YP DISCUSSION: THE AMERICAN PRESIDENCY PART III & DEBATE SCHEDULE

Dear Young Professionals,

Greetings from the World Affairs Council of Oregon!

Wednesday, September 24, 7:00pm - YP Discussion Group:
TOPIC: THE AMERICAN PRESIDENCY, PART III - What will the debates tell the world about America?

This topic is number three in an ongoing series of YP Discussion groups that focus on the global effects and repercussions of the 2008 American presidential campaigns & elections.

LOCATION: Laurelwood NW Public House, NW Kearney & NW 23rd (MAP), upstairs - back room.

RECOMMENDED READING:
WIKIPEDIA: Federal Government of the United States
WIKIPEDIA: United States Presidential Election 2008
GOOGLE NEWS: 2008 Presidential Election

PRESIDENTIAL DEBATES LIVE AT LIVING ROOM THEATERS - FREE!
Living Room Theaters will be showing all of the US Presidential and Vice-Presidential debates and the final Nov. 4th election results LIVE ON THE BIG SCREEN. The first debate will be moderated by PBS's Jim Lehrer at the University of Mississippi and will focus on foreign policy and national security issues. The dates are:

First presidential debate: Friday, September 26
First vice-presidential debate: Thursday, October 2
Second Presidential debate: Tuesday, October 7
Third Presidential debate: Wednesday, October 15
Election night: Tuesday, November 4

ADMISSION TO THE DEBATES IS FREE! Theater capacity is limited, so please reserve to guarantee a seat.
Call 971-222-2005 to RESERVE YOUR SEAT(s)

Living Room Theaters
341 SW 10th Avenue (corner of Stark St & 10th Ave)

We hope to see you at the discussion, and then at the debates!

All Regards,



Reno J. Tibke
Young Professionals Steering Committee
World Affairs Council of Oregon Board of Advisors

YP - PDX (OFFICIAL YP BLOG)
World Affairs Council of Oregon's Young Professionals
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YP DISCUSSION: PAKISTAN FOLLOWING THEIR RECENT ELECTIONS

Dear Young Professionals,

Greetings from the World Affairs Council of Oregon!

Wednesday, September 10, 7:00pm - YP Discussion Group:
TOPIC: THE FUTURE OF PAKISTAN FOLLOWING RECENT PRESIDENTIAL ELECTIONS

While the world is waiting with bated breath the November 2 presidential elections in the United States, Pakistan- an important US ally in the war of terror - has had a presidential election over the past weekend that largely went unnoticed.

Pervez Musharraf, Pakistan's military dictator since 1999 (and the only sitting head of state to appear on Jon Stewart's Daily Show), and U.S.'s supporter in anti-terrorism operations, resigned in August rather than face impeachment proceedings over charges of corruption.

The winner of this weekend's election is Asif Ali Zardari, the widower of Benazir Bhutto, who was assassinated earlier this year.
-Who is Zardari and will he give similar support to the United States as President Musharraf has?
-Will Zardari be a stable leader for the country with nuclear arsenal, considering that just last year, his doctors diagnosed him with dementia, depression, and post-traumatic stress disorder?
-Will he continue to allow military operations and missile strikes by the US forces on the territory of Pakistan?

LOCATION: Laurelwood NW Public House, NW Kearney & NW 23rd (MAP), upstairs - back room.

RECOMMENDED READING:
TIMES ONLINE: US Military Strike Inside Pakistan
AL-JAZEERA: Pakistan's New Leader, Asif Ali Zadari
THE GUARDIAN: Pakistani Politics
WIKIPEDIA: Pakistan
GOOGLE NEWS: Pakistan

We hope to see you at the Laurelwood!

All Regards,



Reno J. Tibke
Young Professionals Steering Committee
World Affairs Council of Oregon Board of Advisors

YP - PDX (OFFICIAL YP BLOG)
World Affairs Council of Oregon's Young Professionals
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Dear Young Professionals,

Greetings from the World Affairs Council of Oregon!

Wednesday, August 27, 7:00pm - YP Discussion Group:
TOPIC: NO DISCUSSION GROUP IS SCHEDULED FOR THIS WEDNESDAY!

While a group moderator will not attend the meeting tomorrow, feel free to go and get the discussion going on any topic you like.

If you're signed up for tonight's International Trivia event, we look forward to seeing you there! If you missed the sign-up deadline, we'll have another trivia event in the Fall - keep an eye on our website/blog for more details.

We hope to see you at an upcoming event!

All Regards,



Reno J. Tibke
Young Professionals Steering Committee
World Affairs Council of Oregon Board of Advisors

YP - PDX (OFFICIAL YP BLOG)
World Affairs Council of Oregon's Young Professionals
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YP DISCUSSION: WAR IN GEORGIA - IS RUSSIA RETAKING A FORMER SOVIET STATE?

Dear Young Professionals,

Greetings from the World Affairs Council of Oregon!

Wednesday, August 13, 7:00pm - YP Discussion Group:
TOPIC: WAR IN GEORGIA - Is Russia retaking a former Soviet State?

LOCATION: Laurelwood NW Public House, NW Kearney & NW 23rd (MAP), upstairs - back room.

RECOMMENDED READING:
WIKIPEDIA: Republic of Georgia
WIKIPEDIA: Russia/The Soviet Union
WIKIPEDIA: Peoples of the Caucasus
GOOGLE NEWS: Republic of Georgia

We hope to see you at an upcoming event!

All Regards,



Reno J. Tibke
Young Professionals Steering Committee
World Affairs Council of Oregon Board of Advisors

YP - PDX (OFFICIAL YP BLOG)
World Affairs Council of Oregon's Young Professionals
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YP DISCUSSION: IS RELIGION NECESSARY FOR MORAL, ETHICAL BEHAVIOR?

Dear Young Professionals,

Greetings from the World Affairs Council of Oregon!

Wednesday, July 30, 7:00pm - YP Discussion Group:
TOPIC: ON A GLOBAL SCALE, IS RELIGION NECESSARY FOR PROPAGATING MORAL AND ETHICAL BEHAVIOR? ARE RELIGIOUS TENSION & CONFLICT A SIGN OF ITS IRRELEVANCE? DOES RELIGION DO MORE HARM THAN GOOD IN OUR WORLD?

LOCATION: Laurelwood NW Public House, NW Kearney & NW 23rd (MAP), upstairs - back room.

RECOMMENDED READING:
WIKIPEDIA: Religion
WIKIPEDIA: Ethics
WIKIPEDIA: Morality
GOOGLE NEWS: Religious Conflict

We hope to see you at an upcoming event!

All Regards,



Reno J. Tibke
Young Professionals Steering Committee
World Affairs Council of Oregon Board of Advisors

YP - PDX (OFFICIAL YP BLOG)
World Affairs Council of Oregon's Young Professionals
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YP DISCUSSION: IS OUR CONCERN WITH GENOCIDE DISTRACTING US FROM BIGGER PROBLEMS?

Wednesday, July 16, 7:00pm - YP Discussion Group:
TOPIC: IS OUR CONCERN WITH GENOCIDE DISTRACTING US FROM BIGGER PROBLEMS?

LOCATION: Laurelwood NW Public House (MAP), upstairs - back room.
RECOMMENDED READING:
WIKIPEDIA: Genocide
WIKIPEDIA: Poverty
EDITORIAL PIECE: The G-8's Big Shrug

Upcoming Event:
The YPs Invite you to the Portland International Beer Fest!
Join the YP Steering Committee at this great local event - with excellent international flavor! YP Steering Committee member Rose Grech will represent the YPs at the event, and anyone interested is invited!

Date and Time: Sunday, July 20th 12:30 sharp!
Location: Near the elephant statue, North Park Blocks Downtown, on NW Couch & Burnside (MAP).
Cost: Beer drinkers pay $20 for 15 beer tickets and official PIB glass(if purchased before 1pm otherwise its $20 for 10 tickets), More tickets available for $1 each, All beers are 4oz. servings.

We hope to see you at an upcoming event!

All Regards,



Reno J. Tibke
Young Professionals Steering Committee
World Affairs Council of Oregon Board of Advisors

YP - PDX (OFFICIAL YP BLOG)
World Affairs Council of Oregon's Young Professionals
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YP DISCUSSION: GLOBAL IMPACT OF INCREASING HUMAN LONGEVITY

At an alarming and unprecedented rate, science & technology are elongating the chronological limits of human mortality. Are death from disease, aging, and war necessary to control human population? What if humans did not die? Will greatly-increased human lifespans necessitate birth licensing or mass-sterilization of populations? Is anti-aging science a problem, or a solution?

DISCUSSION DATE:
July 2, 2008 - 7:pm

LOCATION:
Laurelwood NW Public House (map), upstairs - back room.

RECOMMENDED READING:
WIKIPEDIA: Longevity
WEB RESOURCE: The Methuselah Foundation
GOOGLE NEWS: Longevity

YP DISCUSSION: INTERNATIONALLY-FOCUSSED CAREERS IN OREGON AND ABROAD

This week we’ll discuss job opportunities around the world, and local ones with global reach. We’re asking YPs to bring their knowledge to this meeting and share it with the group.
-Do you work at a local international NPO – tell us how you found the position!
-Global finance/distribution for a Fortune 500 – what’s it like? Any openings?
-Lived in Japan for three years teaching English – tell us about how we can do the same!

DISCUSSION DATE:
June 18, 2008 - 7:pm

LOCATION:
Laurelwood NW Public House (map), upstairs - back room.

YP DISCUSSION: THE LAST REMAINING NON-MODERN HUMANS

Who decides the morality of "no-contact" policies? What if uncontacted indigenous peoples are breaking modern laws? How, in this globalized world, can there be an estimated 100 tribes/groups of uncontacted peoples? Are we obligated to protect them and perpetuate their isolation, or to integrate them into modern human societies?

DISCUSSION DATE:
June 4, 2008 - 7:pm

LOCATION:
Laurelwood NW Public House (map), upstairs - back room.

RECOMMENDED READING:
WIKIPEDIA: Yanomamo
GOOGLE NEWS: Isolated Tribes

YP DISCUSSION: IS MYANMAR'S ISOLATIONISM CRIMINAL?

Does the government’s lack of disaster relief effort constitute a crime against humanity? Should the UN or a powerful nation use force to remove the military Junta? In our globalized world, should national isolation be tolerated?

DISCUSSION DATE:
May 21, 2008 - 7:pm

LOCATION:
Laurelwood NW Public House (map), upstairs - back room.

RECOMMENDED READING:
WIKIPEDIA: Myanmar
WIKIPEDIA: Globalization
WIKIPEDIA: Isolationism
GOOGLE NEWS: Myanmar

YP DISCUSSION: GLOBAL ENERGY CRISIS?

GASOLINE AT $5/GALLON - TIME TO BUY A BIKE?

DISCUSSION DATE:
May 7, 2008 - 7:pm

LOCATION:
Laurelwood NW Public House (map), upstairs - back room.

RECOMMENDED READING:
WIKIPEDIA: Gasoline
WIKIPEDIA: Global Energy Crisis
GOOGLE NEWS: Gas Prices

YP DISCUSSION: GLOBAL FOOD SHORTAGE - EVEN IN AMERICA?

DISCUSSION DATE:
April 23, 2008 - 7:pm

LOCATION:
Laurelwood NW Public House (map), upstairs - back room.

RECOMMENDED READING:
GOOGLE NEWS: Food Rationing

YP DISCUSSION: DESPUES DE FIDEL CASTRO

Is this the beginning of normalized Cuba/U.S. relations, or just the beginning of hotel vacations and DVD & cell phone sales for Cubans?

DISCUSSION DATE:
April 9, 2008 - 7:pm

LOCATION:
Laurelwood NW Public House (map), upstairs - back room.

RECOMMENDED READING:
WIKIPEDIA: Cuba
WIKIPEDIA: Fidel Castro & Raul Castro
WIKIPEDIA: Cuba/United States Relations
GOOGLE NEWS: Cuba

YP DISCUSSION: The American Presidency Part II

What is the effect of American Presidential Politics on the rest of the World? What do they think of our candidates? In a global context, who is best equipped to lead the United States?

This topic is number two in an ongoing series of YP Discussion groups that focus on the global effects and repercussions of the 2008 American presidential campaigns & elections.

DATE:
March 26, 2007 - 7:pm

LOCATION:
Laurelwood NW Public House (map), upstairs - back room.

RECOMMENDED READING:
WIKIPEDIA: Federal Government of the United States
WIKIPEDIA: 2008 Presidential Candidates
GOOGLE NEWS: 2008 Presidential Campaign

YP DISCUSSION: The 2008 Summer Olympics in China

Humanity's Oldest Continuous Culture and Pollution, Human Rights, and Sports!

YP DISCUSSION DATE:
March 12, 2008 - 7:pm

LOCATION:
Laurelwood NW Public House (map), upstairs - back room.

RECOMMENDED READING:
WIKIPEDIA: China
WIKIPEDIA: 2008 Summer Olympics
WIKIPEDIA: Human Rights
GOOGLE NEWS: 2008 Summer Olympics

YP DISCUSSION: Young Professionals Discuss Private Philanthropy in a Globalized World - a primer for the PSU lecture on Friday, February 29

CORRECTION! The topic for Wednesday evening was initially stated incorrectly. YPs are still free to address leftist politics in Latin America at the meeting if they choose!

The Young Professionals are covering topics congruent to the Great Decisions lectures being held at Portland State University.

The YPs will cover the topics on Wednesday evening, and on Friday afternoon you're invited to attend free, expert-level lectures at PSU.

Great Decisions is a nation-wide program of the Foreign Policy Association to broaden public involvement with the most important foreign policy topics facing the U.S. PSU is hosting lectures on each topic covered in the Great Decisions briefing booklets (schedule/details here).

YP DISCUSSION DATE:
February 27, 2008 - 7:pm

LOCATION:
Laurelwood NW Public House (map), upstairs - back room.

RECOMMENDED READING:
WIKIPEDIA: Mercy Corps
WIKIPEDIA: Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation
WIKIPEDIA: Philanthropy
GOOGLE NEWS: Philanthropy in the News

YP DISCUSSION: Young Professionals Discuss United States Defense & Security Policy, a primer for the PSU lecture on Friday, February 15.

For the next several discussion meetings the Young Professionals will cover topics congruent to the Great Decisions lectures being held at Portland State University.

The YPs will cover the topics on Wednesday evening, and on Friday afternoon you're invited to attend free, expert-level lectures at PSU.

Great Decisions is a nation-wide program of the Foreign Policy Association to broaden public involvement with the most important foreign policy topics facing the U.S. PSU is hosting lectures on each topic covered in the Great Decisions briefing booklets (schedule/details here).

YP DISCUSSION DATE:
February 13, 2008 - 7:pm

LOCATION:
Laurelwood NW Public House (map), upstairs - back room.

RECOMMENDED READING:
WIKIPEDIA: Foreign Policy Association
GOOGLE NEWS: United States Defense & Foreign Policy

YP DISCUSSION: American Economic Downturn Causing Global Financial Crisis

Is it time to trade oil in Euros?

DATE:
January 30, 2008 - 7:pm

LOCATION:
Laurelwood NW Public House (map), upstairs - back room.

RECOMMENDED READING:
WIKIPEDIA: Recession
YAHOO FINANCE: Wal-Mart Announces Economic Stimulus Plan
WIKIPEDIA: Capitalism
WIKIPEDIA: Global Economy

YP DISCUSSION: Privacy Lost & No Smoking in France

Is the French ban the result of internal or external pressure? Should any country legislate personal choice? Is this another example of eroding privacy in the Western world?

DATE:
January 16, 2008 - 7:pm

LOCATION:
Laurelwood NW Public House (map), upstairs - back room.

RECOMMENDED READING:
GOOGLE NEWS: Smoking in France
GOOGLE NEWS: Surveillance Cameras

YP DISCUSSION: Elections in Pakistan, Elections in the U.S.

DATE:
January 2, 2008 - 7:pm

LOCATION:
Laurelwood NW Public House (map), upstairs - back room.

RECOMMENDED READING:
WIKIPEDIA: Pakistan
WIKIPEDIA: U.S. Presidential Elections