World Affairs Council of Pittsburgh Events

Video Conference for High School Students: The World’s Response to a Nuclear Iran (May 23, 2012)

Wed, 23 May 2012 15:30:00 GMT

Does Iran have the right to move forward with its nuclear program?

What will the world look like with a nuclear Iran?

How should the international community respond?

Prior to the event, students will examine a scenario, respond to questions, and prepare brief comments from the perspective of an assigned country to explore that nation’s relationship with Iran, its role in the international community, and its policies on nuclear technology. During the video conference, students will share their ideas and engage in a roundtable and concession discussion with the hopes of coming to a consensus among the international community about Iran’s nuclear ambitions.

Dr. Trita Parsi is the founder and president of the National Iranian American Council and an expert on US-Iranian relations, Iranian politics, and Middle East politics. He is the author of A Single Roll of the Dice: Obama’s Diplomacy with Iran and Treacherous Alliance: The Secret Dealings of Iran, Israel and the United States. He is the 2010 recipient of the Grawemeyer Award for Ideas Improving World Order. Dr. Parsi has followed Middle East politics through work on Capitol Hill and at the United Nations. He has worked for the Swedish Permanent Mission to the UN, where he served in the Security Council, handling the affairs of Afghanistan, Iraq, Tajikistan and Western Sahara, and in the General Assembly's Third Committee, addressing human rights in Iran, Afghanistan, Myanmar and Iraq. He is widely published and is a frequent guest on radio and television.

Schedule

	11:30 - 11:35 a.m.	Welcome
	11:40 a.m. - Noon	Remarks by Dr. Parsi
	Noon - 12:40 p.m.	Roundtable discussion by country and Q&A
	12:40 - 12:55 p.m.	Preparation of concessions
	12:55 - 1:15 p.m.	Sharing of concessions
	1:15 - 2:00 p.m.	Discussion of policy options

A limited number of schools may participate.

Questions?
Contact Amiena Mahsoob at the World Affairs Council by phone at 412-281-7973 or by email at amiena@worldpittsburgh.org.

Presented by the World Affairs Council of Pittsburgh and Cornell School District

Political Salon: Trapped in a Paradigm of Enmity? The Obama Administration's Diplomacy with Iran (May 23, 2012)

Wed, 23 May 2012 22:00:00 GMT

Policy analysts speculated whether President Obama’s 2009 address to the Muslim world from Cairo, Egypt, would usher in a new era of diplomacy between the United States and Islamic communities. On the issue of Iran, however, little progress has been made. Throughout 2009 and 2010, governments in the United States and Iran were challenged to balance competing domestic concerns which hampered diplomatic efforts to address issues such as nuclear ambitions and Iran’s support of groups such as Hezbollah and Hamas. Today, in the face of an ongoing international dialogue about a possible war involving Iran in 2012, it seems that neither side has exhausted all of the diplomatic tools at their disposal.

Can the Obama administration avoid another costly conflict in the Middle East, or does Iran prove to be such a threat that action must be taken? What diplomatic tools have not yet been used, and how do other international players such as European and Arab nations factor in to diplomacy? How does the United States’ relationship with Israel affect this situation? Join Dr. Trita Parsi for a timely discussion of the Obama administration’s policy regarding Iran.

Dr. Trita Parsi is the founder and president of the National Iranian American Council and an expert on US-Iranian relations, Iranian politics, and Middle East politics. He is the author of the book A Single Roll of the Dice: Obama’s Diplomacy with Iran, as well as Treacherous Alliance: The Secret Dealings of Iran, Israel and the United States. He is the 2010 recipient of the Grawemeyer Award for Ideas Improving World Order. Dr. Parsi has followed Middle East politics through work on Capitol Hill and at the United Nations. He has worked for the Swedish Permanent Mission to the UN, where he served in the Security Council, handling the affairs of Afghanistan, Iraq, Tajikistan and Western Sahara, and in the General Assembly's Third Committee, addressing human rights in Iran, Afghanistan, Myanmar and Iraq. Dr. Parsi’s articles on Middle East affairs have been published in the Wall Street Journal, Financial Times, Jane's Intelligence Review, the Nation, The American Conservative, the Jerusalem Post, The Forward, and others. He is a frequent guest on CNN, PBS's Newshour with Jim Lehrer, NPR, the BBC, and Al Jazeera. Dr. Parsi is a graduate of Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies, where he has served as an adjunct professor.

Costs
There is a $15 charge for this event. Food and beverages included.

Participants must register to attend. No-shows and cancellations after May 18, 2012 will be charged.

Questions?
Call 412-281-7970 or email welcome@worldpittsburgh.org.

This event is co-sponsored by the Conflict Kitchen and the World Affairs Council of Pittsburgh

Conversation and Luncheon: International Faceoff - Cross Cultural Understanding Through Sports (May 30, 2012)

Wed, 30 May 2012 16:00:00 GMT

Can sports help break down barriers and serve as a means for cultural diplomacy? For Evan Kaufmann, a Minnesota-born hockey player who currently plays for the Düsseldorf-based club DEG Metro Stars, playing professional ice hockey in Germany is more than fulfilling his career ambition as a professional athlete. In 2008, Mr. Kaufmann began his pro career on German ice 70 years after his grandfather survived the Holocaust. Mr. Kaufmann is one of a small contingent of Jewish professional athletes in Germany, and despite the progress made toward reconciliation and forgiveness in Germany with regard to its past, a divide still exists. Acknowledging the suffering of his family and countless others at the hands of the Nazis, Mr. Kaufmann navigates daily the lingering shadows of a horrific national experience while fulfilling both his professional and personal aspirations. In multiple ways, Mr. Kaufmann’s experience in Germany reflects the purity of sport, an essence that transcends cultural differences and instead fosters understanding and dialogue. Yet after such a traumatic chapter of the 20th century that left its indelible mark on world history, can hockey undefined and sports in general undefined help build a bridge between cultures? As a common language? Join us for a discussion about overcoming bias and how sports can help connect us all.

Evan Kaufmann born October 31, 1984, in Minneapolis, MN, is a Jewish professional hockey player currently living in Germany. Since childhood, he has had a passion for hockey. After playing four seasons under scholarship at the University of Minnesota, where he earned a Bachelor of Science degree majoring in Accounting and was a four time All-Academic Team selection, Mr. Kaufmann signed his first professional hockey contract to compete for the Düsseldorf Metro Stars of the Deutsche Eishockey Liga (DEL) based in Germany. Most recently, he has gained attention worldwide with his decision to take on dual citizenship between the USA and Germany, and by competing as a member of the German National Hockey Team. He and his wife Danielle are expecting their first child in June in Minneapolis before they return to Nürerrnberg, Germany, where he has signed a three-year contract to continue playing in the DEL. Mr. Kaufmann is the subject of a recent article written in the sports section of The New York Times by Jeré Longman, titled: “A Jewish Hockey Player at History’s Indelible Crossroad.”

Costs
$30 per person. Participants must register to attend. Please advise in advance of any dietary restrictions. No-shows and cancellations after May 25, 2012 will be charged.

Questions?
Call 412-281-7970 or email welcome@worldpittsburgh.org.

Panel Discussion and Reception The Energy of Diversity (May 30, 2012)

Wed, 30 May 2012 22:00:00 GMT

As Pittsburgh emerges as an energy capital domestically and on the world stage, the city draws international professionals from around the globe as they acquire jobs in the region and make Pittsburgh their home. The region’s energy mix, focusing on both traditional and alternative energy sources, has also contributed to an influx of professionals of with diverse backgrounds moving to the area. How are these international professionals enriching the region? What are the benefits of a more globalized energy market for the Pittsburgh area? Where can these local professionals act as ambassadors for Pennsylvania’s energy market to expand the region's reach into international markets?

The Young Professionals in Energy undefined in partnership with the Allegheny Conference and the World Affairs Council undefined have organized this panel to highlight the need for and pursuit of energy options across all sectors, both locally and globally. This event will feature speakers with international backgrounds who live and work in the Pittsburgh region. They will share their insights on the international and national energy economies, and will also focus on the strengths that diverse professionals bring to the energy field as a whole undefinedand this community in specific. This is a networking opportunity not to be missed for those interested in an international perspective on the energy industry.

There is no cost for this event. Registration is required and space is limited.

Questions?
Call 412-281-7970 or email welcome@worldpittsburgh.org.

Political Salon: Overcoming Religious Extremism in India - The Koraput Survivors Project (June 05, 2012)

Tue, 05 Jun 2012 22:00:00 GMT

Over the last decade, U.S. attention to religious extremism and sectarian violence has focused largely on terror threats and attacks stemming from areas of conflict in the Middle East and Central Asia. However, this type of extremism is not exclusive to nations in the midst of armed conflict. It is also manifest in countries that are at the forefront of economic and social development. Enter India. With its enormous population and growing economy, many view India as one of the preeminent powers on the world stage. Much focus is paid to India’s markets, its relationship with China, and its emergence as a regional hegemon vis-à-vis its powerful and influential neighbors. Yet what about the internal workings of a country that has over one billion people, multiple religions, and hundreds of dialects? Particularly, has India moved away from its traditional caste system and articulated universal human rights for its citizens, protecting its vulnerable populations from violence?

As India continues to move forward into the 21st century at breakneck speed, Lynn Johnson and Jen Saffron shed light onto the struggles of a suffering community in Koraput, a group of Christians who have been victimized by Hindu extremists. In 2008, 3,000 armed Hindu extremists burned their village to the ground, seeking to forcefully reintegrate the villagers into a caste system to which they consciously object. The community was left destitute. In response, the community banded together and relocated to Koraput in order to rebuild. Through a fundraising campaign, blog, and numerous photo essays, Ms. Saffron and Ms. Johnson follow the daily struggle Koraput villagers undergo in order to carve out a peaceful home. Join us for a discussion about religious freedom, cooperation, and a will to overcome all obstacles.

Lynn Johnson is a veteran photojournalist with over 35 years of experience documenting the human condition. With many credits in both National Geographic and Sports Illustrated, she has focused her lens on challenging global issues, such as disease, landmines, and threatened languages. She discovered the plight of the Koraput survivors while on assignment for National Geographic in India.

Jen Saffron began her photography career as a youth activist in Washington D.C. during the 1980s. Since then she has been a leading voice in human rights advocacy, engaging the topic as a writer, educator, and curator of photographs. Specifically focusing on race relations in the U.S., the Iraq War, and sectarian violence, she has created documentaries and publications that showcase the narratives of individuals who experience daily the hardships placed upon them through injustice and inequity.

Costs
Members $15 | Non-Members: $25. Food and beverages included.

Participants must register to attend. No-shows and cancellations after May 30, 2012 will be charged.

Questions?
Call 412-281-7970 or email welcome@worldpittsburgh.org.

With thanks to Bricolage for supporting this event.

Breakfast Briefing: Europe After the French Elections - Renegotiating Europe’s “Fiscal Pact” (June 12, 2012)

Tue, 12 Jun 2012 12:15:00 GMT

It is official: the recent presidential election in France was an upset. By unseating former French President Nicolas Sarkozy, François Hollande has promised new policies and a different approach to the financial crisis affecting Europe. He argues for stimulus instead of austerity and higher public spending instead of budget cuts. Yet in the midst of this power shift in France, the European sovereign debt crisis draws deeper divides between European states over the proposed “fiskalpakt.” President-elect Hollande does not mince words about standing up to German Chancellor Angela Merkel on the issue of European fiscal solvency. Chancellor Merkel has stated that her policy prescription is not up for negotiation. Eighteen months from elections in Germany, a new hierarchy of power has materialized in Europe, leaving many to wonder who will emerge in the leadership role. Further complicating the situation, Greece’s debt crisis continues to escalate amidst its own tumultuous election, with a lack of coalition government destabilizing European markets and directly threatening the world economy.

What does this mean for the United States and its fragile recovery from the worst economic recession in 80 years? How will U.S. leadership undefined in the process of its own election cycle undefined respond to this new balance of power in Europe? How will things play out as a new French president institutes new policies? In terms of security, the transatlantic relationship between the U.S. and its military allies in Europe will come to the forefront of the upcoming elections, as NATO’s role in both in Afghanistan and future engagements is further developed. Join us for a conversation about the future of the U.S.-European relationship and the impact of the elections on both sides of the Atlantic Ocean.

Ulrike Guérot joined the European Council on Foreign Relations in July 2007 as a Senior Research Fellow and Representative for Germany. Previously she was the Senior Transatlantic Fellow with the German Marshall Fund of the United States (2004-2007). Prior to that she headed the European Union unit at the German Council on Foreign Relations in Berlin (2000-2003). Dr. Guerot was also an Assistant Professor of European Studies at Johns Hopkins University, a Senior Research Fellow at Notre Europe in Paris, and a staff member of the German Bundestag's Commission on External Affairs. She publishes widely on European and transatlantic issues in various journals and newspapers, and is frequently invited to comment on several EU issues in the media. She has been awarded the prestigious ‘Ordre pour le Merite' for her engagement on European integration.

There is no charge for World Affairs Council members, and a $25 charge for non-members.

Please advise in advance of any dietary restrictions.

Participants must register to attend. No-shows and cancellations after June 7, 2012 will be charged.

Questions?
Call 412-281-7970 or email welcome@worldpittsburgh.org.

With special thanks to K&L Gates.

15th Annual Summer Institute for Teachers - Teaching Contemporary Global Issues (June 26, 2012)

Tue, 26 Jun 2012 12:30:00 GMT

Presented by the World Affairs Council of Pittsburgh in collaboration with Duquesne University

Continuing Professional Education Credit available for this course through Allegheny Intermediate Unit, pending approval by the Pennsylvania Department of Education

Graduate credit available through Duquesne University’s School of Education

The mission of the World Affairs Council of Pittsburgh is to promote among secondary teachers and students in the region:

a global perspective for a global century
informed and independent thinking about world affairs
critical understanding about important issues in an interdependent world as they affect the nation and the region

The Summer Institute for Teachers will:

help teachers to develop and maintain their skills, to access resources necessary to keep up with this dynamic and often volatile world, and to adapt their curricula accordingly

and will provide:

information on contemporary world issues and the global role of the United States
a framework for looking at international issues that reflects their highly complex and interrelated nature
an orientation to additional resources which teachers can access to enhance existing curricula and to support understanding of global issues throughout the academic year
methods of integrating new knowledge into lesson plans and other experience-based classroom activities designed to enhance the effectiveness of world affairs education

What is the Summer Institute for Teachers?
The Institute is a three-day workshop which consists of presentations on contemporary world affairs, small group problem solving exercises, and lesson-planning sessions with direct application to your curriculum.

What are this year’s proposed topics?

The U.S. and China: Competition or Collaboration?
International Terrorism: New Security Challenges
Education in the 21st Century: Developing Global Citizens

When is the Institute?
June 26 – 28, 2012 (Tuesday - Thursday)
8:30 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.

Where will the Institute be held?
324 Fisher Hall, Duquesne University
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

Who can attend?
Secondary social studies, world language, and gifted education teachers.

Why is the Institute relevant?
The world is changing rapidly and textbooks simply cannot keep up.

This course will provide an update on important international issues, help you to develop a framework for critical thinking and problem-solving, and facilitate the creation of lesson plans and materials.

What is the cost of the Institute?
There is a $25 non-refundable registration fee for the Institute.

This fee will help to cover the cost of materials, as well as breakfast and lunch for all three days.

Those seeking Continuing Professional Education credit are also responsible for the processing fee of $40 to the Allegheny Intermediate Unit. A separate application for CPE credit will be distributed at the Institute.

Questions?
Contact Allyce Pinchback, Program Officer, World Affairs Council of Pittsburgh at 412-224-4092 or email allyce@worldpittsburgh.org.

This Institute is made possible in part through generous support of the Henry C. Frick Educational Fund of The Buhl Foundation.