Mid-Hudson Valley World Affairs Council

Great Decisions: The Rise of Populism
2019-05-13 19:00 - 20:30 (America/New_York) | Woodstock Public Library District, 10 Dixon Ave, Woodstock, NY, 12498, United States
Facilitator: Martin Charwat.
Mass migration, and the problems associated with it, have directly abetted the rise of populist parties in Europe. Opposition to immigration was the prime driver of support for Brexit, it brought a far-right party to the German Bundestag for the first time since the 1950s and propelled Marine Le Pen to win a third of the vote in the French presidential election. In addition to calling for stronger borders, however, these parties are invariably illiberal, anti-American, anti-NATO, and pro-Kremlin, making their rise a matter of serious concern for the national security interests of the United States. Great Decisions programs derive from the annual publication put out by the Foreign Policy Association: https://www.fpa.org/great_decisions/

6th Annual Student World Affairs Council (SWAC)
2019-04-13 09:00 - 15:30 | Dutchess Community College, 53 Pendell Rd, Poughkeepsie, NY, 12601, United States
Sponsored by The World Affairs Council of the Mid-Hudson Valley and the Richard Reitano Endowed Chair in Social Sciences (DCC)
The Student World Affairs Conference (SWAC) is an annual academic event. It is an opportunity for undergraduate students to realize a research conference experience and meet student colleagues at colleges and universities across the Mid-Hudson region. For students with a deep interest in world politics, SWAC allows them to present their original research and engage others in intellectual dialogue.
The keynote address will be given by Dr. Ray Raymond, Former British Diplomat, Professor of Government and History, SUNY Ulster, Adjunct Professor of Comparative Politics and International Relations, United States Military Academy, Fellow, Pell Center for International Relations and Public Policy. The conference is open to the public and community members are encouraged to attend, but registration is required. Registration to attend the conference is free and can be done through this link: https://goo.gl/forms/34ITWWVvohSkjHnr1
For further information, please contact: Matthew Murray, Department of History, Government, and Economics, Dutchess Community College: Matthew.Murray@sunydutchess.edu or SWAC2019WACMHV@gmail.com 845-431-8514

Academic WorldQuest Regional Championship 2019/Nationals Results!
2019-03-02 09:30 - 10:30 | Henry A. Wallace Visitor and Education Center, 4079 Albany Post Rd, Hyde Park, NY, 12538, United States
Eighteen area high school teams compete in this international affairs quiz bowl. The winner will travel to Washington DC in April 2019 to participate in the World Affairs Council of America national AWQ championship event. Thank you to our sponsors, including IBM.
UPDATE — Our 2019 regional winner – The Mount Academy team – traveled to Washington DC for the April 27th competition. Of 50 teams competing from all over the country, our Mid-Hudson Valley representing team took 3rd place (after a tie-breaker to determine 2nd/3rd place). This is an unprecedented placement for our council’s representing team and we are very proud and pleased to recognize the students who competed, including the team alternate: Lila Gneiting, Heidi Keiderling, Karilyn Domer, Kent Thomson, and Alec Koppschall. The team’s coach is Roanna Wiser.

Great Decisions: Russia’s Foreign Policy
2018-11-19 | Dutchess Community College, 53 Pendell Rd, Poughkeepsie, NY, 12601, United States
Facilitator: Matthew Murray, Dutchess Community College
Under President Vladimir Putin, Russia is projecting an autocratic model of governance abroad and working to undermine the influence of liberal democracies, namely along Russia’s historical borderlands. Russia caused an international uproar in 2016 when it interfered in the U.S. presidential contest. But Putin’s foreign policy toolkit includes other instruments, from alliances with autocrats to proxy wars with the U.S. in Georgia, Ukraine, and Syria. How does Putin conceive of national interests, and why do Russian citizens support him? How should the United States respond to Putin’s foreign policy ambitions?

Great Decisions: South Africa’s Fragile Democracy
2018-10-15 | Marist College, 3399 North Rd, Poughkeepsie, NY, 12601, United States
The African National Congress (ANC) party has governed South Africa since the end of apartheid in 1994. But the party today suffers from popular frustration over official corruption and economic stagnation. It faces growing threats from both left and right opposition parties, even as intraparty divisions surface. Given America’s history of opportunistic engagement with Africa, there are few prospects for a closer relationship between the two countries. Meanwhile, a weaker ANC could lead to political fragmentation in this relatively new democracy.

“China Town Hall: Becoming Enemies? US-China Relations in Turmoil"
2018-10-09 17:30 - 18:30 | Vassar College, 124 Raymond Ave, Poughkeepsie, NY, 12604, United States
Tuesday, October 9th at 5:30 PM in the Villard Room, Vassar College. This event will be an interactive webcast with former Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice with on-site facilitators and is co-sponsored by several academic departments of Vassar College and other community organizations.

“The fall of the Weimar Republic: What it means for us”
2018-10-02 18:30 - 19:30 | Marist College, 3399 North Rd, Poughkeepsie, NY, 12601, United States
Tuesday, October 2 at 6:30 in Hancock 2023, Marist College. Lecture with Dr. Benjamin Carter Hett, Professor of History, Hunter College and the CUNY Graduate Center. This event is co-sponsored by the World Affairs Council of the Mid-Hudson Valley and Marist College’s History Department

Great Decisions: US Global Engagement and the Military: Facilitator Martin Charwat
2018-06-04 19:00 - 20:30 | Woodstock Public Library District, 10 Dixon Ave, Woodstock, NY, 12498, United States
Boardman Road Library: The global power balance is rapidly evolving, leaving the United States at a turning point concerning its level of engagement and the role of its military. Some argue for an “America First” paradigm, with a large military to ensure security, while others call for a more assertive posture overseas. Some advocate for a restoration of American multilateral leadership and a strengthened role for diplomacy. Still others envision a restrained U.S. role, involving a more limited military. How does the military function in today’s international order, and how might it be balanced with diplomatic and foreign assistance capabilities?
Facilitator: Martin Charwat
Boardman Road Library

Members Only Dinner at Vassar College Alumni House
2018-05-30 18:00 - 19:00 | Vassar College, 124 Raymond Ave, Poughkeepsie, NY, 12604, United States
The Spring 2017 Member’s Only Dinner is scheduled for Wednesday, May 30, at 6 pm at Vassar College’s Alumni House. The food will be catered by Twisted Soul restaurant.
There will be an opportunity to socialize before the dinner meeting. This is a social meeting at which World Affairs Members will learn about the 2018 AWQ team from Cornwall High School.
The dinner menu will be:
Appetizers served before dinner (Cash bar available)
Pan Roasted Chicken Breast
Bourbon & Brown Butter Sweet Potato Puree – Leeks
Herbed Buttermilk
Vanilla Bean Crème Brulee – Fresh Seasonal Berries
The price is $45 per person. Please send your check payable to “WACMHV” by Wednesday, May 16 to
Philip Van Itallie
17 Croft Road
Poughkeepsie, NY 12603.
Please contact Phil Van Itallie (pvanitallie@yahoo.com) before you pay if you have dietary restrictions.

Great Decisions: China and America: The new geopolitical equation: Facilitator Jean Claude Fouere
2018-05-14 19:00 - 20:30 | Woodstock Public Library District, 10 Dixon Ave, Woodstock, NY, 12498, United States
Boardman Road Library: In the last 15 years, China has implemented a wide-ranging strategy of economic outreach and expansion of all its national capacities, including military and diplomatic capacities. Where the United States has taken a step back from multilateral trade agreements and discarded the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP), China has made inroads through efforts like the Belt and Road Initiative and the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB). What are Beijing’s geopolitical objectives? What leadership and political conditions in each society underlie growing Sino-American tensions? What policies might Washington adopt to address this circumstance?
Facilitator: Jean Claude Fouere
Boardman Road Library

Careers in Diplomacy: Usha E. Pitts at Bard Campus Center, Weis Cinema
2018-04-23 17:00 - 18:00 | Bard College, 30 Campus Rd, Annandale-On-Hudson, NY, 12504, United States
Please join us for a lecture by Usha E. Pitts, Diplomat in Residence for the State Department and Career Foreign Service Officer, on Careers in Diplomacy. High School and College students are welcome to attend. Usha E. Pitts will visit Bard College to share her experiences working abroad and discuss career opportunities for students interested in diplomacy. Her talk will include information on internships and graduate school fellowships, State Department and Civil Service employment, and entry-level Consular Fellows Positions. All class years and majors are welcome.
Sponsored by The Global and International Studies Program, the Bard Globalization and International Affairs Program, the Career Development Office,e and the World Affairs Council of the Mid-Hudson Valley.

Great Decisions: The waning of Pax Americana?: Facilitator James Ketterer
2018-04-09 19:00 - 20:30 | Woodstock Public Library District, 10 Dixon Ave, Woodstock, NY, 12498, United States
Boardman Road Library: During the first months of Donald Trump’s presidency, the U.S. began a historic shift away from Pax Americana, the liberal international order that was established in the wake of World War II. Since 1945, Pax Americana has promised peaceful international relations and an open economy, buttressed by U.S. military power. In championing “America First” isolationism and protectionism, President Trump has shifted the political mood toward selective U.S. engagement, where foreign commitments are limited to areas of vital U.S. interest and economic nationalism is the order of the day. Geopolitical allies and challengers alike are paying close attention.
Facilitator: James Ketterer, Director of International Academic Initiatives at Bard College
Boardman Road Library

Academic World Quest
2018-03-03 | Henry A. Wallace Visitor and Education Center, 4079 Albany Post Rd, Hyde Park, NY, 12538, United States
Come observe talented regional high school students compete in teams in a contemporary international affairs trivia challenge. You will be proud of our students. The winning team will go on to compete at the national level in Washington DC.

Cancelled: Student World Affairs Conference
2018-03-02 | SUNY New Paltz, 1 Hawk Dr, New Paltz, NY, 12561, United States
The fifth annual Student World Affairs Conference will be held at Suny New Paltz on Friday, March 2, 2018. Students will present papers on international security, global governance and international institutions, development and democratization, and foreign policy analyses.
8 am – 9 am: Breakfast Reception, Student Union Building, Multi-Purpose Room
9 am – 10 am: Keynote address by former US Congressman Chris Gibson, Student Union Building, Multi-Purpose Room
10:15 am – 11:30 am: Panel Group A, Student Union Building, Various rooms
11:45 am – 1:00 pm: Panel Group B, Student Union Building, various rooms
1 pm – 2 pm: Lunch and Closing Ceremonies, Student Union Building, Multi-Purpose Room

William Hardin Burnley: The Slave Master of Trinidad
2018-02-25 17:30 - 19:00 | Marist College, 3399 North Rd, Poughkeepsie, NY, 12601, United States
Speaker: Professor Selwayn Cudjoe, Wellesley College
Monday, February 25, 2019 5:30-7:00 p.m., Fusco Hall, Marist College, Choir Room, MU 3201
William Hardin Burnley (1780-1850) was the largest slave owner in Trinidad during the nineteenth century. Born in the United States to English parents, Burnley settled on the island in 1802 and became one of its most influential citizens and a prominent agent of the British Empire. As a central figure among the elite and moneyed transnational slave owners, Burnley moved easily through the Atlantic world of the Caribbean, the United States, Great Britain, and Europe. He counted among his friends Alexis de Tocqueville, British politician Joseph Hume, and Prime Minister William Glasgow. This lecture will examine Burnley’s life as it relates to his activities in these countries especially particularly his relationship to the United States.

The United Nations: America's Greatest National Strategic Bargain - A lecture with Christopher Holshek
2018-02-20 18:30 - 19:30 | Marist College, 3399 North Rd, Poughkeepsie, NY, 12601, United States
Tuesday, February 20, 2018 at 6:30 pm – Marist College – Henry Hudson Room, Fontaine Hall, 3rd Floor
Meet retired U.S. Army Col. Christopher Holshek, a senior military advisor at Narrative Strategies, the Alliance for Peace Building, and the UN Association of the USA and author of Travels with Harley-Journey in Search of Personal and National Identity (2016). He is also the author of many articles in Foreign Policy and the Huffington Post.
Co-Sponsored by the World Affairs Council of the Mid-Hudson Valley and the Marist College First Year Seminar Program.

Great Decisions: Conflict in the South China Sea. Facilitator: Matthew Murray, WACMHV and Dutchess Community College
2017-11-13 19:00 - 20:00 | Dutchess Community College, 53 Pendell Rd, Poughkeepsie, NY, 12601, United States
The South China Sea is a locus of competing territorial claims, and China is its most vocal claimant. Beijing’s interest has intensified disputes with other countries in the region in recent years, especially since China has increased its naval presence. Despite rising international pressure, including an unfavorable ruling by the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea, China staunchly defends its policies in the region. Preventing tensions from boiling over is a matter of careful diplomacy.

Speaker: “Rally Point: Five Tasks to Unite the Country and Revitalize the American Dream.” Chris Gibson
2017-11-08 18:00 - 19:00 | Bard College, 30 Campus Rd, Annandale-On-Hudson, NY, 12504, United States
Join us for a talk by Chris Gibson, a former member of Congress and faculty member at Williams College, as he discusses his new book.
Wednesday, November 8, 2017 at 6 pm
Weis Cinema in the Campus Center, Bard College
Former Army Colonel and Congressman Chris Gibson will discuss his new book, “Rally Point: Five Tasks to Unite the Country and Revitalize the American Dream”, followed by a reception.
Co-sponsored with Bard’s Center for Civic Engagement

Speaker: “False Dawn: Protest, Democracy and Violence in the New Middle East.” Steven A. Cook
2017-10-30 18:00 - 19:00 | Bard College, 30 Campus Rd, Annandale-On-Hudson, NY, 12504, United States
Steven Cook, Council on Foreign Relations, discusses why the recent Arab uprisings failed and have led to more repression and conflict, and the role that the U.S. can and should play in the Middle East. This talk is sponsored by Vassar College, the World Affairs Council of the Mid-Hudson Valley, and the Center for Civic Engagement at Bard College.

Great Decisions: The Future of Europe: Coping with the Crisis. Facilitator: Jean-Claude Fouere, WACMHV and Marist College
2017-10-16 19:00 - 20:00 | Marist College, 3399 North Rd, Poughkeepsie, NY, 12601, United States
The outcome of the United Kingdom referendum on EU membership sent shockwaves across the globe. It even caught British voters by surprise. The European Union has helped secure peace in Europe for the past 70 years. Now it faces an uncertain future. Amid a refugee crisis, lingering financial recession, and the constant specter of terrorism, unity seems more imperative than ever. But the Brexit vote underscores the complexities of integrating an extremely diverse continent. What will post-Brexit Europe look like, and how can U.S. foreign policy adapt?

Speaker: Thursday, October 12 at 7pm. “Another Chance at Armageddon: The Nuclear Threat, Public Confusion, and the North Korean Sideshow.” Dr. Robert Denemark
2017-10-12 19:00 - 20:00 | Marist College, 3399 North Rd, Poughkeepsie, NY, 12601, United States
Join us in Hancock Hall 2013, Marist College

Great Decisions: Latin America's Political Pendulum. Facilitator: Martin Charwat, WACMHV
2017-09-25 19:00 - 20:00
The pendulum of Latin American politics is swinging rightward once again. Yet as the “pink tide” recedes, the forces of change have more to do with socioeconomics than ideology. Dramatic economic and political crises have coincided in countries like Brazil and Venezuela. Still, the final result for Latin America may be the emergence of centrist, pragmatic modes of governance, and with them, opportunities for the U.S. to improve relations. The new administration must look beyond the neoliberal model of the 1990s, and develop an approach to relations fit for the 21st century.

Speaker: “The Constitution is Not an Optional Extra: Principles for a New U.S. National Security Policy.” Dr. Ray Raymond
2017-09-18 19:00 - 20:00 | Dutchess Community College, 53 Pendell Rd, Poughkeepsie, NY, 12601, United States
Join us at James and Betty Hall Theatre in Dutchess Community College.

U.S. Foreign Policy and Petroleum, with Matt Murray
2017-06-10 19:00 - 20:00 | Woodstock Public Library District, 10 Dixon Ave, Woodstock, NY, 12498, United States
Join us on June 12, 7 p.m., at Board Road Branch Library for a discussion of U.S. Foreign Policy and Petroleum.
What is the effect of U.S. petroleum security on foreign policy? For 45 years, the country has alternated between periods of energy security and insecurity. Despite the so-called “energy revolution,” the U.S. today is by no means disentangled from foreign dependence and global trends. The discussion will be facilitated by Matt Murray, Instructor in Government at Dutchess Community College and Vice President of the World Affairs Council of the Mid-Hudson Valley.

Great Decisions: Trade, Jobs, and Politics with Jean-Claude Fouere
2017-05-08 19:00 - 20:00
Jean-Claude Fouere from the School of Management at Marist College will facilitate this discussion on May 8, at 7 pm. It will be held at the Poughkeepsie Public Library on Boardman Road. (141 Boardman Road, Poughkeepsie NY 12603).
The discussion will stem from the following description from the Foreign Policy Association website:
“The U.S. political mood toward trade has gone sour. One need look no further than the 2016 presidential contest for the popular narrative: trade means that China wins, at America’s expense. But do the numbers support that conclusion? The metrics used to gauge economic strength—Gross Domestic Product and balance of trade—have not kept up with the realities of modern manufacturing. Obtaining an accurate picture of U.S. economic stature requires a critique of those numbers. Only then can the U.S. develop appropriate policy solutions for the challenges at hand.”
Please join us in this discussion regarding this topic, we look forward to sharing ideas.

Great Decisions: Saudi Arabia in Transition Facilitator: James Ketterer
2017-04-10 19:00 - 20:00 | Bard College, 30 Campus Rd, Annandale-On-Hudson, NY, 12504, United States
James Ketterer, Director of International Academic Initiatives and Senior Fellow, at the Institute of International Liberal Education, Bard College, will facilitate the discussion. Description: As Saudi Arabia struggles to adjust to the drastic decline in oil revenue, Deputy Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman attempts to boldly transform the country and shift more power to the younger generation. At the same time, many countries such as the U.S. point out the lack of democracy, women’s rights, and human rights in Saudi Arabia, and blame its promotion of Wahhabism, an extremely conservative version of Islam, for creating jihadists. Bipartisan criticism of Saudi Arabia is rising in Congress. Both countries need each other, but they are at a crossroads in bilateral relations. Apr. 10, 7 pm, Boardman Branch of the Poughkeepsie Public Library.

"Japan in the Trump Era" on March 30, 2017 with Professor Andrew Oros
2017-03-30 08:00 - 17:00 | Vassar College, 124 Raymond Ave, Poughkeepsie, NY, 12604, United States
Join us for the discussion on “Japan in the Trump Era” on Thursday, March 30 with Professor Andrew Oros, from Washington College in Maryland. The event will be held at 7 pm at Vassar College in Rockefeller Hall 300.

The discussion: Japan is the key US ally in Asia, in a new presidential era when the role of allies is being called into question. As the third largest economy in the world and one of the world’s largest military spenders, what role will Japan play in US Asia policy and regional affairs? Professor Andrew Oros will seek to answer these questions in his new book, Japan’s Security Renaissance: New Policies and Politics for the 21st Century.

Academic World Quest 2017
2017-03-04 | Henry A. Wallace Visitor and Education Center, 4079 Albany Post Rd, Hyde Park, NY, 12538, United States
Join our regional high school teams to support them in their quest to win the World Affairs Council of the Mid-Hudson Valley’s Academic World Quest competition on Saturday, March 4, 2017, at the Henry A. Wallace Center of the FDR Library, Hyde Park.
9:30 am start (Students must be there at 9 am) but stay to watch these talented and smart kids compete for the honor to go on to Washington, DC, for an opportunity to compete in the national competition.
Thanks to IBM and The Handel Foundation for all their support of this event and to Sheila Appel, our MC this year.

Student World Affairs Conference: Bard College
2017-03-03
Area college students organize and run a conference dedicated to world affairs. A keynote speaker will present and there will be small workshops with papers presented by students Come enjoy their enlightening presentations and discussions.

"A New Cold War in East Europe?" February 8, 2017 with Jānis Mažeiks, Latvian Ambassador to the United Nations
2017-02-08 19:00 - 20:00 | Marist College, 3399 North Rd, Poughkeepsie, NY, 12601, United States
Come join us on Wednesday, February 8th at 7 pm to participate in a discussion led by Jānis Mažeiks, the Latvian Ambassador to the United Nations. This event will be held in Hancock Hall 2023 at Marist College.
In response to the increasingly assertive Russian foreign policy, and growing tensions between Russia and many European countries and the US, many have questioned what will be the future of East Europe. This event will provide some answers to the role of Russia in global politics, the future of NATO and East European security, as well as American-European relations. This event will be conducted as a conversation, where after brief introductory remarks the Ambassador will take questions from the moderator and the audience.
