BEGIN:VCALENDAR
VERSION:2.0
PRODID:-//The World Affairs Council of Greater Reading - ECPv6.15.20//NONSGML v1.0//EN
CALSCALE:GREGORIAN
METHOD:PUBLISH
X-WR-CALNAME:The World Affairs Council of Greater Reading
X-ORIGINAL-URL:https://wacreading.org
X-WR-CALDESC:Events for The World Affairs Council of Greater Reading
REFRESH-INTERVAL;VALUE=DURATION:PT1H
X-Robots-Tag:noindex
X-PUBLISHED-TTL:PT1H
BEGIN:VTIMEZONE
TZID:America/New_York
BEGIN:DAYLIGHT
TZOFFSETFROM:-0500
TZOFFSETTO:-0400
TZNAME:EDT
DTSTART:20180311T070000
END:DAYLIGHT
BEGIN:STANDARD
TZOFFSETFROM:-0400
TZOFFSETTO:-0500
TZNAME:EST
DTSTART:20181104T060000
END:STANDARD
BEGIN:DAYLIGHT
TZOFFSETFROM:-0500
TZOFFSETTO:-0400
TZNAME:EDT
DTSTART:20190310T070000
END:DAYLIGHT
BEGIN:STANDARD
TZOFFSETFROM:-0400
TZOFFSETTO:-0500
TZNAME:EST
DTSTART:20191103T060000
END:STANDARD
BEGIN:DAYLIGHT
TZOFFSETFROM:-0500
TZOFFSETTO:-0400
TZNAME:EDT
DTSTART:20200308T070000
END:DAYLIGHT
BEGIN:STANDARD
TZOFFSETFROM:-0400
TZOFFSETTO:-0500
TZNAME:EST
DTSTART:20201101T060000
END:STANDARD
BEGIN:DAYLIGHT
TZOFFSETFROM:-0500
TZOFFSETTO:-0400
TZNAME:EDT
DTSTART:20210314T070000
END:DAYLIGHT
BEGIN:STANDARD
TZOFFSETFROM:-0400
TZOFFSETTO:-0500
TZNAME:EST
DTSTART:20211107T060000
END:STANDARD
END:VTIMEZONE
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20200527T120000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20200527T133000
DTSTAMP:20260424T061315
CREATED:20200501T162156Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20200524T214754Z
UID:6162-1590580800-1590586200@wacreading.org
SUMMARY:India and Pakistan with Dr. Sudip Ghosh
DESCRIPTION:Dr. Sudip Ghosh is an associate professor of business at Penn State Berks. His scholarly and teaching interests include corporate finance\, banking and financial regulations\, macro-monetary economics\, and corporate social responsibility. He has presented pre-conference workshops and conference sessions at international conferences. Dissertation Topic: “Risk Based Capital Requirements and the U. S. Loan Market” \nThis event starts at 12:00 PM on Wednesday\, May 27th. \nMembers are invited to join by Zoom and participate in the live Q&A. Zoom details will be emailed in our weekly email newsletter. If you are a member and have not received this email\, please send a message to contactus@wacreading.org. \nJoin via www.wacreading.org/live!\nPlease join a few minutes early so you don’t miss anything! \nhttps://www.facebook.com/wacreading/posts/3926112307430356 \n 
URL:https://wacreading.org/event/india-and-pakistan-with-dr-sudip-ghosh/
LOCATION:PA\, United States
CATEGORIES:Special Event
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://wacreading.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/sudip-ghosh.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20200520T120000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20200520T130000
DTSTAMP:20260424T061315
CREATED:20200417T182752Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20200515T201405Z
UID:6084-1589976000-1589979600@wacreading.org
SUMMARY:Climate Change with Dr. Spencer Stober
DESCRIPTION:Dr. Spencer S. Stober is a Professor of Biology at Alvernia University\, Reading\, PA\, USA.  He has taught Biology for 30 years including undergraduate courses in genetics\, botany\, and environmental science.  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 a number of 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 currently serves on the international Advisory Board for the “On Sustainability Research Network” sponsored by Common Ground Publishing.  His work on environmental\, cultural and socio-economic sustainability has enabled him to travel\, frequently with students\, to universities in countries such as Japan\, Croatia\, Malaysia\, India\, Ecuador\, Mauritius\, Denmark\, and New Zealand.   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; they are currently working on a new book entitled God\, Darwin\, and the Origins of Life. \nThis event starts at 12:00 PM on Wednesday\, May 20th.\n \nMembers are invited to join by Zoom and participate in the live Q&A. Zoom details will be emailed in our weekly email newsletter. If you are a member and have not received this email\, please send a message to contactus@wacreading.org. \nhttps://www.facebook.com/wacreading/posts/3887573281284259
URL:https://wacreading.org/event/climate-change-with-dr-spencer-stober/
LOCATION:PA\, United States
CATEGORIES:Luncheon Meeting
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://wacreading.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/Unknown.jpeg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20200520T073000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20200520T090000
DTSTAMP:20260424T061315
CREATED:20200218T201224Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20200420T174035Z
UID:5938-1589959800-1589965200@wacreading.org
SUMMARY:CANCELLED: Ground Level in China: 27 Years of Change with Tom Wessner
DESCRIPTION:CANCELLED DUE TO THE CORONAVIRUS PANDEMIC \nMr. Wessner will be presenting his personal account of the impact of China’s entry into the world economy and\, possibly\, challenge some of the conventional views that most Americans have about China.  His presentation will focus on the history and governance of China\, recent evolution of business and what this has meant for the people living in China – – and the rest of the world. \nOriginally from Kutztown Pennsylvania\, Tom Wessner has had a broad international career in Finance\, Supply Chain and Business Development.  Tom joined Ford Motor Company in 1986 after achieving his Master’s in Business from Penn State University.  Since then he has lived and worked around the world for Ford\, Mazda\, Tesla and Hawaiian Airlines.  His last two business ventures were in Chinese-funded electric car startups as one of the founding executives.  Besides living in Japan and Mexico\, each for over 6 years\, Mr. Wessner was part of the Ford team that made the first entries into China in 1993.  Tom has seen\, first-hand\, the transformation of China from a third world developing nation to the high-tech global economic power that China is today. \nTo Register:\nCall (610) 375-7880 or email contactus@wacreading.org\nCost to attend: $10.00 \n 
URL:https://wacreading.org/event/ground-level-in-china-27-years-of-change-with-tom-wessner/
LOCATION:Wyomissing Family Restaurant and Bakery\, PA\, United States
CATEGORIES:Breakfast Meeting
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://wacreading.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/Wessner-Prof-FF-e1585061138303.jpeg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20200514T120000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20200514T133000
DTSTAMP:20260424T061315
CREATED:20200422T002310Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20200517T214944Z
UID:6101-1589457600-1589463000@wacreading.org
SUMMARY:China's Road into Latin America with Dr. John Stanley
DESCRIPTION:For Video replay\, click HERE \nDr. John Stanley is originally from the Philadelphia area. He earned his BA from Moravian College in 1994 and later earned his Masters and PhD from the School of Oriental and African Studies (University of London) where he focused on China’s history and politics. He currently holds the position of Professor in the History Department of Kutztown University where he teaches classes in World History\, general East Asia\, and more focused classes on Chinese history with a focus on the late-19th and early-20th century. The focus of Dr. Stanley’s research work is on the secular activities of missionaries in China. He has published articles on mission schools and medical work of the American Presbyterians in Shandong from the late-19th to the early-20th century.  His more recent research has turned to the role the local population had in mission work with a particular focus on areas of Shandong outside of the larger treaty port cities.  \nThis event starts at 12:00 PM on Thursday\, May 14th.\n \nMembers are invited to join by Zoom and participate in the live Q&A. Zoom details will be emailed in our weekly email newsletter. If you are a member and have not received this email\, please send a message to contactus@wacreading.org. \nThe public is invited to watch the meeting via Facebook Live. \nhttps://www.facebook.com/wacreading/posts/3878699878838266
URL:https://wacreading.org/event/chinas-road-into-latin-america-with-dr-john-stanley/
LOCATION:PA\, United States
CATEGORIES:Special Event
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://wacreading.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/Unknown-2.jpeg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20200513T120000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20200513T140000
DTSTAMP:20260424T061315
CREATED:20190523T152703Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20200419T222754Z
UID:5521-1589371200-1589378400@wacreading.org
SUMMARY:CANCELLED: Turkey - West Relations with Dr. Oya Dursun Ozkanca
DESCRIPTION:CANCELLED DUE TO THE CORONAVIRUS PANDEMIC \nDr. Oya Dursun-Ozkanca is the College Professor of International Studies (Endowed Chair) and Professor of Political Science at Elizabethtown College. A native of Turkey\, she received her BA in Political Science and International Relations at Bosphorus University in Istanbul\, and MA and PhD in Government at the Univesity of Texas in Austin. Her research interests include Turkish foreign policy\, tranatlantic security\, European politics\, the Balkans\, and peacebuilding missions. \nDr. Dursun-Ozkanca is the author of a number of scholarly articles in leading peer -reviewed journals. In Summer 2013\, she served as a LSEE Research on South Eastern Europe Visiting Fellow at the London School of Economics\, and conducted fieldwork in Serbia and Bosnia on Turkish foreign policy in the Balkans. Her first co-authored book\, External Interventions in Civil Wars: The Role of Impact on Regional and International Organizations\, was published by Routledge in July 2013. She is author of the forthcoming book\, Turkey-West Relations: The Politics of Intra-alliance Opposition by Cambridge University Press. \nTo Register:\nCall (610) 375-7880 or email contactus@wacreading.org \nCost to attend:\nMembers $23\nNon-Members $30\nWithout Meal $10\nAmbassadors Included
URL:https://wacreading.org/event/turkeys-challenges-with-dr-oya-dursun-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/2018/04/Oya_Dursun-Ozkanca.png-1.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20200506T190000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20200506T203000
DTSTAMP:20260424T061315
CREATED:20200409T175024Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20200517T215215Z
UID:6016-1588791600-1588797000@wacreading.org
SUMMARY:Europe in the Age of Corona - with Ron Granieri
DESCRIPTION:For Video replay\, click HERE \nRon Granieri is an FPRI Templeton Fellow\, the Executive Director of FPRI’s Center for the Study of America and the West\, Editor of the Center’s E-publication The American Review of Books\, Blogs\, and Bull\, and Host of Geopolitics with Granieri\, a monthly series of events for FPRI Members.  He is a specialist in Contemporary German and International History with degrees from both Harvard and the University of Chicago. He is the recipient of a Federal Chancellor Scholarship from the Alexander von Humboldt Foundation and is a member in the American Council on Germany’s Young Leader Program. He has taught at the University of Pennsylvania\, Temple University\, Syracuse University\, Furman University\, and the University of Tubingen. He is the author of The Ambivalent Alliance: Konrad Adenauer\, the CDU/CSU\, and the West\, 1949-1966 (Oxford and New York: Berghahn Books\, 2003)\, and is currently completing a book entitled: The Fall and Rise of German Christian Democracy\, From Detente to Reunification\, for Oxford University Press. \nJoin us Wednesday\, May 6th at 7pm on Facebook Live \nMembers are invited to join live via Zoom \nConnection details can be found in your May 1st Member’s Email Newsletter. \n 
URL:https://wacreading.org/event/europe-in-the-age-of-corona-with-ron-granieri/
LOCATION:PA\, United States
CATEGORIES:Special Event
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://wacreading.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/ronald_granieri.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20200422T120000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20200422T133000
DTSTAMP:20260424T061315
CREATED:20200409T173406Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20200517T215411Z
UID:6008-1587556800-1587562200@wacreading.org
SUMMARY:U.S. relations with the Northern Triangle with Dr. Kirwin Shaffer
DESCRIPTION:For Video replay\, click HERE \nDr. Kirwin Shaffer is Professor of Latin American Studies. He teaches courses on Latin American and Caribbean History\, Latin American Studies\, Global Terrorism and Political Violence\, Dissent\, and International Literature and Film. When not teaching\, he continues research on transnational anarchism in the Americas. In 2005\, he published his book Anarchism and Countercultural Politics in Early Twentieth-Century Cuba (University Press of Florida). In 2013\, he published his second book Black Flag Boricuas: Anarchism\, Antiauthoritarianism\, and the Left in Puerto Rico\, 1897-1921 (University of Illinois Press).  In 2015 he published the book In Defiance of Boundaries: Anarchism in Latin American History (University Press of Florida) which he co-edited with Geoffroy de Laforcade. He is currently working on a new book that looks at anarchist networks that crisscrossed the Caribbean region\, including Panama\, Mexico\, Puerto Rico\, Cuba and the United States. The tentative title for the book is Caribbean Anarchism: Countercultural Politics and Transnational Networks in the Age of US Expansionism\, 1890s-1920s. \nThis event starts at Noon on Wednesday\, April 22nd.\nJoin via Zoom (Full invitation details below)\nWatch on Facebook Live\nPlease join a few minutes early so you don’t miss anything!\n \nTopic: Great Decisions: U.S. Relations with the Northern Triangle with Professor Kirk Shaffer\nTime: Apr 22\, 2020 12:00 PM Eastern Time (US and Canada) \nJoin Zoom Meeting\nhttps://zoom.us/j/98928072750?pwd=Q2JwaHFDN1M4NXZBa1FjSlk1ZkFzUT09 \nMeeting ID: 989 2807 2750\nPassword: 018086 \nOne tap mobile\n+16465588656\,\,98928072750#\,\,#\,018086# US (New York) \nDial by your location\n+1 646 558 8656 US (New York)\nMeeting ID: 989 2807 2750\nPassword: 018086 \n  \n 
URL:https://wacreading.org/event/u-s-relations-with-the-northern-triangle-with-dr-kirwin-shaffer/
LOCATION:PA\, United States
CATEGORIES:Luncheon Meeting
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://wacreading.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/kirwin-shaffer-author-crop-e1600347186822.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20200422T080000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20200422T080000
DTSTAMP:20260424T061315
CREATED:20200217T201602Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20200313T235418Z
UID:5930-1587542400-1587542400@wacreading.org
SUMMARY:CANCELLED - Excursion 2020
DESCRIPTION:CANCELLED DUE TO CORONAVIRUS PANDEMIC
URL:https://wacreading.org/event/excursion-2020/
LOCATION:PA\, United States
CATEGORIES:Annual Excursion
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://wacreading.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/Screen-Shot-2020-02-17-at-2.48.40-PM-e1582845480451.png
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20200319T073000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20200319T090000
DTSTAMP:20260424T061315
CREATED:20200115T204627Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20200313T235309Z
UID:5865-1584603000-1584608400@wacreading.org
SUMMARY:CANCELLED - Women in Elective Office: Challenges and Opportunities with Judy Schwank\, Sandy Graffius\, and Johanny Cepeda-Freytiz
DESCRIPTION:CANCELLED DUE TO CORONAVIRUS PANDEMIC \nWith the ratification of the 19th Amendment\, August 20\, 1920\, women gained the right to vote in the United States. One hundred years later\, women are realizing an increasingly stronger presence in elective offices across Pennsylvania and the nation. \nA panel of three Berks County elected officials\, moderated by Lynn Brown\, president\, World Affairs Council of Greater Reading\, will discuss the challenges and opportunities facing women today in seeking and holding elected office. \nState Senator Judy Schwank represents Pennsylvania’s 11th Senatorial District\, which includes the City of Reading and many of its surrounding boroughs and townships. Since her appointment in 2011\, Senator Schwank has championed issues that directly affect women and children. \nSandy Graffius has served as Berks County Controller since 2004. She brought 25 years of business ownership to the position. The controller supervises the fiscal affairs of the county\, including a review of all audits\, bills and claims\, and reports regularly on the fiscal conditions of the county. \nJohanny Cepeda-Freytiz was appointed to a seat to represent District 6 on the Reading City Council in January\, 2019\, and then elected to a full term in November\, 2019. Born to immigrant parents from the Dominican Republic\, Ms. Cepeda-Freytiz is a Berks County Business owner and community activist. \n  \nTo Register:  Call 610-375-7886 or email: contactus@wacreading.org\nCost To Attend:  $10
URL:https://wacreading.org/event/women-in-elective-office-challenges-and-opportunities-with-judy-schwank-sandy-graffius-and-johanny-cepada-freytiz/
LOCATION:McGlinn Conference Center\, 460 Saint Bernardine Street\, Reading\, PA\, 19607\, United States
CATEGORIES:Breakfast Meeting
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://wacreading.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/Judy-Schwank-Headshot-e1579468780734.jpeg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20200313T120000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20200313T133000
DTSTAMP:20260424T061315
CREATED:20190807T191544Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20200227T180532Z
UID:5571-1584100800-1584106200@wacreading.org
SUMMARY:Half of Heaven: Why Women are Needed in National Security with Dr. Joan Johnson-Freese
DESCRIPTION:Sponsored by Comcast Keystone Region. \nInternational Women’s Month speaker: Joan Johnson-Freese \nDr. Joan Johnson-Freese is a University Professor\, holds the Charles F. Bolden\, Jr. Chair in Science\, Space & Technology\, and is former Chair of the National Security Affairs Department at the Naval War College (NWC). In her faculty capacity she teaches Security Studies to US military officers and security practitioners from the United States and over 50 other countries. She has also been part of the Government Department faculty of Harvard Extension School and Harvard Summer School since 2004\, where she teaches courses on Women\, Peace & Security\, Leadership in War and Peace\, and Grand Strategy and US National Security.  \nAs a political scientist and educator\, her research focuses on space security and Women\, Peace & Security. She is the author of seven books on space security\, the most recent (2016) Space Warfare in the 21st Century: Arming the Heavens and over 100 published articles\, many with a particular focus on the Chinese space program. Dr. Johnson-Freese has also published multiple articles on aspects of Women\, Peace & Security and her book\, Women\, Peace & Security: An Introduction\, was released in December 2018.  She regularly works with media including CNN\, NPR\, The New York Times\, ABC\, CBS\, and Time Magazine on these topics.  \nTo Register:\nCall (610) 375-7880 or email contactus@wacreading.org \n\n\nCost to attend:\nMembers $23\nNon-Members $30\nWithout Meal $10\nAmbassadors Included
URL:https://wacreading.org/event/half-of-heaven-why-women-are-needed-in-national-security/
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/2019/08/DSC_1555-e1574342820665.jpeg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20200219T073000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20200219T093000
DTSTAMP:20260424T061315
CREATED:20190411T200934Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20200115T205935Z
UID:5443-1582097400-1582104600@wacreading.org
SUMMARY:Fulbright Scholarship Program with Waldo Alvarado
DESCRIPTION:Fulbright Scholarship \nThe Fulbright Scholarship program was established in 1946 under the leadership of then Senator J. William Fulbright. Administered by the Department of State\, it is one of several United States cultural exchange programs whose goal is to promote intercultural relations\, cultural diplomacy\, and intercultural competence between citizens of the United States and other countries. The program has awarded approximately 370\,000 scholarships to American and foreign students since the inception. \nMr. Waldo Alvarado\, Director of Equity and Diversity for the Reading School District\, will further review the history of the Fulbright Scholarships. A native of El Salvador\, Mr. Alvarado was a Fulbright Scholar in 1989/1990 at the University of Pennsylvania. \nJoining Mr. Alvarado to share their experience as Fulbright Scholars are Dr. Michael Masko and Dr. Katherine Lloyd Diaz. Dr. Masko has had a career of more than 40 years in public education. He was a Fulbright Scholar in Germany 1973/1974. Dr. Diaz\, a Fulbright Scholar in Peru\, is Vice President of Operations for Walk It Out Recovery Services and works also as the Life Skill Coordinator at the Bethany Children’s Home. \nEach brings a rich perspective on the value and impact of the Fulbright Scholarship program. \nCost $10.00. \nFor reserations: call 610-375-7880 or email contactus@wacreading.org
URL:https://wacreading.org/event/fulbright-scholarship-program-with-waldo-alvarado/
LOCATION:Wyomissing Restaurant & Bakery\, 1245 Penn Ave\, Wyomissing\, PA\, 19610\, United States
CATEGORIES:Breakfast Meeting
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://wacreading.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/Alvarado-e1574342856972.jpeg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20200212T120000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20200212T133000
DTSTAMP:20260424T061315
CREATED:20190314T145203Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20200210T131814Z
UID:5409-1581508800-1581514200@wacreading.org
SUMMARY:Haiti 10 Years after the Earthquake with Prof. Adam John
DESCRIPTION:Sponsored by the Diversity\, Inclusive\, Global Committee of the YMCA \nAlbright University professor Adam John will provide an update on what has happened in Haiti in the 10 years since a devastating earthquake when the World Affairs Council holds its Wednesday\, Feb. 12\, luncheon program at the Inn at Reading. \nMore than 200\,000 people reportedly died as a result of the magnatude 7.0 earthquake that struck Haiti on January 12\, 2010. About 300\,000 were injured and 1.5 million were left homeless. \nJohn holds a Ph.D. in French and Francophone cultures and civilizations from Pennsylvania State University. He is an associate professor of French and Spanish and the director of the interim program in Martinique. His research interests include Haitian literature and culture\, French language media and post-colonialism. He teaches courses on the Caribbean\, contemporary France and French-speaking Africa. \nHe received a Fulbright Scholarship to conduct research for his doctoral dissertation in Martinique in 1993-1994. He has been a member of the Haitian Studies Association for almost 20 years. He also served on the board of directors of the Haitian Studies Association from 2005-2009. \nTo Register:\nCall (610) 375-7880 or email contactus@wacreading.org \n\n\nCost to attend:\nMembers $23\nNon-Members $30\nWithout Meal $10\nAmbassadors Included
URL:https://wacreading.org/event/haiti-after-the-earthquake-with-prof-adam-john/
LOCATION:McGlinn Conference Center\, 460 Saint Bernardine Street\, Reading\, PA\, 19607\, United States
CATEGORIES:Luncheon Meeting
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/gif:https://wacreading.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/adam_john.gif
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20200115T073000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20200115T090000
DTSTAMP:20260424T061315
CREATED:20191116T200539Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20191217T191841Z
UID:5773-1579073400-1579078800@wacreading.org
SUMMARY:East Penn Today\, Locally\, Nationally\, and Internationally
DESCRIPTION:In seven remarkable decades\, East Penn Manufacturing\, headquartered in Lyons\, Pennsylvania\, has grown from a one-room shop with a product line of five automobile batteries to one of the world’s leading battery manufacturers with over 10\,000 employees\, 450 product designs\, and hundreds of awards for manufacturing and environmental excellence. East Penn manufactures and distributes throughout the United States\, Canada\, and Mexico and has a growing footprint elsewhere internationally in Europe\, Asia\, and Australia. \n Chris Pruitt\, President and CEO\, will address the history of East Penn and relate its present and future plans and initiatives. He will present his thoughts on the burgeoning arena of stored energy in the transportation and related industries. \nChris joined East Penn in 1994 as the Controller and has assumed ever increasing roles since then to his present position. Chris is the recipient of numerus awards for community service including the prestigious Wilbur H. Doran award from the United Way of Berks County. He currently serves as Chairman of the Board for the Wyomissing Foundation. \nTo Register:\nCall (610) 375-7880 or email contactus@wacreading.org \nCost to attend:\n$10.00
URL:https://wacreading.org/event/east-penn-today-locally-nationally-and-internationally/
LOCATION:Wyomissing Restaurant & Bakery\, 1245 Penn Ave\, Wyomissing\, PA\, 19610\, United States
CATEGORIES:Breakfast Meeting
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://wacreading.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/CPruitt-e1574342660151.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20200108T120000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20200108T133000
DTSTAMP:20260424T061315
CREATED:20190404T154334Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20200116T162058Z
UID:5431-1578484800-1578490200@wacreading.org
SUMMARY:Venezuela: a tough transition to democracy
DESCRIPTION:For Video playback\, click HERE \nDr. Paul D. Esqueda\, Sr. Associate Dean for Academic Affairs at Penn State Berks and a Professor of Engineering\, will discuss Venezuela during the World Affairs Council’s Jan. 8 luncheon program. He will give an update on main events in Venezuela during 2019 and will share his vision of a potential transition to democracy. \nEsqueda’s areas of interest are project management\, negotiations and operations management. He has a particular interest in developing negotiation case studies. For the last 30 years\, Esqueda has been primarily dedicated to administration in academic institutions. \nHis previous positions include Division Head of Engineering\, Business and Computing at Penn State Berks; Dean of the Institute for Advanced Studies in Administration (IESA) in Caracas\, Venezuela; and President of the Engineering Research Institute also in Caracas. \nEsqueda served as a consultant for the European Union to review the European Union Latin American Scholarship Program from 2003-2008. He was part of a panel of 20 experts (10 from Europe and 10 from Latin America) that met every year in Brussels to audit the program and advise the EU on the development of the program. \nHe earned an engineering degree from the University of North London\, England\, and a master’s and Ph.D. in electrical engineering from Penn State. \nTo Register:\nCall (610) 375-7880 or email contactus@wacreading.org \n\n\nCost to attend:\nMembers $23\nNon-Members $30\nWithout Meal $10\nAmbassadors Included
URL:https://wacreading.org/event/venezuela-with-prof-paul-esqueda/
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/2019/04/Esqueda_Paul-e1574342621620.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20191211T120000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20191211T133000
DTSTAMP:20260424T061315
CREATED:20190311T201549Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20190924T215334Z
UID:5406-1576065600-1576071000@wacreading.org
SUMMARY:Making Sense of the Iranian Escalation with Behnam Ben Taleblu
DESCRIPTION:SPONSORED BY WEIK CAPITAL MANAGEMENT \nBehnam Ben Taleblu is a senior fellow at FDD where he focuses on Iranian security and political issues. Behnam previously served as a research fellow and senior Iran analyst at FDD. Prior to his time at FDD\, Behnam worked on non-proliferation issues at an arms control think-tank in Washington. Leveraging his subject-matter expertise and native Farsi skills\, Behnam has closely tracked a wide range of Iran-related topics including: nuclear non-proliferation\, ballistic missiles\, sanctions\, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps\, the foreign and security policy of the Islamic Republic\, and internal Iranian politics. Frequently called upon to brief journalists\, congressional staff\, and other Washington-audiences\, Behnam has also testified before the U.S. Congress and Canadian Parliament. \nHis analysis has been quoted in The Washington Post\, The Wall Street Journal\, Reuters\, Fox News\, The Associated Press\, and Agence France-Presse\, among others. Additionally\, he has contributed to or co-authored articles for Foreign Affairs\, Foreign Policy\, Fox News\, The Hill\, War on the Rocks\, The National Interest\, and U.S. News & World Report. Behnam has appeared on a variety of broadcast programs\, including BBC News\, Fox News\, CBS Interactive\, C-SPAN\, and Defense News. Behnam earned his MA in International Relations from The University of Chicago\, and his BA in International Affairs and Middle East Studies from The George Washington University’s Elliott School of International Affairs. \nTo Register:\nCall (610) 375-7880 or email contactus@wacreading.org \n\n\nCost to attend:\nMembers $23\nNon-Members $30\nWithout Meal $10\nAmbassadors Included
URL:https://wacreading.org/event/iran-with-behnam-ben-taleblu/
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/2019/03/BehnamBenTaleblu-e1574342682497.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20191203T181500
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20191203T201500
DTSTAMP:20260424T061315
CREATED:20191121T140231Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20191121T142430Z
UID:5787-1575396900-1575404100@wacreading.org
SUMMARY:Penn State Film Series - Shoplifters
DESCRIPTION:The fourth and final film in this year’s Global Oscar Film Series is the Japanese movie Shoplifters. \nOn the margins of Tokyo\, a dysfunctional band of outsiders are united by fierce loyalty\, a penchant for petty theft and playful grifting. When the young son is arrested\, secrets are exposed that upend their tenuous\, below-the-radar existence and test their quietly radical belief that it is love—not blood—that defines a family. Directed by Hirokazu Kore-eda
URL:https://wacreading.org/event/penn-state-film-series-shoplifters/
LOCATION:Luerssen Building\, Room 5\, 1801 Broadcasting Rd\, Reading\, PA\, 19610\, United States
CATEGORIES:Community Events
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20191120T170000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20191120T190000
DTSTAMP:20260424T061315
CREATED:20191115T161958Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20191115T162042Z
UID:5765-1574269200-1574276400@wacreading.org
SUMMARY:First Year Seminar Lecture: David Brooks
DESCRIPTION:Acclaimed New York Times Columnist\, David Brooks\, will speak to Alvernia’s First Year Seminar classes on his book\, “The Road to Character”\, this year’s common read. \nDavid Brooks became an Op-Ed columnist for The New York Times in September 2003. His column appears every Tuesday and Friday. He is currently a commentator on “PBS NewsHour\,” NPR’s “All Things Considered” and NBC’s “Meet the Press.” \nDavid Brooks is the author of many books and writes about politics\, culture and the social sciences. Mr. Brooks also teaches at Yale University\, and is a member of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences. \nThis lecture is free and open to the public. Please contact the Holleran Center at 610-790-1925 or holleran.center@alvernia.edu with any questions.
URL:https://wacreading.org/event/first-year-seminar-lecture-david-brooks/
LOCATION:Alvernia Physical Education Center\, 920 Laverna Dr\, Reading\, PA\, 19607\, United States
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20191120T073000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20191120T090000
DTSTAMP:20260424T061315
CREATED:20190411T200324Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20190917T185126Z
UID:5439-1574235000-1574240400@wacreading.org
SUMMARY:Global Volunteers with Tom McMahon
DESCRIPTION:VOLUNTEER VACATIONS…WITH “GLOBAL VOLUNTEERS” \nShort term (1-3 week) volunteer vacations are becoming increasingly popular among individuals and families who love to travel\, experience different cultures\, and make a working contribution to improve people’s lives. \nSince 1984\, more than 33\,000 people ranging in age from 10 to 92 have served others through the Global Volunteers program. \nVolunteers primarily work with children teaching conversational English\, math and life skills….also with seniors in crafts\, light tasks in organic gardens\, and building maintenance such as painting. Host countries include Cuba\, Greece\, Portugal\, Nepal\, St. Lucia\, Ecuador\, Peru and several others. \nFormer Reading mayor\, Tom McMahon\, and fellow Berks Countians\, Sherry Cameron and Najma Iqbal\, will relate their experiences with the Global Volunteers program. \nFor reservations: call 610-375-7880 or email contactus@wacreading.org\nCost: $10.00 \n 
URL:https://wacreading.org/event/global-volunteers-with-tom-mcmahon/
LOCATION:Wyomissing Restaurant & Bakery\, 1245 Penn Ave\, Wyomissing\, PA\, 19610\, United States
CATEGORIES:Breakfast Meeting
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://wacreading.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/Tom_McMahon_Mayor_of_Reading_PA-e1574342867103.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20191113T183000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20191113T193000
DTSTAMP:20260424T061315
CREATED:20191015T200148Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20191015T200335Z
UID:5693-1573669800-1573673400@wacreading.org
SUMMARY:A Peaceful Revolution: 30 Years Fall of the Berlin Wall
DESCRIPTION:
URL:https://wacreading.org/event/a-peaceful-revolution/
LOCATION:McFarland Student Union #218\, PA\, United States
CATEGORIES:Community Events
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20191112T181500
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20191112T210000
DTSTAMP:20260424T061315
CREATED:20191107T020424Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20191121T141442Z
UID:5758-1573582500-1573592400@wacreading.org
SUMMARY:Penn State Film Series - Capernaum (Lebanon)
DESCRIPTION:The third film in this year’s Global Oscar Film Series is the Lebanonese movie “Capernaum”.  Hope you and/or your students can join us Tuesday\, November 12\, 6:15 pm in Luerssen 005. \n \nAfter running away from his poverty-stricken life in the slums of Beirut\, 12-year-old Zain travels to a coastal town where he meets Ethiopian immigrant Rahil and her toddler son Yonas. Rahil takes Zain in and he becomes Yonas’s babysitter\, but Zain’s life is again upended when Rahil disappears\, prompting him to take desperate measures.
URL:https://wacreading.org/event/penn-state-film-series-capernaum-lebanon/
LOCATION:Luerssen Building\, Room 5\, 1801 Broadcasting Rd\, Reading\, PA\, 19610\, United States
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20191106T120000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20191106T133000
DTSTAMP:20260424T061315
CREATED:20190211T192238Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20191112T160815Z
UID:5364-1573041600-1573047000@wacreading.org
SUMMARY:Brazil Wants Results: Less Violence\, Economic Growth\, and Respect for the Rule of Law with Anna Prusa
DESCRIPTION:For video replay\, click HERE \nAnna is currently an Associate at the Brazil Institute at the Wilson Center. Before joining the Brazil Institute\, Anna was at the Albright Stonebridge Group and U.S. Department of State’s Office of Brazilian and Southern Cone Affairs. While at the State Department\, among other roles\, she assisted in preparations for President Obama’s 2011 trip to Brazil and Chile and covered regional security issues\, including coordinating State’s participation in the 2011 Latin American follow-up to the 2010 Nuclear Security Summit\, held in Santiago\, Chile. She lived in São Paulo\, Brazil for several years\, and is a specialist in U.S. foreign policy and U.S.-Brazil relations.  \nAnna holds a Master of Public Policy from Georgetown University\, an M.A. in Latin American and Hemispheric Studies from the George Washington University\, and a B.A. in History and Political Science from the University of Florida. She has been interviewed and quoted by the BBC\, ABC News\, Newsweek\, CBC\, CGNT\, Think Progress\, and other media.  \nTo Register:\nCall (610) 375-7880 or email contactus@wacreading.org \n\n\nCost to attend:\nMembers $23\nNon-Members $30\nWithout Meal $10\nAmbassadors Included
URL:https://wacreading.org/event/brazil-with-anna-prusa/
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/2019/02/Screen-Shot-2019-10-17-at-12.19.39-PM-e1574342750406.png
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20191027T190000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20191027T210000
DTSTAMP:20260424T061315
CREATED:20191004T160025Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20191016T191254Z
UID:5671-1572202800-1572210000@wacreading.org
SUMMARY:Issues Impacting the Middle East with Ambassador Ido Aharoni
DESCRIPTION:Mr. Aharoni is a 25-year veteran of Israel’s foreign service\, including serving for six years as Consul-General in New York\, overseeing the operations of Israel’s largest diplomatic mission worldwide. He has been recognized for his contribution to the field of public diplomacy from national Jewish organizations and other social-impact charities. He is the Founder of two annual public diplomacy conferences: BTC (Broadening the Conversation 2011-2014) and the Beyond Conference (2015 to present.) In 2015\, he was awarded Honorary Governor by Tel Aviv University. In 2013\, The Algemeiner named him among the ‘Top 100 People Positively Influencing Jewish Life\,’ commonly known as the “Jewish 100.”  \nThe community is invited to attend this event sponsored by the Jewish Federation of Reading. \nSunday\, October 27 at 7:00 p.m.\nMiller Center for the Arts
URL:https://wacreading.org/event/issues-impacting-the-middle-east-with-ambassador-ido-aharoni/
LOCATION:Miller Center for the Arts\, 4 N 2nd St.\, Reading\, PA\, 19601\, United States
CATEGORIES:Community Events
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://wacreading.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/aharoni-2-e1574342773472.jpg
ORGANIZER;CN="Jewish Federation of Reading":MAILTO:info@jfreading.org
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20191016T073000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20191016T090000
DTSTAMP:20260424T061315
CREATED:20190212T200126Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20190212T200814Z
UID:5368-1571211000-1571216400@wacreading.org
SUMMARY:The Politics of Division with Terry Madonna
DESCRIPTION:G. Terry Madonna is Professor of Public Affairs and Director of the Center for Politics and Public Affairs at Franklin and Marshall College. He is also the Director of the Franklin & Marshall College Poll. In the early 1970s\, he served as County Commissioner of Lancaster County\, Pennsylvania. \nTo Register:\nCall (610) 375-7880 or email contactus@wacreading.org \nCost to attend:\n$10 all attendees
URL:https://wacreading.org/event/the-politics-of-division-with-terry-madonna/
LOCATION:Wyomissing Restaurant & Bakery\, 1245 Penn Ave\, Wyomissing\, PA\, 19610\, United States
CATEGORIES:Breakfast Meeting
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://wacreading.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/madonna.jpeg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20191010T120000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20191010T133000
DTSTAMP:20260424T061315
CREATED:20190506T201057Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20191015T215127Z
UID:5481-1570708800-1570714200@wacreading.org
SUMMARY:Crisis in U.S. Immigration Policy: Headache along the U.S. - Mexican Border with Lawrence Cohen
DESCRIPTION:For video replay\, click HERE \nMr.Cohen will describe current US immigration policy\, examination the roots of the crisis on our southern border\, and raise questions about the current\, unsustainable situation. \nLawrence Cohen is a retired diplomat with the U.S. Department of State. During his Foreign Service career\, Mr. Cohen served in Mexico\, Honduras\, India\, Hungary\, Nigeria\, Brazil\, and Afghanistan. His Washington\, D.C.\, assignments included stints in the Office of Environmental Policy working on bilateral U.S.-Mexico and NAFTA issues\, and as State Department Desk Officer to the Inter-American Development Bank. Mr. Cohen has also served on short-term Foreign Service assignments in Erbil\, Iraqi Kurdistan Region; Tunis; Jeddah; and Kuwait. \nMr. Cohen created the Foreign Service Institute’s Afghanistan pre-deployment training program\, facilitated Afghan training for USAID personnel\, and developed diplomatic tradecraft training for the South Sudanese Foreign Ministry in Juba. Mr. Cohen served as the Retiree Vice President on the Governing Board of the American Foreign Service Association (2013-15). He delivered a presentation on Afghanistan to the Reading World Affairs Council in September 2008. \nMr. Cohen earned his Bachelor of Arts degree in history and Mideast Studies from Dickinson College and his Masters of Arts degree in International Relations\, specializing in Middle East Affairs from the University of Chicago. He resides in Schwenksville\, Montgomery County. \nTo Register:\nCall (610) 375-7880 or email contactus@wacreading.org \nCost to attend:\nMembers $23\nNon-Members $30\nWithout Meal $10\nAmbassadors Included
URL:https://wacreading.org/event/united-states-immigration-policy-with-lawrence-cohen/
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/2019/05/Cohen-e1574342802337.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20190918T073000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20190918T090000
DTSTAMP:20260424T061315
CREATED:20190609T182722Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20190621T144526Z
UID:5545-1568791800-1568797200@wacreading.org
SUMMARY:Alice Paul: Women's Suffragist with Hallie Vaughan
DESCRIPTION:Alice Paul was a vocal leader of the 20th Century women’s suffrage movement. Born on 1/11/1885 in Mount Laurel\, NJ\, she was brought up with the Quaker traditions of gender equality and working to improve society. She graduated from Swarthmore College in 1905 and would earn 4 more degrees in her lifetime. She joined the National American Women’s Suffrage Association and led the Washington DC Chapter. After splitting with NAWSA and forming the National Women’s Party\, she organized parades and pickets\, concentrating on a national effort to achieve the passage of women’s right to vote.  The Nineteenth Amendment to the Constitution of the United States was passed by Congress June 4\, 1919\, ratified by the required three-fourths passage of the states August 18\, 1920 and became law August 26\, 1920.\nWith the passage of the Nineteenth Amendment\, Alice Paul focused on equal rights first as a proposed  Constitutional amendment and then as legislation to guarantee women  protection from discrimination in education\, employment and all other pursuits in life.  She  spent her long  life advocating for these and other women’s issues.  She died in Moorestown\, New Jersey\, July 9\, 1977. \nHallie Vaughan was born in Erie\, PA\, but moved to Berks County at age 12. She graduated from Wilson High School\, Slippery Rock University and Gratz College. She taught for 31 years in the Muhlenberg School District\, teaching mostly third and fourth grades. It was during this time that she became interested in women’s history\, incorporating lessons and activities into her classroom routine. After retiring\, she continues to research\, portray and speak about American Women who have been instrumental in United States history. She teaches a course at Alvernia’s Seniors College\, is a docent at the Berks County History Center\, volunteers for the Berks County Veteran’s Affairs Office\, is actively involved with the Berks County Daughters of the American Revolution and with the upcoming Berks Suffrage 2020 Celebration set for next year. She has two grown sons\, three grandsons and one granddaughter. \nReservations: Call 610-375-7880 or Email contactus@wacreading.org\nCost: $10.00
URL:https://wacreading.org/event/alice-paul-womens-suffragist-with-hallie-vaughn/
LOCATION:Wyomissing Restaurant & Bakery\, 1245 Penn Ave\, Wyomissing\, PA\, 19610\, United States
CATEGORIES:Community Events
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://wacreading.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/Vaughn.jpeg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20190912T120000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20190912T133000
DTSTAMP:20260424T061315
CREATED:20190118T161651Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20190923T150204Z
UID:5333-1568289600-1568295000@wacreading.org
SUMMARY:Kurdistan: An Island of Stability in a Turbulent Middle East with Bayan Sami Abdul Rahman
DESCRIPTION:For video playback Part 1\, click HERE\nFor video playback Part 2\, click HERE \nBayan Sami Abdul Rahman is the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) Representative to the United States of America. \nKey to her role are strengthening ties between Kurdistan and the United States\, advocating her government’s position on a wide array of political\, security\, humanitarian\, economic\, and cultural matters and promoting coordination and partnership. Prior to her US appointment in 2015\, Ms. Abdul Rahman was the High Representative to the United Kingdom. She was elected to the Leadership Council of the Kurdistan Democratic Party in 2010. \nBefore her career in public service\, Ms. Abdul Rahman worked as a journalist for 17 years. She began her career on local newspapers in London and won the Observer Newspaper’s Farzad Bazoft Memorial Prize in 1993\, which led her to work at The Observer and later at the Financial Times. She worked for the FT in Britain and in Japan\, where she was Tokyo Correspondent. \nHer late father\, Sami Abdul Rahman\, was a veteran of the Kurdish freedom movement\, joining the Kurdistan Democratic Party in 1963 and playing a critical leadership role in the Kurdish and Iraqi opposition to Saddam Hussein’s regime. He held the post of Deputy Prime Minister of the Kurdistan Regional Government and General Secretary of the Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP). Sami Abdul Rahman was killed alongside his elder son Salah and 96 others in a twin suicide bombing in 2004. \nMs. Abdul Rahman was born in Baghdad. Her family briefly lived in Iran in the mid-1970s before moving to Britain in 1976. She is a history graduate from London University. \nTo Register:\nCall (610) 375-7880 or email contactus@wacreading.org \n\n\nCost to attend:\nMembers $23\nNon-Members $30\nWithout Meal $10\nAmbassadors Included
URL:https://wacreading.org/event/kurdistan-with-bayan-sami-abdul-rahman/
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/2019/01/bayan-xan-e1574342927714.png
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20190910T180000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20190910T200000
DTSTAMP:20260424T061315
CREATED:20190824T164525Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20190826T134609Z
UID:5583-1568138400-1568145600@wacreading.org
SUMMARY:7th Annual Global Oscar Film Series at Penn State Berks
DESCRIPTION:This fall\, the Global Studies Program at Penn State Berks will host the 7th Annual Global Oscar Film Series.  These are 4 of the 5 finalists for last spring’s Best Foreign Language Film at the Academy Awards. \nAll films are free and open to the public. Here is the Global Oscar Film Series schedule for the fall semester: \n“Roma” (Mexico)  Tuesday\, September 10\, 6:15 pm\, Luerssen 005 \n“Cold War” (Poland)  Tuesday\, October 8\, 6:15 pm\, Luerssen 005 \n“Capernaum” (Lebanon)  Tuesday\, November 12\, 6:15 pm\, Luerssen 005 \n“Shoplifters” (Japan)  Tuesday\, December 3\, 6:15 pm\, Luerssen 005
URL:https://wacreading.org/event/7th-annual-global-oscar-film-series-at-penn-state-berks/
LOCATION:PA\, United States
CATEGORIES:Community Events
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://wacreading.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/Screen-Shot-2019-08-25-at-4.14.14-PM.png
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20190612T120000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20190612T133000
DTSTAMP:20260424T061315
CREATED:20181026T191251Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20190122T164100Z
UID:4920-1560340800-1560346200@wacreading.org
SUMMARY:Terror Finance: The War Behind the War on Terror with John Cassara
DESCRIPTION:Sponsored by: Hillcrest Racquet Club \nJohn Cassara began his 26 year government career as an intelligence officer during the Cold War. He later served as a Treasury Special Agent in both the U.S. Secret Service and US Customs Service where he investigated money laundering\, trade fraud and international smuggling. He was an undercover arms dealer for two years. Assigned overseas\, he developed expertise in Middle East money laundering\, value transfer and underground financial systems. Mr. Cassara pioneered the concept of trade transparency units (TTUs) and has worked to demonstrate the link between trade fraud and underground financial systems. He also worked six years for Treasury’s Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN) and was later detailed to the Department of State’s Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs. Mr. Cassara’s final assignment was with Treasury’s Office of Terrorism and Financial Intelligence (TFI). Since his retirement\, he has consulted for both government and industry. He has lectured in the United States and around the world on a variety transnational crime issues. Mr. Cassara testified four times before Congressional committees on various topics related to threat finance. Mr. Cassara has authored or co-authored several studies\, articles and books\, including Hide and Seek\, Intelligence\, Law Enforcement and the Stalled War on Terrorist Finance\, On the Trail of Terror Finance – What Intelligence and Law Enforcement Officers Need to Know\, Demons of Gadara\, and Trade-Based Money Laundering: The Next Frontier in International Money Laundering Enforcement. More information can be found at www.JohnCassara.com   \n\nTo Register: Call (610) 375-7880 or email contactus@wacreading.org Cost to attend: Members $23 Non-Members $30 Without Meal $10 Ambassadors Included
URL:https://wacreading.org/event/terror-finance-the-war-behind-the-war-on-terror-with-john-cassara/
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/2018/08/JCassara-2-1-1-e1574343116343.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20190530T113000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20190530T140000
DTSTAMP:20260424T061315
CREATED:20190513T211509Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20190610T181848Z
UID:5503-1559215800-1559224800@wacreading.org
SUMMARY:The Transatlantic Relationship in an Era of Great Power Competition with Consul General David Gill of Germany
DESCRIPTION:For video playback of this event\, click HERE \nYour World Affairs Council of Greater Reading is excited and proud to have been selected by The World Affairs Councils of America as one of the top World Affairs Councils in the U.S. to take part in Wunderbar Together: The Year of German-American Friendship. This comprehensive and collaborative initiative is funded by the German Federal Foreign Office and supported by the Federation of German Industries. The goal is to create a positive understanding of the strong economic\, social and political ties the United States shares with Germany. \nWe are therefore extremely pleased to have the opportunity to host Mr. David Gill\, the German Consul General from the German Mission in New York City\, who will discuss the positive ties between our two countries.  Mr. Gill is responsible for consular and legal assistance for U.S. and German citizens within Pennsylvania\, New York\, New Jersey\, Connecticut and Bermuda. As he states in his Mission write-up: his role is to explain Germany\, understand America and foster successful discussions and exchange of ideas. \n \nThis event is Open to the Public \nDoors open at 11:30 AM\nRSVP required by May 28th: Call 610-375-7880 or Email contactus@wacreading.org\nCost: $20.00\, non-eating attendees – $10.00\, students – free. \nConsul General David Gill\, German Consulate General New York   Born in 1966\, Gill grew up in a protestant minister’s family in Herrnhut\, Saxony\, in former East Germany. He was denied a higher education by the communist regime for political reasons. Instead\, he trained and worked as a plumber before joining a preparatory protestant school and later the theological seminary of the Protestant Church in Berlin-Brandenburg. In 1990\, he initially was the chairman of Normannenstrasse Citizens’ Committee which oversaw the dissolution of the Ministry of State Security at the Stasi headquarters and served as the secretary of the Special Committee for the dissolution of the Stasi of the East German Parliament. After reunification\, Gill became spokesman and head of the research division of the Federal Commissioner for the Stasi-Files before studying law in Berlin and Philadelphia. After holding positions in the Federal Ministry of the Interior and at the Commissioner for Data Protection and Freedom of Information in Berlin\, he served as the Deputy Representative of the Council of the Protestant Church in Germany to the Federal Republic of Germany and the European Union. During Federal President Joachim Gauck’s term from 2012-2017\, he was state secretary and chief of staff of the President. Since August 2017\, he has been the German Consul General in New York.
URL:https://wacreading.org/event/the-transatlantic-relationship-in-an-era-of-great-power-competition-with-consul-general-david-gill-of-germany/
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/2019/05/DavidGill-e1574342833354.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20190515T073000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20190515T090000
DTSTAMP:20260424T061315
CREATED:20180801T192654Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20180801T192654Z
UID:4931-1557905400-1557910800@wacreading.org
SUMMARY:Cryptocurrencies and Their Impact on Global Financial Markets. with Farhad Saboori
DESCRIPTION:Farhad Saboori is a professor of economics at Albright College. He received his Ph.D. in economics from Indiana University\, Bloomington\, Indiana\, in 1985. His areas of research interest are in applied macroeconomic analysis\, including business cycle studies\, causes of financial crises\, and the impact of oil prices on the economy. He teaches courses in International Trade and Finance\, Money and Banking\, and Operations Management at Albright College. \n  \nTo Register:\nCall (610) 375-7880 or email contactus@wacreading.org \nCost to attend:\n$10 all attendees
URL:https://wacreading.org/event/the-economics-of-cypto-currencies-with-farhad-saborri/
LOCATION:Wyomissing Restaurant & Bakery\, 1245 Penn Ave\, Wyomissing\, PA\, 19610\, United States
CATEGORIES:Breakfast Meeting
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://wacreading.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/Farhad-1-1-e1574343052456.jpg
END:VEVENT
END:VCALENDAR