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!

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

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. 

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.]

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)

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?

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

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)

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

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

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

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

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

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)

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

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

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

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)

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

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.