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 […]
Save the date for our season opener! In recent decades, Latin American countries are building more peaceful societies—but are still struggling to consolidate democratic principles while residual armed conflict, high levels of inequality, and political polarization remain. Women and youth are vital to the process of peacebuilding. An International Peace Institute study of 182 signed peace […]
Hosted by the National Committee on U.S.-China Relations, CHINA Town Hall connects leading China experts with Americans around the country for a national conversation on the implications of China’s rise on U.S.-China relations and its impact on our towns, states, and nation. The National Committee is proud to partner with a range […]
From 1819 to 1969, 408 federal boarding schools for Native Americans operated across 37 states or territories, including five in Michigan. Join Patricia Shackleton to learn about the Indian experience, health education, and the welfare of the Indian child at boarding schools. From this history, learn of the many sad consequences that resulted from the […]
There is an epidemic that no one is talking about outside of Indian Country — the epidemic of Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women. Learn some history, see why this is an issue, and consider what we can do in and out of Indian Country to make sure that women don’t become a statistic. This […]
More than fifty indigenous nations are separated by the international border between the United States and Canada. Most Americans and Canadians are unaware of the divisive effect of the border on native homelands. Guntram Herb and Patricia LeBon Herb will narrate the story of indigenous peoples in the borderlands. They will offer a brief history […]
As soon as the Russian invasion of Ukraine began, prominent independent Russian journalist Mikhail Zygar circulated a Facebook petition signed first by hundreds of his cultural and journalistic contacts and then by thousands of others. That act led to a new law in Russia criminalizing criticism of the war, and Zygar fled Russia. In his […]
