IRC Admin, Author at International Relations Council

Following Up with Jay Kim

IRC Admin2022-03-14T13:23:12-05:00

On February 21, as part of International Mother Language Day, the IRC welcomed Jay Kim, Michael Volz, Tamara Medakov, and Ani Kokobobo for a conversation discussing the question "Is English the World's Language?". Because of the riveting conversation, we ran out of time and still had many questions from the audience that had gone unanswered. Graciously, Jay Kim offered some of his time to address the questions below. How important is knowing English when traveling or in the context of international business? To what extent is English a de facto language for business, for education, for daily interactions? Jay Kim: [...]

Following Up with Jay KimIRC Admin2022-03-14T13:23:12-05:00

IRC Weekly Update: English and World Languages Next Week

IRC Admin2022-02-16T10:07:42-06:00

Good morning, Friend! Have you met Aurna, our global education coordinator? Aurna is from Bangladesh, home of International Mother Language Day, which has been observed around the world since its approval at the 1999 UNESCO General Conference. The spirit of the day is to explore the value and opportunities offered by linguistic diversity. Next week, the IRC is pleased to mark International Mother Language Day with a Monday panel discussion – "Is English the World's Language?" – and a Tuesday International Film Club discussion of the documentary, The Linguists. Language is a central component of identity and expression, and certainly a critical tool for our work [...]

IRC Weekly Update: English and World Languages Next WeekIRC Admin2022-02-16T10:07:42-06:00

IRC Weekly Update: Human-Centered Agenda for the Future of Work

IRC Admin2022-02-16T16:56:50-06:00

Good morning, Friend! As high school students around the metro area continue to prepare for the Academic WorldQuest global knowledge competition on Saturday, March 5, community members are invited to join them in their preparation through a series of special News & Views discussion groups. Thanks to everyone, including discussion leader Dave Tripp, an IRC member, who joined us for last week's look at climate and migration. Join us tomorrow for an exploration of the pullout from Afghanistan and next Thursday, February 17, to discuss the future of work. The IRC is pleased to offer a couple events to mark International Mother Language Day, an annual UNESCO [...]

IRC Weekly Update: Human-Centered Agenda for the Future of WorkIRC Admin2022-02-16T16:56:50-06:00

IRC Newsletter: Bring Your Whole Self to This Table

IRC Admin2022-02-02T13:29:11-06:00

Good morning, Friend! None of us is one-dimensional – countless layered components, influences, and experiences intersect to make up our identities. The commemorations and holidays that line our calendars invite us to pause to recognize the meaning behind those layers. Just this week, so many layers of identity come into focus and deserve consideration and conversation. We mark the Lunar New Year together with Asian and Asian American communities around the world. We begin Black History Month and take time to celebrate the contributions and absorb the stories of members of the Black and African American communities. And February 1, World Hijab Day, invites us [...]

IRC Newsletter: Bring Your Whole Self to This TableIRC Admin2022-02-02T13:29:11-06:00

IRC Weekly Update: Where Climate and Migration Meet next week

IRC Admin2022-02-02T13:27:47-06:00

Good morning, Friend! Especially during the last two years, discussion groups like News & Views, the Global Affairs Book Club, A Novel Experience, and the International Film Club have helped IRC members and friends stay connected, get to know one another, and explore a range of perspectives on international events and global issues. Whether you already have a favorite format or would like to try something new, you'll find a range of topics in the calendar below, and we hope you'll join us as your schedule permits. We'll look forward to seeing many of you this evening for the IRC Town Hall. Thank you for helping [...]

IRC Weekly Update: Where Climate and Migration Meet next weekIRC Admin2022-02-02T13:27:47-06:00

IRC Weekly Update: Academic WorldQuest Registration Deadline Approaching

IRC Admin2022-01-19T15:25:38-06:00

Good morning! High school students around the Kansas City metro area are preparing to showcase their global knowledge in the annual Academic WorldQuest competition, this year on Saturday, March 5. As you are checking out upcoming opportunities for global engagement below, please do pass this information along to teachers and students who might be interested. The winning team will receive an expenses-paid trip to Washington, D.C., for the national competition in April. We're looking forward to seeing IRC members from Kansas City and beyond at next week's IRC Town Hall! Do join us on Zoom the evening of Wednesday, January 26, to [...]

IRC Weekly Update: Academic WorldQuest Registration Deadline ApproachingIRC Admin2022-01-19T15:25:38-06:00

Member Spotlight: Once We Were Refugees

IRC Admin2021-07-15T11:12:14-05:00

Ninety days. That’s how long the U.S. Government allows for refugees to become self-sustaining. 90 days to learn English. 90 days to find a place to live. 90 days to find work in a new country. All the while in debt for a loan they are expected to pay back to the U.S. Federal government. Once We Were Refugees steps in on the ninety-first day. “We consider ourselves to be a 91st day agency,” Rev. William Say said. “We don’t resettle refugees, but when people have arrived here as refugees we, for those who want to work with us, we’ll [...]

Member Spotlight: Once We Were RefugeesIRC Admin2021-07-15T11:12:14-05:00

History of the United Nations – Absent Countries

IRC Admin2021-06-24T12:40:25-05:00

As we approach the 100th anniversary of the signing of the Treaty of Versailles next year, it is worth taking a look at the paradigm it established and the international order a century on. International organizations, from NATO to the European Union, and from the Shanghai Cooperation Organization to the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, play an increasingly significant role in the development and maintenance of international relations as our movement, environment, economy, and culture are ever more globalized. One of the more important aspects of the Treaty of Versailles was the Covenant of the League of Nations, which created [...]

History of the United Nations – Absent CountriesIRC Admin2021-06-24T12:40:25-05:00

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