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

Young Professionals Holiday Social - This Friday in NW Portland!

Dear YPs,

The Young Professionals' Fourth Annual Holiday Social & Toy Drive!
The YP Steering Committee formally invites you to our year-ending holiday celebration!

This year’s holiday social will be held in NW Portland at a private venue called The Screening Room.
It is a proper 1930’s screening room, completely rebuilt with all new equipment!

When:
Friday, December 7th, 2007
Time:
8:pm – 11:pm
Location/Address:
925 NW 19th Ave ( MAP)
Atmosphere:
A casual social event intended to allow YPs to mingle and get to know each other. We'll provide music, visual entertainment, and a crowd of internationally-minded Portlanders!

Admission:
$10 Council Members/$15 Non-Members
Attendees are asked to bring an unwrapped gift for the “Hands on Portland” Toy Drive.
Refreshments:
Wine, Beer, and Appetizers Included
Reservations:
Required by December 7, 2007 (Limited to 60 people). Click here to Reserve online, or call the World Affairs Council at 503-274-7488.

We look forward to seeing you on Friday!

Sincerely,



The Young Professionals Steering Committee
YP - PDX( OFFICIAL YP BLOG)
Young Professionals on MYSPACE.COM!
World Affairs Council of Oregon’s Young Professionals
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YP DISCUSSION: DECLINE OF THE UNITED STATES DOLLAR

Is it a temporary slump or real indicator that American economic might is beginning to falter? YP economists encouraged to attend and explain!

DATE:
November 21, 2007 - 7:pm

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

RECOMMENDED READING:
GOOGLE NEWS: US Dollar

YP DISCUSSION: MARTIAL LAW IN PAKISTAN AND GROWING TENSION IN TURKISH/IRAQI KURDISTAN

One of America’s closest allies in the so-called war on terror has a new military dictator, and the other is threatening to end their logistical support of the war in Iraq. How did this happen, and what can we do now?

DATE:
November 7, 2007 - 7:pm

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

RECOMMENDED READING:
WIKIPEDIA: Pakistan
WIKIPEDIA: Turkey
GOOGLE NEWS: Kurdistan

YP DISCUSSION: LOCAL BALLOT ISSUES!

AMENDING THE OREGON CONSTITUTION TO TAX A CONSUMER PRODUCT & FUND A CITIZEN ENTITLEMENT, TO SUBDIVIDE OR NOT, AND FIREFIGHTING RETIREMENT: This week the internationally-minded YPs will bring the topic close to home and debate the upcoming local ballot issues!

DISCUSSION DATE:
October 24th, 2007 - 7:pm

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

YP DISCUSSION: INDEPENDENCE FOR SCOTLAND, OR OTHERS...

A pipe-dream, or real possibility? Can an established component of any modern nation-state have any hope of independence?

This discussion is intended to correspond to the "Scotland's Road to Independence" event to be held on Wednesday, October 10, with parliament member Brian Adam, at Portland State University. Click here for more details on this event.

DISCUSSION DATE:
October 10th, 2007 - 7:pm

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

RECOMMENDED READING:
WIKIPEDIA: Scotland
WIKIPEDIA: Scottish Independence
WIKIPEDIA: Great Britain
GOOGLE NEWS: Scottish Independence

YP DISCUSSION: PORTLAND’S UNSPOKEN CLASS-SYSTEM AND AN INTERNATIONAL OPPORTUNITY IGNORED

Do we largely ignore the rich cultures and fascinating histories of immigrant peoples who live and work beside us on daily basis – if so, why? Come share your opinion with the group!

DATE:
September 26th, 2007 - 7:pm

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

RECOMMENDED READING:
WIKIPEDIA: Social Class

YP EVENT: International Carbon Trading

RECOMMENDED VIDEO & AUDIO:
BBC.COM - Various Media: Carbon Trading
BBC.COM - Radio Program: Carbon Off-Setting Industry

The Young Professional’s are collaborating with PSU’s Master of International Management (MIM) program for “International Carbon Trading Challenges, Opportunities, and the Future,” an upcoming YP event (please visit the link for more information & registration).

We’re starting the conversation early to get people motivated and provide an opportunity for Portland YPs to get involved in this very promising effort to reduce greenhouse gas emissions!

RECOMMENDED READING:
WIKIPEDIA: Carbon Credit
WIKIPEDIA: Kyoto Protocol
GOOGLE NEWS: Carbon Credits

YP DISCUSSION: INTERNATIONAL CARBON TRADING

Oregon’s Growing Role in the Global Drive to Reduce Greenhouse Gases by Making it Profitable to do so!

The Young Professional’s are collaborating with PSU’s Master of International Management (MIM) program for “International Carbon Trading Challenges, Opportunities, and the Future,” an upcoming YP event. The event is six weeks away (October 30), but we’re starting the conversation early to get people motivated and provide an opportunity for Portland YPs to get involved in this very promising effort to reduce greenhouse gas emissions!

DATE:
September 12th, 2007 - 7:pm

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

RECOMMENDED READING:
WIKIPEDIA: Carbon Credit
WIKIPEDIA: Kyoto Protocol
GOOGLE NEWS: Carbon Credits

A Young Professional is Traveling the World for 12 Months!

Mr. Brad Pierce, a Young Professionals Steering Committee member since our group's inception, has done what so many of us would love to do: he’s taken a year-long sabbatical to travel the world and collect the stories of people he meets!

Brad left Portland a few months ago to begin his trip across the United States, and he intends to circumnavigate the planet without flying – using only ground transportation: trucks, buses, trains, and boats! A few weeks ago he boarded a container ship bound for Belgium! He's in Europe now, and actively chronicling his trip at "People in Passing," a blog he regularly updates with thoughtful, humorous, and at times moving descriptions of true humanity.

Brad’s writing has a sincere, intelligent humility that any travel writer would do well to emulate. The Young Professionals wish Brad safe yet exciting travels – keep writing, we’ll be reading!