We know our neighborhoods, communities, towns, and counties well because we are a part of them. And of course, our own state and country have an impact on us.
But what about moving beyond our nation?
What is the importance of having a global perspective?
The Covid-19 pandemic is a prime example of how world events and global affairs are more significant than any one person, state, government, or country. That is why WACHH has a Global Speakers Program!
The Global Speakers Program is part of our Distinguished Speaker Series Program. Twice a year, once in the Fall and once in the Spring, WACHH brings a speaker from overseas. A vital benefit to listening to a global speaker is our members and guests get to hear what the world is thinking and feeling about global topics. Our speakers' different points of view help us understand how the world is more interconnected and complicated today.
This program was launched in 2016 when Robert and Lynn Burt, Council members, made a generous $100,000 gift to the Council that allowed us to create the Global Speakers Program and fund. The success of the program inspired them to challenge us in 2018 with an additional $50,000 match donation, which many members participated in. The Global Speakers Fund covers the expenses of the two international speakers each year.
Our goal is for people in the community to have a complete picture of the world, from a global point of view, not just the American version.
| 2024-2025 |
 | November 1, 2024: Jennifer Rasamimanana Executive Director, Tangier American Legation Institute for Moroccan Studies (TALIM)
Title: The U.S. and Morocco: 200 years of Peace and Friendship
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 | April 11, 2025: Kotaro Shiojiri
Japan Foundation Visiting Fellow, Wilson Center
Title: Political Challenges and Opportunities for the U.S., Japan, and Beyond |
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2023-2024
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November 10, 2023: Anna Wieslander
Director for Northern Europe at the Atlantic Council and Secretary General of the Swedish Defence Association
Title: Sweden and Finland’s accession to NATO and the impact on the Baltics, NATO, and U.S. policy
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January 19, 2024: Peter Ammon
Former German Ambassador to the United Kingdom, United States, and France
Title: A turning point in history: How Russia’s invasion of Ukraine is impacting Europe
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April 5, 2024: Richard Heydarian
Senior Lecturer at the University of the Philippines, Asian Center
Title: New Cold War: Philippines, Taiwan, and the Sino-American Struggle for Global Mastery
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2022-2023
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November 4, 2022: Sergei Medvedev
Professor, Moscow Free University, Affiliate Professor, Charles University, Prague & Fellow, Helsinki Collegium for Advanced Studies
Topic: The Return of the Russian Leviathan
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March 24, 2023: Richard McGregor
Senior Fellow for East Asia at the Lowy Institute, Sydney, Australia
Topic: The Meaning of AUKUS for China, Europe and the US
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2021-2022
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November 19, 2021: Anand Menon
Professor of European Politics and Foreign Affairs, Kings College London
Topic: UK in a Changing Europe
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March 18, 2022: Peter Sparding
Transatlantic Fellow, German Marshall Fund
Topic: Germany, the EU, and the U.S. after Chancellor Merkel
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2020-2021
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November 6, 2020: Maud Olofsson
Former Deputy Prime Minister of Sweden
Topic: Will the Nordic Model Survive?
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November 11, 2020: Richard MacGregor
Senior Fellow for East Asia at the Lowy Institute, Sydney, Australia
Topic: Australia and China: The West’s Tipping Point |
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2019-2020
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November 1, 2019: Monica Araya
Founder, Costa Rica Limpia
Topic: Costa Rica: A Small Country with Big Ideas |
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May 1, 2020: Jonatan Vseviov
Estonia's Ambassador to the United States
Topic: Transatlantic Security: A View from Estonia
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2018-2019
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November 2, 2018: Ambassador Pierre Vimont
Senior Fellow, Carnegie Europe
Topic: President Macron's France
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April 5, 2019: Ambassador Jerzy Pomianowski
Executive Director of European Endowment for Democracy
Topic: Supporting Democracy in Eastern Europe in a Time of Uncertainty
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