International Law: Iran, Iraq & the US

Brigadier General Charles Tucker,
Executive Director of the International Human Rights Law Institute, DePaul Law School

• A Case for Global Education - Carl Kohrt, CEO, Battelle
• World Class Education in Ohio - William Hiller, Executive Director, Martha Holden Jennings Foundation
• The Global Workplace - Doug Matthews, President, Right Management
• Models of International Education - Donna Alvarado, Chair, Ohio Board of Regents
  
• Beyond Facebook: Technology in Education - Jay Jordan, CEO, OCLC
  

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"Is it hard as a woman to be a journalist in the Middle East?" asks Munira Mire of Linda Gradstein. 
 
Munira is a high school student and a member of our youth group Council Fellows. Upon meeting her, most people are able to assess that she is Muslim (because of her attire). And, logic leads them to the understanding that she is likely Somali, and probably a refugee. These are fundamental (if not comprehensive) parts of her identity that she embraces.  So, it is telling that the first question she asked during her interview with Gradstein (a broadcast journalist of NPR fame) had nothing to do with faith relations or regional stability.  It had to do with how she, as a female, makes her way in the world.  
 
Gradstein stated that "as a reporter, it is an advantage to be a woman," even on the border of Israel and Palestine where she lives and works. She explained that she officially has access to men's society because of her press credentials, but she may also sit and relate with the women, a privilege not extended to men in Islamic culture. "Women all over the world can have this instant connection that doesn't always happen with men."    

This meeting between members of Council Fellows and Ms. Gradstein helped the students cement some concepts they were introduced to this summer in the Aayo Ifis summer journalism institute.  It also rallied them around their collective goal of empowering women through "local actions to address global issues," the group's motto. She made them feel at ease, explaining that she is a mom of kids their age and that she could relate to their nervousness as cub reporters interviewing a public figure.
 
Gradstein was in Columbus to address the Columbus Jewish Federation (one of our partner organizations) and to mingle with CCWA's young professionals network. Her interview with Council Fellows was followed by an informative address at BoMA, where she touched on an additional women's issue - the election of Tzipi Livney as leader of Israel's Kadima party - and shared her perspective on such issues as US involvement in Israeli-Palestinian relations.  

 

Special thanks to BoMA for providing this event space.

 

Wal-Mart executive reaches broad Columbus audience 

 

CCWA symposia often attract crowds of over one hundred people, but speakers reach an even broader audience every month with a variety of related activities.
 

Our most recent Women in International Affairs speaker was no exception. For Esther Silver-Parker, Wal-Mart's Senior Vice President of Diversity for Wal-Mart, a three-day visit to Columbus means reaching out to the following groups:

PwC Autofacts group reports latest automobile unit sale and unit production as well as analysis of impact of gasoline prices and current economic factors on sales of large pick-ups and small-sized automobiles. Autofacts will cover the US presidential candidates' approaches to the automobile industries. Presentation may be conducted in English and/or Japanese depending on request of the audience. No Cost. RSVP to chikara.tanaka@us.pwc.com.

Understanding Religion Through Art luncheon The King Arts Complex Ballroom, 867 Mt. Vernon Ave.
Limited tickets are still available for this year's Main Event. An art display, "Windows into Faith" will represent the eight faith groups of the IACO. Join other Central Ohioans of faith to celebrate the worldwide tradition of faith and art. Cost: $25. For additional information and ticket purchase click here, call Audra Teague at (614) 849-0290 or email iaco@iaco.org.

SPI is a technical assistance effort led by an experienced team of non-profit consulting organizations. ECBOs may apply for assistance to carry out a strategic planning process that positions their organizations to be innovative in meeting community needs and competitive in a challenging funding environment. Email karen.white@navasa.org or call (301) 587-2781.

 

 

Josette Fiore, Commercial Specialist with the US Embassy in Buenos Aires, is available to meet with business representatives to discuss export opportunities to Argentina. Her industry sector specialties include: processed food, cosmetics/toiletries, jewelry, pet food/supplies, air conditioning/refrigeration equipment, general industrial equipment/supplies, marine fisheries products, musical instruments, toys/games, construction/building equipment, and supplies/tools. To schedule a meeting, call Roberta Ford at (614) 365-9510 or email roberta.ford@mail.doc.gov.

Dick Combs is author of Inside the Soviet Alternate Universe: The Cold War's End and the Soviet Union's Fall Reappraised. His foreign service assignments included two years at the U.S. Legation in Sofia, Bulgaria, and a total of eight years at the U.S. Embassy in Moscow, Russia.  He spent an academic year at the U.S. Army's Institute for Advanced Russian Studies and served two tours on the Soviet Desk in the State Department. Seats may be available and RSVP is required. Contact Beth Russell at russell.16@osu.edu.

 

Co-sponsored by International Studies 65th Anniversary, this event features a preview of Janet Parrott's documentary Stories of Hospice in South Africa. A welcome, introduction to the film, and post-film discussion will take place. Please RSVP to oedstudent@asc.ohio-state.edu.

International Photography Exhibition

The Office of International Affairs is sponsoring an international photo competition that is open to all current students, faculty, staff and visiting scholars at The Ohio State University. All entries must have been taken outside the United States. The winning photographs will be displayed in a special exhibit in Bricker Hall during the months of November and December. The deadline for entries is 5:00 p.m., Friday, October 24, 2008. Visit http://oia.osu.edu for more information.