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SUMMARY:Vandenberg Prize with Ambassador Bridget A. Brink
DESCRIPTION:Vandenberg Prize with Bridget A. Brink\, \nAmbassador of the United States to Ukraine \nOCTOBER 15 @ 12 NOON-1:45 P.M. \n75th Anniversary Year of the World Affairs Council of Western Michigan \n  \nVandenberg Award Recipient: \nBridget A. Brink\, current U.S. Ambassador to Ukraine (and native of East Grand Rapids) \n  \nHillman/Orr Award Recipient: \nA surprise! (Yet to be announced) \n  \nThe World Affairs Council of Western Michigan (WACWM)\, in its 75th year of “bringing the world to West Michigan\,  announces the recipient of its fifth Vandenberg Prize—which goes to a national or international leader who has been influential in developing global understanding and collaboration on the world stage.  The first four prizes were awarded to Ambassador (ret.) Jon M. Huntsman\, Jr. (2020); General (ret.) James N. Mattis (2021);  Ambassador (ret.) Marie Yovanovitch (2022); and U.N. World Food Programme Director David M. Beasley (2023). \n  \nThe recipient of the 2024 Vandenberg Prize is Bridget A. Brink\, the current U.S. Ambassador to Ukraine. Ambassador Brink is a native of East Grand Rapids\, and a graduate of East Grand Rapids High School\, Kenyon College\, and the London School of Economics. \n  \nAmbassador Brink has served with distinction in the Foreign Service for 25 years\, specializing in Europe and Eurasia. Her appointment was confirmed unanimously by the U.S. Senate in 2022\, and she arrived in Kyiv on May 22\, 2022. Prior to the appointment to Ukraine\, Ambassador Brink served as the U.S. Ambassador to the Slovak Republic. She was also the Deputy Assistant Secretary in the Bureau of Eurasian Affairs at the Department of State and the Deputy Chief of Mission at the U.S. Embassies in Tashkent\, Uzbekistan and Tbilisi\, Georgia. She began her career in Belgrade\, Serbia. \n  \nShe will receive the Vandenberg Prize on Tuesday\, October 15\, at 12 noon\, at the Frederik Meijer Gardens and Sculpture Park. The Vandenberg Prize is named after Michigan Senator Arthur Vandenberg (1881-1951) who was the inspiration for founding the Council in 1949 by Grand Rapids attorney (and later Federal Judge) Douglas Hillman and businessman Edgar Orr. \n  \nIn addition\, the Council will present the annual Hillman-Orr Award to a West Michigan individual or institution that mirrors the intent of the Council’s founding leaders to bring global awareness and international understanding to the West Michigan community. \n  \nHillman and Orr were inspired by the life and work of Senator Vandenberg\, an isolationist who became a strong advocate of internationalism in the wake of World War II. Vandenberg forged bipartisan support for the Marshall Plan and NATO and was appointed one of the first U.S. delegates to the brand-new United Nations. Senator Vandenberg has always been considered the “patron saint” of the Council. \n  \nThe Council is grateful for a formational gift by The Meijer Foundation to launch this special recognition of the importance of global connectedness to West Michigan. Longtime World Affairs Council corporate supporters Amway and Bank of America are also major sponsors. \n  \nNote on Parking \nThe event will take place at the Frederik Meijer Gardens and Sculpture Park. Guest parking is free and plentiful next to the visitor’s entrance. \n  \nTickets \nTickets are $175 for an individual ticket or $2500 for a sponsored table of 8 with acknowledgement at the event. Many of our corporate\, educational\, and senator members receive free or discounted tickets for this event. Please contact our office to receive a discount code before registering. The deadline to register/cancel is Friday\, October 4 by end of day and you may purchase tickets below.
URL:https://worldmichigan.org/event/vandenberg-prize-with-ambassador-bridget-brink/
LOCATION:Frederik Meijer Gardens\, 1000 E Beltline Ave NE\, Grand Rapids\, MI\, 49425\, United States
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://worldmichigan.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/Consul-General-Zhao-Jian.png
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DTSTART;TZID=America/Detroit:20241015T183000
DTEND;TZID=America/Detroit:20241015T193000
DTSTAMP:20260503T073523
CREATED:20240611T161657Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20240612T142755Z
UID:10000044-1729017000-1729020600@worldmichigan.org
SUMMARY:Restoring Faith in Democracy: Election Integrity and Civic Resilience with the Michiganders for Civic Resilience
DESCRIPTION:In this time of extreme political polarization\, how might we restore civil discourse\, mitigate political violence and assure more accountability from our government and elections? Join the Michiganders for Civic Resilience with Republican Tonya Schuitmaker and Democrat Christine Greig as they discuss practical strategies for political engagement in the lead up to the 2024 U.S. elections and beyond. . \n  \nMore on Tonya Schuitmaker and Christine Greig\, Senior Advisors\, Michiganders for Civic Resilience \n  \nThis program is the last in a series titled Bridging Political Divides: Exploring the Radical Middle \n  \nAs our world faces rising political extremism\, some citizens have focused on transcending left–right political divides. They advocate for evidence-based policies and solution-focused political discourse that seeks common ground. Through this lens of the “Radical Middle\,” we can understand the current challenges facing our community and world\, paving the way for more united and resilient societies. \n  \nWith thanks to our sponsoring partners at Kent District Library \n  \nRSVPs and Tickets \nThis program is free and open to the public. If you wish to view the livestream or its archive\, register below to receive a link. \n  \nParking \nFree parking is available at the library.
URL:https://worldmichigan.org/event/mcr/
LOCATION:Kentwood Branch (Richard L. Root)\, Kent District Library\, 4950 Breton Rd SE\,\, Kentwood\, MI\, 49508\, United States
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://worldmichigan.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/Michiganders-for-Civic-Resilience-Featured-Image.png
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