World Affairs Council of Oregon - YP Blog

New Blog on the New Website

2011-09-25T17:07:00.000-07:00

Hello Loyal Blog Readers,

The YPs have a new blog on the new World Affairs Council of Oregon website. In the future, please check the new blog at http://worldoregon.org/blog/young-professionals for information and updates on our events.

2011-08-15T20:25:00.000-07:00

War and Famine in Somalia (YP Discussion Group)

The World Affairs Council, Young Professionals invite you to our fortnightly discussion group:

Wednesday, 17 August 2011 | 7:00 p.m.

Madison's Grill, 1109 SE Madison St. (Map)

With millions of people in need of food, hundreds of thousands have fled to the capital or neighboring Kenya, overwhelming refugee camps. In addition to starvation, the UN estimates that cholera immediately threatens the lives of half a million children. As if all of this wasn't enough, reports now indicate that the theft of food aid is on a scale previously unimaginable. What if anything can or should the international community do?

2011-08-01T22:08:00.001-07:00

Open Discussion (YP Discussion Group)

The World Affairs Council, Young Professionals invite you to our fortnightly discussion group:

Wednesday, 3 August 2011 | 7:00 p.m.

Madison's Grill, 1109 SE Madison St. (Map)

Ongoing debt ceiling negotiations, brutal crackdown on protests in Syria, terrorist attack in Norway, and violent separatist attacks in China are just a few of the issues in the news this week. For our meeting this Wednesday, come ready to discuss any international topic that is currently on your mind.

Elections of Thailand

2011-07-18T21:53:00.000-07:00

Elections in Thailand (YP Discussion Group)

The World Affairs Council, Young Professionals invite you to our fortnightly discussion group:

Wednesday, 20 July 2011 | 7:00 p.m.

Madison's Grill, 1109 SE Madison St. (Map)

The last time a Shinawatra was in power in Thailand, they were ousted in a military coup that catapulted the country into a State of Emergency. Protesters marched on Bangkok and occupied various parts of the city for over two months before the army assaulted the protesters' camp, killing over thirty and wounding hundreds. When Yingluck assumes the role of Prime Minister later this week, will an effort toward national reconciliation begin, or will the country suffer another coup and renewed violence?

Flight for Freedom

2011-07-13T15:36:00.000-07:00

September 8 or 9 – 12, 2011

The City of New York is busy preparing for a remembrance of those lost with numerous services and events planned over the course of the weekend including the dedication of the 9/11 Memorial at the World Trade Center site. Join Portland’s Flight For Freedom in New York September 8 or 9 - 12, 2011 to remember those who have fallen and celebrate the human condition as we join together in observance of the dedication of the National September 11 Memorial & Museum.

Comprised of 1,000 people from Oregon and Southwest Washington, participants descended on New York City three weeks after the attacks. From the depths of despair, individuals rallied in spirit and action, coming together to support the victim's families, their co-workers and communities. This was the first group to travel to New York, lending both moral and economic support to a community in need.

In the spirit of peace and unity shared by so many in the days after the attack we are delighted that the Portland Gay Men's Chorus will perform BraveSouls and Dreamers, a dramatic cantata that reflects upon the human and spiritual consequences of war and the universal desire of peace at the Cathedral of St. John the Divine on Sunday, September 11, 2011. This performance by PGMC and other artists will be the culminating event marking this momentous occasion for the Oregon Freedom Flyers.

Don't miss your chance to travel to one of the greatest cities in the world and join in what is sure to be a once in a lifetime milestone occasion.

Registration Deadline: August 01, 2011
http://www.flightforfreedom.com/

Geopolitics of Food (YP DIscussion Group)

2011-07-04T14:29:00.000-07:00

Geopolitics of Food (YP Discussion Group)

The World Affairs Council, Young Professionals invite you to our fortnightly discussion group:

Wednesday, 6 July 2011 | 7:00 p.m.

Madison's Grill, 1109 SE Madison St. (Map)

As the UN Food Price Index has eclipsed previous all-time highs, food prices are nearly doubling in poorer countries, governments are teetering, and scarcity is the new norm in world politics. Are we seeing the beginning of a global power struggle for food security? Or will international cooperation expand to ensure world food supplies?

Turkish Democracy (YP Discussion Group)

2011-06-20T09:48:00.000-07:00

Turkish Democracy (YP Discussion Group)

The World Affairs Council, Young Professionals invite you to our fortnightly discussion group:

Wednesday, 22 June 2011 | 7:00 p.m.

Madison's Grill, 1109 SE Madison St. (Map)

Turkey's recent election produced a landslide victory for the ruling AK party, but failed to return a large enough majority to unilaterally rewrite the constitution. The mildly Islamist AK party is pushing to make religion a more central part of secular Turkey, but has proceeded incrementally. AK won mainly for their responsibility for Turkey's continued development. Is Turkey a model for the Arab Spring countries? Or, will the mix of religion and rapid growth lead to a crash in the near future? Where does an ascendant Turkey fit in with Europe, the Middle East, and the rest of the World?

International Job in the Mayor's Office

2011-06-07T19:22:00.001-07:00

Hey Everyone,

Mayor Adams' office is hiring an international policy fellow. Applications are due soon so follow the link for more information: http://www.portlandonline.com/mayor/index.cfm?c=51108&a=348319

International Bond Markets (YP Discussion Group)

2011-06-06T10:22:00.000-07:00

International Bond Markets (YP Discussion Group)

The World Affairs Council, Young Professionals invite you to our fortnightly discussion group:

Wednesday, 8 June 2011 | 7:00 p.m.

Madison's Grill, 1109 SE Madison St. (Map)

Even with the recent warning by Moody's on the Debt Ceiling, the fight over debt in the US is tame by international standards. Huge protests have broken out across Spain and resistance to Greek austerity measures has grown more aggressive. Is the role of the international bond market exaggerated for the benefit of local politicians? Or, are bond traders really the ones calling the shots?

Obama and the Arab Spring (YP Discussion Group)

2011-05-22T22:18:00.000-07:00

Obama and the Arab Spring (YP Discussion Group)

The World Affairs Council, Young Professionals invite you to our fortnightly discussion group:

Wednesday, 25 May 2011 | 7:00 p.m.

Madison's Grill, 1109 SE Madison St. (Map)

From the first stirrings of unrest in Northern Africa, President Obama has talked about a new opportunity for the US to bring its actions closer in line with its values. During the Arab Spring, has Obama's policy differed significantly from the normal trajectory of American policy? Does the killing of Osama Bin Laden create new opportunities for diplomatic action? Will Obama halt the momentum of the movement with his new focus on the Israel/Palestine standoff?

Bin Laden's Legacy (YP Discussion Group)

2011-05-08T22:02:00.000-07:00

Bin Laden's Legacy (YP Discussion Group)

The World Affairs Council, Young Professionals invite you to our fortnightly discussion group:

Wednesday, 11 May 2011 | 7:00 p.m.

Madison's Grill, 1109 SE Madison St. (Map)

The killing of Osama Bin Laden was a cathartic experience for the American public, but the War on Terror continues. His impact on the US and the rest of the world was dramatic, but was it lasting? What is Bin Laden's legacy? Is the Arab Spring a refutation of his ideology? Will the US ever be able to return to a pre-9/11 mindset?

Brian Michael Till Conversations with Power

2011-04-28T14:13:00.000-07:00

What do the world’s most influential people have to say about leadership?

Brian Michael Till has collected key lessons directly from the mouths of the world’s most prominent leaders including Bill Clinton, Jimmy Carter, Ehud Barak, and Václav Havel, and Nobel Laureates Mikhail Gorbachev, Pervez Musharraf, and FW de Klerk. He will lead a discussion on strategies for global leadership in the 21st century and share these leader’s candid personal reflections and regrets and their advice for future generations. Join the conversation at Habibi Lebanese Cuisine in downtown Portland.

Brian Michael Till is a Research Fellow at the New America Foundation and a correspondent for The Atlantic.

Pre-event happy hour and networking at 5:30; talk begins at 6:30

Presented by the Young Professionals and PSU Alumni Association
Light refreshments and no-host bar.
$5 Council Members; $10 Non-Members
Register at www.worldoregon.org

Guantanamo (YP Discussion Group)

2011-04-24T22:49:00.000-07:00

Guantanamo (YP Discussion Group)

The World Affairs Council, Young Professionals invite you to our fortnightly discussion group:

Wednesday, 27 April 2011 | 7:00 p.m.

Madison's Grill, 1109 SE Madison St. (Map)

The newest Wikileaks file dump concerns the background and treatment of the Guantanamo inmates. President Obama appears to have given up on his campaign pledge to close the prison, which continues to highlight the contradictions and challenges of the ongoing War on Terror. How should the US and global community prosecute these types of "irregular" combatants? What military and diplomatic challenges are involved with the issue?

Shanghai Tunnel Ethnic History Tour

2011-04-15T14:15:00.001-07:00

YPs Present:
Shanghai Tunnel Ethnic History Tour

Saturday, May 7th at 4:30 pm
Hobo's Restaurant - 120 NW 3rd Ave

Pre-Registration is required!

Descend into one of the darkest and most fascinating chapters of Portland history with a tour of the notorious Shanghai tunnels: An underground maze beneath Old Town that many believe was used to kidnap unwary souls into service as shipmates and prostitutes.

The Shanghai Tunnel Ethnic History Tour provides insights into Portland's historic Chinese, Japanese, and Gypsy communities, and the ways in which the demands of a burgeoning international trade in goods and slaves affected their shared destinies. Join us for this fascinating adventure that walks the line between history and legend.

Multilateralism and Foreign Intervention (YP Discussion Group)

2011-04-10T20:27:00.000-07:00

Multilateralism and Foreign Intervention (YP Discussion Group)

The World Affairs Council, Young Professionals invite you to our fortnightly discussion group:

Wednesday, 13 April 2011 | 7:00 p.m.

Madison's Grill, 1109 SE Madison St. (Map)

The US/NATO led effort in Libya and the French action in the Ivory Coast have brought humanitarian intervention back into vogue. The justification and interests involved are muddled, but large-scale humanitarian disasters were apparently avoided. Were these actions justified? In the longer term, will they have a lasting, positive effect? Will humanitarian intervention be the primary job of Europe's shrinking militaries?

Peace Corps: 50 Years of Service and Bringing the World Home

2011-03-28T15:04:00.000-07:00

Oregon Historical Society
March 1 - June 19, 2011

10 a.m. - 5 p.m. Tuesday - Saturday
Noon - 5 p.m. Sunday

Have you ever wondered what it is like to live and work in the most isolated corners of the globe? Now you can see the world through the eyes of more than 80 Oregonians and Washingtonians who experienced the world, up close, personal, and as few ever do – as a Peace Corps Volunteer.

This spring, these NW Peace Corps Volunteers will bring the world to Oregon with a new exhibit celebrating the 50th anniversary of this iconic organization, Peace Corps: 50 Years of Service and Bringing the World Home.

Special Peace Corps Events Sundays through June

1 PM - 3 PM in the Exhibit

April 10: Sports

Calling all sports enthusiasts! What could be a better way to learn about sports in the different countries where RPCVs serve than by talking with those RPCVs themselves? Come see pictures and chat with RPCVs about some of their experiences playing sports during their service.

April 17: Earth Day

Earth Day is a very special occasion that is celebrated in many different ways all over the world. Many Peace Corps volunteers and their communities take advantage of this day to discuss the importance of taking care of our planet and how we can make it a healthier place for the future. Do not miss this opportunity to learn about some of the ways that RPCVs and their communities have been taking action on Earth Day. Enjoy a presentation about building classrooms and other structures out of plastic bottles and trash, as well as learn about the work of RPCVs who served in the environmental and agricultural sectors. You will leave inspired to celebrate Earth Day in your own ways, in your own communities!

For More Information visit:

http://www.ohs.org/exhibits/current/peace-corps-50-years-of-service.cfm

The Future of Nuclear Power (YP Discussion Group)

2011-03-27T17:22:00.000-07:00

The Future of Nuclear Power (YP Discussion Group)

The World Affairs Council, Young Professionals invite you to our fortnightly discussion group:

Wednesday, 30 March 2011 | 7:00 p.m.

Madison's Grill, 1109 SE Madison St. (Map)

Over the last decade, technological advances and problems associated with oil and coal have made nuclear power an increasingly attractive option. The aftermath of the earthquake in Japan has reminded the world of the dangers associated with nuclear power. Is nuclear power still a viable option for the future of energy production? Should the U.S., China, and the EU continue to develop their nuclear capabilities?

New Railvolutionaries Tram Tour

2011-03-17T17:49:00.000-07:00

On Tues, 3/22 the New Railvolutionaries are hosting a free South Waterfront Tram Tour and Happy Hour:

Join the New Rail~Volutionaries for a tour and ride of the Portland Aerial Tram. We will meet in front of the South Waterfront Terminal at 5:30pm, tour to start shortly after. Art Pearce will lead the tour, and it will be free of charge.

Afterwards we’ll hop the streetcar and have some beer and food at the Harborside Pilsner Room. Join us if you can!

New Rail~Volutionaries
March Happy Hour and Tram Tour
Tuesday, March 22
5:30-7:30pm
Meet at South Waterfront Tram Terminal

Should be a great event. Click here for the details.

No Discussion Group This Week- Trivia Instead! (YP Discussion Group)

2011-03-13T21:57:00.001-07:00

No Discussion Group This Week- Trivia Instead! (YP Discussion Group)

No Discussion Group This Week. Instead, join us for International Trivia Night. Details in the post below. Discussion Group will return March 30th.

International Trivia Night

2011-03-05T16:22:00.001-08:00

Young Professionals Present:

International Trivia Night

Wednesday, 16 March 2011 | 6:30 p.m.

Tree's Restaurant, 1211 Sw 5th St.

Join fellow Young Professionals for International Trivia Night and show your global smarts about current events, world culture, history, geography, pop culture and more! Trivia Night is a fun opportunity to acquaint and socialize with fellow Portlanders who share your zest for all things international. Bring your friends or come alone (we will place you on a team). Top prizes will include International Speaker Series tickets. Sign up here:
https://app.etapestry.com/cart/WorldAffairsCouncilofOrego/default/category.php?ref=788.0.357894183

Rebuilding Haiti (YP Discussion Group)

2011-02-28T21:04:00.000-08:00

Rebuilding Haiti (YP Discussion Group)

The World Affairs Council, Young Professionals invite you to our fortnightly discussion group:

Wednesday, 2 March 2011 | 7:00 p.m.

Madison's Grill, 1109 SE Madison St. (Map)

It has been more than a year since the earthquake that devastated Haiti. The return of Duvalier briefly pushed Haiti back into the news cycle, but accounts of the recovery have been scarce. Has there been significant progress in the last year? Has the U.S. and rest of the international community done enough to help? How does a country with so many political, economic, and environmental issues rebuild itself?

Soil Not Oil: Climate Change, Peak Oil, and Food Justice

2011-02-22T11:10:00.000-08:00

2011 International Speaker Series
February 23, 2011 - 7pm at the Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall, Portland, OR

Vandana Shiva

Environmental Activist

Vandana Shiva is one of the world’s most respected environmental activists and feminists. A trained physicist, she received her PhD. at the University of Western Ontario, and since the 1970s, has been a vocal figure in the conservation movement.

Shiva is a leader in the International Forum on Globalization, along with Ralph Nader and Jeremy Rifkin. She addressed the World Trade Organization summit in Seattle, 1999, as well as the recent World Economic Forum in Melbourne , 2000. In 1993, Shiva won the Alternative Nobel Peace Prize (the Right Livelihood Award). In 2010, she was awarded the Sydney Peace Prize for her commitment to social justice. The founder of Navdanya (“nine seeds”), a movement promoting diversity and use of native seeds, she also set up the Research Foundation for Science, Technology, and Ecology in her mother’s cowshed in 1997. Its studies have validated the ecological value of traditional farming and been instrumental in fighting destructive development projects in India.

Before becoming an activist, Shiva was one of India ’s leading physicists. She holds a master’s degree in the philosophy of science and a Ph.D. in particle physics

She is the author of many books, including Water Wars: Pollution, Profits, and Privatization (South End Press, 2001), Biopiracy: The Plunder of Nature and Knowledge (South End Press, 1997), Monocultures of the Mind (Zed, 1993), The Violence of the Green Revolution (Zed, 1992) and Staying Alive (St. Martin's Press, 1989).

Single tickets for Vandana Shive are on sale through the PCPA box office and Ticketmaster.

Borderless: Migration, Globalization, and Changing Communities

2011-02-22T10:29:00.000-08:00

In this time of cataclysmic change in our country and our world, it is important to ask not just how to get the economy back on track, but what kind of economy we want. In 1983, Benedict Anderson wrote Imagined Communities, a book about the origins of the modern nation-state and the powerful identification with nations for which millions have fought and been willing to die. Elliott Young will lead a discussion about the ways in which local communities in the twenty-first century need to think in new ways about the relationship between migration and globalization, and their effects on Oregon communities.

Elliott Young was born in New York City and has been migrating westward ever since. He has conducted research and done community development work in Cuba, Mexico, Nicaragua, Paraguay, and Ecuador. Young has been a professor of Latin American and borderlands history at Lewis & Clark College in Portland since 1997.

Sponsored by Oregon Humanities (formerly Oregon Council for the Humanities).

Wednesday, March 2, 2011 6-7 p.m.

Gregory Heights Library
7921 N.E. Sandy Blvd.
Portland, OR 97213
503.988.5386
http://www.multcolib.org/events/conversationproject.html

Egypt: What Comes Next? (YP Discussion Group)

2011-02-13T20:29:00.001-08:00

Egypt: What Comes Next? (YP Discussion Group)

The World Affairs Council, Young Professionals invite you to our fortnightly discussion group:

Wednesday, 16 February 2011 | 7:00 p.m.

Madison's Grill, 1109 SE Madison St. (Map)

Now that Mubarak is out, where does Egypt go next? The democratization process is not yet complete, as the military is now in control. Are the Egyptian military's promises of real political reform trustworthy? Do autocrats all over the world need to be nervous? What is the role of the U.S. in the transition? How will this alter U.S. foreign policy in regard to democracy promotion and interactions with autocrats?

Peter Hessler at Powells

2011-02-11T09:32:00.000-08:00

Peter Hessler at Powell's
Tuesday 2/15
7:30 pm

Peter Hessler is one of the best writers on China in the west. After a Peace Corp tour took him to Central China, he moved to Beijing and wrote a trilogy of books on life in Modern China. He is coming to Powell's to talk about the last book, Country Driving. This is a great opportunity for all China Hands.

Full details here: http://www.worldoregon.org/events/registration/peter_hessler.php

Uprising in Egypt (YP Discussion Group_

2011-01-30T22:39:00.000-08:00

Uprising in Egypt (YP Discussion Group)

The World Affairs Council, Young Professionals invite you to our fortnightly discussion group:

Wednesday, 2 February 2011 | 7:00 p.m.

Madison's Grill, 1109 SE Madison St. (Map)

The massive anti-government rallies in Egypt could completely alter the political, economic, and social landscape in the Middle East. Foreign policy in the US, EU, and Israel is reliant on a strong partnership with Egypt. If a government as strong and well-established as Egypt can fall in the face of citizen action, no oppresive government in the Middle East is completely safe. Come discuss what has happened, predictions for the near future, and speculation about where all of this could lead.

The Ethics of Traveling to Poor Countries (YP Discussion Group)

2011-01-17T17:22:00.000-08:00

The Ethics of Traveling to Poor Countries (YP Discussion Group)

The World Affairs Council, Young Professionals invite you to our fortnightly discussion group:

Wednesday, 19 January 2011 | 7:00 p.m.

Madison's Grill, 1109 SE Madison St. (Map)

Tourists in search of an off-the-beaten-path adventure or luxury at prices lower than in Europe turn to poor countries. While the juxtaposition can be meaningful, the social dynamic between tourist and resident can be troubling. Visitors from the rich world enjoy privileges and are excused from observing social custom, as long as they are paying. Hotel and restaurant employees go to incredible lengths to keep rich visitors happy. Is it possible to visit a poor country and avoid the rich master/poor servant relationship? Or is all of this liberal hand-wringing and we should feel good for supporting struggling economies?

Kashmir (YP Discussion Group)

2011-01-03T11:21:00.001-08:00

Kashmir (YP Discussion Group)

The World Affairs Council, Young Professionals invite you to our fortnightly discussion group:

Wednesday, 5 December 2011 | 7:00 p.m.

Madison's Grill, 1109 SE Madison St. (Map)

The dispute over Kashmir between India and Pakistan shades their interactions with the rest of the world. It is used to justify ISI interactions with groups supporting terrorism and prevents meaningful cooperation between the two powers. Over the last year, the situation in Kashmir has deteriorated and now resembles the Palestinian Intifadas. Are there opportunities for peace in the region in the near term? Should the US make Kashmir a higher priority?

Stories of the Year (YP Discussion Group)

2010-12-20T13:56:00.000-08:00

Stories of the Year (YP Discussion Group)

The World Affairs Council, Young Professionals invite you to our fortnightly discussion group:

Wednesday, 22 December 2010 | 7:00 p.m.

Madison's Grill, 1109 SE Madison St. (Map)

What were the most important stories of the year? Which stories and trends will have a lasting impact on international affairs? Reminisce about the year gone by and share bold predictions for 2011.

Wikileaks Revisited (YP Discussion Group)

2010-12-05T20:38:00.001-08:00

WikiLeaks Revisited (YP Discussion Group)

The World Affairs Council, Young Professionals invite you to our fortnightly discussion group:

Wednesday, 8 December 2010 | 7:00 p.m.

Madison's Grill, 1109 SE Madison St. (Map)

This week we will return to our topic of a few months ago. Come discuss revelations from the leaked cables, implications for diplomacy, and what WikiLeaks means for the future. Get the conversation started on our blog.

2010-12-01T15:10:00.000-08:00

Join us December 3rd & 4th for

Zimbabwe Artists Project’s
Annual Holiday Sale!

Friday, December 3, 4:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.
Saturday, December 4, 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.

Help support artists from Weya, Zimbabwe this holiday season. Buy original art, calendars, t-shirts, cards and Guinea Hen Lady books. And find select art at deeply discounted prices! We will also have coffee, snacks and Zimbabwean music.

107 SE Washington Street, Suite 162 Portland, OR 97214

No Discussion Group This Week (YP Discussion Group)

2010-11-21T21:32:00.000-08:00

No Discussion Group This Week (YP Discussion Group)

We'll be back on December 8th. Have a great Thanksgiving.

US, India, and China (YP Discussion Group)

2010-11-08T10:53:00.000-08:00

US, India, and China (YP Discussion Group)

The World Affairs Council, Young Professionals invite you to our fortnightly discussion group:

Wednesday, 10 November 2010 | 7:00 p.m.

Madison's Grill, 1109 SE Madison St. (Map)

President Obama's current trip to India featured the surprise announcement of US support for a permanent Indian presence on the UN Security Council. Seen in the context of China's growing assertiveness, India is being groomed to serve as a counter to emerging China. Is this a case of the US supporting a fellow democracy as it comes into its own, or is our interest in the subcontinent related solely to unease about China? How will China react to the increasingly friendly US-India relationship?

Currency Disputes (YP Discussion Group)

2010-10-24T22:31:00.000-07:00

Currency Disputes (YP Discussion Group)

The World Affairs Council, Young Professionals invite you to our fortnightly discussion group:

Wednesday, 27 October 2010 | 7:00 p.m.

Madison's Grill, 1109 SE Madison St. (Map)

In the last two weeks, every country and international organization has weighed in on currency issues. Everyone agrees that exchange rates are causing distortions in global trade, but facts are hard to identify amidst the political grandstanding. Now that the US and EU appear to be ready to make global currency policy a high priority, what will the developing world do to counter?

This topic has a few challenging technical dimensions. Here is a link to an interview with Olivier Blanchard of the IMF and an audio article on the issue from The Economist for background.

Former IMF Official on Economic Crisis

2010-10-20T10:57:00.001-07:00

"The global economic crisis 2007-09; it's origins, the incipient recovery, and the perspective of the IMF"
Erik Offerdal, former Official of the International Monetary Fund

Friday, Oct 22- 3 pm
Portland State University, Cramer Hall 325

Former IMF official Erik Offeral will be giving a presentation on the economic crisis as part of the PSU Econ Dept.'s Seminar Series. The event is free and all are welcome.

2010-10-10T13:12:00.000-07:00

National Identity (YP Discussion Group)

The World Affairs Council, Young Professionals invite you to our fortnightly discussion group:

Wednesday, 13 October 2010 | 7:00 p.m.

Madison's Grill, 1109 SE Madison St. (Map)

One argument used to justify the expulsion of Romanis in France was a perceived lack of desire to assimilate. Across Europe, the importance of maintaining a national identity built on shared values has been used to discriminate against Muslims. These same arguments are finding sympathetic ears in the US too. How is national identity defined? When is forced conformity justified?

Open Discussion (YP Discussion Group)

2010-09-26T20:27:00.000-07:00

Open Discussion (YP Discussion Group)

The World Affairs Council, Young Professionals invite you to our fortnightly discussion group:

Wednesday, 29 September 2010 | 7:00 p.m.

Madison's Grill, 1109 SE Madison St. (Map)

Direct talks between Israel and Palestine and the end of the settlement freeze, passage of power in North Korea, and continuing tensions between China and Japan are just a few of the issues in the news this week. For our meeting this week, come ready to discuss any international topic that is currently on your mind.

Fesitval Japan this weekend

2010-09-24T09:38:00.001-07:00

COME CELEBRATE CULTURE AND COMMUNITY WITH

MUSIC, DANCE, ARTS, CRAFTS, FOOD AND MORE…..

Presented by JAPAN-AMERICA SOCIETY OF OREGON • NW NATURAL • UWAJIMAYA

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 25, 2010

11:00 am – 5:00 pm

SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 26, 2010

11:00 am – 5:00 pm

Uwajimaya Plaza, 10500 SW Beaverton-Hillsdale Highway

http://www.jaso.org/FJ2010Flyer.pdf

polish festival free this weekend

2010-09-24T09:32:00.001-07:00

The Polish festival is an event for families and singles, adults and children, for food connoisseurs, music lovers, concert goers, dance enthusiasts, http://www.portlandpolonia.org/festival/

During the festival, we provide non-stop stage performances, including a few dance groups and music bands, polka contest on Saturday and Sunday, a street dance, delicious Polish food and imported Polish beer. The event is held on Failing Street between the two historic buildings of the Polish Library built in 1911 and St. Stanislaus Church built in 1907, both located on N. Interstate Avenue in Portland Oregon.

Saturday: Sept 25, 11am - 10pm
Sunday, Sept 26, noon - 6pm
3900 N. Interstate Ave., Portland, Oregon
ADMISSION FREE

Music Under the Autumn Moon - Sept. 25, 2010 8pm-10:30pm FREE

2010-09-15T09:42:00.001-07:00

Friends of Portland Chinatown is proud to present an outdoor multicultural concert on Davis Festival Street featuring performances by Yat Sing Music Club, Portland Cello Project, Third Angle New Music Ensemble, Classical Revolution PDX, Last Regiment of Syncopated Drummers, Matt Sheehy, and en Taiko.

Yat Sing Music Club is a private music club that is normally not open to the public. "Music Under the Autumn Moon" presents a rare opportunity for Portlanders to see a live Cantonese opera performed by Yat Sing . It also provides unique cultural exchange opportunities between Yat Sing and artists from outside of the Chinese community performing at the event.

A pre-concert community potluck will take place at the Main Hall of the Chinese Consolidated Benevolent Association (317 NW Davis) from 6-8pm. Dishes will be provided by Chinese restaurants in Portland.

Music Under the Autumn Moon will take place around the Mid-Autumn Moon holiday, which is the second largest holiday for the Chinese. In the spirit of sharing food, music, and mooncakes, this community event celebrates both the Mid-Autumn Moon holiday and Yat Sing Music Club's 68th anniversary.

WHEN	Saturday, Sept. 25, 2010 8pm-10:30pm
WHERE	Davis Festival Street (NW Davis, between 3rd and 4th) Portland, OR 97209
COST	Free, and open to the public

Water World (YP Discussion Group)

2010-08-30T09:40:00.000-07:00

Water World (YP Discussion Group)

The World Affairs Council, Young Professionals invite you to our fortnightly discussion group:

Wednesday, 1 September 2010 | 7:00 p.m.

Madison's Grill, 1109 SE Madison St. (Map)

Water is a vital resource which varies greatly in its distribution over time and place, ignoring international boundaries in the process. Water can cause devastating disasters such as the flooding in Pakistan or tsunamis that sweep across entire oceans. It can be so scarce as to foment potential conflict. For example, does Turkey have the right to take all the water they need from the headwaters of the Tigris and Euphrates rivers, leaving the famous marshes in Iraq dry? If Israel and Palestine manage to agree on a two state solution, how will they divide up the precious groundwater beneath them? How will global warming affect the distribution of water? How do deal with trash and pollution dumped into the oceans, washing up on the shores of other countries? Finally, did you know that there is a treaty (up for renewal in 2014) between Canada and the U.S. governing the use of the Columbia River waters?

International Corporations (YP Discussion Group)

2010-08-16T17:05:00.001-07:00

International Corporations (YP Discussion Group)

The World Affairs Council, Young Professionals invite you to our fortnightly discussion group:

Wednesday, 18 August 2010 | 7:00 p.m.

Madison's Grill, 1109 SE Madison St. (Map)

The BP oil spill and the Australian mining tax have put the role of international corporations in the spotlight. When corporations transcend national regulatory boundaries, what is the best method to prevent abuses? How do we reconcile the interests of companies that might clash with local interests? Has this issue been blown out of proportion? Are international corporations the bogeyman of the International Left?

India Festival 8/15-11am - 9pm at Pioneer Courthouse Free

2010-08-13T15:47:00.001-07:00

India Festival is filled with tastes, sounds and sights of India. ICA will host India Festival on August 15th, 2010 from 11am to 9pm at Pioneer Courthouse Square.

Please be there with your family and friends to get a taste of Indian culture for FREE and get a glimpse of this growing, warm and welcoming community. This year we are celebrating India Festival on the same day as India's Independence and we expect to surpass previous years' attendance. http://icaportland.org/events/india-festival/

Cambodian Refugees: The View from Portland

2010-08-11T14:56:00.001-07:00

Thursday, Aug. 19, from 6:30-8:00pm

As the Cambodia Tribunal in Phnom Penh continues its efforts to prosecute former Khmer Rouge officials, Young Professionals are invited for an evening visit with Cambodian refugees who have successfully relocated to Portland. These refugees will share stories of their struggle to escape Cambodia and their personal experience relocating in America, as well as homemade food, culture and tales from Southeast Asia.

This free event is open to the public and is sponsored by Portland's International Refugee and Community Organization, a nonprofit that works with the U.S. State Department to assist refugees settling in the metro area. Staff members will be on hand to provide information about IRCO and about opportunities for volunteer work assisting refugees. Admission is free, but donations to IRCO are welcomed. Up to 25 Young Professionals are invited to attend, so sign up today. Because there is limited space, please do not sign up unless you definitely plan to attend!

WikiLeaks (YP Discussion Group)

2010-08-02T16:48:00.000-07:00

WikiLeaks (YP Discussion Group)

The World Affairs Council, Young Professionals invite you to our fortnightly discussion group:

Wednesday, 4 August 2010 | 7:00 p.m.

Madison's Grill, 1109 SE Madison St. (Map)

Last week, WikiLeaks was responsible for the largest secret document dump in history. While the importance of the documents is up for debate, the impact of WikiLeaks is not. Is WikiLeaks potentially dangerous? Did they put American lives at risk? Or, are they a new force for democracy? Do governments and large corporations have a reason to be scared?

2010-07-19T20:05:00.000-07:00

Immigration (YP Discussion Group)

The World Affairs Council, Young Professionals invite you to our fortnightly discussion group:

Wednesday, 21 July 2010 | 7:00 p.m.

Madison's Grill, 1109 SE Madison St. (Map)

Arizona's SB 1070 has put immigration reform in the news in the US, but all over the world countries struggle with immigration policy. Americans generally recognize the importance of the role that immigration policy has played in the US historically, but have always been quick to demonize new arrivals. The formation of the EU has caused a backlash against immigrants in countries like France and Switzerland, but the borders remain relatively porous. What does good immigration policy look like? How does a country balance the positive impacts of an open immigration policy with the perceived disruptions?

Open Discussion (YP Discussion Group)

2010-07-05T20:07:00.000-07:00

Open Discussion (YP Discussion Group)

The World Affairs Council, Young Professionals invite you to our fortnightly discussion group:

Wednesday, 7 July 2010 | 7:00 p.m.

Madison's Grill, 1109 SE Madison St. (Map)

There are several issues that we have not had a chance to discuss: tensions on the Korean Peninsula, the Arizona immigration law, the oil spill, global financial reform, and the list goes on. For our next meeting, come with whatever topic you are interested in, and be sure to have your World Cup final pick.

2010-06-22T16:37:00.000-07:00

Flotilla Fallout (YP Discussion Group)

The World Affairs Council, Young Professionals invite you to our fortnightly discussion group:

Wednesday, 23 June 2010 | 7:00 p.m.

Madison's Grill, 1109 SE Madison St. (Map)

The recent attempt to bypass the Israeli blockade of the Gaza Strip created an international incident with far-reaching consequences. Unfortunately, the responses by both Israel and Hamas have been superficial concessions masking the same entrenched positions. Has Israel gone too far in its attempts to protect itself? Is the situation hopeless? What role should the US play in forcing negotiations and compromise?

10 HOSTS STILL NEEDED JULY 15 – AUGUST 3 FOR UKRAINIAN VISITORS!

2010-06-17T11:15:00.000-07:00

Be a citizen diplomat! The Council is seeking host families for a Russian speaking Ukrainian Community Connections group coming to Portland in July for a program on Alternative Energy Development and Promotion. Portland hosting dates are July 15- August 3 (minus 2-3 nights during this time period while the group is in Eastern Oregon). Host families are integral to the success of our professional exchange programs and act as the key representatives of American culture to these visitors!

To be a part of this unforgettable experience contact Andrew Neal at (503) 306-5252 or andrew@worldoregon.org or Mariko Gilman at (503) 306-5295 or mariko@worldoregon.org for more information.

Biographical information about the individual delegates can be found at: http://www.worldoregon.org/visitors/cgroup.php

World Bank Young Professionals program: deadline to apply 06/30

2010-06-15T11:53:00.000-07:00

I came across this really amazing- looking Young Professionals Program at the World Bank. Masters degree is a requisite, and the application process seems pretty stringent, but for the right applicant with the credentials, this may be a great opportunity to break into the international development market. As a young professional, you have to be under 32 by September of 2011. Deadline to apply is June 30, 2010.

2010-06-15T09:17:00.000-07:00

Distant Interiors: Three Works by Kamal Aljafari
Beyond Borders Program VII: Palestine | Pan Asian Series
Supported in part by a grant from the Regional Arts & Culture Council
JUNE 15 + 16 [6:45PM]
Cinema Project @ Clinton Street Theatre | 2552 SE Clinton St.

Cinema Project's Pan Asian series of visiting artists is rounded out this season with Palestinian-born independent filmmaker Kamal Aljafari. Through his witty, restrained, and personal documentary style, Aljafari examines varying definitions of home and place in the Middle East. In pieces like The Roof and Port of Memory the focus is primarily on the veritable ghost-town of Jaffa that in pre-1948 Palestine was a thriving urban and economic port-city. These works demonstrate Aljafari's thoughtful but not overly formal compositions of half-inhabited houses and damaged neighborhoods, which reveal the strained co-existence of past and present and the complicated layers of history that help construct (physically and psychologically) such places.

Curator Jean-Pierre Rehm has called The Roof "as much a stylistic as a political manifesto." With an approach recalling the suspended action of other international cineastes like Taiwanese Tsai-Ming Liang, Aljafari brings something less mysterious but more palpable to his coded landscapes and personal portraits.
Artist-in-Attendance

TUESDAY JUNE 15TH
Port of Memory [2009, 35mm, color, sound, 63 min.]
WEDNESDAY JUNE 16TH
The Roof [2006, video, color, sound, 61 min.]
Visit Iraq [2003, 35mm, color, sound, 26 min.]

2010-06-08T09:24:00.000-07:00

Watch the World Cup with the Young Professionals

The world turns its attention to the Beautiful Game on June 11th when
the World Cup starts in South Africa. While we would love a ticket to
Cape Town, we are fortunate enough to live in a city with so many
soccer fans and venues. Join us to watch the largest sporting event in
the world!

First up, the Mexico v. South Africa match, June 11th. We will meet at
Pizza Italia (1129 NW Johnson St.) for the game at 7 am. They have a
$10 breakfast buffet and a passionate crowd of futbol fans.

We hope to gather for games throughout the month-long competition.
Watch this space for announcements, or organize yourselves and watch
your favorite teams advance. For a list of Portland venues showing the
games see www.portlandsoccerbars.com, then add your game/venue to the
comment section.

Turmoil in Zimbabwe (YP Discussion Group)

2010-06-06T21:26:00.000-07:00

Turmoil in Zimbabwe (YP Discussion Group)

The World Affairs Council, Young Professionals invite you to our fortnightly discussion group:

Wednesday, 9 June 2010 | 7:00 p.m.

Madison's Grill, 1109 SE Madison St. (Map)

In less than 30 years, Zimbabwe has gone from a promising, newly-independent state to an unqualified disaster. Political strife, hyper-inflation, drought, and an AIDS epidemic have all contributed to a plummeting life expectancy. Despite the fact that overt violence is still minimal, does the scale of the humanitarian crisis require action from Western government? Is there hope for the people of Zimbabwe in the near future?

2010-06-03T13:07:00.000-07:00

An Evening with Zimbabwe Artists Project

Thursday, June 10, 2010

6:00-8:00pm - discussion at 6:45pm

Join fellow World Affairs Council members in learning how Zimbabwe Artists Project aims to "make human connections through art." Founder and Executive Director Dick Adams will share stories from his most recent trip to Zimbabwe. This is an opportunity to hear his inspirational anecdotes about the women of Weya, and his organization's efforts in supporting these women in rural Zimbabwe to become economically self sufficient.

Also, Be the first to hear exciting news from Zimbabwe Artists Project and World Affairs Council.

Read More and Register

PDX International Vision: an evening with the Director of the Office of International Relations for the City of Portland

2010-05-27T07:45:00.001-07:00

Noah Siegel: Director of International Relations for the City of Portland

Did you know that the City of Portland has an Office of International Relations? What are the Mayor's international responsibilities?

Recently, the Mayor has focused on economic development as an important part of Portland's international engagement. To that extent, Noah Siegel, the Director of International Relations, has been tasked with developing international strategies for the city. In addition to overseeing Portland's nine sister city relationships, and other cultural and educational activities, Mr. Siegel coordinates the city's international trade and investment efforts, working closely with partners at the PDC and the State of Oregon.

Before joining the Mayor's Office, Noah Siegel served as a political and economic officer at the U.S. Foreign Service. With a focus on the Middle East, Mr. Siegel served tours in Yemen and Israel, and worked at the State Department in Washington, D.C. His specific areas of expertise included international banking, economic development, and democratic reform. Mr. Siegel speaks fluent French, Hebrew and Arabic.

Having been in the position for almost a year, what are the successes and challenges encountered by the City in developing its international footprint? What are the goals of the International Relations Office? Is Portland large/ significant enough to have an international strategy?

Date and time: Wednesday, June 2, at 5:30 p.m.

Location: City Hall, 1221 SW Fourth Avenue, Rose Room, Portland, Oregon

Cost: $5 WAC members; $7 non-members

Registration number is limited to 30, so sign up today!

http://worldoregon.org/events/registration/yp_international_pdx.php

The Greek Economy and European Sovereignty (YP Discussion Group)

2010-05-24T11:18:00.000-07:00

The Greek Economy and European Sovereignty (YP Discussion Group)

The World Affairs Council, Young Professionals invite you to our fortnightly discussion group:

Wednesday, 26 May 2010 | 7:00 p.m.

Madison's Grill, 1109 SE Madison St. (Map)

Greece's mistakes have played a large part in its current economic meltdown, but options for addressing the problems have been severely limited by membership in the EU and other outside forces. In this instance, is a bailout the correct response, or would a more traditional default be appropriate? What are the consequences for the other troubled European economies? If Germany is expected to lead the bailout effort, will they demand more control over the budgets of the other EU countries in the future?

UN Wire Job Board site

2010-05-20T09:18:00.001-07:00

Click here to see the UN Wire Job Board; there are also other industries listed on this SmartBrief Job posting site.

Rose

2010-05-13T16:25:00.000-07:00

Doing Business in China; A Role for Oregon Companies

Thursday, May 20, 7:00 PM

As the recent reshuffle of global finance and the changes it will bring to business come more into focus, there is little doubt that trade between US and China will continue to shape the political and economic landscape. Oregon is poised, both geographically and strategically, to play an important role in this relationship. What does trade with China mean for the economy of Oregon? What does Oregon investment in China mean on the ground? The event is a panel discussion followed by Q&A- this is a wonderful opportunity to hear about a very relevant topic from local experts:

Professor Rossitza Wooster, Portland State University, Department of Economics

Marian Hammond, State of Oregon

Akana Ma, Ater Wynne

Karl Mundorff, Bio-Reaction Industries

Read More and Register

2010-05-13T16:16:00.000-07:00

Building Social Business

Saturday, May 22, 2:00 PM

Muhammad Yunus
Founder, the Grameen Bank

When he founded the Grameen Bank in 1984, Muhammad Yunus challenged the conventional banking principles of credit worthiness and collateral. He showed that providing micro credit to poor women in the rural villages of Bangladesh was good for the bank and for the communities served. Now Yunus is suggesting a similar revolutionary take on capitalism — demonstrating that businesses that strive to serve humanity, rather than maximizing share holder value, can be profitable. He sees in the current financial crisis, the opportunity to show that social business may reveal the real promise of free-market enterprise.

Read More and Register

2010-05-13T16:05:00.001-07:00

How a changing media landscape is shifting our view of the world

Wednesday, May 19th 12:00 to 1:30 PM
Talk begins at 12:30 PM

Michael Mosettig
Senior Producer, The PBS Newshour

While many traditional news organizations (newspapers, magazines, and broadcast television) have significantly cut the number of their internationally based correspondents, non-traditional news media has grown exponentially. How has the changing media landscape affected what news is covered? How can we judge the credibility of the news? Has global information, social media and 'unfiltered' news had an impact on international policy making? Is it changing our perspective of the world?

Read More and Register

2010-05-13T15:30:00.000-07:00

Building Haiti Back Better

Wednesday, May 26th, 12:00-1:30 PM

Robert Maguire, PhD

Trinity University, Washington D.C. and US Institute of Peace

The earthquake that devastated Haiti was both cosmic and deeply personal for Robert Maguire who lost many friends and colleagues. Yet, he now sees the massive challenge of rebuilding Haiti as a unique opportunity to address and reverse the terrible imbalances that underlie and perpetuate its deeply entrenched poverty.

Read More and Register

Chinese Development (YP Discussion Group)

2010-05-10T09:31:00.000-07:00

Chinese Development (YP Discussion Group)

The World Affairs Council, Young Professionals invite you to our biweekly discussion group:

Wednesday, 12 May 2010 | 7:00 p.m.

Madison's Grill, 1109 SE Madison St. (Map)

In the last 30 years, development in China has lifted more than 500 million people out of abject poverty. While incredible, this change has brought with it challenges for the Chinese and the rest of the world. The environmental impact of this development is massive and growing, and the Chinese Communist Party has not matched the growth with civic or political reform. The popular narrative in the US blames Chinese development for taking American jobs, and currency manipulation for artificially inflating their advantage. Does development in China justify the negative consequences? Should the US be doing more to protect domestic business?

Doing Business in China: A Role for Oregon Companies

2010-05-05T10:51:00.000-07:00

Doing Business in China: A Role for Oregon Companies
Thur, May 20
7pm

Portland State University
Smith Student Union (1825 SW Broadway)
Room 236 (Cascade Room)

*Registration Required: http://www.worldoregon.org/events/registration/yp_china_panel.php

As the recent reshuffle of global finance and the changes it will bring to business come more into focus, there is little doubt that trade between US and China will continue to shape the political and economic landscape. Oregon is poised, both geographically and strategically, to play an important role in this relationship. What does trade with China mean for the economy of Oregon? What does Oregon investment in China mean on the ground? The event is a panel discussion followed by Q&A- this is a wonderful opportunity to hear about a very relevant topic from local experts:

Professor Rossitza Wooster, Portland State University, Department of Economics
Marian Hammond, State of Oregon
Akana Ma, Ater Wynne
Karl Mundorff, Bio-Reaction Industries

Portland's Cheers to Belgian Beers

2010-04-28T21:41:00.000-07:00

Cheers to Belgian Beers
Saturday, May 1, noon - 9pm
Hopworks, upper parking lot
2944 SE Powell Blvd
Free; $5 for required tasting goblet, $1 pours

Cheers to Belgian Beers is a great beer event that features different styles of Belgian beer, brewed with the same strain of yeast. In the last four years, the festival has grown from a handful of Portland breweries to over 29 breweries from all over Oregon. The event is a competition, with the winner getting to host next year. The festival raises money for the a charity chosen by the host (this year is Parkinson's Resources of Oregon). This is a great opportunity to sample a variety of beers from a country with a long, rich brewing tradition and have a great time doing it.

Dining Out for Life--Dine Out. Fight AIDS on 4/29

2010-04-28T10:15:00.001-07:00

Since AIDS is a global issue and this event is a worthy cause and cool idea, I thought I'd share this with you.

One of the many perks about living in Portland is getting to enjoy the amazing restaurants we are beginning to be known for around the country. This Thursday, April 29th, Portlanders can enjoy those restaurants while supporting the OHSU Partnership Project and Ecumenical Ministries of Oregon's HIV Day Center by taking part in Dining Out for Life. Dining Out for Life is a national event in its second year in Portland. On the day of the event participating restaurants will donate between 20%-30% of their food and beverage sales to the participating AIDS services organizations, EMO's HIV Day Center and OHSU Partnership Project.

Participating restaurants are: Bridges Cafe and Catering, Broder Cafe, Detour Cafe, Dingo's, Echo, Egyptian Club, Firehouse, Gilt Club, Gracie's Restaurant, Il Piato, Kir Wine Bar, Lauro Kitchen, Lincoln Restaurant, The Original, Por Que No (Hawthorne), Red Star Tavern, Rose and Thistle, Stickers Asian Cafe, SubRosa, and West Cafe. For more information go to www.diningoutforlife.com/portland.

I have heard good things about Detour Cafe, Eco are good and Por Que No.

Rose Grech

UK Election (YP Discussion Group)

2010-04-26T18:21:00.000-07:00

UK Election (YP Discussion Group)

The World Affairs Council, Young Professionals invite you to our biweekly discussion group:

Wednesday, 28 April 2010 | 7:00 p.m.

Madison's Grill, 1109 SE Madison St. (Map)

May 6th will mark the end of a refreshingly short campaign season in the UK. No matter the outcome, the result will have major consequences for the UK, Europe, and the United States. If Labour loses, it will end a period of outward looking foreign policy and alter the "special relationship" with the US. A recent surge in support for the Liberal Democrats has made the possibility of a hung Parliament look increasingly likely, which could limit the ability of the next UK government to remain a global political leader. Who will win and what does it mean for the rest of the world?

Be Green While Traveling

2010-04-19T20:24:00.001-07:00

Be Green While Traveling - Download a pdf guide representing a diverse array of knowledge and expertise that will help you, the traveler, make responsible travel choices. By choosing wisely, you can make positive contributions to conservation, communities and sustainable travel around the world, one eco-trip at a time. On this site, you can also sign up for e-newsletters, explore eco volunteer opportunities and more.

Interested in other cultures? Have a spare bedroom? Become a World Affairs Council International Visitor Host!

2010-04-15T14:18:00.001-07:00

The World Affairs Council of Oregon is excited to welcome 5 Russian visitors through the Open World Program! This group will be in Oregon from Friday, May 21 through Saturday, May 29, 2010, on a program focusing on Accountable Governance and Women as Leaders with a Focus on Environmental Protection.

Home stay hosts provide a spare room, breakfast and dinner, lunch on the weekend, transportation to and from the Council office, and an American home experience. We will provide lunches (M-F), cultural events, transportation to meetings and appointments, and full-day or half-day weekend activities.

What does hosts say about hosting?

“Hosting is fun. You get to meet people, and in many cases, you keep in touch with them after they leave. I’ve been hosting international visitors, especially those from Russia, for 25 years now. I keep a map in my house with pushpins on places I had visitors from.”

- Joseph Corso, Open World homestay host

If you are interested in hosting, or if you have friends of family who may be interested, please get in touch with Mariko Gilman at mariko@worldoregon.org or (503) 306-5252.

Brown Bag Lunch Briefing on International Trade and the Environment 4/14 Noon

2010-04-13T08:44:00.001-07:00

Wednesday, April 14 * 12:00 noon
Sierra Club Office * 1821 SE Ankeny * Portland, OR

Join Rachel Ackoff of the national Sierra Club's "Labor, Workers' Rights & Trade Program" for a brown-bag lunch (please bring your own) briefing on the latest topics facing environmentalists regarding international trade policy. This includes background on:

* The opportunities and obstacles posed by the Trans-Pacific Partnership, a regional Pacific Rim trade agreement currently in negotiation by the Obama administration

* Efforts to address illegal logging and the unsustainable consumption of tropical woods through better enforcement of the Lacey Act

* The campaign to hold governments and corporations accountable for the management of natural resources through the Energy Security Through Transparency Act

* The promise of a new model for international trade embodied in pending legislation called the TRADE Act

Rachel's quick, informal briefing will include plenty of time for questions and discussion. Local "fair trade" activists will also be on hand to discuss ways to get involved in these and other issues at the local level. The briefing will wrap-up by 1:00 pm.

Background on the Sierra Club's trade program is available online at: http://www.sierraclub.org/trade/

http://orsierraclub.wordpress.com/2010/04/06/brown-bag-lunch-briefing-on-trade-the-environment/

2010-04-12T20:40:00.000-07:00

Political Action in Asia (YP Discussion Group)

The World Affairs Council, Young Professionals invite you to our biweekly discussion group:

Wednesday, 14 April 2010 | 7:00 p.m.

Madison's Grill, 1109 SE Madison St. (Map)

Huge crowds in Kyrgyzstan and Thailand are protesting what they claim to be unfair policies by their governments, while in Myanmar the ruling junta continues to wage war against minority groups. Is it possible for these governments to compromise before wider fighting occurs? How should the governments react to mass protests? More generally, in this part of the world where democratic reform is limited or nonexistent, can popular opposition force actual changes?

Earth Day activities in PDX on 4/17

2010-04-11T15:42:00.001-07:00

Earth day is on 4/22, but SOLV and other great local nonprofits have a bunch of 1/2 day volunteer opportunities available this Sat 4/17. Get involved in a global movement!

Check out: http://solv.org/volunteers/volunteer_calendar.asp#April

Most are from 9am - 1 pm, some offer free breakfast or lunch.

Rose

Tears of Joy Theater - Malika, Queen of the Cats - openining night this Friday

2010-04-08T08:29:00.001-07:00

Tears of Joy Theater is presenting Malika, Queen of the Cats, a Palestinian children's play about Sitti, a kind and generous old woman who helps a cat and is rewarded with great wealth by Malika. This folktale from Palestine teaches that kindness and generosity are values intrinsic to Middle Eastern Culture.

The Arab American Cultural Center of Oregon (AACCO) has limited seats available at a special discounted price for Malika. The tickets are $14.00 for children and $16.00 for adults for the Friday April 9, 2010 opening performance at 7:30 p.m. at the Portland Center for the Performing Arts. If April 9 does not work with your schedule, please review the other performance dates below as well as more information about Tears of Joy Theater.

AACCO, a co-sponsor of the play, is hosting a Palestinian exhibit and the P.S.U. Middle East Studies Center is hosting a free reception after the show on April 9.

For tickets, please email Hala Gores at Hala@goreslaw.com or call (503) 295-1940.

Tears of Joy Theatre presents
Malika, Queen of the Cats
by Nancy Aldrich

Friday, April 9th -
Sunday, April 18th
$18.75 adults/ $16.50 children (12 & under)

Tickets: The PCPA box office <http://www.pcpa.com/tickets/boxoffice.php> , Ticketmaster <http://www.ticketmaster.com/venue/123086/?brand=pcpa>

Tears of Joy Theatre is nationally recognized for its commitment to excellence and innovation in puppetry. A resident company of the Portland Center for the Performing Arts, Tears of Joy is a three-time recipient of American Puppetry's highest honor, the citation of Excellence in the Art of Puppetry. Tears of Joy touring performers entertain and inspire more than 200,000 people annually in theatres, community centers, festivals and schools throughout the US and abroad. Please visit www.tojt.com <http://www.tojt.com/> for more information.
__,_._,___

Israeli Krav Maga Women's Self Defense Seminar April 17

2010-04-05T17:34:00.001-07:00

Did you know that April is a Sexual Assault Awareness Month? To mark it, Krav Maga Worldwide Official Training Centers across the globe are offering self defense seminars for women as a service to the community. I attended a 3-hour seminar last Saturday, and can attest that this may be the best $40 I spent for a three hour hard-core training/workout. I have several serious bruises to show for it, but the training was well worth it. The trainers (current law enforcement folks who are also Krav Maga instructors) are great and encouraging, the information and techniques they share are easy to remember and follow, and you never know when it will save your life.

So what’s the international connection, you may ask? Well, the technique being taught is Krav Maga, which is a self-defense technique used by the Israeli military forces and which is widely used by the police departments in the US, including Oregon. Tenuous, you may say. Well, yes, probably. But if it’s good enough for the Israeli Defense Forces, it’s good enough for me.

See announcement below for more information and how to register.

Natalia

_________________________

Nationally certified self-defense instructors and defensive tactics experts will be available to answer questions and give advice to the general public on how to prevent and survive a violent encounter!

Milwaukie , OR - On April 17, 2010, the Krav Maga Worldwide Official Training Center in Milwaukie, OR will be offering all women ages 16 and older a 3-hour self-defense seminar. This event will be held from 1:00-4:00 PM at Krav Maga Self Defense & Fitness, 5484 SE International Way , Milwaukie , OR 97222 . Krav Maga Self Defense & Fitness, the Clackamas County Sheriff’s Office, and Canby Police Dept. will sponsor it.

Each of the sponsoring law enforcement agencies will provide defensive tactics instructors trained in playing the role of attacker and the use of specially designed padded assailant suits. The seminar participants will be able to practice the self defense techniques taught in a realistic manner, utilizing full force strikes and kicks against the padded assailants.

Although participants do not need any previous self defense or martial arts training to participate, the seminars will be very physical, and participants should be at least moderately fit to get the most out of the seminar. However, women who are pregnant, for example, or injured, or in some other way limited in the ability to physically exert themselves are welcome to attend and sit out during any of the physical exercises and fights vs. padded assailants if they deem them too strenuous to perform safely. Even though a person may not be able to fully participate, they will benefit greatly by attending and participating at whatever level they are able to. Please view video highlights of last year's seminars at http://kravmagaport land.com/ RapePreventionSe minarVideo. html to get a better idea of what the seminars are like.

The cost will be $40. The proceeds of the event will be donated to Clackamas Women’s Services (http://www.cwsor. org). Since 1985, Clackamas Women's Services has been the only non-profit organization in Clackamas County dedicated to ending domestic and sexual violence against women and children. CWS has safely harbored over 7,000 women & children within their two shelters.

Participants may register and pay online using secure Google checkout at http://kravmagaport land.com/ RapePreventionSi gnUp.html.

Krav Maga (pronounced krahv muh-GAH) is the official self-defense system for the men and women of the Israeli Defense Forces, and is required training for scores of law enforcement agencies in the United States, including the Clackamas County Sheriff’s Office and Canby Police Dept.

Krav Maga is recognized as the most efficient self defense system for real-life situations, emphasizing practical defenses against real attacks. Thousands of civilians nationwide, and many celebrities on the screens in Hollywood now embrace the system.

According to the U.S. Department of Justice, more than 2.5 million women experience violence annually. Statistics also show that every 90 seconds a woman is raped in America.

The greater Portland area needs community involvement and support. We must recognize that rape is a crime of violence, and its occurrence is never the fault of the victim. Everyone must work together to raise awareness and promote strong, alert, confident and healthy attitudes and defensive skills to end America ’s sexual assault epidemic. Krav Maga Self Defense & Fitness will make this training available to all women in the community who wish to possess the skills needed to prevent or survive a violent assault.

Ms. Renee Jenkins, a certified Krav Maga Worldwide Instructor and women’s self defense expert will be conducting this empowering course. Ms. Jenkins has trained hundreds of students in the Portland area. Every week, she teaches women and men how to protect themselves and stay safe using Krav Maga.

Learning self-defense is not just learning to kick and punch an attacker. Self-defense begins with an attitude of: “I will not be a victim!” Attackers choose their victims the way predators choose their prey. Predators always go after the weak, isolated, young or old because they are an easy target. If you appear strong, alert and healthy, you have a much better chance of avoiding an attack. Krav Maga instructor Renee Jenkins empowers women with the self-confidence and skills required to AVOID BECOMING A VICTIM.

Participants may register and pay online using secure Google checkout at http://kravmagaport land.com/ RapePreventionSi gnUp.html.

Please help spread the word about our seminars. Invite everyone you know who may be interested. You can download a seminar flyer at http://kravmagaport land.com/ RapePreventionSe minars2010. pdf. Please print and post it wherever you can and email it to friends. We also have high quality color printed flyers available at our school at 5484 SE International Way in Milwaukie . Please feel free to take some anytime during class hours and post them wherever you can.

Portland ranks a lowly No. 40 for young professionals

2010-04-02T16:11:00.001-07:00

This article does not have an international angle, but thought it was interesting to share about being a young professional and living and working in PDX.

http://portland.bizjournals.com/portland/stories/2010/03/22/story10.html?b=1269230400%5E3058001&s=industry&i=economic_snapshot

International Gay Rights (YP Discussion Group)

2010-03-28T21:55:00.001-07:00

International Gay Rights (YP Discussion Group)

The World Affairs Council, Young Professionals invite you to our biweekly discussion group:

Wednesday, 31 March 2010 | 7:00 p.m.

Madison's Grill, 1109 SE Madison St. (Map)
(Back to Regular Location)

Policies and protections for the LGBT community vary widely by country and within regions. Recently, headlines out of Malawi and Uganda have been shocking, but have been countered by increased openness and acceptance in China and Mexico. Neighboring countries sometimes have radically different policies toward LGBTs, and
there seems to be little correlation between religion or level of development. In some places,the position of LGBTs are codified while other places leave it informal.

What are the factors that contribute to acceptanceor rejection of the LGBT community? Is this a
case of having a minority group that can be designated an internal enemy to consolidate political support? Is greater acceptance inevitable? What role can the US play, considering the controversy the issue causes
domestically?

Podcast on the history of the Palestinian-Israeli conflict

2010-03-23T20:38:00.001-07:00

Here is a link to a very good podcast recorded at the Washington College at American University last month discussing the historical underpinnings of the Palestinian-Israeli conflict. Generally speaking, the Washington College of Law has some pretty amazing podcasts dealing with issues of international public and human rights law. You can subscribe to it through iTunes.

http://www.wcl.american.edu/podcast/podcast.cfm?uri=http://www.wcl.american.edu/podcast/audio/20100223_WCL_WHM.mp3&email

Democratic Republic of Congo event

2010-03-19T11:18:00.001-07:00

A great opportunity to learn about this part of Africa from somewhere else besides the US press!

Understanding Our World:
The War in the RDC

Rosie Musauet and Leontine Mwanga grew up in the République Démocratique du Congo, which is the 4th most populous country in Africa and the most populous country in the world where French is spoken. Rosie was a hospital administrator and RDC Leontine was a parliamentary member in an earlier administration in that country. Leontine is currently the president of the group, les Femmes Congolaises in Portland. The two women will present on Friday, April 2, 5:00-6:15 p.m. at the Alliance Française, on the history of their country and the ravages of 13 years of war. This presentation will be in French and is free; reservations are required so that we know how many people to expect.

Contact the Alliance Francaise to reserve a seat:
Alliance Française de Portland 503.223.8388 | 1425 SW 20th Ave., Suite 102 |
Portland | OR | 97201

Open Discussion (YP Discussion Group)

2010-03-15T15:07:00.000-07:00

Open Discussion (YP Discussion Group)

The World Affairs Council, Young Professionals invite you to our biweekly discussion group:

Wednesday, 17 March 2010 | 7:00 p.m.

Lucky Labrador Brew Pub
915 SE Hawthorne Blvd. (Map)
(ONE WEEK LOCATION CHANGE)

In honor of St. Patrick's Day, this group meeting will be a spirited discussion over drinks. Come with any topic that interests you for a night of casual conversation. Bonus points for topics that incorporate Ireland or issues affecting the international Irish diaspora.

*Please note the temporary venue change. On March 31st, we will return to our regular semi-structured meeting format at Madison's Grill.

China's No. 1 Heartthrob Blogger and Government Critic

2010-03-15T13:26:00.001-07:00

Be sure to check out The New York Times' excellent Saturday profile of Asian cultural icon Han Han.

Tibet Awareness Day in Portland

2010-03-10T10:30:00.001-08:00

Despite a week of opposition from the Chinese Consulate in San Francisco and local China-related interests, today is Tibet Awareness Day in Portland.

City Commissioner Randy Leonard is the person most responsible for making it happen.

Check out a schedule of events here, including a Tibetan Film Festival this weekend at Bagdad Theater.

China's Trajectory (YP Discussion Group)

2010-02-28T19:06:00.000-08:00

China's Trajectory (YP Discussion Group)

The World Affairs Council, Young Professionals invite you to our biweekly discussion group:

Wednesday, 3 March 2010 | 7:00 p.m.

Madison's Grill, 1109 SE Madison St. (Map)
(NEW LOCATION)

Every American President since Nixon has claimed that the opening of the Chinese economy will eventually lead to democratic reforms. It is clear that the Chinese leadership is primarily concerned with prolonging their own rule, and thus far, has been able to use the economic growth to justify their position. As China's power and influence grows, will the leadership be able to create a new market system with fewer civil liberties, or are they merely delaying the inevitable demands for democratic reform?

INTERNATIONAL WOMEN'S DAY

2010-02-23T10:41:00.000-08:00

JOIN GLOBAL SISTERGOODS IN A CONVERSATION WITH IRENE TINKER

Celebrate International Women's Day this year with one of the foremost leaders in Women in Development research, Irene Tinker (www.irenetinker.com)

Global Sistergoods will be hosting a happy hour with a full Mediterranean buffet, networking and lecture at
The James John Cafe,
8527 N Lombard St
Portland, OR 97203
(503) 285-4930

Saturday, March 6
4pm-6:30 pm

Drinks, networking and food 4-5, lecture 5-6

Cost: $20 includes full Mediterranean buffet, wine and a door prize ticket.

Please RSVP to info@globalsistergoods.com or 503-285-6780

Come see a PIFF movie with us this Sunday!

2010-02-18T16:07:00.001-08:00

Young Professionals have a bloc of tickets for the Sunday afternoon showing of acclaimed French director Catherine Breillat's Bluebeard. Join us at Broadway Cinemas for this stylized retelling of the classic, gothic fairy tale and then step across the street for a post-film happy hour at the Heathman.

In this retelling of the tale of the wife-killing Bluebeard, Breillat reminds us all that the best fairytales are dark around the edges. The film intercuts between the stories of two pairs of sisters. The first is set in the 1950s and features a young girl who loves torturing her older sister with dramatic readings of the story of Bluebeard. In the second, set during the Renaissance, a young girl becomes engaged to Lord Bluebeard, despite the suspicious disappearances of his previous wives.

Sunday, February 21st. Please arrive by 2:30 for the 3:00 show

Regal Broadway Cinemas 1000 SW Broadway at Main St.
We will be waiting at the door from 2:30 to 2:50 with a bloc of tickets: $9 each

Country Driving

2010-02-16T22:26:00.000-08:00

Peter Hessler's new book, Country Driving: A Journey Through China from Farm to Factory, came out this week. When I moved to China in 2006, I brought his first book River Town with me. To this day, I think that River Town captures the feeling of life in modern China better than anything I have come across. His follow-up work Oracle Bones is also essential reading for Sinophiles. Hessler is currently the Beijing correspondent for The New Yorker and guest edited a special National Geographic devoted to China in 2009. No one writing in English today comes close to Hessler's insight and knack for finding interesting and informative stories.

La Blogotheque

2010-02-16T22:17:00.000-08:00

The French website La Blogotheque has an ongoing series called "Les Concerts a Emporter" that shows cool bands from all over the world performing in intimate settings. The basic premise involves one of the sites videographers (armed with a digital camera) meeting the band, and finding a place to perform. Featured bands have included Efterklang, The Arcade Fire, Phoenix, Josh Rouse, Malajube, and many more. The site also features a handy "English Translation" for those who do not parle francaise.

YP Trivia 2/17

2010-02-16T21:11:00.000-08:00

Do you know the inspiration for Shakespeare's Sonnets? Mother Teresa's birthplace? The significance of the Peace of Westphalia?

Bring your friends or come alone (we will place you on a team). Trivia Night is a fun opportunity to acquaint and socialize with fellow Portlanders who share your zest for all things international!

RSVP by donating a minimum of $5.00 to Mercy Corps through the Young Professionals- Mercy Corps fundraising page. Trees Restaurant will generously donate 5% of bar sales from Trivia Night to Mercy Corps for Haiti earthquake relief efforts.

Wednesday, February 17th 6:30pm | Trees Restaurant, 1211 SW 5th

Spielberg's Munich in real life

2010-02-16T12:38:00.001-08:00

Fascinating case of an international assassination is unraveling in Dubai. A group of 11 individuals holding European passports engaged in a clandestine operation in Dubai and killed Mahmoud al-Mabhouh, a senior member of Hamas. For anyone who watched Steven Spielberg's Munich featuring Eric Bana, this may be reminiscent of the movie (based on true story) where Israel sent out Mossad operatives around the world to assassinate various leaders of PLO and Hamas to avenge the killing of Israeli athletes during the Munich Olympics in 1972.

In this case, Israel "has not commented officially on Mabhouh's death, in line with a long-standing policy neither to confirm nor deny responsibility for attacks on targets abroad." Besides Mossad, who else would be a suspect in this attack?

For the FT article on the case, follow the link: http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/d8be100e-1a9a-11df-bef7-00144feab49a.html?nclick_check=1

Chinese New Year: Year of the Tiger is February 14.

2010-02-12T07:55:00.001-08:00

The first day of the new moon is the Chinese New Year celebrated throughout Asia. Each year is represented by one of 12 animals. This year is the Year of the Tiger, as were 1950, 1962, 1974, 1986, and 1998. People born in the Year of the Tiger are unpredictable and emotional, caring, thoughtful, fascinating, commanding, and exasperating. Tigers have a lot to say on righting society's wrongs, and fiercely defend friends and families from all enemies.

"Reluctant German leaders now find themselves forced to help Greece"

2010-02-11T08:35:00.001-08:00

"As the largest European economy with the most fiscal flexibility, Germany is crucial to any euro zone effort to save Greece."

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/02/11/world/europe/11germany.html?th&emc=th

Celebrate Vancouver Olympics this Friday

2010-02-10T08:26:00.001-08:00

On Friday, February 12, 2010, the Oregon Sports Authority is hosting a viewing of the 2010 Vancouver Olympic Games Opening Ceremony at Portland’s Pioneer Square. The spirit of the Olympics will extend from one Northwest city to another as the square is transformed into the ultimate living room setting for winter sports enthusiasts, complete with two giant LCD screens, interviews with Oregon Olympians, live music, warm drinks and a hockey goal-scoring challenge.

Local Olympic programming on KGW NewsChannel 8 will begin at 5:00 p.m. on the big screens at Pioneer Square, followed by a live event program from 7:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m., featuring introductions of Oregon Olympians and Paralympians, and several exciting prize giveaways. Governor Kulongoski is scheduled to attend.

NBC’s broadcast of the Vancouver 2010 Opening Ceremony will begin at approximately 9:00 p.m.

YP Trivia Night: February 17 to benefit Mercy Corps

2010-02-02T14:55:00.001-08:00

Special Haiti Benefit Trivia Night!

Are you an expert on the topics of peace, love, and humanitarianism? Do you know the inspiration for Shakespeare's Sonnets? Mother Teresa's birthplace? The significance of the Peace of Westphalia? If so, join us for a special Humanitarian Trivia Night to benefit the people of Haiti.

Bring your friends or come alone (we will place you on a team). Trivia Night is a fun opportunity to acquaint and socialize with fellow Portlanders who share your zest for all things international!

RSVP with the Young Professionals by donating a minimum of $5.00 to Mercy Corps through the Young Professionals- Mercy Corps fundraising page. Trees Restaurant will generously donate 5% of bar sales from Trivia Night to Mercy Corps for Haiti earthquake relief efforts.

To register YOU MUST enter your name and the name of your guests (separated by comma) in the comments box upon donating. Spaces are limited, so RSVP and donate now!

Wednesday, February 17th 6:30pm | Trees Restaurant, 1211 SW 5th

2010-01-31T11:18:00.001-08:00

Kronos Quartet

Monday, 1 February 2010 7:30 p.m

Kaul Auditorium (Reed College), Portland

The most distinguished new-music ensemble of our times, Kronos engages audiences world-wide, blazing new paths in contemporary music, world music, and multi-media presentations.

For more than 30 years, the Kronos Quartet - David Harrington, John Sherba (violins), Hank Dutt (viola) and Jeffrey Zeigler (cello) - has pursued a singular artistic vision, combining a spirit of fearless exploration with a commitment to expanding the range and context of the string quartet. In the process, Kronos has become one of the most celebrated and influential groups of our time, performing thousands of concerts worldwide, releasing more than 40 recordings of extraordinary breadth and creativity, collaborating with many of the world's most eclectic composers and performers, and commissioning hundreds of works and arrangements for string quartet. Kronos' work has also garnered numerous awards, including a Grammy for Best Chamber Music Performance (2004) and "Musicians of the Year" (2003) from Musical America.

For more information about Friends of Chamber Music, and to listen to music samples from the Kronos Quartet: www.focm.org

Friends of Chamber Music has generously offered a special discount for World Affairs Council members and partners.

To purchase tickets: http://www.ticketmaster.com/event/0F0042B5DE9B688A?artistid=739453&majorcatid=10001&minorcatid=4

Please enter kronos in the 'promotions and special offers' box. For any questions, please call Friends of Chamber Music at 503.224.9842

2010-01-31T11:11:00.000-08:00

Nuclear Iran (YP Discussion Group)

The World Affairs Council, Young Professionals invite you to our biweekly discussion group:

Wednesday, 3 February 2010 | 7:00 p.m.

Madison's Grill, 1109 SE Madison St. (Map)
(NEW LOCATION)

Iran continues to assert its right to pursue a domestic nuclear program. While Israel has kept alive the threat of a military strike against nuclear facilities, it seems unlikely that they have the ability to cause major setbacks to the program. With China and Russia avoiding harsh sanctions, and the US struggles in Iraq and Afghanistan, does the world community have the ability to force Iran to end the program? If Iran does create nuclear weapons, what are the consequences? Does the US have an obligation to stop Iran at all costs?

Short Term Volunteers Needed!

2010-01-25T13:05:00.000-08:00

The Portland organization, Ushahidi, is receiving massive quantities of raw data in the form of text messages. We have an SMS short code (a short number to which people can send texts, analogous to 911 or 411 on telephones), which has been distributed via radio, cell phone service providers, and other media sources across Haiti. Haitians can send texts to this short code if they are hurt, in danger, need food or water, or for any other request for help. Once Ushahidi receives an SMS, we have a dedicated team of volunteers who use Google Earth and other mapping programs to pinpoint their exact location so that emergency responders and humanitarian workers can reach them. As you can imagine, many Haitians are taking advantage of this lifeline, and we are attempting to process thousands of text messages a day. We have an urgent need for people who can help us pinpoint locations.

As I said in my earlier email, I can train all volunteers, and we have an extensive support network set up to connect them to the rest of Ushahidi. This is what I'm looking for: 10-15 people who are tech-friendly (none of the programs we are using are complicated, but there are several of them) and willing to devote a couple of hours in the evening a couple of times a week. If you are still maintaining the Young Professionals network, I think this might be a project some of them would find interesting and rewarding. In addition, they will be working on the very cutting edge of humanitarian response to disasters, using a system no one has ever been able to apply successfully before this.

If you are willing to pass this on to the Young Professionals, or to Council volunteers who you think might be interested, I would be incredibly grateful. Please do not hesitate to contact me if you have any questions at all. Thank you!

Beka Feathers
Please email jon@worldoregon.org if you are interested

Obama's First Year (YP Discussion Group)

2010-01-17T19:26:00.000-08:00

Obama's First Year (YP Discussion Group)

The World Affairs Council, Young Professionals invite you to our biweekly discussion group:

Wednesday, 20 January 2010 | 7:00 p.m.

Madison's Grill, 1109 SE Madison St. (Map)
(NEW LOCATION)

This week marks the first anniversary of President Obama's inauguration. During the campaign, much was made of his promise to break from the foreign policy objectives of President Bush. How meaningful has the change been? Has President Obama followed up on the promises made by Candidate Obama? Is there a clear, coherent Obama Doctrine? Based on the last 12 months, what do we expect for the next three years? Start the discussion on our blog.

Stay Informed: The Official YP Blog
Facebook: Become our Friend!

Submit your discussion topic ideas for future meetings.

Please Donate to Haiti Relief Effort

2010-01-13T10:06:00.001-08:00

Please consider donating to one of the many organizations leading the relief effort in Haiti. If you'd like to help but don't know where to start, consider giving to the Mangrove Fund. The Mangrove Fund, a local non-profit, was established in 2007 in order to help existing organizations and people who provide sustainable assistance and support to impoverished Haitian communities. Visit www.mangrovefund.org for more details.

Below is a call-to-action from Bill Pierznik, Mangrove's co-founder and president:

"EMERGENCY CALL FOR HELP! The 7.0 earthquake is only the most recent of a string of calamities to strike Haiti. However it is by far the most devastating. We at Mangrove will provide our full support to the rescue efforts currently being launched. We will be funding several organizations who will be directly involved on the ground, including Vwa Ayiti. 100% of the monies we receive during this campaign will be sent directly to organizations leading the relief effort. All donations are tax deductible and we audit every dollar we send to other organizations. This is the worst catastrophe in Haiti's history. More than 3 million people will be affected. PLEASE HELP US BY DONATING NOW! Every little bit helps."

Japanese American New Year celebration on 1/31 - $12 adults

2010-01-07T10:33:00.001-08:00

Mochitsuki will welcome the Year of the Tiger with the 14th annual Japanese American New Year celebration in a new location in downtown Portland. Located at SW 15th and Morrison along the MAX line, the Scottish Rite Center features a beautiful theater and ballroom in a historic Portland building. At 1:30 PM, there will be a single Mochitsuki Stage Show in the theater. There will be storytelling by favorite Robert Kikuchi-Yngojo and Japanese dance by the Sahomi Tachibana Dancers and Fujinami-kai. Celebrate with the taiko drums of Portland Taiko, Tanuki Taiko and Takohachi Taiko, along with lively mochi pounding by Utsuki-kai to welcome the new year with a traditional gathering of the community.

Tickets for the 1:30 PM Mochitsuki Stage Show are $12 for adults, $9 for students and seniors (62 and older), and $5 for children (under 12). Children under 2 are free.

Doors open from noon to 4 PM for the Cultural Fair throughout the rest of the Scottish Rite Center. Dozens of community organizations will provide hands-on activities and displays in the Cultural Fair, and community performers will enliven the Community Stage. There will be an opportunity to try pounding mochi with a wooden mallet and to sample the sticky rice cakes made in contemporary mochi machines. Gathering with friends and family to make and eat mochi is an auspicious start to the year.

Tickets to the stage show include admission to the Cultural Fair. Otherwise, the suggested donation is $4 for individuals, $2 for children or $10 per family to participate in the Cultural Fair.

Tickets are available online through Box Office Tickets at http://pdxtix.net/mochitsuki or at their walk-up location at the Hollywood Theater at 4122 SE Sandy Blvd from 1 PM to 9 PM. Tickets are also available at the Oregon Nikkei Legacy Center, 121 NW Second Avenue in Old Town, (503) 224-1458.

Please contact us at info@mochitsuki.org for detailed information about wheelchair access to the event or any other questions.

Mochitsuki 2010 is sponsored by Japanese American Citizens League Portland Chapter, Konko Church of Portland, Oregon Nikkei Endowment and Portland Taiko. We are generously supported by the Japanese Ancestral Society and the Consulate General of Japan in Portland.

2010-01-05T22:43:00.000-08:00

International Speaker Series (YP Discussion Group)

The World Affairs Council, Young Professionals invite you to our biweekly discussion group:

Wednesday, 6 January 2010 | 7:00 p.m.

Laurelwood NW Public House, NW Kearney & 23rd (MAP)
(Upstairs in the back room.)

The World Affairs Council has announced the speakers for the International Speaker Series for 2010. It's an exciting line up. Two political heavy weights (Howard Dean and Karl Rove), a Nobel-Prize winning economist (Joseph Stiglitz), the former president of perhaps the most important country at the front lines of the war on terrorism (Pervez Musharraf), and an expert on global environmental issues (Dr. Jane Lubchenco). Which of these speakers interests you the most? What questions would you like to ask them when they come to Portland? What do you expect them to say?

Stay Informed: The Official YP Blog
Facebook: Become our Friend!

Submit your discussion topic ideas for future meetings.

YP Event: NGOs and Civic Activism

2010-01-05T12:26:00.001-08:00

Join fellow Young Professionals for drinks with civic activists from 25 countries!

This January we are thrilled to welcome 25 international activists here to share and learn about organizations championing social and political issues. This is an extraordinary opportunity to share your thoughts and experiences with directors of NGO's, heads of institutions, managers and leaders serving communities across four continents. Visit our website to read more about the visitors and register to attend. http://worldoregon.org/events/registration/yp_civic_activists.html

Light appetizers and a no-host bar will be provided.

Date and Time: Tuesday, January 19th, 2010, 6:00–8:00 p.m.

Location:

Al-Amir Restaurant,
223 Southwest Stark Street,
Portland, OR 97204

Cost:

$7 WAC members
$10 Non-members

Free admission 1/2-11 PDX Classical Chinese Garden

2009-12-31T11:06:00.001-08:00

The Portland Classical Chinese Garden will be celebrating the tenth anniversary of its opening throughout the coming year. NW Natural will sponsor the Anniversary Year, and they will kick things off by hosting the general community to free admission into the Garden for ten days, January 2 -January 11. Please look for updated information about these at: www.portlandchinesegarden.org

World Affairs Council of Oregon - YP Blog

New Blog on the New Website

Elections of Thailand

Flight for Freedom

Geopolitics of Food (YP DIscussion Group)

Turkish Democracy (YP Discussion Group)

International Job in the Mayor's Office

International Bond Markets (YP Discussion Group)

Obama and the Arab Spring (YP Discussion Group)

Bin Laden's Legacy (YP Discussion Group)

Brian Michael Till Conversations with Power

Guantanamo (YP Discussion Group)

Shanghai Tunnel Ethnic History Tour

Multilateralism and Foreign Intervention (YP Discussion Group)

Peace Corps: 50 Years of Service and Bringing the World Home

The Future of Nuclear Power (YP Discussion Group)

New Railvolutionaries Tram Tour

No Discussion Group This Week- Trivia Instead! (YP Discussion Group)

International Trivia Night

Rebuilding Haiti (YP Discussion Group)

Soil Not Oil: Climate Change, Peak Oil, and Food Justice

Vandana Shiva

Environmental Activist

Borderless: Migration, Globalization, and Changing Communities

Egypt: What Comes Next? (YP Discussion Group)

Peter Hessler at Powells

Uprising in Egypt (YP Discussion Group_

The Ethics of Traveling to Poor Countries (YP Discussion Group)

Kashmir (YP Discussion Group)

Stories of the Year (YP Discussion Group)

Wikileaks Revisited (YP Discussion Group)

No Discussion Group This Week (YP Discussion Group)

US, India, and China (YP Discussion Group)

Currency Disputes (YP Discussion Group)

Former IMF Official on Economic Crisis

Open Discussion (YP Discussion Group)

Fesitval Japan this weekend

polish festival free this weekend

Music Under the Autumn Moon - Sept. 25, 2010 8pm-10:30pm FREE

Water World (YP Discussion Group)

International Corporations (YP Discussion Group)

India Festival 8/15-11am - 9pm at Pioneer Courthouse Free

Cambodian Refugees: The View from Portland

WikiLeaks (YP Discussion Group)

Open Discussion (YP Discussion Group)

10 HOSTS STILL NEEDED JULY 15 – AUGUST 3 FOR UKRAINIAN VISITORS!

World Bank Young Professionals program: deadline to apply 06/30

Turmoil in Zimbabwe (YP Discussion Group)

An Evening with Zimbabwe Artists Project

Thursday, June 10, 20106:00-8:00pm - discussion at 6:45pm

PDX International Vision: an evening with the Director of the Office of International Relations for the City of Portland

The Greek Economy and European Sovereignty (YP Discussion Group)

UN Wire Job Board site

Doing Business in China; A Role for Oregon Companies

Building Social Business

Muhammad YunusFounder, the Grameen Bank

How a changing media landscape is shifting our view of the world

Michael MosettigSenior Producer, The PBS Newshour

Building Haiti Back Better

Robert Maguire, PhD

Trinity University, Washington D.C. and US Institute of Peace

Chinese Development (YP Discussion Group)

Doing Business in China: A Role for Oregon Companies

Portland's Cheers to Belgian Beers

Dining Out for Life--Dine Out. Fight AIDS on 4/29

UK Election (YP Discussion Group)

Be Green While Traveling

Interested in other cultures? Have a spare bedroom? Become a World Affairs Council International Visitor Host!

Brown Bag Lunch Briefing on International Trade and the Environment 4/14 Noon

Earth Day activities in PDX on 4/17

Tears of Joy Theater - Malika, Queen of the Cats - openining night this Friday

Israeli Krav Maga Women's Self Defense Seminar April 17

Portland ranks a lowly No. 40 for young professionals

International Gay Rights (YP Discussion Group)

Podcast on the history of the Palestinian-Israeli conflict

Democratic Republic of Congo event

Open Discussion (YP Discussion Group)

China's No. 1 Heartthrob Blogger and Government Critic

Tibet Awareness Day in Portland

China's Trajectory (YP Discussion Group)

Thursday, June 10, 2010

6:00-8:00pm - discussion at 6:45pm

Muhammad Yunus
Founder, the Grameen Bank

Michael Mosettig
Senior Producer, The PBS Newshour