GLOBAL EDUCATION

Malak, Omar, Ahmed, Dana, and their chaperone Karim arrived at Dulles International Airport after their long journey from Cairo. This is the fifth year that the World Affairs Council – Washington, DC has hosted a student team from Hayah International Academy in Cairo, Egypt, to compete in the National Academic WorldQuest Competition. The days leading up to the competition were packed with activities, studies, American cuisine, and meaningful conversations with WAC-DC interns and staff. Highlights from their week included: a baseball game at Nationals Park, breakfast with H.E. Mohamed Tawfik, the Ambassador of Egypt, a tour of the National Press Club with WAC-DC’s President Tony Culley-Foster, a Monuments tour, and an excursion to the National Zoo. Malak, Omar, Ahmed, Dana, and Karim particularly enjoyed their day with American high school students at School Without Walls. Noel, a senior from School Without Walls, gave the Egyptian students a tour of the school and its

facilities. The Hayah students sat in on an AP Humanities class and helped American students better understand the Egyptian education system by answering questions and engaging in conversations. During lunch, the students discussed with each other why they admired School Without Walls and compared and contrasted it to Hayah Academy. After a late night of studying, Malak, Omar, Ahmed, and Dana found their seats amongst the 43 other teams at the Georgetown University Conference Center. After some final words of encouragement, chaperone and mentor Karim took his seat in the audience. This year’s questions focused around topics such as Social Unrest, Human Trafficking, and the Millennium Development Goals. Following the competition, the Egyptian students took the stage for a Q&A session with the American studentes present. Our staff and interns truly enjoyed getting to know this group and look forward to hosting another gruop next year.

NEWSSPRING 2015 | VOLUME 9 | ISSUE I

Egyptian students participate in National Academic WorldQuest

ALSO IN THIS ISSUE

- Euro Challenge

- International Day at The British

School of Washington

- Turkey: Where East Meets W

est

On March 14th the World Affairs Council - Washington ,DC hosted ten teams from the Washington, DC area to compete in the annual Academic WorldQuest Regional Competition. The participating high school teams studied a variety of topics such as the future of energy and Asia and the new global economy to win the title that would qualify them to participate in the national Academic WorldQuest Competition.

For the fourth year in a row, WAC-DC partnered with the EU Delegation to host high school teams for the Regional Euro Challenge Competition. The competition tests students’ knowledge and understanding of the European economy and the euro. Each team is required to describe the current economic situation in the euro area, select one economic-related challenge confronting the area as a whole, and pick one of the 18 euro countries to illustrate that challenge, recommending a policy or policies for addressing the challenge identified in the country selected.

The teams participating represented Georgetown Day School, Urbana High School, and French International School – Lycee Rochambeau. Each team submitted videos of their presentations, which were reviewed by a panel of EU Delegation judges.

Congratulations to Urbana High School for winning the regional competition and advancing to the semi-finals on April 30th in New York City.

Teams from Benjamin Banneker High School, Georgetown Day School, School Without Walls, and Montgomery Blair High School gathered at KPMG building in Washington, D.C. The participants answered 100 question divided into ten categories. A team from School Without Walls won first prize and had the opportunity to represent WAC-DC at the 2015 National Academic WorldQuest Competition.

EURO CHALLENGE

Washington, DC Regional Academic WorldQuest

Ten teams competed in the Washington, DC regional Academic WorldQuest competition on March 14, 2015.

Congratulations to the teachers selected for the 2015 Turkey Study Tour!

Caitlin Kimak- Hayfield Secondary School

Debra Cave- Yorktown High School

John Allen- Academy of the Holy Cross

Julie Rukavina- Coolidge Senior High School

Lauren Vorisek- Wheaton High School

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TURKEY: WHERE EAST MEETS WESTPROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT WORKSHOP

On March 28th over thirty educators from the Washington metropolitan area joined WAC-DC for a professional development workshop on Turkey. The first speaker, Ambassador Robert Pearson, a non-resident scholar at the Middle East Institute, provided participants with a concise overview of modern Turkish history. He discussed the legacy of Mustafa Kemal Ataturk, the army officer that led Turkey to victory during the Turkish War of Independence. Ataturk became the country’s first president and is credited with founding the Republic of Turkey. Ambassador Pearson highlighted how Ataturk’s sociopolitical reforms played a crucial role in transforming Turkey into a modernized democracy. Ambassador Pearson shared insights about Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, founder of the Justice and Development Party (AKP) and Turkey’s current president. He spoke to both the positive and negative impacts of Erdoğan’s leadership. Ambassador Pearson concluded his presentation by answering participant questions about U.S.-Turkey relations and the civil liberties of Turkish people, particularly journalists and activists.

Mr. David Saltzman, legal scholar and Principal Attorney at Saltzman & Evinch PLLC, led the second session with a presentation about Turkey’s multifaceted connections to the United States. He explained how World War II transformed Turkey’s relationship with Europe and how the U.S. began to associate with Turkey in 1947. Mr. Saltzman spoke about fluctuations in U.S.

foreign policy toward Turkey during the years of the Cold War. He provided participants with insights into the pervasiveness of Turkish products and culture, both within the U.S. and in the global arena. Mr. Saltzman then discussed the positive and negative perceptions that ordinary Turks and Americans hold about each other. He shared brief anecdotes about his own experiences in Turkey and answered questions about forms of diversity and development across the country’s different regions.

After a delicious catered lunch of traditional Turkish cuisine, we heard from Turkish language and literature expert Ms. Veliye Ay. Ms. Ay is a PhD candidate in the Middle Eastern History program at the University of Maryland and teaches elementary and intermediate Turkish at George Mason University. Her presentation explored ways in which content related to the Ottoman Empire and Turkey can be better integrated into classroom curricula. She shared an array of resources to help participants better understand and teach about creative subjects such as Turkish textiles, cultural norms, and historical artifacts. Ms. Ay also discussed how gender, religion, and ethnicity have strongly influenced the development of modern Turkish identities. She concluded her presentation by responding to participant inquiries about the Turkish educational system and her own experiences as a Turkish woman in the United States.

A special thanks to Rosemary’s Thyme Bistro for lunch!

Teachers enjoy Turkish cuisine for lunch (left) and discuss contemporary isusues in Turkish society (right) .

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On January 31st over 30 educators and a handful of university students from the Washington metropolitan area joined WAC-DC for a professional development workshop concerning conflict and human rights. Ms. Christina Murtaugh, Senior Program Officer at the United States Institute of Peace’s Rule of Law Center, kicked the morning off by delivering a presentation on rule of law in Libya. Ms. Murtaugh provided our audience with an overview of the relationship between human rights and rule of law. She then discussed ongoing challenges associated with the Libyan sociopolitical climate, such as security sector reform and economic development. Ms. Murtaugh also spoke to the importance of dialogue, capacity-building, and human rights protections within transitional contexts.

Joy Olson, Executive Director of Washington Office of Latin America, provided participants with insights into the historical and current rights-related challenges prevalent in Central America. With a particular emphasis on El Salvador, Guatemala, and Honduras, Ms. Olson reviewed the impact of U.S. policy on the region during and after the Cold War. She discussed the human rights implications associated with transnational crime, gang-related violence, and weak sociopolitical institutions. She concluded her presentation with the hopeful acknowledgment that these Central American countries are beginning to learn from the innovative reform strategies of neighbors like Nicaragua and Panama in order to curtail violence in their backyards. Gigi Scoles, Director of Human Rights at Vital Voices

Global Partnership, led a discussion on women’s rights and gender-based violence during the last session of the morning. She spoke about several initiatives, both domestic and international, aimed at advancing gender equality and justice. Ms. Scoles identified compassion and empowerment as key components of an integral approach to working with survivors of gender-based violence and related traumatic experiences. She also engaged participants in conversation concerning the issues of human trafficking and forced marriage.

After lunch, Senior Associate for Human Rights First’s Anti-Trafficking Campaign Annick Febrey delivered a presentation on the business of human slavery and trafficking. Ms. Febrey provided an overview of the global trafficking economy and explained to participants how the trafficking phenomenon takes on different characteristics in each region of the world. Ms. Febrey emphasized the importance of a victim-centric approach to anti-trafficking campaigns; she informed us that Human Rights First aims to increase the risks and decrease the profits associated with trafficking in order to reduce its prevalence. Ms. Febrey also discussed with participants how consumers, businesses, and governments may leverage their respective forms of purchasing power in order to promote slavery-free commerce.

Those teachers are now able to take what they learned to better help students understand the different aspects of human rights.

UNDERSTANDING HUMAN RIGHTSCONFLICT, MIGRATION & GLOBALIZATION

Christina Murtaugh (left) of USIP presents on the relationship between human rights and rule of law in Libya.

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INTERNATIONAL DAYAT THE BRITISH SCHOOL OF WASHINGTON

To kick off the semester, WAC-DC was honored to join The British School of Washington in launching their 2015 International Day. The Global Education Team worked diligently with upper classmen to help develop 8 different workshops based on the eight United Nations Millennium Development Goals.

Upper classmen led their peers in simulations, presentations, activities, and challenges to expose them to the meaning of these eight goals and the progress that has been made to achieve them throughout the world.

Over 300 students and teachers participated in International Day, leaving with a better understanding of efforts to eradicate extreme poverty and hunger, achieve universal primary education, promote gender equality and empower women, reduce child mortality, improve maternal health, combat diseases, ensure environmental sustainability, and develop global partnerships for development.

WAC-DC is proud to call The British School of Washington a new Global Education Partner and we look forward to collaborating with the school again soon!

A word from Pam Hayre, International Day Coordinator

at The British School of Washington:

More than 300 students participated in The British School of Washington International Day in January.

“Both students and staff were honored to have the support and guidance of WAC-DC as we planned and delivered ‘International Day’ here at the British School of Washington for over 300 students from 2nd grade to 10th grade. Both students and staff were impressed by the level of expertise and experience that was at our disposal. The outcome was fantastic - each workshop was supervised by WAC to ensure that our 11th graders were able to deliver their workshop with confidence and direction. We are truly grateful and would not hesitate to work with WAC again!”

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MEET OUR SPRING 2015 INTERNS

Tony Harris Bettina Orilia Danielle Beiser

Alexis Boyer Devin Kinney Morsel Osman

Tony, the Global Education Graduate Associate, is in his last semester of graduate school at the Center for Justice and Peacebuilding (CJP), a program affiliated with Eastern Mennonite University (EMU) in Harrisonburg, VA. Tony will receive his MA in Conflict Transformation from EMU in April. He obtained his BA in Peace Studies from Goucher College in May 2013.

Bettina, a Global Education intern, is a senior at the University at Albany, pursuing her B.A. in Political Science, and a minor in English. During her junior year she was chosen to be a part of the FBI Collegiate Academy of Albany. She recently spent four months in Cambodia, where she studied the language, culture, and the Khmer Rouge under Pol Pot’s regime.

Danielle Beiser, an International Affairs intern, is from the San Francisco Bay Area and is currently a junior at Muhlenberg College in Allentown, PA. Danielle is pursuing a degree in International Studies with a concentration on European Area Studies and a minor in Political Science. She spent a year living and studying abroad in Aix-en-Provence, France.

Alexis, an International Affairs intern, is a junior at The George Washington University, where she studies International Affairs with a concentration in Development and a minor in Cross-Cultural Communication. In the Fall of 2013, Alexis studied abroad in Cape Town, South Africa, where she did independent research on language policy and practice at the University of Stellenbosch.

Devin, an International Affairs intern, is a junior at Wittenberg University in Springfield, Ohio, where she is pursuing a B.A. in Biology and Political Science. She conducted research on water policy and species diversity in the Ohio region as part of a project that will look at the effect climate change has had on a variety of species. She analyzed demographics that influence opinion of climate change.

Morsel, an International Affairs intern, is a senior at South Lakes High School in Reston, VA. She has a growing interest in international relations, political science and social work. She wishes to study international relations and political science, after high school, and she also plans to study abroad. She is a youth member of the Southgate Advisory Council in Reston.

Continued on Page 86

WEBINARS

Commemorating World Day of Social JusticeA Conversation with David Smith

Understanding the Changes in U.S.-Cuba Relations

A Conversation with Philip Peters

Understanding Freedom of the Pressin the 21st Century

A Conversation with Dr. Karin Karlekar

Understanding Boko Haram and Terror in Nigeria

A Conversation with Hilary Matfess

Philip Peters, president of the Cuba Research Center in Alexandria, shared his knowledge on the complicated relations between Cuba and the U.S. He reminded the audience of the U.S. occupancy in Cuba following the defeat of Spain in the Cuban War of Independence. After providing a breif history of U.S. - Cuba relations, Peters went on to address President Obama’s decision to the change diplomatic and economic relations between the U.S. and Cuba.

Dr. Karin Karlekar, Project Director of Freedom of the Press, an annual index that tracks trends in media freedom worldwide, joined us to discuss the state of global media freedom. She explained how her organization measures each country’s press freedom to be free, partly free, or not free. Karlekar noted that global press freedom has fallen to its lowest level in over a decade. According to Freedom House’s Freedom of the Press Index, only 14% of the world’s population live in countries that were rated “free”. This is a result of the large populations in India and China, both of which are countries that are considered “not free”.

David Smith, an authority on peacebuilding, conflict resolution, and civic and global education, joined us in commemorating World Day of Social Justice 2015. He began by defining social justice and outlining its philosophical roots. Mr. Smith then listed instances of social injustices, such as, racism, economic inequity, human rights abuses, discrimination based on gender and sexual orientation, ethnicity, and lack of access. He shared his experiences in Ferguson, Missouri, where he spoke to students after the shooting of Michael Brown.

Hilary Matfess, Researcher, at the Nigeria Social Violence Project, at John Hopkins University SAIS, joined us to discuss Boko Haram and Terror in Nigeria. She explained the evolution of Boko Haram, the complex and multi-dimensional social and economic impacts of the insurgency, and the upcoming presidential

elections in Nigeria. According to Ms. Matfess, there are approximately 2-3 million internally displaced persons in Nigeria, as a result of the insurgency.

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MEET OUR SPRING 2015

INTERNS(continued)

Aliyah LewisAliyah, an International Affairs intern, is currently a senior in high school attending The Master’s Academy where she participates in programs and community service projects that help raise awareness for cultures that span the globe. Additionally, she is learning Spanish and Japanese, seeking to become fluent in both.

Henry XuHenry, an International Affairs intern, is a junior at NYU, studying economics and minoring in producing and business studies. He was born in the U.S. and grew up in China. At school he served as the VP of the Chinese Students and Scholars Association.

Sarah GuevaraSarah, an International Affairs intern, is a junior at the University of California, Riverside participating in the UCDC program. Her major is History with an emphasis in the United States and a minor in Middle East and Islamic Studies. Prior to this internship, she was an ambassador for the Teacher Preparation Institute at her junior college, where she also received her A.A. in Liberal Arts and Sciences with an emphasis in Social and Behavioral Sciences.

COMING SOON: GLOBAL EDUCATION TEACHER EXCHANGE

The World Affairs Council – Washington, DC is excited to launch a new program made possible by a generous grant from the MasterCard Foundation. This year-long teacher exchange program, between 5 D.C. area and 5 Johannesburg area high school teachers will provide a two-way exchange opportunity for teachers and an outlet for students from both countries to work together to explore current international issues. D.C. area teachers will be matched with a Johannesburg area teacher to work together in creating global education curriculum and in facilitating cross-classroom dialogue throughout the year.

Hali Thomas, Global Education Assistant Director, Amanda Stamp, Global Education Director, and Tony Culley-Foster, President and CEO met with officials at the Embassy of South Africa.

The WAC-DC Global Education Committee welcomes:

Ann-Louise Colgan

Director of the Global Peacebuilding Center,

United States Institute of Peace

Cheri Sterman

Director of Education and Consumer Relationships,

Crayola

Diane Whitehead

Executive Director, Association for Childhood

Education International

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UPCOMING PROGRAMSSUMMER 2015 OPPORTUNITIES FOR TEACHERS AND STUDENTS

Leadership Academy on International Affairs for High School StudentsJuly 20 - 24, 2015

Join us in our week-long Leadership Academy on International Affairs. Gain exclusive access to experts in the field and come face to face with global issues. All participants have the opportunity to participate in Council events throughout the year.

Time: 9am to 3pm daily | Location: University of Phoenix, 25 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC

Cost: $125 includes lunch, snacks throughout the day & all program materials.

Registration: Visit https://www.worldaffairsdc.org/ForStudents_LeadershipAcademy.aspx and apply by July 2.

Young Ambassadors Study Tour to Costa RicaJuly 6 - 27, 2015

Come discover Costa Rica’s rich and incredible biodiversity, language, and culture.

Summer Institute on International Affairs for EducatorsJune 22 - 26, 2015

Narratives of Identity: Exploring the Intersection of Culture, Migration & Globalization

Join us as we explore how culture, migration, and globalization impact personal, regional, and national identities. We will examine how technology and globalization have brought the world closer while deeply affecting one’s sense of belonging to a certain group, state, and nation. We will also discuss the relationship between culture, migration, globalization, and national security.

Cost: $50 (refunded upon completion)Location: 730 15th St. NW, Washington, DC 20005Registration: Visit https://www.worldaffairsdc.org/ForEducator_SummerInstitute.aspx and apply by June 5.

Highlights:

-Intensive Spanish language study-Site-seeing in San Jose-Drive to Pas Volcano

-Visit to Jaco Beach-Hikes through Monteverde Forest

-Trip to Cloud Forest

Cost: $4,500 includes airfare, meals, homestay, tuition, travel fees( Each

student is responsible for $1,500 of total cost)

Application Deadline: May 6, 2015Visit https://www.worldaffairsdc.org/ForStudent_YoungAmbassador.aspx

for more information.

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The World Affairs – HONORS Global Education Gala is a high-profile VIP reception, dinner and awards program attended by prominent members of the Administration, Congress, cabinet agencies, diplomatic corps - ambassadors, Fortune 100 business leaders, trade, professional and labor organizations, press and media representatives; educators, teachers, students and Council members. The purpose of the event is to raise domestic and international awareness of the Council’s global education, international affairs and global communications mission and to honor the best practice work of educational institutions, government officials, foreign diplomats, international communications companies in the presence of influential business, civic, government, trade, professional, labor and World Affairs Council representatives.

Research indicates that there is an urgent need for increased local, regional and national dialogue and public awareness on how the United States can effectively bridge the global education ‘Learning Gap’ that exists in our American school system. The World Affairs Council – Washington, DC works with educators, teachers and students to better enable our young people to effectively compete, communicate, and learn in our diverse multicultural county and inter-connected world. 83% of the Gala proceeds go directly into the Council’s delivery of cost-efficient program services to the students, teachers and other publics whom we serve.

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Interested in becoming a member or learning more about theWorld Affairs Council -Washington, DC? Call us today at(202) 293-1051 or email info@worldaffairsdc.org to connect!

World Affairs Council - Washington, DC1200 18th St. NW, Suite 902 | Washington, DC 20036

www.worldaffairsdc.org | Facebook.com/WorldAffairsDC | @WAC_DC

ACADEMIC ADVISORY COMMITTEE

William BrazierInstructional Supervisor,

Social Science and Global StudiesLoudon County Public Schools

Cheryl GilletteMamie D. Lee School - DC

Cathy HixK-12 Social Studies Specialist

Arlington County Public Schools

Susan IkenberryGeorgetown Day High School - DC

Jennifer KnechtmanAcademy of the Holy Cross - MD

Ewan McCallumThe British School of Washington - DC

Lynn Moore2006 Teacher of the Year

Duke Ellington School of the Arts - DC

Kevin MooseMontgomery Blair High School - MD

Craig PerrierHigh School Social Studies Specialist

Fairfax County Public Schools

Ernest Roane, Ph.D.Laurel High School - MD

Jennifer RodgersDominion High School - VA

Natalie RootWashington-Lee High School - VA

Mary Shoukat Hayfield Secondary School - VA

Margaret ThomasJefferson Middle School

Eulyn ThomasRoosevelt High School

Wynn Thompson2004 Teacher of the YearWAC-DC Senior Education Advisor

Nicole Turgen-WilliamsYorktown High School - VA

Victoria TysonSchool Without Walls - DC

Ana Vasquez-Gonzalez Benjamin Banneker Academic High School - DC

Randy WeissmanOsbourn Park High School - VA

Charmaine WilksJohn Hayden Johnson Middle School - DC