The Immigration Crisis in Europe: The Case of Spain with Laura López Calonge
2022-04-13 12:00 - 13:30 (America/New_York) | Virtual Event, PA, United States
Laura López Calonge is a Visiting Instructor of Spanish at Albright College.
Laura 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.
This event is being held virtually at 12:00 noon on April 13th.
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U.S. - China Competition with Richard Fontaine
2022-04-20 12:00 - 13:30 | Virtual Event, PA, United States
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.
Richard 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.
Mr. 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.
At 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.
Mr. 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.
A 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.
This event is being held virtually on Wednesday, April 20th.
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Foreign Affairs Panel Discussions with U.S. Representatives Houlahan (D-PA-6) and Meuser (R-PA-9)
2022-05-05 11:15 - 13:00 | DoubleTree by Hilton, 701 Penn St., Reading, 10601, United States
We are excited to host a discussion on foreign affairs with United States Congressional Representatives Chrissy Houlahan and Dan Meuser. The program will take place May 5, 2022 at the DoubleTree by Hilton in Reading. The program will start at Noon. Registration and lunch beginning at 11:15. It is a luncheon event with a panel discussion moderated by World Affairs Council of Greater Reading president Solomon Lausch.
Representative Meuser represents the 9th Congressional District, including most of western Berks County. Among his committee assignments, he serves on the House Foreign Affairs Committee. Representative Meuser is an American businessman. As a Republican, he previously served as the secretary of commerce in the cabinet of Governor Tom Corbett.
Representative Houlahan represents the 6th Congressional District, including Reading and much of eastern Berks County. Among her committee assignments, Representative Houlahan serves on the House Foreign Affairs Committee. She is an Air Force veteran, engineer, entrepreneur and educator. She is a Democrat and the first woman to represent the 6th Congressional District.
Cost to attend is $40 for members, $50 for non-members.
REGISTRATION DEADLINE APRIL 25TH.
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Qatar: Its Emerging Role in the Middle East with James Garrett
2022-05-11 12:00 - 13:30 | Virtual Event, PA, United States
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.
The 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.
Apart 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.
This event is being held virtually at 12:00 noon on May 11th.
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Diversity in Israel with Gadeer Kamal-Mreeh
2022-06-01 12:00 - 13:30 | Virtual Event, PA, United States
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.
Kamal-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.
This event is being held virtually at 12:00 noon on Wednesday June 1, 2022.
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Co-Sponsors; The Jewish Federation of Reading and The World Affairs Council of Greater Reading

The Challenges of Our Newest Service: A Look at the US Space Force with Benjamin R. Ogden, Colonel, US Army
2022-06-08 12:00 - 13:00 | Virtual Event, PA, United States
COL Benjamin Ogden is the Space Operations and Education Officer at the U.S. Army War College.
He 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.
After 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.
This event is being held virtually on Wednesday, June 8th.
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Inclusion of refugees into the German Education system - lessons learned from 2015 with Dr. Seyran Bostanci
2022-06-22 12:00 - 13:30 | Virtual Event, PA, United States
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.
Before 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.
Her main research interests and teaching include the following topics: migration, educational inequality, diversity, racism, inclusion, early childhood and civil society.
This event is being held virtually on Wednesday, June 22th.
We are indebted to the German American Institute Tuebingen, Germany for underwriting the cost for Dr. Bostanci’s presentation.
The 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.
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US International Broadcasting: The Voice of America with Ross MacCallum
2022-07-13 12:00 - 13:30 | Virtual Event, PA, United States
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.
Ross 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.
This event will be held virtually on Wednesday, July 13th.
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America's Security Alliances with Michael O'Hanlon
2022-08-31 12:00 - 13:30 | Virtual Event, PA, United States
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.”
O’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.
This event will be held virtually on August 31st.
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How the War in Ukraine has Changed the World with Dr. Randy Newnham
2022-09-14 12:00 | McGlinn Conference Center, 460 Saint Bernardine Street, Reading, PA, 19607, United States
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.
Dr. 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.
This event is scheduled to be held LIVE at 12:00 noon on Wednesday, September 14th. Doors open at 11:30 AM.
Members: $35
Non-members: $40
Students: $15
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Climate Change with Dr. Spencer Stober
2022-09-19 12:00 - 13:00 | Sly Fox Taphouse, 820 Knitting Mills Way (Parking/entry in rear), Wyomissing, PA, 19610, United States
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.

NATO from the European Perspective with Michal Baranowski
2022-09-19 12:00 - 13:00 | Sly Fox Taphouse, 820 Knitting Mills Way (Parking/entry in rear), Wyomissing, PA, 19610, United States
Michal Baranowski is Director of the Warsaw office. He Expertise: Policy, Central and Eastern Europe / U.S. Foreign Policy / Polish Foreign Policy / EU Political Affairs / EU Enlargement and Integration / Transatlantic Relations

Oaxaca Resurgent: Indigeneity, Development, and Inequity in Twentieth-Century Mexico with Dr. A.S. Dillingham
2022-09-19 12:00 - 13:00 | Sly Fox Taphouse, 820 Knitting Mills Way (Parking/entry in rear), Wyomissing, PA, 19610, United States
A. S. Dillingham is a historian and professor. He is currently Assistant Professor of Latin American History at Albright College in Reading, Pennsylvania. Previously, Dillingham taught at Reed College in Portland, Oregon and Spring Hill College in Mobile, Alabama. He serves on the organizing collective of the Tepoztlán Institute for the Transnational History of the Americas. He holds a PhD in History from the University of Maryland.
Dillingham’s research focuses on the historical experiences of Native peoples of the Americas. In particular, he focuses on twentieth-century Mexico, the intersection of anticolonial politics and educational and development policy, and labor and youth-led social movements.
His first book, Oaxaca Resurgent: Indigeneity, Development, and Inequality in Twentieth-Century Mexico, was published by Stanford University Press in August 2021. Oaxaca Resurgent traces the contested history of Mexican indigenista policy and how Indigenous people of southern Mexico advocated for alternative forms of development and anticolonial education. He is currently working on a second book project, a transnational analysis of land, labor, and development initiatives in areas of North American “frontier” settlement. This project examines racialized conflicts over twentieth-century land reform, policies of Native resettlement, and the multiple legacies of slavery.
The questions which drive Dillingham’s research agenda began at a young age. Growing up in a white family with a Choctaw grandfather, indigeneity was something that felt both close and at the same time distant. The white side of the family made casual jokes about Indians while his grandfather shared stories of Indian Country and the Trail of Tears. In high school, Dillingham found himself in Mexico, studying Spanish in the aftermath of an Indigenous uprising led by the Ejército Zapatista de Liberación Nacional. These experiences led Dillingham to study history as a way of making sense of himself and the broader world. An enrolled member of the Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma, Dillingham seeks to connect the history and politics of Native peoples across the Americas in his teaching and scholarship.

Turkey-West Relations with Dr. Oya Dursun-Ozkanca
2022-10-12 12:00 - 13:30 | McGlinn Conference Center, 460 Saint Bernardine Street, Reading, PA, 19607, United States
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.
Publications: 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.
Dr. Oya will be doing a book signing of this book after her presentation.
This event is being held LIVE at 12:00 noon on Wednesday October 12th at the Legends Restaurant.
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Historical Assessment Behind the Conflict in Ukraine with Douglas S. Wortman, Esq.
2022-11-09 12:00 - 13:30 | McGlinn Conference Center, 460 Saint Bernardine Street, Reading, PA, 19607, United States
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.
Doug 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.
Doug 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.
This luncheon meeting is being held in person at Legends Restaurant on Wednesday November 9th.
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Latin America Leans Left: Associated Trends Supporting the Shift with Dr. Kirwin Shaffer
2022-12-14 12:00 - 13:30 | McGlinn Conference Center, 460 Saint Bernardine Street, Reading, PA, 19607, United States
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.
This luncheon meeting is being held at Legends Restaurant on December 14th
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The Significance of German-American Relations: A Personal Experience with James Garrett and Tabea Kuhlmann
2023-01-18 11:30 - 13:30 | McGlinn Conference Center, 460 Saint Bernardine Street, Reading, PA, 19607, United States
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.

The 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.

James 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.

Tabea 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.

This luncheon meeting is being held in person at Legends Restaurant on Wednesday January 18th.
Luncheon Sponsor: EVERGREEN COUNTRY CLUB
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Where are the Winds of Inflation Blowing Us? with Philip Orlando
2023-01-26 11:30 - 13:30 | Virtual Event, PA, United States
Philip Orlando is senior Vice President and Chief Equity Market Strategist of Federated Hermes. He is also Senior Vice President and Senior Portfolio Manager with 32 years of industry experience and is responsible for formulating and articulating Federated’s opinions about the equity market as well was positioning strategies for the firm’s products. He serves as chairman of both the Macro Economic Policy and the Prism Assets Committees, and additionally as head of the Balanced/Macro Team within Federated’s Equity Group. He is Senior Portfolio Manager of Federated’s AssetmAllocation Fund.
Previous associations include CIO & Sr. Portfolio Manager for Value Line and CIO & Portfolio Manager for First Capital Advisors. He received B.A. and MBA degrees from New York University.
This event is being held virtually at 11:30 AM on January 26, 2023.
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My Experience in Nepal with Doug Metcalfe
2023-02-08 11:30 - 13:30 | McGlinn Conference Center, 460 Saint Bernardine Street, Reading, PA, 19607, United States
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!
Doug 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.
Mr. 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.
Mr. 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.
THIS EVENT IS BEING HELD IN PERSON AT LEGENDS RESTAURANT AT NOON ON FEBRUARY 8TH.
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Narrative Trajectories of the Future of Global Competition: Assessment of Chinese and Russian Media from 2014-2019, with Dr. Robert Hinck
2023-02-15 12:00 - 13:30 | Virtual Event, PA, United States
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.
Dr. 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.
This event will be held virtually at Noon on February 15th
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Johanny Cepeda-Freytiz: First Latin Woman Representative in the PA General Assembly from Berks County
2023-03-09 11:30 - 13:30 | McGlinn Conference Center, 460 Saint Bernardine Street, Reading, PA, 19607, United States
INTERNATIONAL WOMEN’S DAY EVENT
Pa. state Rep. Johanny Cepeda-Freytiz was elected to represent Pennsylvania’s 129th Legislative District on November 8, 2022
Cepeda-Freytiz obtained a Bachelor of Arts Degree from the State University of New York at New Paltz College where she majored in French and minored in Spanish. She also obtained a Master of Science in Education degree from Long Island University and became a bilingual Guidance Counselor.
For over 10 years, she worked for Grand Street Settlement and held the position of Program Director for the Beacon Center, a school-based community center located in New York City. In addition to her role as Program Director, she worked part time as the College Counselor for Marta Valle Secondary School. In 2007 a business opportunity presented itself in Reading, PA. She chose to leave New York to become an entrepreneur/businesswoman. She relocated her family to establish Mi Casa Su Casa Café, located in downtown Reading. Cepeda-Freytiz graduated from Kutztown University Small Business Development Center and Latino Business Resource Center business program in the spring of 2009.
The same year she became recipient of the James Hyson Entrepreneur Award from Community First Fund and in January 2011 she was awarded Businessperson of the Year by the Latino Chamber of Commerce.
In 2017, she received the Girl Scouts of Eastern PA Take the Lead Award. Cepeda-Freytiz also served on the board of directors of Centro Hispano, Greater Reading Chamber of Commerce.
In 2020 received the COVID-19 Hero Award from United Community Services and in 2021, she was awarded Purple Ribbon Business Partner of the Year by the Domestic Shelters Organization. Shas served on the Safe Berks (formerly known as Berks Women in Crisis) and on the Reading Public Library Board. In November 2019 she was elected City Councilwoman of District 6 and in January 2020 she began serving her 4-year term becoming the fist woman to serve on the Reading City Council and as President of Reading City Council.
Cepeda-Freytiz is a mother of two young adults and lives in Reading with her husband.
This International Women’s Day event will be held in person at Legend’s Restaurant
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275th Anniversary Celebration of Reading's Founding - Breakfast Event
2023-03-16 07:30 - 09:00 | DoubleTree by Hilton, 701 Penn St., Reading, 10601, United States
Delegations from Reading’s two sister cities, Reading, England and Reutlingen, Germany are coming to Reading March 12-17 to join in the celebration of the 275thanniversary of Reading’s founding. The World Affairs Council of Greater Reading is pleased to hold a breakfast program as part of the week long set events planned for the visits.
The program will be Thursday, March 16 at the DoubleTree by Hilton. Registration and breakfast, 7:15-8:00 a.m. Program: 8-9 a.m.
The program with be in the form of a moderated panel discussion with a representative from each delegation discussing the value each perceives in the sister city partnership and a representative of Reading discussing the significance of the 275th anniversary and the importance of the sister city relationships. Question and Answer with the audience will follow with everything concluding sharply at 9 a.m.
The DoubleTree has heavily discounted the cost for the breakfast as part of its contribution to the 275th anniversary celebration. Cost for the breakfast is $15 per person with payment at the door. Registration deadline is Monday, March 13, 2023.
The program promises to be an interesting exchange of perspective and culture. We look forward to your participation.
REGISTRATION DEADLINE FOR THIS EVENT IS MARCH 9TH.
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Please note, PARKING IS FREE. Do not pay to park. Simply bring your license plate number with you to WAC registration.

Climate Change and the Future of Humanity with Dr. Spencer Stober
2023-04-12 11:30 - 13:30 | McGlinn Conference Center, 460 Saint Bernardine Street, Reading, PA, 19607, United States
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.
This event is being held at noon at Legends Restaurant on April 12th.
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Public Service Abroad: What is the U.S. Foreign Service? with Elizabeth Smith
2023-04-19 12:15 - 13:45 | Virtual Event, PA, United States
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.
Previously, 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.
She 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.
No registration required. Simply join by 12:15pm on Wednesday, April 19th.
Join here at 12:15pm on April 19th

Race, American Diplomacy and why Diversity is so Important with Ambassador Charles Ray
2023-05-17 11:30 - 13:30 | McGlinn Conference Center, 460 Saint Bernardine Street, Reading, PA, 19607, United States
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.
During 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.
Since 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.
Ray is a member of the American Foreign Service Association (AFSA), the Association of Black American Ambassadors, and the American Academy of Diplomacy.
A native of Texas, Ray now makes his home in North Potomac, MD, a suburb of Washington, DC.
This event will be held at Legend’s Restaurant at noon on May 17th.
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The event is being sponsored by Vice Admiral Daniel Cooper (Retired).

New Crisis Narratives for Europe: Redefining Political Motives via Russian Disinformation about Ukraine with Dr. Marco Ehrl
2023-06-14 11:30 - 14:00 | Sly Fox Taphouse, 820 Knitting Mills Way (Parking/entry in rear), Wyomissing, PA, 19610, United States
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.
Please note the location change. This luncheon event will be held at Sly Fox Taphouse in Wyomissing.
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War Crimes and the Conflict in Ukraine: International Law at a Crossroads with Dr. Irene Langran
2023-09-13 11:30 - 14:00 | McGlinn Conference Center, 460 Saint Bernardine Street, Reading, PA, 19607, United States
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.
Dr. 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.
This event will be held at 12:00 noon on September 13 at the McGlinn Conference Center.
DEADLINE FOR REGISTRATION IS SEPTEMBER 5TH
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India and what its Democracy means to the US and the World with Dr. Daniel Markey
2023-09-21 12:00 - 13:30 | Virtual Event, PA, United States
Dr. Daniel Markey is a senior advisor on South Asia at the United States Institute of Peace. He is also a senior fellow at the Johns Hopkins University’s School of Advanced International Studies (SAIS) Foreign Policy Institute.
From 2015-2021, Dr. Markey was a senior research professor in international relations at SAIS, where he launched and led the Master of Arts in Global Policy degree program and taught courses in international politics and policy. From 2007-2015, Dr. Markey was a senior fellow for India, Pakistan, and South Asia at the Council on Foreign Relations. From 2003 to 2007, Dr. Markey was a member of the U.S. State Department’s Policy Planning Staff. His work focused on U.S. strategy in South Asia, especially Pakistan and India. Prior to government service, he taught in the Department of Politics at Princeton University and served as executive director of Princeton’s Research Program in International Security. Earlier, he was a postdoctoral fellow at Harvard’s Olin Institute for Strategic Studies.
Dr. Markey has two decades of academic, think tank, and government experience focused on international relations and U.S. policy in Asia, with a particular focus on South Asia and China’s evolving role in the region. Dr. Markey earned his bachelor’s in international relations from Johns Hopkins and his doctorate in politics from Princeton.
Dr. Markey is the author of China’s Western Horizon: Beijing and the New Geopolitics of Eurasia (Oxford University Press, 2020). The book assesses the evolving political, economic, and security links between China and its western neighbors, including Pakistan, India, Kazakhstan, Russia, Saudi Arabia, and Iran. He is also the author of No Exit from Pakistan: America’s Tortured Relationship with Islamabad (Cambridge University Press, 2013) as well as numerous reports, articles, book chapters, and opinion pieces. His commentary has been featured widely in U.S. and international media.
This event will be held virtually on September 21 at 12:00 noon.
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43rd Annual Leo Camp Memorial Lecture at Albright College
2023-10-02 19:30 | Albright College, McMillan Student Center South Lounge, 13th and Bern Streets, Reading, PA, 19612, United States
Will the environment survive a renewed Middle East peace process? A blueprint for progress.
Presented by Alon Tal

Will Russia Survive Until 2084 with Philip Wasielewski
2023-10-11 11:30 - 13:30 | McGlinn Conference Center, 460 Saint Bernardine Street, Reading, PA, 19607, United States
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.
This event will be held at 12:00 noon on October 11 at the McGlinn Conference Center.
DEADLINE FOR REGISTRATION IS OCTOBER 3RD
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