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WorldBoston

WorldBoston was founded in 1961 as the Boston Center for International Visitors, a nonprofit organization with a mission to connect hundreds of emerging leaders from around the globe each year with their counterparts in Greater Boston's business, government, academic, cultural and scientific communities. In 2002, the organization merged with the World Affairs Council of Boston, a nonpartisan forum founded in 1949 to engage the public in discussions about critical international issues. WorldBoston today is an active independent member of both the National Council for International Visitors and the World Affairs Councils of America, and a dynamic and respected community leader in Boston.s global network. With its expertise in fostering international exchanges and unique mix of educational programs, WorldBoston continues to build on its distinguished tradition of promoting dialogue among leaders, cross-cultural connections and public learning.

http://www.worldboston.org/

Great Decisions | War Crimes

Tue, Jun 6, 2023

Russia's invasion of Ukraine has resulted in widespread charges of war crimes and calls for justice. But what exactly are war crimes? Opinions of what constitutes a war crime have evolved, as have ways to identify and punish the perpetrators. How will the war crimes committed in Ukraine be dealt with? Join WorldBoston for a timely discussion of this topic with **Dr. Michael E. O’Hanlon, Senior Fellow and Director of Research in Foreign Policy at the Brookings Institution**. The program will feature expert remarks from Dr. O’Hanlon, live audience Q&A, and time for networking and discussion with other globally-oriented participants.

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Great Decisions | Latin America and the Active Non-Alignment Option

Wed, May 31, 2023

In recent years, Latin America has experienced a wave of changing political trends, both domestic and international. From a left-wing surge, as evidenced by recent elections, to the rise of the non-alignment stance, these developments will have a lasting impact on the region and the rest of the world. Join WorldBoston for a timely discussion of this topic featuring Ambassador Jorge Heine, Research Professor at the Pardee School of Global Studies at Boston University and Global Fellow at The Wilson Center. The program features expert remarks from Ambassador Heine and live audience Q&A.

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The State of the State Department & Baltic Security

Mon, Apr 3, 2023

With a total population of just over 6 million, the Baltic states of Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania nevertheless hold a key position on the border of Russia and the frontline of NATO and the EU. Challenges include not only potential expansion of conventional war beyond Ukraine, but also threats to shipping, commerce, cyber, and governance of states including significant Russian-speaking populations. At the same time, neighbors Finland and Sweden may join their strengths (and additional security needs) with NATO in the not-distant future. One year into the third massive conflict in Europe in just over a century, how do the Baltic states, and one of their main defense partners, the U.S., view the overall security of this vital region? Join us for WorldBoston’s annual State of the State Department special event, an opportunity to consider the U.S. State Department and American diplomacy within the context of U.S. national interests. This year’s program focuses on “The State of the State Department & Baltic Security.” For this discussion, WorldBoston hosts the ambassadors of the three Baltic states: Audra Plepytė, Ambassador of Lithuania to the United States and Mexico; Kristjan Prikk, Ambassador of Estonia to the United States; and Māris Selga, Ambassador of Latvia to the United States. The Ambassadors are joined in conversation by Ambassador Paula Dobriansky, Ph.D., Senior Fellow, Harvard University JFK Belfer Center for Science & International Affairs and former Under Secretary of State for Global Affairs.

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Great Decisions | Global Famine

Wed, Mar 22, 2023

Fears of global food shortages have followed Russia's invasion of Ukraine, which has disrupted grain shipments from the major grain producer. But what about countries and regions that were suffering before this impending shortage? How is famine defined, and how is it different from simple food shortages? What if any remedies are there? Join us to learn more about global famine and hunger when we host a virtual discussion with Kimberly Flowers, international development consultant and former Director of Global Food Security at the Center for Strategic and International Studies, and Alex de Waal, Executive Director of the World Peace Foundation.

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WorldBoston Great Decisions Series, Food and Wellness

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Great Decisions | Climate Migration

Thu, Apr 6, 2023

As climate change accelerates and drought and rising sea levels become more common, millions of people in affected regions must uproot themselves and seek safety elsewhere. Who are these affected individuals, and how might the United States aid them, and be affected by the migration? Join us for a timely discussion of this topic with Dr. Karen Jacobsen, Henry J. Leir Professor in Global Migration at The Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy at Tufts University. The program will feature expert remarks from Dr. Jacobsen, live audience Q&A, and time for networking and discussion with other globally-oriented participants. This program is free and open to the public, but advance registration is required.

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Great Decisions | China and the U.S.

Wed, Feb 15, 2023

For the past ten years, the United States and China have been locked in a competition for who has the greatest global influence. One major point of contention is the status of Taiwanese sovereignty, which has become even more relevant recently with the possibility that Russia’s invasion of Ukraine may prompt China to take similar action regarding Taiwan. How will the United States engage a China which is increasingly seeking to expand its sphere of influence? Join us for a timely discussion of this topic with David Lampton, Senior Research Fellow at the SAIS Foreign Policy Institute and Professor Emeritus at Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies.

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Great Decisions | Biden's Agenda

Thu, Jan 26, 2023

The Biden administration has inherited a challenging geopolitical landscape, with great power competition with China intensifying, multilateral cooperation weakening, and threats of climate change, pandemic diseases, nuclear weapons, and cyber warfare rising. How can the United States leverage its alliances with its North American neighbors to advance democratic leadership and the liberal international order? Join us to learn more about Biden’s agenda from the perspective of two of the U.S.’s strongest partners with Rodger Cuzner, Consul General of Canada in Boston, and Alberto Fierro Garza, Consul General of Mexico in Boston.

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Great Decisions | Climate Change

Wed, Dec 14, 2022

The ideological divide in the United States on the subject of climate change has impeded progress in curbing greenhouse emissions. But extreme weather events at both ends of the thermometer have focused attention on the consequences of inaction. What role will the United States play in future negotiations on climate? Join us for a discussion of this complex topic with Rachel Kyte, Dean of The Fletcher School at Tufts University. The program features expert remarks from Dean Kyte followed by live audience Q&A.

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Great Decisions | Myanmar and ASEAN

Wed, Nov 9, 2022

The situation in Myanmar, including the coup by the military in February 2021 and the ongoing human rights crises, coupled with civil resistance by those opposed to the regime, has led to chaos in the Southeast Asian country. How are neighboring countries reacting, and what role will ASEAN play? Join us for this installation of our Great Decisions series, when we host Tom Andrews, UN Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Myanmar. This event will take place virtually only.

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Great Decisions | Kevin Rudd on The Quad Alliance

Thu, Sep 29, 2022

As part of the U.S. pivot to Asia, the United States has been in dialogue with Japan, Australia, and India in an effort to contain China. This strengthening of ties, known as the Quad alliance, comes at a time when the relationship between the U.S. and China is becoming increasingly more fraught, particularly in light of recent events, such as joint naval exercises in the South Pacific by Quad countries, and House Speaker Nancy Pelosi's recent trip to Taiwan. Given these complex factors, how effective will the actions of the Quad alliance be in countering China? Join us for this installation of our Great Decisions series, when we host Kevin Rudd, President of the Asia Society and former Primer Minister of Australia.

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WorldBoston Great Decisions Series

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