Mid-Hudson Valley World Affairs Council

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 (America/New_York) | 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 | NY
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 | NY
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 | NY
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.

“The 21st Century Worldwide Refugee Crisis: What Role Can Institutions of Higher Learning Play?”
2016-12-07 18:00 - 19:00 | NY
Weds., Dec. 7, 6 pm. Members Only Dinner with Maria Höhn, Marion Musser Lloyd Prof. of History and International Studies, and Chair, History Depart., Vassar College. Founder and faculty mentor of Vassar College Refugee Solidarity. American Bounty Restaurant, Culinary Institute of America.

Ebola, Zika and More: Global Diseases and Local Effects
2016-11-30 19:00 - 20:00 | Vassar College, 124 Raymond Ave, Poughkeepsie, NY, 12604, United States
Weds., Nov. 30, 7 pm. Dr. Monica Parker, Director of the Bloodborne Viruses Laboratory and Faculty at
Wadsworth Center School of Laboratory Sciences of the NYS Department. of Health, will discuss the current state of global public health, how current concerns like Ebola, Zika, HIV/AIDS, and others are being managed by state and federal governments, and what we can do as concerned citizens.
Rockefeller Hall 300, Vassar College.

Great Decisions: Cuba and the U.S.
2016-11-14 19:00 - 20:00 | Woodstock Public Library District, 10 Dixon Ave, Woodstock, NY, 12498, United States
Mon., Nov. 14, 2016, 7 pm at the Boardman Road Branch of the Poughkeepsie Public Library. Great Decisions Program Discussion, “Cuba and the U.S.” with Patricia Ferrer-Medina, Assist. Prof. of Spanish Literature and Language, Marist College, as a facilitator.

Great Decisions: Climate Geopolitics
2016-10-24 19:00 - 20:00 | Woodstock Public Library District, 10 Dixon Ave, Woodstock, NY, 12498, United States
Mon., Oct. 24, 2016, 7 pm at the Boardman Road Branch of the Poughkeepsie Public Library. Great Decisions Program Discussion, “Climate Geopolitics” with Steven Leibo, International History and Politics, The Sage Colleges.
In the past few years, the American public has become more aware of the damage wrought by climate change. From droughts in the west to extreme weather in the east, a rapidly changing climate has already made its footprint in the United States. Now, it is expected that the presidential election in 2016 will be one of the first to emphasize these environmental changes. What can the next President do to stymie this environmental crisis? And is it too late for these efforts to be effective?

Foreign Policy and the Next President: a Panel Discussion
2016-10-05 19:00 - 20:00 | NY
Weds, Oct. 5, 7 pm. A panel of experts on US foreign policy to discuss foreign policy challenges and opportunities the next US president will face and the positions of the current candidates.
FDR Museum and Library.
Stephen Pampinella, Asst. Prof. of International Relations, SUNY New Paltz
Pavlina Tcherneva, Assoc. Prof. and Chair, Economics Dept.,and Research Scholar, Levy Economics Institute, Bard College
Juris Pupcenoks, Asst. Professor of Political Science, Marist College
James Ketterer, Dean of International Studies, Bard College
Moderated by John Penney, Community Conversation/Editorial Page Editor, Poughkeepsie Journal

Great Decisions: "The Kurds"
2016-06-06 19:00 - 20:00 | Woodstock Public Library District, 10 Dixon Ave, Woodstock, NY, 12498, United States
Monday, June 6th, 2016, 7 pm at the Boardman Road Branch of the Poughkeepsie Public Library
Great Decisions Program Discussion, “The Kurds” with Martin Charwat, Past President of the World Affairs Council of the Mid-Hudson Valley, as facilitator.

Member-Only Dinner and "The Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank: New Kid on the Block"
2016-06-01 18:00 - 19:00 | NY
Wednesday, June 1, 2016, 6 pm at the American Bounty Room of the Culinary Institute of America
Join us for our Member-Only Dinner and a presentation by World Affairs Council of the Mid-Hudson Valley Board member and Professor of Economics at Dutchess Community College talk about “The Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank: New Kid on the Block”.

Great Decisions: "International Migration"
2016-05-09 19:00 - 20:00 | Woodstock Public Library District, 10 Dixon Ave, Woodstock, NY, 12498, United States
Monday, May 9th, 2016, 7 pm at the Boardman Road Branch of the Poughkeepsie Public Library
Great Decisions Program Discussion, “International Migration” with Juris Pupcenoks, Assistant Professor of Political Science at Marist College, and World Affairs Council of the Mid-Hudson Valley Board member, as facilitator.
As a record number of migrants, fleeing conflicts in Syria, Iraq, and parts of Africa, cross the Mediterranean seeking refuge in Europe, the continent is struggling to come up with an adequate response. Several world powers are facing a difficult question: how can they balance border security with humanitarian concerns?

China's Naval Build-up
2016-05-03 19:00 - 20:00 | Marist College, 3399 North Rd, Poughkeepsie, NY, 12601, United States
Tuesday, May 3rd, 2016, 7 pm in Room 2023 Hancock Hall, Marist College
Hear Professor Lyle Goldstein, China Maritime Studies Institute, U.S. Naval War College talk about “China’s Naval Build-up”.

The Ottoman Endgame: War, Revolution and the Making of the Modern Middle East, 1908-1923
2016-04-19 19:00 - 20:00 | Bard College, 30 Campus Rd, Annandale-On-Hudson, NY, 12504, United States
Tuesday, April 19th, 2016, 7 pm at The Henry A. Wallace Center of the FDR Library, Hyde Park
Join us to hear Professor Sean McMeekin, from Bard College talk about “The Ottoman Endgame: War, Revolution, and the Making of the Modern Middle East, 1908-1923”.
Sean McMeekin is a Professor of History at Bard College in Annandale-on-Hudson, NY.

Student World Affairs Conference: "Global Poverty and Development"
2016-04-16 | Dutchess Community College, 53 Pendell Rd, Poughkeepsie, NY, 12601, United States
Saturday, April 16th, 2016 at Dutchess Community College
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 on the Global Poverty topic. Come enjoy their enlightening presentations and discussions.
https://wacmhv.org/swac-call-for-papers/

Great Decisions: "The Rise of ISIS"
2016-04-04 20:30 - 21:30 | Woodstock Public Library District, 10 Dixon Ave, Woodstock, NY, 12498, United States
Monday, April 4, 7-8:30 pm at the Boardman Road Branch of the Poughkeepsie Library.
James Ketterer, Director of International Academic Initiatives and Senior Fellow Institute of International Liberal Education, Bard College, and World Affairs Council of the Mid-Hudson Valley Board member, will facilitate a discussion on “The Rise of ISIS”.
Born out of an umbrella organization of al-Qaeda in Iraq, the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria (ISIS) burst onto the international stage after it conquered Fallujah in 2013. Since then, the group has seized control of critical strongholds in both countries and declared itself a caliphate. What is ISIS and what danger does it pose to U.S. Interests?

Academic World Quest 2016
2016-03-05 | Henry A. Wallace Visitor and Education Center, 4079 Albany Post Rd, Hyde Park, NY, 12538, United States
In 2016, Spakenkill High School team members, Courtney Noll, Neil Errickson, Jon Shwoerer, and Jacob Webster won the Regional Academic World Quest Competition, thus landing them a position at the National competition in Washington, D.C. to compete with the guidance of their coach, Jim Daley. Christopher Weida from the World Affairs Council accompanied the team and worked closely with the committee to secure all appropriate arrangements throughout the competition.
The competition was sponsored by the World Affairs Council of the Mid-Hudson Valley (WACMHV) and was held at the Henry A. Wallace Center in Hyde Park on Saturday, March 5, 2016. The World Affairs Council is a non-partisan forum for citizen participation in world affairs. Its mission is to raise public awareness of critical world issues
Second place in the competition was captured by the ‘A’ team from Washingtonville High School, and third place went to the ‘B’ team from Washingtonville. The ‘B’ team from Poughkeepsie Day School won the “Roosevelt Round,” which includes questions on Franklin Roosevelt’s presidency and his life.
In all, 15 teams and 60 students from the mid-Hudson region competed, including teams from Cornwall, Kingston High School, Oakwood Friends School, Our Lady of Lourdes, and Roy C. Ketcham High School.
Both IBM and the Handel Foundation have contributed to support the event. Sheila Appel, the US Regional Director, of Corporate Citizenship at IBM, was the quizmaster for the competition. The Council also wishes to thank the Henry A. Wallace Center for its generous support.
For more information about the program please email Brianne Kelly at kelly.e.brianne@gmail.com or visit us at https://wacmhv.org/youth-programs/academic-worldquest/about-academic-worldquest/

Timbuktu: An Illustrated Talk by Alexandra Huddleston
2016-01-12 19:00 - 20:00 | Vassar College, 124 Raymond Ave, Poughkeepsie, NY, 12604, United States
Tuesday, January 12, 2016, 7 pm at Vassar College, Rockefeller Hall 200
Supported by a Fulbright grant, the photographer, Alexandra Huddleston, lived in Timbuktu, Mali, for ten months to photograph the city’s culture of Arabic language scholarship, a tradition of learning and teaching that has been passed down from teacher to student since the fifteenth century.
Located at the edge of the vast Sahara Desert, Timbuktu was little known in the West—except as a byword for the remote and exotic—until militant Islamist groups destroyed many of its religious shrines and ancient manuscripts in 2012.
Huddleston’s work captures a way of life and learning as it was shortly before the militants overran the city. The photographs show a culture of moderate Islam that is under threat—a deeply rooted, ancient Islamic tradition of tolerance, erudition, and faith—and a city that has built its very identity around scholarship and a love of books and learning.
This illustrated presentation tells a story of discovery: exploring a rich and beautiful African intellectual culture, that of the ancient manuscript libraries of Timbuktu and the culture of scholarship that created them.

International Political Cartooning
2015-12-15 18:00 - 19:00 | NY
Tues., Dec. 15, 6 p.m. Members-only Annual Dinner. Liza Donnelly, cartoonist, and writer with New Yorker and Forbes.com and Cultural Envoy for the U.S. State Department, specializing in politics and women’s rights. American Bounty Rm., Culinary Institute of America, and Eco-Lab Theater.
Please register for this event here. Thank you.

Great Decisions: Human Trafficking
2015-11-16 19:00 - 20:30 | Woodstock Public Library District, 10 Dixon Ave, Woodstock, NY, 12498, United States
Mon., Nov. 16, 7-8:30. Facilitator: Dr. Andrew Reiser, Associate Professor of History at SUNY Dutchess and President of the World Affairs Council of the Mid-Hudson Valley. Great Decisions discussions are a collaboration with the Poughkeepsie Public Library District and are held at the Boardman Road Branch Library.

The Life of a Cuban Exile
2015-11-02 19:00 - 20:00 | SUNY New Paltz, 1 Hawk Dr, New Paltz, NY, 12561, United States
Mon. Nov. 2, 7 p.m. Carlos Eire, T. Lawrence Riggs Professor of History & Religious Studies, Yale University and prize-winning author of Waiting for Snow in Havana and Learning to Die in Miami. The Honors Center at College Hall, SUNY New Paltz. Parking in the Main Lot on Rte. 32, Lot 28.

Electing Violence: Explaining Post-Election Violence in Africa
2015-10-22 19:00 - 20:00 | Marist College, 3399 North Rd, Poughkeepsie, NY, 12601, United States
Thurs. Oct. 22, 7 p.m. Faith Okpotor, Jennings Randolph Peace Scholar, U.S. Institute of Peace. Hancock Hall, Rm. 2023, Marist College.

Great Decisions: India Changes Course
2015-10-19 19:00 - 20:00 | Woodstock Public Library District, 10 Dixon Ave, Woodstock, NY, 12498, United States
Mon. Oct. 19, 7 p.m. Discussion Facilitator: M. Glen Johnson, India expert and Emeritus Professor of Political Science and International Relations, Vassar College. Great Decisions discussions are a collaboration with the Poughkeepsie Public Library District and are held at the Boardman Road Branch Library.
