BEGIN:VCALENDAR
VERSION:2.0
PRODID:-//World Affairs Council of Western Michigan - ECPv6.15.20//NONSGML v1.0//EN
CALSCALE:GREGORIAN
METHOD:PUBLISH
X-ORIGINAL-URL:https://worldmichigan.org
X-WR-CALDESC:Events for World Affairs Council of Western Michigan
REFRESH-INTERVAL;VALUE=DURATION:PT1H
X-Robots-Tag:noindex
X-PUBLISHED-TTL:PT1H
BEGIN:VTIMEZONE
TZID:America/Detroit
BEGIN:DAYLIGHT
TZOFFSETFROM:-0500
TZOFFSETTO:-0400
TZNAME:EDT
DTSTART:20230312T070000
END:DAYLIGHT
BEGIN:STANDARD
TZOFFSETFROM:-0400
TZOFFSETTO:-0500
TZNAME:EST
DTSTART:20231105T060000
END:STANDARD
BEGIN:DAYLIGHT
TZOFFSETFROM:-0500
TZOFFSETTO:-0400
TZNAME:EDT
DTSTART:20240310T070000
END:DAYLIGHT
BEGIN:STANDARD
TZOFFSETFROM:-0400
TZOFFSETTO:-0500
TZNAME:EST
DTSTART:20241103T060000
END:STANDARD
BEGIN:DAYLIGHT
TZOFFSETFROM:-0500
TZOFFSETTO:-0400
TZNAME:EDT
DTSTART:20250309T070000
END:DAYLIGHT
BEGIN:STANDARD
TZOFFSETFROM:-0400
TZOFFSETTO:-0500
TZNAME:EST
DTSTART:20251102T060000
END:STANDARD
END:VTIMEZONE
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Detroit:20241001T183000
DTEND;TZID=America/Detroit:20241001T193000
DTSTAMP:20260503T052740
CREATED:20240611T155850Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20240612T142501Z
UID:10000042-1727807400-1727811000@worldmichigan.org
SUMMARY:The Radical Middle(s): Reconnecting the Frustrated Majority and Reviving our Democratic Republic with Doug Koopman
DESCRIPTION:Hear from Dr. Doug Koopman\, senior research fellow and Calvin University professor emeritus\, as he presents and analyzes the variety within the nearly 85 percent of Americans who are dissatisfied with government and politics today.  Drawing on local examples from past and present\, he will suggest strategies to improve trust in and functioning of government and criteria by which to evaluate candidates and campaigns. \n  \nMore on Doug Koopman \n  \nThis program is the first 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/koopman/
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/Doug-Koopman-Featured-Image.png
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Detroit:20241008T183000
DTEND;TZID=America/Detroit:20241008T193000
DTSTAMP:20260503T052740
CREATED:20240611T161100Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20240612T142631Z
UID:10000043-1728412200-1728415800@worldmichigan.org
SUMMARY:Digital Risks to Democracy: Countering Misinformation Online with Paul M. Barrett
DESCRIPTION:Consider the digital risks confronting U.S. elections in 2024 from Paul M. Barrett\, deputy director and senior research scholar at the Center for Business and Human Rights at New York University’s Stern School of Business. While generative artificial intelligence can facilitate the spread of misinformation\, the main risk is social media\, as platforms fail to take steps to protect election integrity. \n  \nMore on Paul M. Barrett \n  \nThis program is the second 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/barrett/
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/Paul-Barrett-Featured-Image.png
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Detroit:20241015T120000
DTEND;TZID=America/Detroit:20241015T134500
DTSTAMP:20260503T052740
CREATED:20240819T145816Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20241008T135418Z
UID:10000047-1728993600-1728999900@worldmichigan.org
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
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Detroit:20241015T183000
DTEND;TZID=America/Detroit:20241015T193000
DTSTAMP:20260503T052740
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
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Detroit:20241023T180000
DTEND;TZID=America/Detroit:20241023T193000
DTSTAMP:20260503T052740
CREATED:20240903T163136Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20240912T135458Z
UID:10000049-1729706400-1729711800@worldmichigan.org
SUMMARY:African Drumming Lessons with Leah Ivory
DESCRIPTION:Local musician Leah Ivory went on a tour to Ghana\, West Africa\, in 2006\, with her choir and came home with a djembe. That trip transformed her life in more ways than one. Learning about the djembe was one of the ways. Committed to becoming proficient\, she had the good fortune of studying with world famous master drummer Mamady Keïta\, beginning in 2009 with a workshop in Chicago and continuing through yearly international workshops until his passing in 2021. Leah was certified through the Tam Tam Mandingue Djembe Academy\, Mamady’s international school of djembe\, in 2017 and remains committed to sharing the language and love of djembe as taught to her by Mamady. In this workshop\, participants will play djembes (West African drums) and learn a bit about the cultural and historical context. Leah will teach a traditional rhythm from village life as we build community together. Come and drum!
URL:https://worldmichigan.org/event/african-drumming-lessons-with-leah-ivory/
LOCATION:Front Studio at CMC Wealthy\, 1110 Wealthy St SE\, Grand Rapids\, MI\, 49506\, United States
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://worldmichigan.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/Global-Mizer-African-Drumming.png
END:VEVENT
END:VCALENDAR