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DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20240423T113000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20240423T140000
DTSTAMP:20260423T182535
CREATED:20240314T202823Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20240323T183214Z
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SUMMARY:Africa\, China and the US: Contenders for the Future of Africa with Dr. Kimani Nehusi
DESCRIPTION:Kimani Nehusi (PhD) is a progressive African historian born in Guyana. Dr. Nehusi is an academic who lectured at the University of Guyana\, the University of London and the University of East London and currently lectures at Temple University in Philadelphia. \nHe is known for his work on linguistics and Ancient Egyptian( Kemet) linguistic dispersal and has a study remit in African and Caribbean history and society; Nile Valley societies; research methodologies; education and socialization. African and Caribbean languages. \nNehusi’s research interests include Africa and its diaspora from ancient to modern times\, the Caribbean and Guyana. He has received many honours from different parts of the world for his scholarship. \nHe has been Assistant Examiner in the Caribbean Examinations Council (CXC) and lectured\, conducted workshops\, gave keynotes and contributed to radio and television programmes in many communities\, colleges\, universities and workplaces in various parts of the Caribbean\, USA\, Canada\, Europe (UK\, Holland\, Germany\, Sweden\, Denmark) and Africa (Nigeria\, Ghana\, South Africa). \nThis event will be held noon on Tuesday\, April 23 at the McGlinn Conference Center. \nThe deadline for registration is Thursday\, April 18. \nClick here to register for this event now.
URL:https://wacreading.org/event/africa-china-and-the-us-contenders-for-the-future-of-africa-with-dr-kimani-nehusi/
LOCATION:McGlinn Conference Center\, 460 Saint Bernardine Street\, Reading\, PA\, 19607\, United States
CATEGORIES:Luncheon Meeting
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://wacreading.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Dr.-Kimani-2.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20240313T113000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20240313T140000
DTSTAMP:20260423T182535
CREATED:20240229T205139Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20240304T192208Z
UID:7632-1710329400-1710338400@wacreading.org
SUMMARY:Facing Inhumanity: A Look at International Law with Dr. Randall Fegley
DESCRIPTION:Facing Inhumanity: A Look at International Humanitarian Law \nFollowing a brief summary of the major landmarks and personalities involved in the development of international humanitarian law\, this virtual presentation will review the major texts defining genocide\, war crimes\, crimes against humanity and crimes of aggression as they appear in international law. Dr. Fegley will be referring to how various cases fit into these legal frameworks\, including Armenia\, the Holocaust\, Rwanda\, Bosnia and the current situation in Israel/Palestine. Finally\, he will look at possible additions to the legal canons of world courts. \nIn 2021\, Randall Fegley Ph.D. retired after 35 years as Associate Professor of History and Politics at Penn State Berks College. The author of 11 books and numerous articles on global issues\, he continues his research on local responses to mass trauma. \nThis event will be held at the McGlinn Conference Center at 11:30 on March 13.\nClick here to register for this event now.\nRegistration deadline is March 8th.
URL:https://wacreading.org/event/facing-inhumanity-a-look-at-international-law-with-dr-randall-fegley/
LOCATION:McGlinn Conference Center\, 460 Saint Bernardine Street\, Reading\, PA\, 19607\, United States
CATEGORIES:Luncheon Meeting
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://wacreading.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/IMG_8465-2.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20240110T113000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20240110T133000
DTSTAMP:20260423T182535
CREATED:20231127T214217Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20231219T223042Z
UID:7563-1704886200-1704893400@wacreading.org
SUMMARY:Responding to Disasters with Adrian Grieve
DESCRIPTION:Adrian Grieve moved to United States from Scotland in 1985 after graduating with a degree in Social Work. He became a Red Cross disaster volunteer as a direct result of the December 1988 Pan Am 103 crash in his hometown of Lockerbie\, Scotland. He subsequently joined as a paid employee in 1992\, serving in multiple roles including Regional Disaster Officer and Executive Director. Adrian is currently the Central Atlantic Division Disaster State Relations Director serving DC\, DE\, MD\, VA\, and FEMA Region III. He has responded to over 30 large disasters such as hurricanes\, tornadoes\, floods\, and wildfires and hundreds of local home fires. Adrian specializes in responding to mass casualty incidents such as the Boston Marathon Bombing\, the Camp Fire in CA\, the Uvalde\, TX school shooting and most recently\, the Maui Wildfires\, as well as transportation incidents such as the United flight 93 crash in Shanksville\, PA on September 11\, 2001\, and more recently the Amtrak derailments in Philadelphia and DuPont\, WA. \nThis meeting will be held at the McGlinn Conference Center at noon on January 10\, 2024.\nClick here to register for this event now.\nDEADLINE FOR REGISTRATION IS JANUARY 6TH.
URL:https://wacreading.org/event/responding-to-disasters-with-adrian-grieve/
LOCATION:McGlinn Conference Center\, 460 Saint Bernardine Street\, Reading\, PA\, 19607\, United States
CATEGORIES:Luncheon Meeting
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://wacreading.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/2022-headshot.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20231213T113000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20231213T133000
DTSTAMP:20260423T182535
CREATED:20230601T204512Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20231207T024302Z
UID:7465-1702467000-1702474200@wacreading.org
SUMMARY:China with Dr. Scott Moore
DESCRIPTION:At this luncheon\, Dr. Moore will be presenting via Zoom. \nAs Director of China Programs and Strategic Initiatives\, Scott Moore works with faculty members from across the University to design\, implement\, and highlight innovative\, high-impact global research initiatives in areas including sustainability and emerging technology. Dr. Moore directs Penn Global’s four research and engagement fund programs\, including those designed to support faculty-led projects in China\, India\, and Africa. Dr. Moore also works collaboratively with colleagues across campus to elevate Penn faculty engagement initiatives with regional or thematic foci. \nScott Moore is a political scientist whose interests center on environmental sustainability\, technology\, and international relations. His first book\, Subnational Hydropolitics: Conflict\, Cooperation\, and Institution-Building in Shared River Basins (Oxford University Press\, 2018)\, examines how climate change and other pressures affect the likelihood of conflict over water within countries. Prior to Penn\, Dr. Moore was a Young Professional and Water Resources Management Specialist at the World Bank Group\, and Environment\, Science\, Technology\, and Health Officer for China at the U.S. Department of State\, where he worked extensively on the Paris Agreement on climate change. Prior to entering public service\, Dr. Moore was Giorgio Ruffolo Post-Doctoral Research Fellow with the Belfer Center for Science and International Affairs at Harvard University. Scott’s research and commentary on a wide range of environmental and international affairs issues has appeared in a range of leading scholarly journals and media outlets\, including Nature\, The China Quarterly\, Foreign Affairs\, and The New York Times. Dr. Moore holds doctoral and master’s degrees from Oxford University and an undergraduate degree from Princeton. \nThis event will be held at 12:00 noon on December 13th at the McGlinn Conference Center.\nDEADLINE FOR REGISTRATION IS DECEMBER 6TH \nClick here to register for this event now.
URL:https://wacreading.org/event/china-with-dr-scott-moore/
LOCATION:McGlinn Conference Center\, 460 Saint Bernardine Street\, Reading\, PA\, 19607\, United States
CATEGORIES:Luncheon Meeting
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://wacreading.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/Scott-Moore.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20231108T113000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20231108T133000
DTSTAMP:20260423T182535
CREATED:20230414T145318Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20231005T210703Z
UID:7448-1699443000-1699450200@wacreading.org
SUMMARY:Marginalized Communities in South America: The Case of Ecuador with Dr. Brian Jennings
DESCRIPTION:Dr. Jennings earned degrees in Forest Resource Management from West Virginia University before earning his PhD in Environmental Sociology from Utah State University.  His past research has focused on public program effectiveness\, community attachment in high-amenity settings\, and environmental worldviews of college students.  Dr. Jennings has a passion for the transformative power of study abroad.  He established the Interim in Ecuador program at Albright\, where students study a variety of topics while being immersed in the culture of Ecuador.  In the over 10 years the program has been in existence\, more than 100 students have studied in Ecuador.  He currently serves as the Vice President of the Association of Academic Programs in Latin American and the Caribbean (AAPLAC) and as a board member of the Centers for Interamerican Studies (CEDEI). \nThis event will be held at 12:00 noon on November 8 at the McGlinn Conference Center. \nDEADLINE FOR REGISTRATION IS NOVEMBER 1 \nClick here to register for this event now.
URL:https://wacreading.org/event/marginalized-communities-in-south-america-the-case-of-ecuador-with-dr-brian-jennings/
LOCATION:McGlinn Conference Center\, 460 Saint Bernardine Street\, Reading\, PA\, 19607\, United States
CATEGORIES:Luncheon Meeting
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://wacreading.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Sept21HeadShot-e1666108371697.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20231011T113000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20231011T133000
DTSTAMP:20260423T182535
CREATED:20230222T162707Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20231008T190445Z
UID:7397-1697023800-1697031000@wacreading.org
SUMMARY:Will Russia Survive Until 2084 with Philip Wasielewski
DESCRIPTION:Philip Wasielewski is a Senior Fellow in the Foreign Policy Research Institute’s Eurasia Program.  He is a former Paramilitary Case Officer who had a 31-year career in the Directorate of Operations of the Central Intelligence Agency.  He was a member of the first CIA team into Afghanistan in 2001 and served a three-year assignment on the National Security Council staff as the Director for Intelligence and Covert Action programs.  His CIA career was paralleled by a concurrent 30-year Marine Corps career (7 years active duty and 23 reserve) as an infantry officer including mobilizations for Afghanistan and Iraq.  Philip Wasielewski graduated from the University of Pennsylvania in 1983 with a B.A. in International Relations and European History.  He also has an M.A. from Harvard’s Davis Center for Russian Studies and an M.A. in National Security Studies from the Army War College. \nThis event will be held at 12:00 noon on October 11 at the McGlinn Conference Center. \nDEADLINE FOR REGISTRATION IS OCTOBER 3RD \nClick here to register for this event now.
URL:https://wacreading.org/event/will-russia-survive-until-2024-with-philip-wasielewski/
LOCATION:McGlinn Conference Center\, 460 Saint Bernardine Street\, Reading\, PA\, 19607\, United States
CATEGORIES:Luncheon Meeting
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://wacreading.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/Screenshot-2023-02-22-at-11.18.33-AM-e1692794270214.png
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20230913T113000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20230913T140000
DTSTAMP:20260423T182535
CREATED:20230309T000426Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20230830T203420Z
UID:7417-1694604600-1694613600@wacreading.org
SUMMARY:War Crimes and the Conflict in Ukraine: International Law at a Crossroads with Dr. Irene Langran
DESCRIPTION:Irene Langran is the Associate Dean of General Education and Faculty Development at Albright College. She is also a professor of Political Science\, teaching courses in international law\, human rights\, and global health. Her research interests include globalization\, global health\, and global governance. A passionate advocate of interdisciplinary studies\, Dr. Langran co-edited Globalization and Global Citizenship: Interdisciplinary Approaches (Routledge\, 2016). She has published in several academic journals\, including Journal of Asian and African Studies\, Asian Studies\, New Global Studies\, Canadian Journal of Political Science\, American Journal of Islamic Social Sciences\, and Journal for Peace and Justice Studies. An innovative teacher dedicated to the promotion of civil and productive political conversations in the classroom\, Dr. Langran received the Lindback Award for Distinguished Teaching at Albright College in 2016. \nDr. Langran received her doctorate from the University of Toronto\, specializing in the comparative politics of developing countries. The field research for her dissertation focused on health sector reform in the war-torn southern Philippine region of Mindanao. Before joining Albright’s faculty\, she worked with nongovernmental organizations in multiple countries—experiences she brings to her classroom today. \nThis event will be held at 12:00 noon on September 13 at the McGlinn Conference Center.\nDEADLINE FOR REGISTRATION IS SEPTEMBER 5TH \nClick here to register for this event now.
URL:https://wacreading.org/event/war-crimes-and-the-conflict-in-ukraine-international-law-at-a-crossroads-with-dr-irene-langran/
LOCATION:McGlinn Conference Center\, 460 Saint Bernardine Street\, Reading\, PA\, 19607\, United States
CATEGORIES:Luncheon Meeting
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://wacreading.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Unknown.jpeg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20230614T113000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20230614T140000
DTSTAMP:20260423T182535
CREATED:20230307T155735Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20230606T093933Z
UID:7414-1686742200-1686751200@wacreading.org
SUMMARY:New Crisis Narratives for Europe: Redefining Political Motives via Russian Disinformation about Ukraine with Dr. Marco Ehrl
DESCRIPTION:Dr. Marco Ehrl is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Communication Studies at Kutztown University of Pennsylvania. He earned his first M.A. in Communication and American Studies from the University of Duisburg-Essen in Germany. He earned his second M.A. in Communication from Central Michigan University and his Ph.D. in Communication from Texas A&M University. His research explores European and International crisis narratives\, global media\, and political rhetoric. Using qualitative and quantitative methods\, Marco’s research examines how political crisis narrators like the media\, public spheres\, and political leaders define the causes\, consequences\, and cures of political crises. Dr. Ehrl’s recent publications appeared in the International Journal of Strategic Communication and Communication and the Public. In addition\, Dr. Ehrl regularly presents his research at conferences including the International Association for Media and Communication Research\, the International Society for the Study of Argumentation\, the National Communication Association\, and the Rhetoric Society of America. Dr. Ehrl is also a Faculty Leader for The Washington Program and has worked with the Pentagon-based Strategic Multi-Layered Assessment Group conducting open-source intelligence research. \nPlease note the location change. This luncheon event will be held at Sly Fox Taphouse in Wyomissing.  \nClick here to register for this event now.
URL:https://wacreading.org/event/new-crisis-narratives-for-europe-redefining-political-motives-via-russian-disinformation-about-ukraine-with-dr-marco-ehrl/
LOCATION:Sly Fox Taphouse\, 820 Knitting Mills Way (Parking/entry in rear)\, Wyomissing\, PA\, 19610\, United States
CATEGORIES:Luncheon Meeting
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://wacreading.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/profile-picture_dr-marco-ehrl.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20230517T113000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20230517T133000
DTSTAMP:20260423T182535
CREATED:20230106T171020Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20230430T215559Z
UID:7351-1684323000-1684330200@wacreading.org
SUMMARY:Race\, American Diplomacy and why Diversity is so Important with Ambassador Charles Ray
DESCRIPTION:Charles A. Ray is a retired Foreign Service Officer who served 30 years in the US Foreign Service\, and before that\, 20 years in the US Army. During his army service\, including two tours in Vietnam\, he served in Military Intelligence\, Special Operations\, and Public Affairs\, with tours of duty in Germany\, Korea\, Vietnam\, and Panama\, as well as posts throughout the U.S.\, and retired in 1982 with the rank of Major. \nDuring 30 years in the Foreign Service\, he was posted to China\, Thailand\, Sierra Leone\, Vietnam\, Cambodia\, and Zimbabwe. His overseas assignments included service as Deputy Chief of Mission in Sierra Leone during that country’s transition to democratic rule\, he was the first US Consul General in Ho Chi Minh City\, Vietnam\, and was ambassador to Cambodia and Zimbabwe. From 2006 to 2009\, he was Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for POW/Missing Personnel Affairs and Director of the Defense POW/Missing Personnel Office. \nSince retirement from public service\, he has been a full time freelance writer and consultant\, and is the author of more than 60 books of fiction and non-fiction\, including three books on leadership. He is a frequent blogger and contributor to several Internet news and content sites. Ray is also a photographer and artist\, and has worked as a journalist and artist for a number of publications in the US and abroad. During the late 70s he was editorial cartoonist for the Spring Lake (NC) News\, a weekly newspaper near Fort Bragg\, NC. He was the first chairman of the American Foreign Service Association’s Professionalism and Ethics Committee. He runs a workshop on professional writing for Rangel Scholars at Howard University each summer\, and has lectured at the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute of Johns Hopkins University\, speaking on global hotspots and the History of American Diplomacy. He has also done consulting work for the Department of Defense on personnel recovery (working with the Angel Thunder PR exercise) and as an interagency subject matter expert during army unit pre-deployment training. \nRay is a member of the American Foreign Service Association (AFSA)\, the Association of Black American Ambassadors\, and the American Academy of Diplomacy. \nA native of Texas\, Ray now makes his home in North Potomac\, MD\, a suburb of Washington\, DC. \nThis event will be held at Legend’s Restaurant at noon on May 17th. \nClick here to register for this event now. \nThe event is being sponsored by Vice Admiral Daniel Cooper (Retired).
URL:https://wacreading.org/event/race-american-diplomacy-and-why-diversity-is-so-important-with-ambassador-charles-ray/
LOCATION:McGlinn Conference Center\, 460 Saint Bernardine Street\, Reading\, PA\, 19607\, United States
CATEGORIES:Luncheon Meeting
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://wacreading.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/7cb08800-7f45-4cf8-84cc-b6411735b313.png
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20230419T121500
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20230419T134500
DTSTAMP:20260423T182535
CREATED:20230213T161038Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20230403T203824Z
UID:7389-1681906500-1681911900@wacreading.org
SUMMARY:Public Service Abroad: What is the U.S. Foreign Service? with Elizabeth Smith
DESCRIPTION:Elizabeth Smith currently serves as the Public Diplomacy Officer for Public Engagement (Cultural Affairs Officer) at U.S. Embassy San Jose\, Costa Rica.  Within this portfolio\, she works on educational and cultural programming\, particularly for socially disadvantaged communities.  Her work includes building relationships with Costa Ricans through people-to people programs such as cultural and academic exchanges\, English language teaching\, women and youth entrepreneurship\, STEAM initiatives\, and various grant programs which promote U.S. values. \nPreviously\, she has served the U.S. Department of State in our missions in Pakistan\, Mexico\, and Guyana.  Prior to joining the Foreign Service\, she taught English as a Second Language in New York City public high schools and trained English teachers in Nicaragua through the English Language Fellows Program.   \nShe holds a B.A. in Romance Languages\, Urban Studies\, and Immigration Studies from New York University and a M.S. in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages from Fordham University.  In her free time\, she is currently pursuing a M.A. in International Law and Diplomacy from the University for Peace in Costa Rica\, charted by the United Nations.  She was raised in Lancaster\, PA. \nNo registration required. Simply join by 12:15pm on Wednesday\, April 19th. \nJoin here at 12:15pm on April 19th
URL:https://wacreading.org/event/costa-rica-with-elizabeth-smith/
LOCATION:Virtual Event\, PA\, United States
CATEGORIES:Luncheon Meeting
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://wacreading.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/Screenshot-2023-02-13-at-10.57.02-AM.png
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20230412T113000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20230412T133000
DTSTAMP:20260423T182535
CREATED:20230316T142513Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20230319T181832Z
UID:7428-1681299000-1681306200@wacreading.org
SUMMARY:Climate Change and the Future of Humanity with Dr. Spencer Stober
DESCRIPTION:Dr. Spencer S. Stober is a Professor of Biology at Alvernia University\, Reading\, PA\, where he taught Biology for 30 years. Since earning his doctorate at Temple University\, with a specialization in Educational Leadership and Policy Studies\, he teaches graduate courses in leadership and supervises dissertations. In 2005 he received Alvernia’s Christian R. & Mary F. Lindback Foundation Award for Excellence in Teaching\, and he was awarded the Neag Professorship in 2011. He has also served in several key administrative positions at Alvernia University\, including Department Chairperson\, Ph.D. Program Director\, Dean of Arts and Sciences\, and Dean of Graduate and Continuing Studies. Dr. Stober is an active participant in Common Ground’s Research Networks\, serving as a co-chair for “Organization Studies” and as an advisory board member for the international “On Sustainability Research Network.” His work on environmental\, cultural\, and socio-economic sustainability has enabled him to travel\, often with students\, to universities and various venues in more than 40 countries. Dr. Stober recently served as a co-editor with Dr. David Humphreys for a volume entitled Transitions to Sustainability: Theoretical Debates for a Changing Planet\, and he co-authored Nature-centered Leadership: An Aspirational Narrative\, with two Ph.D. students (Tracey L. Brown and Sean J. Cullen); both volumes were published by Common Ground in 2014 and 2013 respectively. Dr. Stober also co-authored a book with Dr. Donna Yarri\, Associate Professor of Theology at Alvernia University\, entitled God\, Science\, and Designer Genes: An Exploration of Emerging Issues in Genetic Technologies\, published by Praeger in 2009. \nThis event is being held at noon at Legends Restaurant on April 12th.\nClick here to register for this event now.
URL:https://wacreading.org/event/climate-change-and-the-future-of-humanity-with-dr-spencer-stober/
LOCATION:McGlinn Conference Center\, 460 Saint Bernardine Street\, Reading\, PA\, 19607\, United States
CATEGORIES:Luncheon Meeting
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://wacreading.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/Stober-e1672674743565.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20230215T120000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20230215T133000
DTSTAMP:20260423T182535
CREATED:20221212T015623Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20230113T024439Z
UID:7324-1676462400-1676467800@wacreading.org
SUMMARY:Narrative Trajectories of the Future of Global Competition: Assessment of Chinese and Russian Media from 2014-2019\, with Dr. Robert Hinck
DESCRIPTION:Today’s global environment is rife with uncertainty. Chief among them is concern over the future of the international order. To understand what these future challenges hold\, Dr. Robert S. Hinck will share findings from his recently co-authored book\, The Future of Global Competition: Ontological Security Narratives in Chinese\, Iranian\, Russian\, and Venezuelan Media. During the presentation\, he will discuss the role of identity\, narrative\, and areas of competition from the perspective of Chinese and Russian media. \nDr. Robert S. Hinck is an Associate Professor of Leadership and Director of Research at Air War College’s Leadership and Innovation Institute. He also serves as Deputy Director of Air University’s Quality Enhancement Plan where he is responsible for developing and assessing curriculum on ethical leadership across the continuum of AF learning. He received his PhD in Communication Studies from Texas A&M University and is lead author of two books\, the most recent entitled: “The Future of Global Competition: Ontological Security Narratives in Chinese\, Russian\, Venezuelan\, and Iranian Media.” His teaching and research have been recognized for excellence from multiple institutions\, including most recently being awarded the Ira C. Eaker Center’s 2022 Educator of the Year. Throughout his academic career\, he has taught over 25 different courses and published over 20 academic articles and book chapters\, 30 research reports\, and 60 conference papers in addition to receiving over $500\,000 in grant funds from the US Department of Defense\, Department of Homeland Security\, and the private non-profit Vaccine Confidence Fund. Prior to coming to Air University\, he served as co-department chair at Monmouth College\, director of the Public Relations Major\, and co-coordinator for the Asian Studies minor. \nThis event will be held virtually at Noon on February 15th \nClick here to register for this event now.
URL:https://wacreading.org/event/narrative-trajectories-of-the-future-of-global-competition-assessment-of-chinese-and-russian-media-from-2014-2019-with-dr-robert-hinkle/
LOCATION:Virtual Event\, PA\, United States
CATEGORIES:Luncheon Meeting
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://wacreading.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/Hinkle.png
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20230208T113000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20230208T133000
DTSTAMP:20260423T182535
CREATED:20221221T170436Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20230125T173423Z
UID:7327-1675855800-1675863000@wacreading.org
SUMMARY:My Experience in Nepal with Doug Metcalfe
DESCRIPTION:Doug will be sharing his personal journey of his recent Trek through the Himalayas in Nepal.  This photo presentation will recount the journey of his 14-day Trek through the vast and beautiful Himalayas\, the highest mountain range in the world.  This “once-in-a-lifetime” opportunity took him from Lukla to the Everest Base Camp\, then across the Cho La pass to Gokyo Lake back to Namche Bazaar before returning to Lukla.  Reaching elevations over 18\,000 feet with over 9\,000 feet of elevation gain from the lowest valleys to highest points.  During the presentation Doug will share general information regarding the people\, culture and history of Nepal as well as specific details regarding the preparations\, planning and daily life during this adventure. Come along on this presentation to experience the people\, food\, lodges\, terrain and beauty of the Himalayas!   \nDoug Metcalfe is life-long community volunteer\, activist and advocate.  He grew up on a 40-acre farm where he learned the values of hard work\, commitment to family and supporting your community.  He has a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration and a Master’s degree in Healthcare Administration.  Mr. Metcalfe had a distinguished career as a healthcare executive working for leading regional and world class healthcare organizations.  Later in his career he transitioned into the nonprofit world when an opportunity opened through a favorite volunteer position.   \nMr. Metcalfe has had a long-standing commitment to give back to his community through his involvement on numerous volunteer opportunities and board involvement.  He has worked with first time juvenile offenders\, served as a “Big Brother”\, hosted a Fresh Air child\, and founded and coaches a middle school running club.  Doug has served on many Non-profit boards and held leadership positions with Equality Pennsylvania\, Philadelphia Family Pride\, Robeson Elementary PTO\, TVMS Parent Involvement Council\, Twin Valley Aquatic Club\, and Rock Hollow Woods Environmental Learning Center.  Mr. Metcalfe is currently an elected School Director in the Twin Valley School District and Board President of the Resident Benefit Fund at the Heritage of Green Hills.   \nMr. Metcalfe is an avid runner\, fitness enthusiasts\, environmentalist\, gentleman farmer\, frequent traveler and amateur photographer.  He resides in Robeson Township with his husband\, Brian\, and their two daughters. \nTHIS EVENT IS BEING HELD IN PERSON AT LEGENDS RESTAURANT AT NOON ON FEBRUARY 8TH. \nClick here to register for this event now. \n– OR – \nCall 610-375-7880 or email contactus@wacreading.org
URL:https://wacreading.org/event/my-experience-in-nepal-with-doug-metcalfe/
LOCATION:McGlinn Conference Center\, 460 Saint Bernardine Street\, Reading\, PA\, 19607\, United States
CATEGORIES:Luncheon Meeting
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://wacreading.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/DougMetcalfe-Headshot.png
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20230118T113000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20230118T133000
DTSTAMP:20260423T182535
CREATED:20220918T235017Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20230115T224837Z
UID:7286-1674041400-1674048600@wacreading.org
SUMMARY:The Significance of German-American Relations: A Personal Experience with James Garrett and Tabea Kuhlmann
DESCRIPTION:James Garrett\, a recent graduate of Penn State University\, will be joined by Tabea Kuhlmann\, a student at Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich\, Germany\, to discuss the German-American relationship through the perspective of the transatlantic program Ambassadors in Sneakers. James and Tabea will use this intercultural exchange to highlight topics related to the two countries and international relations generally. \n\n\nThe two\, along with 22 fellow “young ambassadors” from the U.S. and Germany\, spent four weeks of the summer of 2022 exploring topics of transatlantic communication\, human rights\, and youth participation. The group spent time in Saarbrücken\, Berlin\, Reading\, and Washington DC connecting with activists\, political figures\, and community leaders in each location. These included the U.S. Ambassador to Germany Amy Gutmann and the German Ambassador to the US Emily Haber. \n\n\nJames graduated from PSU in May with a B.A. in Political Science and a minor in History. He has been active with the World Affairs Councils of America since November of 2021\, initially as a participant in the WACA’s Student Leadership Mission with the State of Qatar. He has spoken for a previous luncheon with the WAC Greater Reading\, Qatar’s Emerging Role in the Middle East. \n\n\nTabea is a third-semester student of the Faculty of Law of LMU in Munich. She was chair of the Youth Parliament of Friedrichshafen for two years and a founding member of the District Youth Council of Lake Constance. She is furthermore a current participant in the Philip C. Jessup International Law Moot Court Competition for 2023. \n\nThis luncheon meeting is being held in person at Legends Restaurant on Wednesday January 18th. \nLuncheon Sponsor: EVERGREEN COUNTRY CLUB \nClick here to register for this event now. \n– OR – \nCall 610-375-7880 or email contactus@wacreading.org
URL:https://wacreading.org/event/the-significance-of-german-american-relations-a-personal-experience-with-james-garrett/
LOCATION:McGlinn Conference Center\, 460 Saint Bernardine Street\, Reading\, PA\, 19607\, United States
CATEGORIES:Luncheon Meeting
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://wacreading.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/jan16cover1.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20221214T120000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20221214T133000
DTSTAMP:20260423T182535
CREATED:20220812T141242Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20220826T192438Z
UID:7259-1671019200-1671024600@wacreading.org
SUMMARY:Latin America Leans Left: Associated Trends Supporting the Shift with Dr. Kirwin Shaffer
DESCRIPTION:Dr. Kirwin Shaffer is Professor of Latin American Studies. He teaches courses on Latin American and Caribbean History\, Latin American Studies\, Global Terrorism\, Tyranny and Freedom\, Globalization\, and Global Cinema. When not teaching\, he continues research on transnational anarchism in the Americas.  He has published four books on anarchist politics and culture in Latin America: Anarchism and Countercultural Politics in Early Twentieth-Century Cuba (University Press of Florida\, 2005)) and re-issued as Anarchist Cuba: Countercultural Politics in the Early Twentieth Century (PM Press\, 2019); Black Flag Boricuas: Anarchism\, Antiauthoritarianism\, and the Left in Puerto Rico\, 1897-1921 (University of Illinois Press\, 2013/2020); In Defiance of Boundaries: Anarchism in Latin American History (University Press of Florida 2015/2017) co-edited with Geoffroy de Laforcade; and\, Anarchists of the Caribbean: Countercultural Politics and Transnational Networks in the Age of US Expansion (Cambridge University Press\, 2020).  He is currently writing his fifth book tentatively titled A Transnational History of the Modern Caribbean: Resistance across Borders. \nThis luncheon meeting is being held at Legends Restaurant on December 14th \nClick here to register for this event now. \n– OR – \nCall 610-375-7880 or email contactus@wacreading.org
URL:https://wacreading.org/event/latin-america-leans-left-associated-trends-supporting-the-shift-with-dr-kirwin-shaffer/
LOCATION:McGlinn Conference Center\, 460 Saint Bernardine Street\, Reading\, PA\, 19607\, United States
CATEGORIES:Luncheon Meeting
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://wacreading.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/kirwin_shaffer.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20221109T120000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20221109T133000
DTSTAMP:20260423T182535
CREATED:20220728T174137Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20221023T160031Z
UID:7251-1667995200-1668000600@wacreading.org
SUMMARY:Historical Assessment Behind the Conflict in Ukraine with Douglas S. Wortman\, Esq.
DESCRIPTION:Attorney Douglas S. Wortman is a ten-year veteran of U.S. Air Force Intelligence and has lived in Berks County for over 32 years since first arriving in 1990 to attend college at Kutztown University. He also studied overseas at the Diplomatic Academy of the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs. After earning his undergraduate degree\, Doug went on to earn his Master’s Degree in History from East Stroudsburg University and his law degree from Widener Commonwealth Law School in Harrisburg\, Pennsylvania. \nDoug is a member of the Berks and Lehigh County Bar Associations. Additionally\, he serves on the Lehigh County Court of Common Pleas Board of Arbitrators. He is the founder and principle of Justicia Law LLC\, a multi-service law firm serving the Hispanic Community of Berks County. Justicia Law LLC represents clients in divorce\, child custody\, child support\, Chapter 7 bankruptcy\, wills and estates\, powers of attorney\, driver’s license suspension\, ARD and Immigration issues. \nDoug was honored by the Pennsylvania Bar Association Pro Bono award for his work helping low income clients receive high quality legal services free of charge. Doug also has volunteered his legal services to several veteran advocacy groups. \nThis luncheon meeting is being held in person at Legends Restaurant on Wednesday November 9th. \nClick here to register for this event now. \n– OR – \nCall 610-375-7880 or email contactus@wacreading.org \n 
URL:https://wacreading.org/event/historical-assessment-behind-the-conflict-in-ukraine-with-douglas-s-wortman-esq/
LOCATION:McGlinn Conference Center\, 460 Saint Bernardine Street\, Reading\, PA\, 19607\, United States
CATEGORIES:Luncheon Meeting
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://wacreading.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/IMG_4366-2-e1659031379592.jpg
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20221012T120000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20221012T133000
DTSTAMP:20260423T182535
CREATED:20220702T020511Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20220912T212906Z
UID:7231-1665576000-1665581400@wacreading.org
SUMMARY:Turkey-West Relations with Dr. Oya Dursun-Ozkanca
DESCRIPTION:Dr. Oya Dursun-Ozkanca\, Ph.D. is the Professor of Political Science and Endowed Chair of International Studies at Elizabethtown College. She is also Director of the Honors Program and Director\, International Studies Minor at Elizabethtown. \nPublications: Turkey-West Relations: The Politics of Intra-alliance Opposition and The Nexus Between Security Sector Reform and Sustainable Development Goal-16: An Examination of Conceptual Linkages and Policy Recommendations. \nDr. Oya will be doing a book signing of this book after her presentation. \nThis event is being held LIVE at 12:00 noon on Wednesday October 12th at the Legends Restaurant. \nClick here to register for this event now. \n– OR – \nCall 610-375-7880 or email contactus@wacreading.org
URL:https://wacreading.org/event/turkey-with-dr-oya-durum-ozkanca/
LOCATION:McGlinn Conference Center\, 460 Saint Bernardine Street\, Reading\, PA\, 19607\, United States
CATEGORIES:Luncheon Meeting
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://wacreading.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/Unknown-2.jpeg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20220914T120000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20220914T120000
DTSTAMP:20260423T182535
CREATED:20220615T183410Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20220823T201246Z
UID:7224-1663156800-1663156800@wacreading.org
SUMMARY:How the War in Ukraine has Changed the World with Dr. Randy Newnham
DESCRIPTION:Dr. Newnham will discuss the broader trends that precipitated the war in Ukraine\, for example\, a break down in the globalist world economy\, and what appears to be a resultant emerging alliance of Russia and China against the west. \nDr. Newnham received his BA from Penn State University and his MA and PhD from UCLA.  He has taught since 1995 at the Berks College of Penn State.  He teaches courses in several subfields of Political Science\, including International Relations\, Comparative Politics\, and American Government.  His research interests center on the role of economic linkage (sanctions and incentives) in International Relations.  He has published 25 refereed articles\, in journals such as International Studies Quarterly\, German Studies Review\, International Politics and International Studies Review.  His book “Deutsche Mark Diplomacy” focuses on the role of German economic influence in shaping its ties to Russia and Poland. \nThis event is scheduled to be held LIVE at 12:00 noon on Wednesday\, September 14th. Doors open at 11:30 AM. \nMembers: $35\nNon-members: $40\nStudents: $15 \nClick here to register for this event now. \n– OR – \nCall 610-375-7880 or email contactus@wacreading.org
URL:https://wacreading.org/event/how-the-war-in-ukraine-has-changed-the-world-with-dr-randy-newnham/
LOCATION:McGlinn Conference Center\, 460 Saint Bernardine Street\, Reading\, PA\, 19607\, United States
CATEGORIES:Luncheon Meeting
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://wacreading.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/Newnham2.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20220831T120000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20220831T133000
DTSTAMP:20260423T182535
CREATED:20220605T015956Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20220606T130846Z
UID:7209-1661947200-1661952600@wacreading.org
SUMMARY:America's Security Alliances with Michael O'Hanlon
DESCRIPTION:Michael E. O’Hanlon is a senior fellow and director of research in Foreign Policy at the Brookings Institution\, where he specializes in U.S. defense strategy\, the use of military force\, and American national security policy. He directs the Center on Security\, Strategy and Technology\, as well as the Defense Industrial Base working group\, and will be the inaugural holder of the Philip H. Knight Chair in Defense and Strategy. He co-directs the Africa Security Initiative as well. He is an adjunct professor at Columbia\, Georgetown\, and George Washington universities\, and a member of the International Institute for Strategic Studies. He also serves as a member of the Defense Policy Board at the U.S. Department of Defense. O’Hanlon was a member of the external advisory board at the Central Intelligence Agency from 2011-12. O’Hanlon is now writing a book provisionally entitled\, “Military History for the Modern Strategist: America’s Major Wars Since 1861.” \nO’Hanlon’s latest books include “The Art of War in an Age of Peace: U.S. Grand Strategy and Resolute Restraint” (Yale\, 2021); “Defense 101: Understanding the Military of Today and Tomorrow” (Cornell\, 2021); “The Senkaku Paradox: Risking Great Power War over Limited Stakes” (Brookings\, 2019); “Beyond NATO: A New Security Architecture for Eastern Europe” (Brookings\, 2017); “The Future of Land Warfare” (Brookings\, 2015); and “Strategic Reassurance and Resolve: U.S.-China Relations in the 21st Century” (with Jim Steinberg\, Princeton University Press\, 2014).  He edited “Brookings Big Ideas for America” (Brookings\, 2017). Previously\, he wrote “Crisis on the Korean Peninsula” (with Mike Mochizuki\, McGraw-Hill\, 2003); “Winning Ugly: NATO’s War to Save Kosovo” (with Ivo Daalder\, Brookings\, 2000); and about a dozen other books. \nThis event will be held virtually on August 31st. \nClick here to register for this event now.
URL:https://wacreading.org/event/americas-security-alliances-with-michael-ohanlon/
LOCATION:Virtual Event\, PA\, United States
CATEGORIES:Luncheon Meeting
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://wacreading.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/Unknown-2-e1654521493429.jpeg
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20220713T120000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20220713T133000
DTSTAMP:20260423T182535
CREATED:20220605T020726Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20220617T222740Z
UID:7212-1657713600-1657719000@wacreading.org
SUMMARY:US International Broadcasting: The Voice of America with Ross MacCallum
DESCRIPTION:Ross MacCallum will offer a history and current day perspective on VOA’s role in international TV/radio/social media and his specific role in VOA’s various language groups. \nRoss MacCallum has over 25 years experience in TV news production\, news personnel management\, and training. One of the most versatile people in the industry today. A “pleasantly authoritative” manager\, producer\, consultant\, and trainer. Technologically sound with a firm grasp of the co-mingling of broadcast\, Internet\, and emerging-media delivery platforms. Key player in the conversion of VOA-TV News from analog to digital news production. Developed and implemented the training procedures used to convert over 2 dozen international language news groups into cohesive users of the new technology. Also a solid\, video-driven producer of news and sports who thoroughly understands the idea of “local”. A strong background in local program/content development with an eye toward the generation of revenue streams for both station and clients/partners. Excellent interpersonal and leadership skills to manage\, train\, and work with a wide range of people\, opinions\, and skillsets. A perfect blend for the 21st century and this economy. \nThis event will be held virtually on Wednesday\, July 13th. \nClick here to register for this event now.
URL:https://wacreading.org/event/voice-of-america-with-ross-maccallum/
LOCATION:Virtual Event\, PA\, United States
CATEGORIES:Luncheon Meeting
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://wacreading.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/1517695776006.jpeg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20220622T120000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20220622T133000
DTSTAMP:20260423T182535
CREATED:20220419T191031Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20220606T130302Z
UID:7175-1655899200-1655904600@wacreading.org
SUMMARY:Inclusion of refugees into the German Education system - lessons learned from 2015 with Dr. Seyran Bostanci
DESCRIPTION:Dr. des Seyran Bostancı is working as a research assistant on Democracy\, Transfer and Policy Advise at the German Center for Integration and Migration Research (DeZIM). She did her phd on “Education – Discrimination – Inclusion. Transformation Processes in Postmigrant Societies” at the Humboldt University in Berlin. \nBefore she was a research assistant at the Institute for Social Sciences at the department of Diversity and Social Conflict at the Humboldt University of Berlin. She is currently researching the topic of “Institutional Racism in Daycare Centers” (pilot study of the Racism Monitor at DeZIM). In addition\, she has been a teacher for diversity\, inclusion processes and anti-bias-education in educational institutions since 2010. \nHer main research interests and teaching include the following topics: migration\, educational inequality\, diversity\, racism\, inclusion\, early childhood and civil society. \nThis event is being held virtually on Wednesday\, June 22th. \nWe are indebted to the German American Institute Tuebingen\, Germany for underwriting the cost for  Dr. Bostanci’s presentation. \nThe German-American Institute Tuebingen is a binational educational and cultural institution that informs about cultural\, social\, political\, and economic developments in Germany and the United States. To that end\, it provides language courses\, English language library\, as well as many programs and events. The institute is funded by the state of Baden-Wuerttemberg\, the German Foreign Office\, the City of Tuebingen\, the U. S. Embassy\, and over 1\,400 members. \nClick here to register for this event now.
URL:https://wacreading.org/event/inclusion-of-refugees-into-the-german-education-system-lessons-learned-from-2015-with-dr-seyran-bostanci/
LOCATION:Virtual Event\, PA\, United States
CATEGORIES:Luncheon Meeting
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://wacreading.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/AoI5NrxZ_400x400.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20220608T120000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20220608T130000
DTSTAMP:20260423T182535
CREATED:20220331T213007Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20220518T140358Z
UID:7160-1654689600-1654693200@wacreading.org
SUMMARY:The Challenges of Our Newest Service: A Look at the US Space Force with Benjamin R. Ogden\, Colonel\, US Army
DESCRIPTION:COL Benjamin Ogden is the Space Operations and Education Officer at the U.S. Army War College. \nHe attended the United States Military Academy and graduated in 1996 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Environmental Science. After completion of the Air Defense Artillery Basic Course\, COL Ogden was assigned to 1-44 ADA\, 4th Infantry Division at Fort Hood\, Texas\, where he served in a variety of Short Range Air Defense Artillery positions\, including Avenger Platoon Leader\, Linebacker Platoon Leader\, Battery Executive Officer and Battalion Adjutant. COL Ogden then went on to graduate from the Air Defense Artillery Officer Advanced Course before being assigned to 3rd Brigade Combat Team\, 4th Infantry Division at Fort Carson\, Colorado as an S3 Battle Captain. From there\, COL Ogden assumed command of Charlie Battery\, 1-44 ADA (Linebacker/Avenger) and deployed with the 4th Infantry Division to Iraq in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. Upon leaving battery command and redeploying\, COL Ogden served as a Plans Officer in the 1st German/Dutch Corps in Muenster\, Germany as a part of the NATO Rapid Deployable Corps. \nAfter leaving Germany\, COL Ogden attended the Command and General Staff College before he was assigned to Headquarters\, Eighth United States Army in Yongsan\, South Korea as the G3\, Training Operations Branch Chief. He then was assigned to 1-44 AMD (Patriot/Avenger) based at Fort Hood\, Texas where he served as the Battalion Executive Officer. COL Ogden was then assigned to the 357th Air and Missile Defense Detachment in Kaiserslautern\, Germany\, first as the Brigade S3 and then as the Deputy Commanding Officer. From May 2011 until April of 2013\, COL Ogden served as the Chief of Staff for the 10th Army Air and Missile Defense Command (AAMDC) in Kaiserslautern\, Germany. From there\, COL Ogden commanded 1-1 ADA (Patriot) – “Snake Eyes” – Battalion on Kadena Air Base in Okinawa from June 2013 until June 2015. Before attending the U.S. Army War College in 2016\, he deployed to Qatar for a year as the 32d AAMDC Operations Officer (FWD). Upon graduating the War College in 2017\, COL Ogden served three years as the Division Chief of the G37 (TREX) for U.S. Army Space and Missile Defense Command (USASMDC) at Peterson Air Force Base\, Colorado. COL Ogden then returned to Carlisle Barracks and the U.S. Army War College to serve as the Space Operations Officer within the Center for Strategic Leadership in 2020. \nThis event is being held virtually on Wednesday\, June 8th. \nClick here to register for this event now.
URL:https://wacreading.org/event/space-force-with-benjamin-r-ogden-colonel-us-army/
LOCATION:Virtual Event\, PA\, United States
CATEGORIES:Luncheon Meeting
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://wacreading.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/Screen-Shot-2022-03-31-at-5.09.01-PM.png
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20220601T120000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20220601T133000
DTSTAMP:20260423T182535
CREATED:20220411T215322Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20220416T152118Z
UID:7167-1654084800-1654090200@wacreading.org
SUMMARY:Diversity in Israel with Gadeer Kamal-Mreeh
DESCRIPTION:Gadeer Kamal-Mreeh is the Jewish Agency’s first Druze emissary to the United States\, based in Washington D.C. Previously\, she was elected to the Knesset as a member of the Blue and White party\, making history as the first Druzewoman to become a Member of the Knesset. During her tenure\, she chaired the Caucus for Planning\, Zoning and Industrial Areas\, the Caucus for the Advancement of Druze Women and was a member of several committees. Kamal-Mreeh began working for the Israeli Broadcasting Corporation in 2011\, where she hosted a program in Arabic that focused on social and cultural issues concerning Arab youth in Israel. She was selected to host the Israeli Broadcasting Corporation’s daily newscast in Arabic\, and in 2017\, she began anchoring its main Hebrew Saturday evening newscast\, becoming the first non-Jewish anchorwoman in Israel to broadcast the evening news in Hebrew. \nKamal-Mreeh holds a degree with honors from Bar-Ilan University in Medical Imaging and Social Sciences and a master’s degree with honors in International Relations from Haifa University\, specializing in negotiations and international relations decision-making. She was born in the Druze village Daliyat al-Carmel. She is married to Shadi and has two children – Tom and Liam. \nThis event is being held virtually at 12:00 noon on Wednesday June 1\, 2022. \nClick here to register for this event now. \nCo-Sponsors; The Jewish Federation of Reading and The World Affairs Council of Greater Reading
URL:https://wacreading.org/event/diversity-in-israel-with-gadeer-kamal-mreeh/
LOCATION:Virtual Event\, PA\, United States
CATEGORIES:Luncheon Meeting
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://wacreading.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/Gadeer_Kamal-Mreeh.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20220511T120000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20220511T133000
DTSTAMP:20260423T182535
CREATED:20220120T191724Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20220125T224942Z
UID:7080-1652270400-1652275800@wacreading.org
SUMMARY:Qatar: Its Emerging Role in the Middle East with James Garrett
DESCRIPTION:James Garrett is a 21 year old student at Penn State University. He will graduate in May with a Bachelor of Arts degree in political science and minor in history. He was one of nine students to receive a Student Leadership Mission scholarship from the Embassy of the State of Qatar. He traveled with the recipients in 2021 to Doha\, Qatar with World Affairs Councils of America president Bill Clifford. \nThe program began in March of 2020\, when James participated in an essay-and-video contest promoted by the World Affairs Councils of America to compose a policy memorandum on the relationship the United States shares with the State of Qatar and how such a relationship may be strengthened through bilateral cooperation. His writing\, along with that of another eight undergraduate students from across the United States\, was selected by a panel of judges as one of the winning submissions to the contest. \nApart from cooperation with the World Affairs Councils of America\, James has served a minor role in the local political sphere as a summer intern legislative aide under a representative in the Pennsylvania legislature. \nThis event is being held virtually at 12:00 noon on May 11th. \nClick here to register for this event now.
URL:https://wacreading.org/event/qatar-its-emerging-role-in-the-middle-east-with-james-garrett/
LOCATION:Virtual Event\, PA\, United States
CATEGORIES:Luncheon Meeting
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://wacreading.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/Portrait2trimmed2smaller.png
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20220420T120000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20220420T133000
DTSTAMP:20260423T182535
CREATED:20220226T202838Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20220328T183742Z
UID:7120-1650456000-1650461400@wacreading.org
SUMMARY:U.S. - China Competition with Richard Fontaine
DESCRIPTION:U.S\, China rivalry has emerged as a defining feature of today’s world\, with competition rising along with tension\, particularly as it related to Taiwan. Amid the Russian invasion of Ukraine\, Beijing’s alignment with Moscow puts even greater stress on its relations with the United States. This talk will discuss the nature of U.S. – China competition today\, the global implications of it\, and where things may go from here. \nRichard Fontaine is the Chief Executive Officer of the Center for a New American Security (CNAS). He served as President of CNAS from 2012-19 and as Senior Fellow from 2009-12. Prior to CNAS\, he was foreign policy advisor to Senator John McCain and worked at the State Department\, the National Security Council\, and on the staff of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. \nMr. Fontaine served as foreign policy advisor to the McCain 2008 presidential campaign and subsequently as the minority deputy staff director on the Senate Armed Services Committee. Prior to that\, he served as Associate Director for Near Eastern Affairs at the National Security Council (NSC) from 2003-04. He also worked on Southeast Asian issues in the NSC’s Asian Affairs directorate. \nAt the State Department\, Mr. Fontaine worked for the Deputy Secretary and in the department’s South Asia bureau. Mr. Fontaine began his foreign policy career as a staff member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee\, focusing on the Middle East and South Asia. He also spent a year teaching English in Japan. \nMr. Fontaine currently serves as Executive Director of the Trilateral Commission\, on the Defense Policy Board\, and as a Sine Institute Fellow at American University. He has been an adjunct professor in the Security Studies Program at Georgetown University’s School of Foreign Service. \nA native of New Orleans\, Mr. Fontaine graduated summa cum laude with a B.A. in International Relations from Tulane University. He also holds a M.A. in International Affairs from the Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies (SAIS) in Washington\, and he attended Oxford University. He lives in Virginia with his wife and their four children. \nThis event is being held virtually on Wednesday\, April 20th. \nClick here to register for this event now.
URL:https://wacreading.org/event/the-current-state-of-relations-between-china-and-taiwan-with-richard-fontaine/
LOCATION:Virtual Event\, PA\, United States
CATEGORIES:Luncheon Meeting
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://wacreading.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/Fontaine.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20220413T120000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20220413T133000
DTSTAMP:20260423T182535
CREATED:20220206T230430Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20220307T205322Z
UID:7100-1649851200-1649856600@wacreading.org
SUMMARY:The Immigration Crisis in Europe: The Case of Spain with Laura López Calonge
DESCRIPTION:Laura López Calonge is a Visiting Instructor of Spanish at Albright College. \nLaura realized she loved languages even before finishing her Bachelor’s Degree in Spanish Philology at the Universidad Complutense of Madrid\, the city where she was born but left almost 10 years ago. She enhanced her education at other institutions in Spain (Universidad de Cantabria\, Universidad de Sevilla) and Europe (Charles University of Prague) and focused on Teaching Spanish as a Foreign Language for her Master’s Degree. She is currently preparing her PhD thesis on Spanish Pragmatics and Conversation Analysis at the University of Valencia. She has taught for over five years in high schools in England and India\, as well as at the University of the West Indies in Trinidad and Tobago. She has worked in collaboration with the Cervantes Institute as an evaluator of Spanish-language proficiency for non-native speakers of Spanish and with the Embassy of Spain in Trinidad assisting in the organization of cultural events. She loves nature\, sports (India brought the practice of yoga to her)\, connecting with other cultures\, learning from them and trying to make this world a better place to live. \nThis event is being held virtually at 12:00 noon on April 13th. \nClick here to register for this event now.
URL:https://wacreading.org/event/the-immigration-crisis-in-europe-the-case-of-spain/
LOCATION:Virtual Event\, PA\, United States
CATEGORIES:Luncheon Meeting
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://wacreading.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/Lopez.jpg
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20220316T120000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20220316T133000
DTSTAMP:20260423T182535
CREATED:20211129T153356Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20220217T212137Z
UID:7031-1647432000-1647437400@wacreading.org
SUMMARY:Take Action: Fighting for Women & Girls with Stephenie Foster
DESCRIPTION:Stephenie Foster is the author of a well sourced and important workbook/toolkit\, Take Action: Fighting for Women and Girls covers the basics of activism and advocacy and gives the reader specific information about four issues related to girls\, women and gender equality. The power and importance of education\, expanding economic opportunities\, eliminating gender-based violence and participating in politics and public life. This book will help would-be activists start their work and stay focused and goal-oriented. \nStephenie Foster has deep and broad expertise in women’s economic and political empowerment\, with decades of experience on Capitol Hill\, in the Executive Branch\, the nonprofit sector\, and the law. She has been fighting for women and girls her entire career — empowering women in Afghan war zones\, monitoring elections in Ukraine\, representing the U.S. State Department in meetings with government and civil society leaders\, serving as a Chief of Staff in the U.S. Senate. Having traveled\, lived\, or worked in over 100 countries\, she has consistently used her voice and actions to change discriminatory laws and policies and help shift cultural norms and inequalities. She is a founding partner of Smash Strategies\, which provides strategic advice to corporations\, institutions\, and philanthropists to ensure that their investments in women and girls are effective and transformational. \nThis event will be held virtually on March 16\, 2022 \nClick here to register for this event now.
URL:https://wacreading.org/event/take-action-fighting-for-women-girls-with-stephanie-foster/
LOCATION:Virtual Event\, PA\, United States
CATEGORIES:Luncheon Meeting
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://wacreading.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/250521974_107559841726037_7256113697208162559_n.jpg
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20220223T120000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20220223T133000
DTSTAMP:20260423T182535
CREATED:20211208T212821Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20211214T224425Z
UID:7038-1645617600-1645623000@wacreading.org
SUMMARY:A Journey of Heart and Soul Across Spain with John Gallen
DESCRIPTION:  \nJohn Gallen will be talking about his recent trip to Spain and his pilgrimage on the Spanish Camino de Santiago. In 2018 and 2021\, he walked the Camino de Santiago from France across Northern Spain to the Atlantic Ocean.  On the Camino\, he discovered that when one walks 15-20 miles a day for several weeks\, one enters a state of mind few experience.  In Galicia\, he reached this summit of introspection\, spiritual rejuvenation\, and inner peace. \nJohn is the owner of Ethosource\, LLC\, a Reading based office furniture manufacturer and dealer\, and owner and President of Wyatt Seating\, an office seating manufacturer. \nGallen has served on the boards of the YMCA of Reading and Berks County\, Greater Reading Economic Partnership\, Caron Foundation and United Way of Berks County\, and served his community as a Wyomissing Borough councilperson for four years and Finance Committee chairperson for the past 13 years. He also currently serves on Alvernia’s President’s Advisory Council. \nGallen has been recognized by the Greater Reading Chamber Alliance as a two-time Entrepreneur of the Year and has earned several awards for his community service by Safe Berks\, Easy Does It\, the Caron Foundation and the YMCA of Reading and Berks County. He attended Villanova University graduated from Georgetown University with a Bachelor of Science degree in languages and linguistics. \nThis program will be held virtually at 12:00 noon on February 23rd. \nClick here to register for this event now. \n 
URL:https://wacreading.org/event/a-journey-of-heart-and-sole-across-spain-with-john-gallen/
LOCATION:Virtual Event\, PA\, United States
CATEGORIES:Luncheon Meeting
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://wacreading.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/JohnGallen.jpeg
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20220209T120000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20220209T133000
DTSTAMP:20260423T182535
CREATED:20220125T152611Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20220201T160018Z
UID:7091-1644408000-1644413400@wacreading.org
SUMMARY:Russia-Ukraine Crisis: Continued Diplomatic Standoff and a Looming Invasion with Maia Otarashvili
DESCRIPTION:Maia Otarashvili is a Research Fellow and Deputy Director of the Eurasia Program. Maia also serves as the Deputy Director of Research at the Foreign Policy Research Institute (FPRI). She is co-editor of FPRI’s 2017 volume Does Democracy Matter? The United States and Global Democracy Support. Her research interests include geopolitics and security of the Black Sea-Caucasus region\, Russian foreign policy\, and the post-Soviet “frozen” conflicts of Abkhazia\, South Ossetia\, and Transnistria. Maia is a PhD candidate at the War Studies Department at King’s College\, London. She holds an M.A. in Globalization\, Development and Transition from the University of Westminster in London\, with emphasis on post-authoritarian transitions. \nThis meeting will be held virtually at noon on February 9th. \nClick here to register for this event now.
URL:https://wacreading.org/event/russia-and-the-ukraine-with-maia-otarashvili/
LOCATION:Virtual Event\, PA\, United States
CATEGORIES:Luncheon Meeting
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://wacreading.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/Screen-Shot-2022-01-19-at-3.38.09-PM.png
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20220126T120000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20220126T133000
DTSTAMP:20260423T182535
CREATED:20220104T020858Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20220106T204137Z
UID:7058-1643198400-1643203800@wacreading.org
SUMMARY:'Vaccine Diplomacy': A New Source of Power in International Relations with Dr. Randall Newnham
DESCRIPTION:Dr.Randall Newnham is an Associate Professor of Political Science at Penn State Berks. His research focuses on the role of the economic aid and sanctions as foreign policy tools. Recent articles include Coalition of the Bribed and Bullied?  US Economic Linkage and the Iraq War Coalition and Nukes for Sale Cheap? Purchasing Peace with North Korea (both in International Studies Perspectives\, 2004 and 2008). He has a special interest in Germany\, Eastern Europe\, and the former Soviet Union. This is seen in his book\, Deutsche Mark Diplomacy: Positive Economic Sanctions in German-Russian Relations (PSU Press\, 2002)\, and several recent articles on German\, Polish\, and Russian foreign policy. Dr. Newnham teaches introductory courses in International Relations\, Comparative Politics\, and American Government. He also teaches advanced courses on “The Rise and Fall of the Soviet Union” and International Political Economy as part of PSU Berks’ four-year Global Studies degree. \nEducation:\nPh.D.\, Political Science\, UCLA\, 1995\nM.A.\, Political Science\, UCLA\, 1990\nHonors B.A.\, Foreign Service and International Relations\, Penn State University\, 1988 \nPublications:\n“Oil\, Carrots\, and Sticks: Russia’s Energy Resources as a Foreign Policy Tool.” Journal of Eurasian Studies\, Vol. 2\, No. 2 (2011)\, 134-143.\n“Coalition of the Bribed and Bullied? U.S. Economic Linkage and the Iraq War Coalition.” International Studies Perspectives\, Vol. 9\, No. 2 (May 2008)\, 183-200. \nThis event is being held virtually at 12:00 noon on January 26\, 2022 \nClick here to register for this event now.
URL:https://wacreading.org/event/vaccine-diplomacy-a-new-source-of-power-in-international-relations-with-dr-randall-newnham/
LOCATION:Virtual Event\, PA\, United States
CATEGORIES:Luncheon Meeting
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://wacreading.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/Newnham2.jpg
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