World Affairs Council of Austin

Opportunity for Investment in the Republic of Panama
2022-05-10 13:00 - 13:45 (America/Chicago) | ONLINE
The World Affairs Council of Austin, in collaboration with the Austin Chamber of Commerce, is pleased to offer this informative session on Panama’s Digital Hub, nearshoring advantage, and special economic regimes. Our honored guest speakers are: H.E. Juan Carlos Sosa, Vice Minister – Foreign Trade, Ministry of Trade & Industry for the Republic of Panama; Mr. Richard Kilborn, National Director of Investment Promotion, Ministry of Trade & Industry; and Ms. Carmen Gisela Vergara Mas, General Administrator, PROPANAMA.

About the speakers:
Vice Minister Juan Carlos Sosa has over 23 years of experience in foreign trade and investments, marketing, operations, management and franchises. Vice Minister Sosa has held high level positions in prestigious Panamanian companies such as Importadora Maduro and Super 99, as well high-level regional positions in multinational companies such as Samsung and Dell Latin America. Before his position as Vice Minister, Mr. Sosa was the CEO of Fun Franchise Group, a company that manages US restaurant franchises in Panama.
Vice Minister Sosa has a Bachelor of Science in Advertising from The University of Texas at Austin, as well as an MBA in International Business from Royal Holloway, University of London. Other studies include a certification program in Innovation Management from The University of California Berkeley and a certification program in Advanced Marketing from Northwestern University.

Richard Kilborn is a graduate of the University of Colorado, Boulder, with a degree in Political Science. He currently holds the position of National Director of Investment Promotion for the Ministry of Commerce and Trade of Panama.
He has more than 24 years of experience in the financial sector, and has held multiple positions on boards of several financial institutions such as Financiera Familiar, and Frontier Financial Services Inc. He has also been published in several magazines and is the author of the award winning novel “Good Money Gone”, which won best novel in the International Latin Book Awards in the category of “Adventure – Drama” in 2014.

Carmen Gisela Vergara Mas graduated in Law and Political Science from the University of Panama. She has a Master’s Degree in Banking and Financial Law from the University of El Externado in Colombia and a Postgraduate Degree in International Trade Negotiations from the University of Santiago de Chile.
Before holding the position of General Administrator at PROPANAMA, the Authority for the Attraction of Investments and Promotion of Exports of the Panamanian State, Ms. Vergara served as Executive Director of the Federation of Chambers and Industrial Associations of Central America and the Dominican Republic – FECAICA and as Secretary-General of the Central American Economic Integration Secretariat SIECA, achieving important advances for the Central American integration process. Before holding this position, she was a Director before the Board of Directors of the Central American Bank for Economic Integration – CABEI, representing Panama.
Expert in International Trade Law, Business Development, Trade Negotiations, Integration, and Trade Facilitation, she has also served as Minister of Commerce and Industries, Vice Minister of Foreign Trade, and National Director of Investment and Export Promotion of the Ministry of Commerce and Industries. In addition, Ms. Vergara has been Manager of the City of Knowledge Business Technology Accelerator.
Ms. Vergara has also represented Panama as Alternate Delegate before the Inter-American Commission of Women and a member of the non-permanent Specialized Commissions of the Organization of American States – OAS, in the areas of Diversification, Market Access, and Economic Integration. She is a member of the Arbitration Center of Panama and has served as Facilitator of the Master for International Management (MIMLA) offered by Thunderbird University and the Monterrey Institute of Technology, on the subject of International Trade Negotiations. At the private level, she has worked as a Lawyer on commercial issues, as an Advisor on investment issues, and as a Consultant on multiple issues, among which stand out: business development, gender, exports, social responsibility, trade negotiations, competitiveness and facilitation of trade; among others.

Globalist Coffeehouse - International Waters: The Law of the Sea vs. a Country's Coastal Sovereignty
2022-04-21 18:30 - 19:30 | La Madeleine, 9828 Great Hills Trail, Suite 650, Austin, 78759, United States
***We are very pleased to announce that this month’s Globalist will be in person on Thursday, April 21st, 6:30–7:30 p.m.!! Please join us in the private dining room at La Madeleine’s located at 9828 Great Hills Trail, Suite 650, Austin, TX 78759.***
International Waters: The Law of the Sea vs. a Country’s Coastal Sovereignty
When we refer to a country’s border, we at least have a map as to where one country ends and another one begins. However, how do we define those boundaries on water?
International waters (high seas) do not belong to any individual country’s jurisdiction, and all have the right to fishing, navigation, overflight, laying cables and pipelines, as well as scientific research.
Beginning in the 1950s, international mandates have come to govern who has sovereignty over a country’s coastal waters. The Convention on the High Seas, defined “high seas” to mean “all parts of the sea that are not included in the territorial sea or in the internal waters of a State.” This was used as a foundation for the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), signed in 1982, which recognized exclusive economic zones extending 200 nautical miles.
But competition for natural resources and a military presence have led countries like China to create their own definition of its coastal waters’ sovereignty – the Nine-Dash-Line. This has led to serious tensions among China’s regional neighbors, such as the Philippines and Vietnam. In the Arctic, Nordic Nations have their own boundary issues, with competition for resources with Russia.
What are the implications of all this in the South China Sea, but also for other countries with coastal boundaries? What will be the impact of climate change on coastal sovereignty?

Austin and Singapore Advanced Manufacturing Roundtable
2022-03-31 10:00 - 11:30 | Austin Chamber of Commerce, 535 E. Fifth Street, Austin, TX, 78701, United States
Join the World Affairs Council of Austin for this roundtable discussion with Enterprise Singapore and explore opportunities for collaboration in advanced manufacturing and supply chain resilience.

In this session, Enterprise Singapore will share details on the Southeast Asia Manufacturing Alliance, a program which offers a network of support and benefits to manufacturers that are keen to tap into the region’s strengths.
The US-Singapore Partnership for Growth and Innovation (PGI) aims to strengthen US-Singapore trade and investment collaboration starting with four pillar areas: digital economy, clean energy and environmental technologies, advanced manufacturing, and healthcare. Through this existing partnership, the US and Singapore seek to discuss immediate and long-term challenges that face both economies, including enhancing supply chain resilience. Although the Southeast Asia region has great potential for growth, businesses are grappling with challenges to their supply chains including those relating to transparency, data flows, and sustainability tracking. With the PGI, we can help shape an Asia-ready integrated manufacturing solution for digitalization to ensure supply chain continuity.
Join us for a discussion with Enterprise Singapore to discuss how Texas businesses can leverage Singapore as a gateway to Southeast Asia and harness the region’s manufacturing potential.

Draft Agenda
10:00 am Welcome remarks on behalf of the Greater Austin Chamber of Commerce and Dell Technologies.
10:05 am Roundtable attendees introduce themselves.
10:15 am Ed Latson, Executive Director, Austin Regional Manufacturers’ Association offers an overview of Central Texas’ manufacturing sector.
10:25 am Sharing of Singapore’s manufacturing sector, and initiatives that can support the interests of Austin manufacturers in accessing the Southeast Asia market, namely the US-Singapore Partnership for Growth and Innovation: Advanced Manufacturing Platform, and Southeast Manufacturing Alliance, by Enterprise Singapore.
10:45 am – 11:30 am Q&A followed by networking.

This roundtable is being hosted by the Greater Austin Chamber of Commerce and Dell Technologies in collaboration with the Greater Austin Asian Chamber of Commerce, the City of Austin, Enterprise Singapore, and the World Affairs Council of Austin.

Globalist Coffeehouse: Cybersecurity as a National Security Threat
2022-03-17 18:30 - 19:30 | ONLINE
Cybersecurity has been called “one of the most serious national security threats facing the U.S.” It has been estimated that malicious cyber activity costs the U.S. economy between $57 to $109 billion dollars a year.
We have already fallen victim to cyber-attacks, one example being the hacks and leaks targeting the 2016 elections. And then last year, Russia used “backdoor” accesses to hack SolarWinds – located in Austin – and impacted approximately 250 federal agencies. Another threat is artificial intelligence driving the speed of misinformation. For instance, conspiracy theories around the pandemic.
The problem is not unique to America. Russia also uses misinformation to generate anti-refugee sentiment in the EU and undermine NATO. And just last week, we witnessed the cyber-attack on Ukraine’s infrastructure and defense systems. They are not the only players in this game. Others such as Israel, North Korea and China are also “hacking” the internet.
How and where will this issue be addressed? The current administration has introduced the Cyber Diplomacy Act. It established the Office of International Cyberspace Policy under the State Department, and invested $10 billion in IT and cybersecurity infrastructure, which is an excellent start. But is it enough given the threat, especially in relation to our total defense spending? So, what is the future of cyber technology and how should the U.S. and the international community respond?
Please join us for what will be a very lively discussion. Due to the Omicron-variant, this will be an online zoom discussion. Hopefully, in the future, we will be able to return to an in-person discussion at the Shoal Creek Saloon.

For further information please contact:
Ellen Murry, WAC Advisory Board
ellen.murry@yahoo.com
Polina Anastassieva, WAC management team
polina@wacaustin.org

European Union in Austin at SXSW
2022-03-12 14:30 - 2022-03-14 18:00 | Native Hostel, 807 E. 4th Street, Austin, TX, 78701, United States
The European Union is brimming with culture, creativity, diversity, green innovation, trade, and technology. If you’re in Austin, visit the EU House to learn about these groundbreaking European ideas and business opportunities, hear music from emerging European artists, and join our celebration of the transatlantic partnership. The World Affairs Council of Austin is proud to be a partner organization for the EU House again this year. This year, Venture Atlas Labs and ENRICH will also offer attendees the opportunity on Saturday, March 12th (4:00 – 6:00 pm) to focus on Invest & Innovate with the registration link and more details here.
The full EU@SXSW program schedule is here. For those unable to travel downtown, please watch the livestream here.

Kozmetsky Forum Featuring Levan Beridze, Consul General of Georgia
2022-03-01 12:00 - 13:00 | ONLINE
The World Affairs Council of Austin and the Kozmetsky Center of Excellence in Global Finance at St. Edward’s University host a series of Forums on Global Investment, Finance, Emerging Markets and Geopolitical Risk. Our next Forum will feature the Honorable Levan Beridze, Consul General of Georgia. The discussion will highlight U.S.-Georgia economic cooperation and the opportunities available in the country and in the region for U.S. companies.

Levan Beridze was appointed as the Consul General of Georgia in San Francisco in February 2020. Throughout his career in the foreign service he held the position of the Ambassador at Large at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Georgia, served in the position of Counselor at the Embassy of Georgia to the United States since 2016, where he headed up the Economic Section and earlier was the First Secretary at the Embassy from 2012 to 2016. In his work, Levan Beridze focused on the enhancement and deepening of economic and trade relations between the United States and Georgia and the creation of a platform for interaction between the US and Georgian companies.
Mr. Beridze gained his experience by working for the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE), where he was part of the project management team leading the Economic Rehabilitation Program in the conflict zones of Georgia. Between 2009 and 2012 Levan accumulated his private sector knowledge working as the Marketing Manager for the Georgian wine company “Tiflisi Marani”, and successfully contributed to the Georgian wine popularization in the United States.
Levan received his formal education in the United States and holds a Bachelor’s Degree in International Relations and Diplomacy from the University of Delaware, where he also continued to receive his Master’s Degree in Public Administration in 2009.
Levan is married and has two children.

After Merkel: The Future of Transatlantic Security
2022-02-23 12:15 - 13:30 | ONLINE
Since the end of World War II, Germany and the United States have maintained strong political, trade, and security relations. As a NATO Ally and one of the largest and economically prosperous EU member states, Germany has been a crucial partner for the United States in ensuring security on the European continent and fostering a global order based on liberal democracy and economic cooperation. Nevertheless, in recent years the bilateral US-German relationship has experienced a number of turbulences that have impacted on broader questions of transatlantic and international security. During the presidency of Donald J. Trump, bilateral tensions over security and military cooperation have become more visible. The end of Angela Merkel’s chancellorship in December 2021, after more than 16 years in office, has also raised questions over the future trajectory of German foreign and defense policy.
Will the new German “traffic light” coalition of Social Democrats, the Green Party, and Free Democrats stay the course of a German foreign policy premised on transatlanticism, military restraint, and a strong economic model? And will the Biden administration be able to restore mutual friendship and trust between Washington, DC and Berlin?
This World Affairs Council of Austin program in partnership with the Center for European Studies at the University of Texas (Austin) and the Kozmetsky Center for Excellence at St. Edward’s University will feature:

Dr. Sharyl N. Cross, Director, Kozmetsky Center for Excellence (St. Edward’s)
Dr. Sebastian Bruns, McCain Fulbright Visiting Professor (US Naval Academy, Annapolis)

Globalist Coffeehouse - Marketing Cinema Across the Globe
2022-02-17 18:30 - 19:30 | ONLINE
Have you ever wondered if the ending to your favorite movie varies from country to country? Well, wonder no more, because the reality across the world is just that – countries do often edit movies to adjust to their own culture. For example, who in the US hasn’t heard of Fight Club? For all of us in America, the last scenes depict the main characters watching as the buildings throughout the city blow up, however, in China, the movie ends with all those responsible for those bombings being caught. Even translation often plays a key role. We all have heard of Ferris Bueller’s Day Off, in Spain, it’s titled All in One Day, while in Argentina it’s known as An Expert in Fun.
If you were to look at most Bollywood movies, with their huge audience, the focus of the movie tends to flow towards a more “happier” ending. However, is that the norm for other cultures? Often “western” movies are edited for cultural norms when it comes to sexuality or even “political correctness.” What countries and their “film cultures” have intrigued you the most? What are some examples of movies with different edits, or changes in translation, that you have noticed?
Get a bowl of popcorn and join us for what will be a very lively discussion. Due to the Omicron-variant, this will be an online zoom format. Hopefully, in the future, we will be able to return to an in-person discussion at the Shoal Creek Saloon.

Kozmetsky Forum on Geopolitical Risk Featuring Dr. Beat Habegger
2022-02-01 12:00 - 13:00 | Online
The World Affairs Council of Austin and the Kozmetsky Center of Excellence in Global Finance at St. Edward’s University host a series of Forums on Global Investment, Finance, Emerging Markets and Geopolitical Risk. Our next Forum on managing (geo-)political risk will feature Dr. Beat Habegger, Global Fellow and Executive in Residence at the Geneva Centre for Security Policy. Understanding the risk management processes and considerations of globally operating insurance companies in terms of political risks will provide attendees with relevant insights for managing exposure in their respective industries.

Beat Habegger, PhD is an independent advisor on risk & resilience, sustainability, public affairs, and strategic foresight, leveraging 20 years of professional experience in multinational companies, private consultancies, think thanks, and public policy. He supports private and public sector institutions as well as individuals with topical, analytical, strategic, and communicative expertise to better navigate uncertain and complex situations and environments.

Globalist Coffeehouse: How can the U.S. Promote Democracy Globally, if it can't Protect it at Home?
2022-01-20 18:30 - 19:30 | ONLINE
Please join like-minded “global thinkers” for a monthly discussion on the major political/economic issues that our world is currently experiencing. The topic for January will be:
How can the U.S. promote democracy around the world, or act as an example for others, if we can’t protect it at home?
It has been over a year since the insurrection at the U.S. Capitol. How has this impacted our global image, especially since it hasn’t gone away as an “aberration” and will possibly even be a factor in the upcoming 2022 U.S. elections? More importantly, the larger question is whether other countries will be wary of future binding commitments or in-depth cooperation with the U.S. What are the alternatives for countries around the world? With the trend towards authoritarianism, many countries may look to China and its economic success – at the expense of human rights – as something to be emulated. How can the U.S. push back against China and continue to “re-shape the world in America’s democratic image,” if that image is tarnished?
Please join us for what will be a very lively discussion. Due to the Omicron-variant, this will be an online zoom format. Hopefully, in the future, we will be able to return to an in-person discussion at the Shoal Creek Saloon.
Registration link:

For further information please contact:

Ellen Murry, WAC Advisory Board
ellen.murry@yahoo.com
Polina Anastassieva, WAC management team
polina@wacaustin.org

Connecting with Tanzanian Women Entrepreneurs
2022-01-11 08:00 - 09:30 | ONLINE
Women entrepreneurs are a vital source for partnerships providing market intelligence, access to supply chains, and agents, distributors, and representatives for your products. During this event, we will focus on the Tanzanian market and how to utilize U.S. government programs to connect to this cadre of thousands of women entrepreneurs in Tanzania and throughout Africa and hear from four innovative, connected Tanzanian entrepreneurs.
Camille Richardson, Deputy Assistant Secretary for Middle East and Africa, U.S. Department of Commerce (Moderator)
Carol Ndosi, Co-Founder, The Launch Pad Tanzania (Moderator)
Dr. Victoria Kisyomb, Founder and CEO, SELFINA
Miranda Naiman, Founding Partner, Empower
Mercy Kitomari, Founder and CEO of Notre Heritage Ltd

Application Deadline for Texas CEOs B2B Meeting with Japanese CEOs
2021-12-09 11:30 - 12:00 | ONLINE
The World Affairs Council of Austin invites you to apply by noon CT on December 9th for the online CEO Business Meetings for FoodTech and Agriculture companies.
Focus areas include:
Food processing – automation and labor saving technologies; Freshness preservation and packaging materials; Factory wastewater treatment; High value add or advanced foodtech products; Smart agriculture – insect control equipment, productivity improving technologies. (see additional details in the spreadsheet below.)
Intended for: Decision-makers (CEOs, Directors, GMs, etc.) in above companies who are:
Seeking to increase added value through technological collaboration.
Involved in manufacturing of equipment, devices, parts or materials, and would like to have business meetings with Japanese corporate decision-makers.
Considering technical collaboration or joint development with Japanese companies, and/or OEM in the above industries.
Apply to express your interest in joining this CEO network enhancing opportunity on/before noon CT on 9 December 2021: https://krs.bz/smrj/m?f=302

Farewell Reception for Tech Business Delegates from Chile
2021-12-06 17:15 - 19:30 | Capital Factory, 701 Brazos Street, Austin, TX, 78701, United States
Join the World Affairs Council and Tech Ranch Austin for this farewell reception to hear from and socialize with the impressive professionals representing advanced technology companies from Chile. Their goals for coming to Austin included: Meeting with their counterparts in Texas; Developing and strengthening collaborative initiatives for innovation, knowledge, and business connections; and exploring new business prospects for Chile’s scale-ups and SMEs.
Attendees will meet executives from the following companies:

Anastasia

Antara

Bsale

Caja los Andes

GoodMeal

Grupo Air

Isolcork

Kauel

Kibernum

LarrainVial

Laudex

The Bridge

Wholemeaning

The delegation is being led by Endeavor Chile. Founded in 1997, Endeavor is the world’s leading community of high-impact entrepreneurs. Endeavor’s mission is to unlock the transformational power of entrepreneurship by selecting, supporting, and investing in the world’s top founders. Today, Endeavor’s network spans nearly 40 countries and supports more than 2,000 entrepreneurs, whose companies generate combined revenues of over $28 billion, have created more than 3.9 million jobs, and, in 2020, raised over $4 billion in capital. Endeavor’s unique entrepreneur-first model and network of trust provide a platform for founders to dream big, scale up, and pay it forward to the next generation of entrepreneurs.
This farewell reception is being hosted by Endeavor Chile in collaboration with Tech Ranch and the World Affairs Council of Austin.

Globalist Coffeehouse: Refugees - Personal Stories, Insights and Trends
2021-11-18 18:30 - 19:30 | ONLINE
Please join like-minded “global thinkers” for what will be a very lively discussion about both your or a friend’s immigrant experience and the global immigration policy. Due to the Delta-Variant, this will be an online zoom discussion. Hopefully, in the future, we will be able to return to an in-person discussion at the Shoal Creek Saloon.
Let’s think about the U.S. today– the cultural diversity that is reflected in our shared immigrant experience. Every one of this country’s citizens has an ancestor who came here from another part of the world. Whether it’s our families, friends, or even colleagues, we all have stories of someone who came here “yearning to breathe free.”
In the last few decades, the US immigration population has skyrocketed from 9% to 15%. It has also doubled in Germany and even tripled in Denmark. Last year there were 160,000 asylum claims in the U.S., a 240% increase from 2014. One common trend around the world today is the rise of populism and it is being fed by the exploitation of fear-of immigrants.
What does it mean to not just immigrate, but to be a refugee from another country? What does it mean to the citizens of the country that these refugees immigrate to? How are counties around the world, including the U.S., handling this crisis –accepting refugees?

For further information please contact:
Ellen Murry, WAC Advisory Board
ellen.murry@yahoo.com
Polina Anastassieva, WAC management team

polina@wacaustin.org

Transatlantic Security Forum - "NATO, Russia, China: World Order and 21st Century Global Security Challenges”
2021-11-15 09:00 - 2021-11-17 12:00 | ONLINE
The Kozmetsky Center of Excellence at St. Edward’s University and the Center for European Studies and Center for Russian, East European and Eurasian Studies at the University of Texas at Austin will co-sponsor our seventh annual “Transatlantic Security Forum” entitled “NATO, Russia, China: World Order and 21st Century Global Security Challenges” on November 15-17, 2021 with support of the United States Department of Education Title VI National Resource Program. The seventh session will be held in cooperation with the Public Diplomacy Engagement Division of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization NATO, Research Committee on Geopolitics of the International Political Science Association (IPSA) and World Affairs Council Austin. Featured speakers include Ambassador Baiba Braže, NATO Assistant Secretary General for Public Diplomacy; Dr. Andrew A. Michta, Dean, George C. Marshall European Center for Security Studies; Dr. Su Hao Distinguished Professor, Department of Diplomacy and founding Director of Center for Strategic and Peace Studies, China Foreign Affairs University; Dr. Igor A. Zevelev, Global Policy Scholar, Kennan Institute, Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars;
Dr. Jamie Shea, Professor of Strategy and Security, Strategy and Security Institute, University of Exeter and former Assistant Secretary General NATO, Emerging Security Challenges;
Dr. Dmitry Suslov, Deputy Director at the Center for Comprehensive European and International Studies, National Research University Higher School of Economics, Moscow; Dr. Mark N. Katz, Professor of Government and Politics, George Mason University Schar School of Policy and Government; Dr. Julian Lindley French, Senior Fellow, Institute for Statecraft in London, Director of Europa Analytica, Netherlands and founder of The Alphen Group and several other leading experts representing a diversity of national perspectives in the United States, Europe and Asia.
The forum dialogue will focus on implications of shifting global relationships and world order for transatlantic and broader global security. Among major topics, speakers will assess the impact of COVID19 to include discussion of political systems, values and responsiveness to the pandemic, lessons of the withdrawal from the twenty-year war in Afghanistan, consequences of climate change, weapons proliferation and terrorism, regional clashes and conflicts, cyber and information security, competing visions of world order, geopolitical and security implications of shifting relationships among major powers and other topics of critical relevance to transatlantic and global security. We are especially interested in facilitating dialogue among a diversity of national and regional experts exploring the most pressing security challenges facing the global community at this critical juncture contributing to deepening understanding of opportunities and obstacles to advancing security cooperation among nations.
For conference agenda and additional information click on the image below:

Application Deadline for Texas CEOs B2B Meeting with Japanese CEOs
2021-11-09 12:00 | ONLINE
The World Affairs Council of Austin invites you to apply by noon CT on November 9th for the online CEO Business Meetings in January.
Target Industries:
Industrial robotics, Automation technology; Software systems related to design/quality/production/remote control/AI; Aeronautics – systems, engines, interiors, and airframe (parts/materials); and Aerospace – satellites and rockets (parts/materials).
Intended for: Decision-makers (CEOs, Directors, GMs, etc.) in above companies who are:
Seeking to increase added value through technological collaboration.
Involved in manufacturing of equipment, devices, parts or materials, and would like to have business meetings with Japanese corporate decision-makers.
Considering technical collaboration or joint development with Japanese companies, and/or OEM in the above industries.
Apply to express your interest in joining this CEO network enhancing opportunity on/before noon CT on 9 November 2021: https://krs.bz/smrj/m?f=296

10th Annual Texas-EU Business Summit
2021-11-09 08:00 - 19:00 | San Jacinto Meeting Rooms, 309 E 21st St, Austin, TX, 78712, United States
In its 10th year, the Texas-EU Business Summit is the premier event for Texas businesses, entrepreneurs and economic development professionals seeking to expand their footprint in Europe.
Texas is already the largest exporting state to the European Union. The summit builds on that footprint, focusing on promoting the international trade capacity of Texas businesses and economic development organizations while creating greater awareness regarding the benefits of exporting.
The Texas-EU Business Summit sessions are led by business leaders, trade and investment officials from EU countries, trade policy experts and political officials.
Event hosts include:
The Center for European Studies, the University of Texas at Austin,
Austin Community College,
The Consulate General of Ireland in Austin,
The Kozmetsky Center of Excellence at St. Edwards University,
The Texas-Central & Eastern Europe Tech Summit
and
Pendas International

Kozmetsky Forum on Business Investment Considerations for LATAM
2021-11-02 12:00 - 13:00 | ONLINE
The World Affairs Council of Austin and the Kozmetsky Center of Excellence in Global Finance at St. Edward’s University host a series of Forums on Global Investment, Finance, Emerging Markets and Geopolitical Risk. Our next Forum will feature a lively discussion with Sebastian Gomez, Co-Founder of Thorus Consulting, and David Sandler, Co-Founder at Remarks, on the important details a business investor should consider when looking at expanding and selling into Latin America. Mexico and the rest of Latin America represent the United States’ second-largest trading partner and second-largest export market, and interest is increasing from Texas corporations.

About the speakers:
Sebastian Gomez has been connecting Latanamerica to the world for more than 20 years. He consults U.S. companies on expanding in Latin-America where he supports them to understand the markets and opportunities they present. He is now an entrepreneur and consultant with Thorus Consulting that he founded in 2021 with his wife, after being the Information Technology Trade Representative for the Colombian Government for 12 years supporting the international expansion of companies from Austin and Latam.

David Sandler, Co-Founder of Remarks, is a skilled entrepreneur with experience in marketing, internationalization and strategy building. His track record includes consulting for government, universities, private companies and cluster management organizations.

Globalist Coffeehouse: A Cross-Cultural Look at Cars
2021-10-21 18:30 - 19:30 | ONLINE
Please join like-minded “global thinkers” for a monthly discussion on the major political/economic issues that our world is currently experiencing. Due to the Delta-Variant, this will be an online zoom discussion. Hopefully, in the future, we will be able to return to an in-person discussion at the Shoal Creek Saloon. The topic will be Cars!
And now for something a little different: a cross-cultural look at cars or “you are what you drive.” Cars, cars, cars – they are everywhere and in every society. But what brands of cars are successful in a culture or a country? Which ones make a statement or suggest a certain economic/social status? In the US we have our own stereotypes – “soccer moms” drive Honda Odyssey minivans, and “rednecks” drive Chevy Silverado pickups.
But what about other cultures and countries? In China, you drive a Lexus to demonstrate your status, but why not a Mercedes? Why is a car brand successful or a total “bomb” in certain countries? A wonderful naming disaster is the Mitsubishi “Pajero.” A very good vehicle, but it didn’t sell in Spain or Spanish speaking cultures because it was lost in a very negative translation. There are numerous other lost in translation car brands. The Chevy Nova did not sell in Latin America because translated within the culture “nova” meant “it doesn’t go.” The Toyota Fiera was translated as an “ugly old woman” in Puerto Rico. There are also car subcultures in many societies, such as Low Riders in the U.S. Japan has “Dodge Van Racers” and in Saudi Arabia and the Middle East there are “Desert Drifters.”
What about your own observations or even personal experiences with automobile culture in the countries you have worked in or traveled through? Please join us for what will be a very interesting conversation.

For further information please contact:
Ellen Murry, WAC Advisory Board
ellen.murry@yahoo.com
Polina Anastassieva, WAC management team

polina@wacaustin.org

Application Deadline for Texas CEO Meeting with Japanese CEOs
2021-10-08 16:00 - 17:00 | ONLINE
The World Affairs Council of Austin invites you to apply by October 8th for the web-based online CEO Business Meetings during the SME New Value Creation Exhibition in December.
Target Industries:
AI/IoT; CleanTech – Renewables, Sustainability, Contruction, Building Materials (including Energy Efficiency); Disaster Prevention/Mitigation; Equipment Maintenance; and new material related industries.
Intended for: Decision-makers (CEOs, Directors, GMs, etc.) in above companies who are:
Seeking to increase added value through technological collaboration.
Involved in manufacturing of equipment, devices, parts or materials, and would like to have business meetings with Japanese corporate decision-makers.
Considering technical collaboration or joint development with Japanese companies, and/or OEM in the above industries.
Apply to express your interest in joining this CEO network enhancing opportunity on/before 8 October 2021: https://krs.bz/smrj/m?f=286

Kozmetsky Forum on Global Challenges in Carbon Footprint
2021-10-05 12:00 - 13:00 | ONLINE
The World Affairs Council of Austin and the Kozmetsky Center of Excellence in Global Finance at St. Edward’s University host a series of Forums on Global Investment, Finance, Emerging Markets and Geopolitical Risk. Our next Forum on global challenges in carbon footprint will be moderated by John Bretz and will feature Dr. Dhabia M. Al-Mohannadi.
To mitigate the risks of global climate change, the world has undertaken an unprecedented effort to transition its energy supply towards low carbon energy sources. This journey requires an effective energy transformation that accounts for sustainable economic growth, affordability, accessibility, and security. When coupled with the need to reduce emissions, the challenges ahead of energy transition are immense. This talk will look into sustainable energy transition for hydrocarbon including the role of renewable energy and carbon capture utilization and storage technology.
Dr. Al-Mohannadi’s work focuses on the systematic design of sustainable industrial parks under carbon dioxide limits, resource management, and climate policies evaluation. Her work deals with multidisciplinary problems that involves different decision-making processes, engineering and economics. Her research leads to developing analytical tools that can assess flexibility, robustness, reliability of process systems at the design and operational level.
Research Interests
Process system engineering
Process integration, modeling and optimization
Sustainable design and operation of eco-industrial parks
Carbon dioxide mitigation and natural resource management
Inter-disciplinary approaches to decision-making and problem solving
Strategic planning and techno-economic modeling
Experience

2018-Current — Assistant Professor of Chemical Engineering Texas A&M University at Qatar
June 2018 — Visiting graduate student at Imperial College of London
2015-2018 — Visiting Scholar at Texas A&M University at Qatar
2013-2018 — Graduate Fellow, Qatar Research Leadership program (QRLP), Qatar Foundation

About the Moderator: John is the former Country Manager for Anadarko Mozambique Lda, and led in-country operations and administration in Maputo, Mozambique for development of Mozambique’s first onshore greenfield US $20B+ world scale Liquified Natural Gas (LNG) development. He previously served as Vice President Anadarko Energy Services Company leading the crude, natural gas liquids and natural gas marketing and operations teams. In addition, he served as various VPs for commodity marketing activities for Anadarko and was involved in operations for Anadarko midstream activities and ownership development.
John has also held numerous managerial, operations and engineering roles and responsibilities for Duke Energy, Union Pacific Resources, Chevron and others. John has a MBA and Chemical Engineering degree both from Tulane University and is on the Advisory Board of the Austin Texas World Affairs council, the Board of the Tulane University Business School Energy Institute, member of Society of Petroleum Engineers and former Chairman of the Board of the World Affairs Council of Houston Texas.

The Kozmetsky Forums will be held on Zoom during the fall of 2021.

Global Security Forum 2021
2021-10-02 07:50 - 14:30 | ONLINE
The World Affairs Council of Austin is a partnering with the World Affairs Council of Connecticut to present the annual Global Security Forum 2021. From space to cyber, the Forum will explore the changing currency of power and ask: how will decisions made today come to define the future? Are U.S. battle systems prepared to meet the threats and challenges of the future? With a new U.S. administration, what role will the United States play on the global stage? Ultimately, what transformations must occur today in national and global security in order to realize a stable and secure world in the future?
Featured speakers include: General Charles W. Hooper, former director of the Defense Security Cooperation Agency; Admiral Kenneth Braithwaite, the 77th Secretary of the Navy; Admiral Michelle Howard, former commander of United States Naval Forces Europe, United States Naval Forces Africa, and Allied Joint Force Command Naples; General Lori Robinson, former commander of United States Northern Command and North American Aerospace Defense Command; Secretary Ryan McCarthy, Former Secretary of the United States Army, among others.

Globalist Coffeehouse: Afghanistan - What’s Next?
2021-09-16 18:30 - 19:30 | ONLINE
Please join like-minded “global thinkers” for a monthly discussion on the major political/economic issues that our world is currently experiencing. Due to the Delta-Variant, this will be an online zoom discussion. Hopefully, in the future, we will be able to return to an in-person discussion at the Shoal Creek Saloon. The topic will be Afghanistan.

Over the course of the last month, we have seen the immense changes that have occurred in Afghanistan. To say that the withdrawal was not well managed would be an understatement. However, there are a variety of complex issues that arise from this. Can the Taliban even be trusted? What role do countries such as Iran, Russia, China, Pakistan, and even India have in filling in the vacuum our departure has created? How has this impacted the credibility of the United States? The President of France has asked the question: Can the U.S. be trusted? What about our ongoing commitments elsewhere in the world – from the Middle East to Asia? Finally, there are the allies and comrades that we left behind. What is their future?
From the state department perspective, some have suggested that the lack of tours of duty sufficient to master the problems and the confusion of policy and implementation are both ongoing issues, and not just for Afghanistan. For a more historical perspective, others have cited an “imperial aversion to instability,” from the British in 19th century Sudan, to our own years in Vietnam. And now perhaps Afghanistan?
How will our Afghanistan experience impact our actions and foreign policy decisions in the future?
Please join us for what will be a very lively discussion.

For further information please contact:
Ellen Murry, WAC Advisory Board

ellen.murry@yahoo.com

Polina Anastassieva, WAC management team
polina@wacaustin.org
We have also included some suggested articles for further reading on this topic.
https://foreignpolicy.com/projects/leaving-afghanistan/
China, Russia Look to Outflank U.S. in Afghanistan
Intervention: Unlearned Lessons, or the Gripes of a Professional

Kozmetsky Forum on Global Investment, Finance, Emerging Markets and Geopolitical Risk
2021-09-07 12:00 - 13:00 | ONLINE
The World Affairs Council of Austin and the Kozmetsky Center of Excellence in Global Finance at St. Edward’s University host a series of Forums on Global Investment, Finance, Emerging Markets and Geopolitical Risk. Our next Forum focusing on political risk will feature Joseph Sadek.
Joseph was the 2016 co-Chair of the Conference on Management Political Risk at The Fletcher School of Law & Diplomacy at Tufts University, and is currently a Research Manager in Financial Services. He holds a Master’s Degree in International Relations from The Fletcher School, and a Bachelor’s Degree in International Studies from The Ohio State University.
The Kozmetsky Forums will be held on Zoom during the fall of 2021.

Export Reset 2021 Conference
2021-09-02 08:00 - 12:00 | ONLINE
The World Affairs Council of Austin and the Texas Camino Real District Export Council is proud to present these Export RESET 2021 panels:
8:00 AM (CDT): Lessons Learned from 2020 – Panelists (listed in photo above) will discuss trends in the global supply chain before and during the pandemic and which innovative measures remain;
9:00 AM (CDT): Workforce Development Needs for Global Expansion – Look at recent data and solutions that can be applied to meet your entry level and skilled labor needs. Panelists in photo below;

10:00 AM (CDT): International Ecommerce for SME’s – Ecommerce business providers offer website tips to increase international sales. Panelists in photo below;

11:00 AM (CDT): How Finding and Negotiating with your Channel Partners/Distributors Changed – Local companies will share their experiences and recommendations on changes and adjustments they made last year.

REGISTRATION and more details here:

Globalist Coffeehouse - Foreigners: How do We Perceive Them?
2021-08-19 18:30 - 19:30 | ONLINE
The next Globalist Coffeehouse will be on Thursday, August 19th, 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. in a “virtual zoom” format due to the situation with the Delta -Variant.

See below for the details.
The topic will be: Foreigners: How do we perceive them?
“Travel is fatal to prejudice, bigotry, and narrow-mindedness, and many of our people need it sorely on these accounts. Broad, wholesome, charitable views of men and things cannot be acquired by vegetating in one little corner of the earth all ones lifetime.”– Samuel Clements
Travel takes time and money, something many Americans don’t have, consequently what we know about the world – its geography and cultures – comes from the media. At best it is a National Geographic special. Unfortunately, too often most countries are not covered at all and when they are mentioned it is in the negative context of civil war, coups d’états, drought, and famine. And this was before the pandemic. As a result, Americans tend to form negative stereotypes that reinforce prejudices about a country and its people.
What can we do to help overcome this trend? Supporting more international cultural exchanges? Encouraging the mainstream media to focus more on what is “unique” about a country as opposed to “strange” or “backward and primitive?” What about your own experiences living or traveling abroad which may have reinforced your pre-conceived perceptions or changed them for better or worse? Even in this country, has a personal encounter with someone from another culture impacted your perception of that society?
Please join us for what will be a very lively discussion.

For further information please contact:
Ellen Murry, WAC Advisory Board
ellen.murry@yahoo.com
Polina Anastassieva, WAC management team
polina@wacaustin.org

Kirsten Hillman, Canada's Ambassador to the USA among Featured Speakers in July
2021-07-28 12:00 - 17:00 | TX
27th at 11am Canada & the US: Friends, Partners and Allies featuring Amb. Kirsten Hillman, Canada’s Ambassador to the USA //
27th at 2 pm Export Compliance 101 featuring Mariana de Gorordo Rutherford, the COO of Kieyos, an international trade company and the Supply Chain / Export Compliance Director of AIRtec, Inc.; and Sheriah Johnson, Trade Compliance Manager for NCR Corporation in Atlanta, Georgia. //
28th at 12noon NET ZERO Leaders Summit Japan Business Conference featuring panels on Japanese Business Initiatives Toward Carbon Neutrality; Green Innovation; Sustainable Finance; Transition in Emerging Countries //

Globalist Coffeehouse: Global Art as “Icons of Cultures”
2021-07-15 18:30 - 19:30 | Shoal Creek Saloon, 909 N. Lamar Blvd, Austin, TX, 78703, United States
The next Globalist Coffeehouse will be on Thursday, July 15th, 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. at the Shoal Creek Saloon, 909 N. Lamar Blvd. Yes, it will be in person! See below for the details.
The topic will be: Global Art as “Icons of Cultures”

For centuries art has played a role in culture – whether religion, colonialism, revolution, and war. Think about the collecting (some would say looting) of artifacts from South and Central America by the Spanish and Portuguese or Africa and Asia (including the Indian Subcontinent) by colonials and the French and British in the Middle East. Then there are religious wars and revolutions, from the art appropriated or destroyed by the Germans in WWII – whatever happened to the famed “Amber room” – to the Taliban destroying the Buddhas of Bamiyan in Afghanistan. The U.S. has also “played this game,” if you think about Native American artifacts in our major museum collections.
So, what about more contemporary efforts at repatriation – to locate, restore and even return artifacts to the original owners or societies?
Join us for our first “in person” discussion about this fascinating topic. We are certain that you will all have wonderful stories to tell about experiencing temples, statuary, art collections, and the historical “back-story” of how it ended up on that wall or pedestal.
Regarding the new location and format. We will be in a private dining room at the Shoal Creek Saloon. It is an Austin “icon” in its own right. Please check out their website and menu. The discussion will begin at 6:30 p.m. but do come a little early – get a craft beer, perhaps order something to eat, and enjoy meeting your fellow “globalists” in person!

The Globalist Coffeehouse: The Global Rise of Populism - What Does it Mean for the World’s Democracies?
2021-06-17 18:30 - 19:30 | ONLINE
Over the last decade, there has been a rise in populist and authoritarian regimes around the world. From the increasing influence of authoritarian countries like China to the retreat of democracy across Eurasia and the former Soviet Bloc countries. You have Marine Le Pen and xenophobia in France and Modi in India where the rise of Hindu nationalism threatens Muslims and other minorities. The same trend is found in the Americas and Africa.
Right-wing populism is not a monolith, yet there are some common elements: nationalistic traits, xenophobia, a tendency towards authoritarianism, opposition to immigration, discontent with multi-culturalism/social liberalism and an anti-elitist message.
So what is the solution? How do democracies address this trend? While the focus of our discussion will be mostly global, some would also suggest that recently even the U.S. has been experiencing a similar process.
Please join us for what will certainly be a lively conversation.

For more details contact:
Ellen Murry, WAC Advisory Board
ellen.murry@yahoo.com
Polina Anastassieva, WAC Management Team
polina@wacaustin.org

Conversation with Todd Chapman, U.S. Ambassador to Brazil
2021-06-15 12:00 - 13:00 | ONLINE
Join the World Affairs Council of Austin for a special conversation with Todd C. Chapman, U.S. Ambassador to Brazil. Ambassador Chapman will discuss current events in Brazil as well as the Texas-Brazil relationship with Political Officer Ian Brown at the U.S. Embassy in Brazil.

Todd C. Chapman is the U.S. Ambassador to Brazil. He was nominated by President Donald Trump on October 30, 2019, confirmed by the U.S. Senate on February 20, 2020 and arrived in Brazil on March 29, 2020. A career member of the Senior Foreign Service, Ambassador Chapman earlier served as U.S. Ambassador to Ecuador from 2016 – 2019.
Ambassador Chapman’s career has focused on promoting economic development and security partnerships around the world. He previously served as Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary for Political Military Affairs at the Department of State (2014-2016); Deputy Chief of Mission, U.S. Embassy Brasilia, Brazil (2011-2014); Senior Deputy Coordinator for Economic Affairs, U.S. Embassy Kabul, Afghanistan (2010-2011); and Chargé d’Affaires at U.S. Embassy Maputo, Mozambique (2007-2010). Earlier assignments included Bolivia, Costa Rica, Nigeria, Taiwan, and several tours at the Department of State in Washington D.C.
Ambassador Chapman first came to Brazil in 1974 when his father’s U.S. company transferred the family to Sao Paulo. He attended Escola Maria Imaculada (Chapel School) where he graduated in 1980. Before joining the Foreign Service, he worked as a commercial banker in New York and Saudi Arabia, and later as a business consultant in Brazil and his hometown of Houston, Texas. Altogether, he has lived in Brazil for 11 years.
Ambassador Chapman earned an A.B. in History from Duke University in 1983, and a M.S. in Strategic Intelligence from the Joint Military Intelligence College in 2000.
He is joined in Brazil by his wife of 34 years Janetta Chapman and they are the proud parents of two sons, Joshua and Jason, and daughter-in-law Brooke, all who reside in Denver, Colorado.

Event hosted by:
