Water World (YP Discussion Group)

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)

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

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

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)

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?