard. Prior to the Fellowship, Dr. Herrmann was an Assistant Research Professor at Georgetown University, a National Geographic Explorer, and the Managing Director of The Arctic Institute, a nonprofit with a mission to inform policy for a just, sustainable, and secure Arctic. Victoria directed strategic planning and oversaw the implementation of global research partnerships by a 45-person team.
Her research focused on Arctic climate change and resilience. As a recognized expert in the field, Victoria has testified before the House and Senate, served as the Alaska Review Editor for the National Climate Assessment, and contributes to national and international media. At Georgetown, she served as the Principal Investigator of a National Science Foundation-funded Research Coordination Network on Arctic migrations. The three-year initiative aims to build a lasting, policy-oriented network of Arctic scientists to strengthen communication between nations and scientific disciplines.
Beyond the Arctic, Victoria studies climate-induced displacement, migration, and relocation in North America and Fiji as a National Geographic Explorer. In her first National Geographic project, America’s Eroding Edges, she traveled across the country interviewing 350 local leaders to identify what’s needed most to safeguard coastal communities against the unavoidable impacts of climate change.
Her project, Rise Up to Rising Tides, is creating an online matchmaking platform that connects pro bono experts with climate-affected communities. The project seeks to safeguard heritage by connecting national expertise to some of the 13 million Americans at risk of being displaced due to rising waters in the coming years.
Victoria was a Junior Fellow at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, a Fulbright Awardee to Canada, and a Mirzayan Science and Technology Policy Graduate Fellow at the National Academies of Sciences. She received her Ph.D. from the University of Cambridge as a Gates Scholar, an M.A. in International Affairs from Carleton University, and a B.A. from Lehigh University.
