We welcome Deborah Amos from NPR. Russia's invasion of Ukraine has resulted in widespread charges of war crimes and calls for justice. But what exactly are war crimes? Opinions of what constitutes a war crime have evolved, as have ways to identify and punish the perpetrators. Yet, war crimes are notoriously difficult to investigate and […]
We welcome Mary Gallagher from the University of Michigan. The U.S. and China have one of the most important and complex bilateral relationships. But this relationship has been eroding for years. While President Biden met with President Xi for the first time since his election in 2020, serious rifts remain. How might the United States […]
We welcome Brittany Cook from Louisiana State University. In a potential future without famine, what other frameworks should we use to address global hunger? What are other productive ways for thinking about food systems? This talk explores how racial capitalism highlights key problems in the relationship between food production, geopolitics, and development. Reception and networking […]
We welcome Suzanne DiMaggio from the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace. Suzanne is the Director of the Iran Project. U.S. relations with Iran have reached a critical point. The Iranian nuclear program is more advanced than it’s ever been as negotiations to restore the JCPOA have stalled. Iran’s provision of drones to Russia against Ukraine […]
We welcome P. Michael McKinley, Ambassador (ret.) to Brazil, Peru, and Colombia. Elections in Latin America over the past four years have led many observers of the regional/political scene to discern a left-wing surge in the hemisphere, reminiscent of the so-called “Pink Tide” that swept the area some 20 years ago. But how much do […]
We welcome Brian Min, from the University of Michigan. Accessing and controlling fossil fuels have long influenced the politics of individual nations and their relations with others. As the modern world electrifies, how do the politics of energy lead to a looming energy crisis? Reception and networking for this event will take place from 5 […]
We welcome Gaia Vince, U.K. journalist (BBC and The Economist) and author of Nomad Century. As climate change accelerates, people in affected regions must uproot themselves and seek safety elsewhere. Vast numbers of people may be driven from their homes in the coming decades—the coming climate migration will require global cooperation. Yet, migration offers opportunities […]
We welcome David Cortright from the Kroc Institute for International Peace of Notre Dame. Since Russia invaded Ukraine in February 2022, sanctions have been one means for the west to challenge Russia. How effective have these sanctions been in hindering Russia’s war efforts? How do these sanctions compare with others enacted against Iran, Myamar, and […]
Please join us for a dialogue with Consul General Jungham Kim as he discusses U.S.-Korea relations, trade issues, and opportunities for West Michigan companies and organizations to connect with Korean economic and educational resources. Consul General Jungham Kim represents the Republic of Korea from consular headquarters in Chicago and covers 13 Midwestern states, including Michigan. […]
Vandenberg Award Recipient: David M. Beasley, Executive Director (former) of the U.N. World Food Programme Hillman/Orr Award Recipients: Sonja Johnson, Executive Director, Van Andel Global Trade Center, Grand Valley State University Kenda Kuo, Director - Grand Rapids Office, U.S. Commercial Service, U.S. Department of Commerce The World Affairs Council of Western Michigan (WACWM) announces the […]
We usually end our programming season with our long-standing, team-based WorldQuest™ competition. It’s a fast and fun trivia competition that tests global knowledge in a light-hearted way. WorldQuest™ is part of Michigan World Trade Week. Team prizes for the top three teams. Door prizes and “Best team name.” Program Schedule 6-6:45 pm – Registration and […]
The U.K.'s Chicago-based Consul General Alan Gogbashian will share some reflections on the U.S. - U.K. relationship and its relevance to Michigan at this luncheon. Alan Gogbashian is His Majesty’s Consul General for Chicago, and has been in this role since January 2020. As Consul General, he leads the UK’s engagement across the 14 […]
