School Events
 William Davis, Director of the UNDP Washington DC Representation office, visited Peters Township High School to discuss the future of the United Nations. |
Twenty area students will spend three to five weeks abroad this summer through the Council's Global Travel Scholarship Program, the largest group in program history.
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May 18, 2012
Around the World in One Day
An Interconnected Globe and Your Future:
Do You Know Where You’re Heading?
As part of the Pittsburgh Folk Festival, the Council is partnering with the World Cultures Consortium of Western Pennsylvania for a unique hands-on opportunity for students to experience the cultures of the world and to interact with a panel of local experts on international affairs.
May 23, 2012
A Video Conference Discussion for High School Students
The World’s Response to a Nuclear Iran
Does Iran have the right to move forward with its nuclear program? What will the world look like with a nuclear Iran? How should the international community respond? During the video conference, students will share their ideas and engage in a roundtable and discussion with the goal of coming to a consensus among the international community about Iran’s nuclear ambitions.
June 18, 2012
37th Annual Summer Seminar on World Affairs
June 18-22, 2012
The Summer Seminar on World Affairs is a one-week, intensive look at some of the major current international issues confronting the United States in its political, economic, and security relations with the rest of the world.
June 26, 2012
15th Annual Summer Institute for Teachers - Teaching Contemporary Global Issues
June 26-28, 2012
A three-day workshop combining presentations on contemporary world affairs, small group problem solving exercises, and lesson-planning sessions with direct application to your curriculum.
Council Blog
Check out the latest blog posts below or to see the complete blog, please click here.
Upcoming Programs
May 23, 2012
Political Salon
Trapped in a Paradigm of Enmity? The Obama Administration's Diplomacy with Iran
Dr. Trita Parsi
Founder and President of the National Iranian American Council and author of A Single Roll of the Dice: Obama’s Diplomacy with Iran
Throughout 2009 and 2010, governments in the United States and Iran were challenged to balance domestic concerns which hampered diplomatic efforts to address issues such as nuclear ambitions and Iran’s support of groups such as Hezbollah and Hamas. Join Dr. Trita Parsi for a timely discussion of the Obama administration's policy on Iran in 2012, and if diplomacy can get back on track.
May 30, 2012
Conversation and Luncheon
International Faceoff: Cross Cultural Understanding Through Sports
Evan Kaufmann
Forward, DEG Metro Stars, Düsseldorf (Germany)
Member of the German National Ice Hockey Team
For Evan Kaufmann, a Minnesota-born hockey player who currently plays for the Düsseldorf-based club DEG Metro Stars, playing professional ice hockey in Germany is more than fulfilling his career ambition as a professional athlete. Mr. Kaufmann’s experience in Germany transcends cultural differences and fosters understanding and dialogue. Can hockey — and sports in general — help build a bridge between cultures?
May 30, 2012
Panel Discussion and Reception
The Energy of Diversity
Richard Gabbianelli
Senior Vice President, Westinghouse
Sola Talabi
Product Risk Manager and Interface Manager, Westinghouse
Sylvie Tran
Development Manager, Shell Appalachia
Dr. Steven E. Sokol (Moderator)
President and CEO, World Affairs Council of Pittsburgh
As Pittsburgh emerges as an energy capital domestically and on the world stage, the city draws international professionals from around the globe as they acquire jobs in the region and make Pittsburgh their home. The region’s energy mix, focusing on both traditional and alternative energy sources, has also contributed to an influx of professionals of with diverse backgrounds moving to the area. What are the benefits of a more globalized energy market for the Pittsburgh area?
June 5, 2012
Political Salon
Overcoming Religious Extremism in India:
The Koraput Survivors Project
Lynn Johnson and Jen Saffron
As India continues to move forward into the 21st century at breakneck speed, Lynn Johnson and Jen Saffron shed light onto the struggles of a suffering community in Koraput, a group of Christians who have been victimized by Hindu extremists. Join us for a discussion about religious freedom, cooperation, and a will to overcome all obstacles.
June 12, 2012
Breakfast Briefing
Europe After the French Elections: Renegotiating Europe’s “Fiscal Pact”
Dr. Ulrike Guérot
Director of the Berlin Office and Senior Research Fellow
European Council on Foreign Relations
By unseating former French President Nicolas Sarkozy, François Hollande promises new policies and different approaches to the financial crisis affecting Europe. What does this mean for the United States and its fragile recovery from the worst economic recession in 80 years? How will U.S. leadership — in the process of its own election cycle — respond to this new balance of power in Europe?
News at the Council
Thank you for supporting the World Affairs Council of Pittsburgh!
This was a busy weekend for the World Affairs Council of Pittsburgh! On Saturday and Sunday, 45 people took to the streets to run, jog, or walk the Pittsburgh Marathon, Half Marathon, Relay, or 5K, as part of the Council’s team -- WorldRunners! Our team is supporting our programs which reach underserved students and schools. We are grateful to our volunteers and WorldRunners who made this an exhilarating weekend!
We are very close to reaching our ambitious goal of raising $15,000 in support of our educational programs in underserved schools. We have raised just over $14,000, and are still accepting donations and pledges. Visit www.firstgiving.com/worldpittsburgh to donate to individuals or directly to the Council. Please help us reach our goal!
Pittsburgh to Host 2012 One Young World Summit
Zurich – Organizers of the One Young World Summit, an international development forum for young leaders, announced that Pittsburgh was selected to host more than 2,000 global leaders expected during the October 18-22, 2012 Third Annual One Young World Summit. Pittsburgh was in the final competition with Johannesburg, South Africa.
The Pittsburgh delegation attended last year's closing ceremony of the Second One Young World Summit, when the announcement was made.
The One Young World Pittsburgh Partnership is a consortium of local companies, non-profits, and community organizations that worked together to bring One Young World to Pittsburgh. The founding partners include the Allegheny Conference on Community Development, Euro RSCG Worldwide PR, VisitPittsburgh, and the World Affairs Council of Pittsburgh..
President's Message
There are defining moments in everyone’s life
For me, one such moment was the fall of the Berlin Wall.
I was living, studying, and working in Berlin in 1989 when the Berlin Wall came down. In recent years, I have surprised some Americans when I have said that I was lucky to have gotten to know Berlin with the Wall – and certainly to have been there when the Wall came down. For a first-time visitor to Berlin today, it is very difficult to understand how the city could have been divided. It is almost impossible to imagine how the Brandenburg Gate and the Reichstag building could have been separated…
"America's success abroad is founded on the rock of an informed and involved public. …World Affairs Councils play an extraordinarily important role in connecting the American people to American foreign policy." - Former U.S. Secretary of State Colin Powell |
Click here to view webcasts from our 80th Anniversary Speaker Series.
Scholarships give students international experience
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Governor Corbett Highlights Collaboration in Battling Cybercrime
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Baldwin student gets chosen for Global Travel scholarship
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High School Students Think Globally and Compete Nationally in Upcoming WorldQuest
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Canadian envoy confident of bridge
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Groups work to bring world to Pittsburgh and vice versa
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International Women's Day shines light on human trafficking 'in our backyard'
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Panel to address women’s issues, international affairs
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Click here to read all the latest Council news.
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