Recent Programs
February 3, 2012
Academic WorldQuest is an annual knowledge-based competition with questions focusing on international affairs, current events, the global economy, geography, world history, and general knowledge about the world. WHO CAN PLAY? This event is offered at NO CHARGE and is open to teams of high school students and their accompanying teachers or chaperones. WHAT TOPICS WILL BE COVERED?
HOW CAN TEAMS PREPARE? WHAT IS THE GRAND PRIZE? There will also be awards for 2nd and 3rd place teams.All competition participants will receive t-shirts HOW DO TEAMS REGISTER? School Outreach 10th Annual International Knowledge Competition for High School Students |
In cooperation with the
A Question of Citizenship: Voting Rights and Electoral Challenges in Africa and the United States January 24, 2012 Online registration is closed. If you would like to attend, please contact Allyce Pinchback at 412.224.4092. Last year was a tumultuous one for African politics. A referendum in Sudan led to the birth of the world’s newest nation. Political stalemate in Cote D’Ivoire brought the country to the brink of civil war. Revolutions saw regime change in Tunisia, Egypt, and Libya. Yet despite progress in some countries, much of Africa continues to be hobbled by weak institutions, violence, and widespread corruption. With 20 African countries scheduled to hold elections in 2012, and the U.S. beginning its own election year, the time is auspicious to discuss voting rights at home and abroad. While an established democracy today, just a few generations ago large swathes of the U.S. population were excluded from the ballot box. Recent discussions about gerrymandering and ID requirements have reinvigorated the debate on voter accessibility at home. What are the challenges involved in fostering free and fair elections? How can the United States encourage democratic reforms and progress in Africa? Amb. Jendayi E. Frazer is Distinguished Public Service Professor and Director of the Center for International Policy and Innovation at Carnegie Mellon University (CMU). She is also Adjunct Senior Fellow for Africa Studies at the Council on Foreign Relations.Previously, Amb. Frazer served as the U.S. Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs from and as Special Assistant to the President and Senior Director for African Affairs at the National Security Council. In 2004, she became the first woman U.S. Ambassador to South Africa. Amb. Frazer was instrumental in establishing the Bush Administration’s signature initiatives, including the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) and the Millennium Challenge Account. She is widely credited for designing the administration’s policies for ending the wars in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Sierra Leone, Liberia, and Burundi, and for helping resolve Kenya’s 2007 post-election crisis. In recognition of her contributions, Condoleezza Rice presented Amb. Frazer with the Distinguished Service Award, and in July 2010 Liberian President Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf awarded Amb. Frazer with the distinction of Dame Grand Commander in the Humane Order of African Redemption in recognition of her contribution to restoring peace and democracy to Liberia. Costs Participants must register to attend. No-shows and cancellations after January 20, 2012 will be charged. Please advise in advance of any dietary restrictions. Online registration is closed. If you would like to attend, please contact Allyce Pinchback at 412.224.4092. With thanks to the Bricolage Theater for supporting this event. Community Series Amb. Jendayi E. Frazer, Ph.D. |
New Opportunities for the Franco-American Partnership and for the Transatlantic Relationship January 18, 2012 Due to strong interest, we have reached capacity for this event. To be added to the waiting list, please email Melanie Gulasy at melanie@worldpittsburgh.org. Observers are keenly watching Europe where seemingly tectonic political and economic shifts are taking place. The recent agreement on December 9, 2011 to sign an intergovernmental treaty that would require nations in the European Union to enforce stricter fiscal and financial discipline in their future budgets has created new alliances and alienated Britain, a historically crucial member of the EU. The loss could mean a complete restructuring of the EU. As the world looks on to see what will happen, France and Germany have emerged as two of the steadier and more stringent member states pushing the reforms. In the midst of this regional political and economic turmoil, France is entering a year of elections with the presidential elections in May 2012 and the legislative elections in June. What do the changes in Europe mean for relations with the United States? What will happen to the EU if Britain decides to separate? Join us for a discussion ranging from the ongoing global economic crisis to the current Franco-German relationship and what this may mean for the United States. This event is free of charge. Space is limited. Participants must register by January 11, 2012 to attend. Please advise in advance of any dietary restrictions. Due to strong interest, we have reached capacity for this event. To be added to the waiting list, please email Melanie Gulasy at melanie@worldpittsburgh.org. Community Series Ambassador François Delattre |
Redefining Security? Israel, Counterterrorism, and the Arab Awakening January 18, 2012
Terrorism poses significant challenges for policymakers and militaries around the world. Counterterrorism efforts require high levels of intelligence, communication, and strategic flexibility, making the likelihood of success contingent upon employing new and innovative countermeasures. After decades of defending itself against Lebanese Hezbollah, Palestinian Fatah and Hamas, and domestic militant factions, Israel has become a formidable expert on fighting terrorism through bold – albeit sometimes controversial and even erroneous – strategies. How can other nations learn from the successes and failures of Israel’s counterterrorism tactics? Is there a way for Israel to mitigate the high costs that these tactics impose on Israeli intelligence and politics? Join Daniel Byman for a discussion of Israel’s historic struggle against terrorism and how the Israeli model can serve as an example for countries around the world. In addition to Dr. Byman’s talk, attendees will have an opportunity to view Out of Rubble, presenting international artists who consider war’s causes and consequences, its finality and future, moving from decimation and disintegration to the possibilities of regeneration and recovery. Daniel Byman is a Professor in the Security Studies Program at Georgetown University’s School of Foreign Service and the Research Director of the Saban Center for Middle East Policy at the Brookings Institution. Dr. Byman has served as a Professional Staff Member with both the National Commission on Terrorist Attacks on the United States (“The 9/11 Commission”) and the Joint 9/11 Inquiry Staff of the House and Senate Intelligence Committees. He has also worked as the Research Director of the Center for Middle East Public Policy at the RAND Corporation and as an analyst for the U.S. intelligence community. His recent books include The Five Front War: A Better Way to Fight Global Jihad (Wiley, 2008); Things Fall Apart: Containing the Spillover from an Iraqi Civil War (Brookings, 2007; co-authored with Kenneth Pollack); and Deadly Connections: States that Sponsor Terrorism (Cambridge University Press, 2005). His latest book is A High Price: The Triumphs and Failures of Israeli Counterterrorism (Oxford, 2011). Costs Attendees may visit the exhibit Out of Rubble beginning at 6:00 pm Participants must register to attend. No-shows and cancellations after January 13, 2012 will be charged. Please advise in advance of any dietary restrictions. Online registration is closed. If you would like to attend, please contact Melanie Gulasy at 412-281-7970. With thanks to SPACE Gallery for supporting this event. Luncheon Discussion Group Dr. Daniel Byman |
The United States - Canada Energy Relationship: Why you Should Care January 5, 2012
With a highly integrated energy infrastructure - including pipeline networks and energy grids - Canadians and Americans share the closest energy relationship in the world. Canada, the world’s sixth largest oil producer, currently accounts for 13% of total U.S. oil consumption and supplies 87% of U.S. natural gas imports. At the same time, the United States and Canada share the same air, water, and natural resources. Agreements like the 2009 “Clean Energy Dialogue” demonstrate common interests in developing clean energy technologies. In light of current debates about shale gas, new oil pipelines, and sustainability, there has never been a better time to discuss cross-border energy cooperation in North America and the potential impact it may have on the Western Pennsylvania region. How can the United States and Canada work together to develop cooperative policies that enhance North American energy security? Dale Eisler was appointed Assistant Deputy Minister of the Task Force on Energy Security, Prosperity, and Sustainability at Natural Resources Canada in September 2011. Mr. Eisler brings considerable experience in trade, investment, communications, and external engagement to the role. Prior to this appointment, he served as Consul General of Canada in Denver, CO, Assistant Secretary to Cabinet in the Privy Council Office, and Assistant Deputy Minister of Consultations and Communications in the Department of Finance. Before joining the federal government, Mr. Eisler had an extensive career in journalism and was a sessional lecturer in journalism at the University of Regina. He is the author of three books and has been involved, at an ownership level, in private business for 13 years. Costs $45 $60 $360 Participants must register to attend. No-shows and cancellations after January 3, 2012 will be charged. Please advise in advance of any dietary restrictions. Online registration is closed. If you would like to attend, please contact Melanie Gulasy at 412-281-7970. With support from the Consulate General of Canada. Luncheon Discussion Group Dale Eisler |
Programs
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