Columbus Council on
World Affairs
April 2010 Newsletter
In This Issue
*** FREE members-only event
*** SAVE the DATE
*** Over-dependence on foreign oil displaced by over-dependence on domestic water?
*** Recap of International Awards Ceremony
*** Students ponder panda predicament
*** CCWA community expresses support for Haiti
*** No chilly reception for President of Iceland
*** Call for volunteers
*** Community news and events
UPCOMING EVENTS
Members-Only Program
 
RichardLugar

U.S. Senator Richard Lugar (R)
 
Foreign Policy: 2010 and Beyond

Friday, April 23, 2010
Reception: 5:30 to 6:30pm
Program: 6:30 to 7:30pm
Battelle, 505 King Ave
 
CCWA is pleased to offer this complimentary program for Members to hear Senator Lugar's insights on impending foreign policy issues and priorities.
 
Limited seating still available. Register by phone with Rhonda Nicholas, 614-229-4599 ext. 401
SAVE THE DATE
April 23-25
Global Issues Retreat for high school students
Call Stephanie Calondis-Geigerat 229-4599 ext. 403
 
May 21
 Women, Development & Global Security with speaker
Gayle Smith, Special Assistant, U.S. President & Senior Director, U.S. National Security Council 
CCWA NEWS
Thirst for Power

Photo credit:
Chris Parker/ThisWeek
Treywithinvention
CCWA hosted Dr. Michael Webber at the Nationwide & Ohio Farm Bureau 4-H Center on the Ohio State Campus -- a LEED certified building showcasing water and energy conservation best-practices.
  
When Webber took the stage on February 8, he began by explaining the centrality of water to the success of various civilizations.  He went on to say that energy and water are more critical issues than food, health care, and law and order because these things revolve around the two essential resources which could be the "looming crises of the 21st century."
 
Although Webber was the keynote speaker, this event was kick-started with a presentation from a younger "intellectual powerhouse" (as he was introduced by CCWA President Patrick Terrien). Treye Plants, age 9, who attends elementary school in Licking County. He demonstrated his award-winning prototype for a downspout water filtration system.

... Read the full account on our website
 
SEE VIDEO of the program

TALK BACKon our blog

International Awards Ceremony 
AEP and UA Teacher Honored in 2010

morrisatpodium
AEP was recognized as Central Ohio's International Company of the Year for its leadership in global energy policy  and sustainability initiatives.Michael G. Morris, Chairman, President, and CEO of AEP, accepted the award on behalf of the company. He says the utility provider's role in addressing climate change is embodied by its voluntary efforts to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions, including investing in carbon capture and storage (CCS) technology, but also in its support of the American Clean Energy and
Security Act of 2009.

While public debate continues over specific legislative approaches, or the role of technologies like CCS, Patrick Terrien of the Columbus Council on World Affairs says "We honor AEP because they are fundamentally involved in these global discussions, working to reconcile the needs of various parties. Energy security and all of the related concerns - like the connection between energy and water or international conflict over oil - are at stake."
UAstudents
The title International Educator of the Year was given to Tricia Fellinger-Reyes, a German teacher from Upper Arlington High School, following a nomination from one of her students. She views language learning as a gateway to the development of students' "world citizen" identities. This outstanding educator doesn't just teach her pupils the words with which to communicate correct German phrasing, but fosters their desire to talk ABOUT something with peers worldwide.

Fellinger-Reyes says she works to "give students access to the tools with which they can develop their language proficiency so that they will be able to think, analyze, and defend their opinions on important global issues in German." This includes regular correspondence with peers in Deutschland. A recurrent topic that has emerged regularly in online discussions between the two groups is the respective countries' approaches to dealing with environmental concerns at the international, national, and household levels.

This event attracted nearly 550 community leaders.

Sustainability through ethical and cultural lens
Skype connects OH students & Chinese undergrads

Two recent youth forums and a classroom outreach endeavor introduced local students to the basics of ethics as a discipline and its relevance to their understanding of current issues in environmental sustainability. ChinaSkypedialogue

The first forum complemented a lecture by symposium speaker Andy Savitz on the topic of corporate responsibility vis a vis environmental priorities. The instruction and activities provided prior to and following the hour lecture allowed students to learn background on ethical models and apply them to scenarios from the news. 

Later, students representing every Delaware county high school participated in a simulation activity. They were assigned roles of various stakeholders in China grappling with the dueling interests of health, economic development, and environmental protection.

Our youth programs staff also co-facilitated an online video conversation between students in China and students at Village Academy. The two groups discussed the fate of the panda in the context of an ethical framework. It was also an opportunity for the Chinese students to practice their English skills. 

Special thanks to Jenny Spolnik for her collaboration.
Haiti: Before & After the Earthquake
Informal after-work gathering

YPHaiti01 YPHaiti03
                             
This event was held at Zanzibar Brews coffee house in the historic King-Lincoln district of Columbus.  It was intended to provide context about the pre-existing and perpetual challenges that should be considered alongside international relief efforts in the wake of Haiti's recent earthquake.  
 
Joe Hallett, Senior Editor at the Columbus Dispatch, spoke first at the event describing the obstacles Haiti has to overcome to recover from this disaster.  Hallett visited Haiti years ago, after a devastating landslide and reflected on the differences and similarities this recent earthquake disaster will have on the small island nation.  An Ohio State University professor and co-author of a Haitian-French-English dictionary, Dr. Craige Roberts, was the second speaker at the event.  She spoke of the history of the Haitian people and how their strong spirit will help fuel reconstruction, teaching the crowd expressions that define a Haitian worldview.

Representatives from various relief organizations, including one run by a local Haitian-American man, were on hand to talk about their work. We thank the Center for Latin American Studies at OSU for their help with this event.

YPHaiti02

HEAR AN AUDIO PODCASTof Joe Hallett's reflections

What Can Ohio Learn from Iceland?
Head of State Comes to Columbus

GrimmsonwithCCWAattendee 
At the event titled, "The Future of Climate Change: Economic Growth through Energy Transformation" on December 11,  Ólafur Ragnar Grímsson, the President of Iceland, spoke to CCWA about the adoption of clean energy in Ohio. 
 
"It's an interesting coincidence that Ohio now is 80 percent dependent on coal for its energy.  When I was growing up in Iceland, my country was also 80 percent dependent on oil and coal for its energy use," said Grímsson. He went on to display a map of geographic areas in the US that have viable untapped geothermal potential, noting nearly every state has access to this power source. He explained that all areas of the United States adopting clean energy simultaneously would be an extremely difficult endeavor; he recommended that states first act independently.

Special thanks to The Ohio State University for their partnership on this event.

Great Decisions announces new topics
Volunteers needed!

The Foreign Policy Association, our partner in delivering the Great Decisions program to senior centers around Central Ohio, has announced the discussion topics for 2010. CCWA will need knowledgeable presenters on the following themes:

Special envoys
Kenya and R2P
Global crime
U.S.-China security relations
Global financial crisis
Russia and its neighbors
Persian Gulf
Peace building and conflict resolution

If you have expertise on any of these topics and would like to volunteer one hour of time to make it understandable for local seniors, please contact our Director of Community Programs, Maria Bowman-Wolever, at 614-229-4599, ext. 402.
COMMUNITY EVENTS & NEWS
Networking with an Indian Automotive Delegation
On April 15, from 6-9 pm, Kegler, Brown, Hill & Ritter, in partnership with the Columbus Chamber of Commerce, is pleased to host a professional networking reception with companies from the Indian Automotive SME Delegation to the U.S. This event is first come, first serve, as seating is limited. Email jdennis@keglerbrown.comto register for this event.
 
Midwest Slavic Conference April 15-17
All students, faculty and the general public are invited to attend the Opening Reception and Keynote Address by Dr. Stephen Norris, from Miami University, on Thursday, April 15, 2010 at 6:00p.m. on the 3rd floor of the Blackwell Conference Center, 2110 Tuttle Park Place. Dr. Norris will give a talk on "Communism's Cartoonist: Boris Efimov and the Soviet Century." Read more here.
 
Summer Leadership Institute on Human Rights
This conference is meant for teachers to participate and examine concepts associated with human rights.  The workshop will take place on July 6-9, 2010, but applications are due on April 16, 2010. While the general principle of human rights has been broadly accepted, human rights abuses persist and the intricacies of the subject remain hotly contested.  While in attendance, participants will learn from leading scholars in the fields of international law and foreign policy, and will explore effective instructional strategies for engaging in the topic of human rights. More information and application here.   
 
U.S. Premier of Miroku
Japanese choreographer, designer, and solo dancer Saburo Teshigawara, who performs under the company name Karas, opens a rare U.S. tour of his latest work. A worldwide dance phenomenon typically seen in only major cities and festivals, Teshigawara unveils a captivating panorama of images that will linger in your mind.  This event will take place on Friday, April 16, 2010 at Mershon Auditorium in the Wexner Center at the Ohio State University.  The performance starts at 8 pm.  Admission Prices are $26 to the general public, $10 for students, and $22 for JASCO members (provided that they bring the flyer emailed to them on March 23).  To order tickets call 614-292-3535.
 
Pacts and Alliances: Why They Succeed, Why They Fail, and Why We Should Care
The Mershon Center for International Security Studies, 1501 Neil Ave, brings together scholars and advanced graduate students to explore pacts and alliances, the mechanics of which have shaped history in fundamental ways. This conference is from Friday-Saturday, April 16-17, 2010 and will discuss the implications of these results on pact and alliance-making in the 21st century. Read more and register here. 
 
Theological Consortium Lecture on World Religions and Interreligious Dialogue 
Rabbi David Fox Sandmel, PhD and Crown Ryan Professor of Jewish Studies, will present the Theological Consortium of Greater Columbus' sixth annual lecture.  This event is titled, "Faith in Public Square" and is to be held at 7:00 pm on Wednesday, April 21, 2010 at the Jessing Center of Pontifical College Josephinum.  There is a reception immediately following.  Please contact Sandy Antes by April 15 to attend.  614.985.2497 or santes@pcj.edu.
 
Train-the-Trainer Workshop at Texas' A&M University
A Community of Respect teaches facilitators to train others how to identify and understand their own culture and to see how they process the behavior of others based on their own cultural beliefs, values and opinions. The next workshop is to be held on April 22-23and later dates of future workshops are located on the Texas A&M University website.
 
OSU John Glenn School of Public Affairs Events
The John Glenn School of Public Affairs will host an event featuring Senator Thomas Daschle titled, "Perspectives on Health Care Reform."  This event will be held on April 27 from 4-5:30 pm at the Fawcett Center, 2400 Olentangy River Road.  Limited seating is still available, but RSVP required.  Please send your reservation request to apr27@jgippm.ohio-state.edu or call 614-688-3206, ext. 1.  More information on other John Glenn events here. 
 
Do you want to land a job in International Development?
In New York City, on April 27, 2010 Foreign Policy Association University (FPA U) will be hosting a conference that will aid recent graduates, professionals seeking a career change, and employees of development organizations in their chosen career paths or aspirations. This course will help you find a rewarding career in international development by presenting organizations, NGOs, and foundations that are currently hiring, and also by showing what it takes to work in the field. Instructor bio, more information, and online registration. 
 
Columbus Young Professionals Networking
At this event you can learn ways to fulfill your personal mission for career growth and making a difference in our community with insights from a panel of young professionals. The event titled, "Beyond The Blackberry: Connecting for Professional and Community Growth" will take place on Tuesday, April 27from 5:30-7 pm. It will be held at the Columbus Foundation located at 1234 E. Broad Street. RSVP to Ruth at blackberryleadership@gmail.comby April 20 to attend.
 
Columbus Global Cooperative (CGC)
An event for representatives of Columbus metro area not-for-profit organizations who define themselves as focused on ethnic/social/cultural/arts/or international affairs. Gathering will occur Saturday, May 8 at 9am at Columbus Maennerchor (966 S. High Street). Contact
Michael Lindnerfor more details.

The Columbus 2010 Tour de H20
This charity bicycling event has a goal of raising money to fund the construction of two water wells in Western Kenya.  This fundraising event will be on Saturday, May 22.  Ride Headquarters will be at Battelle Darby Creek Metro Park on the southwest side of Columbus.  Register here.
 
BalletMet to perform at "Moscow Footlights" in Russia
BalletMet Columbus, Ohio's premiere ballet company, has received the prestigious honor to be the first American company invited to perform at the "Moscow Footlights" Festival in Moscow, Russia. BalletMet will join an international line-up of contemporary dance companies in June 2010to showcase the Company's diverse dancers and unique repertoire. The invitation demonstrates BalletMet's evolution from a regional ballet company to being recognized internationally for its contemporary dance performances. Inclusion on the Festival program will enhance BalletMet's reputation as a cultural ambassador for Ohio and the United States, bringing recognition as one of only a handful of American dance companies to visit and perform in Russia.
  
Atlas Corp hiring for entry-level and fellowship positions
Candidates with any of the following skills and/or backgrounds are encouraged to apply: Arabic language, Muslim, IT/tech skills, knowledge of Sub-Saharan Africa, or experience in Human Rights/Youth/Child Rights. For full details see http://www.atlascorps.org/apply.html.

Community organizing internship available
Friends Committee on National Legislation (FCLN) is looking for a Columbus-based intern who is interested in promoting the Nuclear Test Ban Treaty. The treaty will come up for Senate vote in the summer of 2010. The position is unpaid, but flexible, and with great potential for personal reward. People who have experience or a strong interest in doing peace or environmental activism work are preferred. If you are interested in this opportunity, please contact Connie Gadell-Newtonat 614-288-1082.


Host families needed
The YES program was created in the wake of 9/11, to promote better understanding between the US and the cultures of predominantly Muslim populations. Host families are needed in our area immediately to serve as temporary "welcome families" as well as long-term placements during the school year. High school students arrive in August, and leave in May or June. While here, they will join your family and follow your lifestyle, helping with chores and adapting to US culture. For more information or to volunteer, contact Farbia Kazemiat 614-210-0661 or visit http://www.pax.org/flex.html.
COLUMBUS COUNCIL ON WORLD AFFAIRS MEMBERS,
Save 20% - 68% on publications.

Current members are eligible for discounts on books and periodicals, including:

The Economist

Foreign Affairs
Saudi Aramco World
World Policy Journal
The Brookings Institution

For instructions on how to redeem your discount, please contact Rhonda Nicholas at 614.229.4599 ext. 401 or email membership@columbusworldaffairs.org.