Author Series- Ambassador Akbar Ahmed

July 14th, 2010

Given the importance that the World Affairs Council places on a global education, it was a real delight last night to welcome Ambassador Akbar Ahmed to address the Council’s members and guests. As the former Pakistani ambassador to the UK and current Ibn Khaldun chair of Islamic Studies at American University, it is quite appropriate that he is regarded by the BBC as the ‘world’s leading authority on contemporary Islam.’ Ambassador Ahmed and his young cadre of American college students have recently completed a mammoth undertaking, a year-long ‘Journey in to America’. Visiting over 75 Muslim communities and over 100 mosques, he sought to arrive at a more thorough understanding of how Muslims are perceived across the country. Out of his experiences he and his staff have compiled a book and put together a film, a documentary that we were privileged enough to watch snippets of during his presentation.
Ambassador Ahmed conceded that he was somewhat dismayed by their findings. About half of the non-Muslim Americans they surveyed admitted to varying degrees of anti-Islamic sentiment, the other half professed neutral or indifferent stances. Nearly everybody they spoke to said they really knew next to nothing of Islam. In acknowledging that he had encountered a similar ignorance of America when travelling in the Arab World, Ambassador Ahmed feels it is a terrific failure of both the East and West that we continue to misunderstand each other so completely. It was for this reason that Ambassador Ahmed was particularly kind in his praise of the World Affairs Council’s efforts to defend the value of a global education. He said that he remained very much indebted to the various World Affairs Council chapters across the country for their support on his travels.
During his travels Ambassador Ahmed thought about what he calls the United States’ great conundrums, primary amongst these issues is its relationship with the Muslim World. Are we to treat the Muslim World with respect and honor, or are we to continue down this path of seemingly unending conflict? Perhaps even more significantly to what extent is America able to remain faithful to its own lofty ideals? Ambassador Ahmed was particularly struck at the University of Virginia by the statue of Thomas Jefferson. It is a statue that celebrates Jefferson’s upholding of freedom of conscience, and emblazoned on a tablet under Jefferson’s arm are the names of Jehovah, Rama, and Allah. America was founded as a country of unparalleled tolerance, and even in an era of minimal Islamic exposure in the US, Jefferson maintained the Hindu and Muslim gods’ right to be worshipped. Citing the example of a mosque in Columbia, Tennessee that was burned down by a ‘Christian Identity Movement’, Ambassador Ahmed queried as to whether America can be America?
The Ambassador and his team endeavored to document the manner in which the Muslim minority adjusts to the non-Muslim majority. Their thousands of pages of notes, observations and diaries have been condensed into a ‘Journey into America: The Challenge of Islam’. As an anthropologist’s account, Ambassador Ahmed’s book exists more as a record of what they found than as political commentary. It is impossible, Ambassador Ahmed noted, however, to accurately study one community without examining its relations with other groups. Consequently his book is as much an international relations book as it is a travel record and an anthropologist’s tome. Given his highly impressive credentials one would have been almost disappointed had Ambassador/Professor/Dr. Ahmed not added a few observations of his own, and indeed he checks his objectivity at the door for the last chapter. For America has, by his own admission, been very good to him, and Ambassador Ahmed feels that his recommendations on how to confront homegrown terrorism constitute his contribution to America.

Author Series- Monte Reel

July 14th, 2010

The World Affairs Council was recently privileged to host Monte Reel, former South America Bureau Chief for the Washington Post correspondent, at the Charles Sumner School. After a number of years with the Post in South America, Washington and Iraq, this was Mr. Reel’s first foray into the literary world and he does not disappoint. The Last of the Tribe amounts to a gripping account of the discovery in 1996 of the last surviving member of an Amazon tribe. Mr. Reel summarized his book as the ‘story of the most isolated man on the planet, and the fight to keep it that way.’ In person he captivated us with his knowledge and insight into the particular problems facing a rapidly modernizing Brazil. In the words of Publishers Weekly ‘he endeavors to bring to life the ongoing struggle on the Brazilian frontier between Native Americans and land-hungry settlers.’ Demonstrating a very detailed understanding of his subject matter, and exhibiting quite the time and research he had dedicated to this project, Mr. Reel skillfully recounted the Brazilian Government’s evolving approach to its indigenous tribes. The subtitle, the ‘Epic Quest to Save a Lone Man in the Amazon’, added at his publisher’s bequest he noted, evokes the obstacles that the FUNAI (the Brazilian Government Indian protection agency) encountered in trying to contact previously un-contactable tribesmen.
For in confronting an issue that no other country has to manage on such a scale (the interaction between its tribal and societal elements), Mr. Reel documents the Brazilian authorities past experiences with indigenous peoples. Having recently made two successful first contacts with previously ‘undiscovered’ tribes, it was with a certain confidence that FUNAI sought out the lone Indian. Very soon, though, the authorities realized that their expedition had taken on the complexion of a hunt, as the tribesman fearfully sought to evade the very people who were trying to help him. Mr. Reel made it clear that his approach was rather more political than anthropological in nature and as a consequence he delves deeply into the socio-economic concerns posed by such a situation. He voiced his approval for the present FUNAI policy of no contact, formulated in the aftermath of this experience, and for the practice of maintaining reservations for these Indian peoples (the ‘last tribesman’ has a 31 square mile patch of land to himself). In the interest of balance Mr. Reel is no less effusive in his understanding for the loggers and ranchers. And it on this count that Mr. Reel has come in for much criticism for expressing overt sympathy with those who were no doubt responsible for the massacre of the rest of the Indian’s tribe. He admittedly has a point in his highlighting of the ranchers’ woes. They feel that the rules of the game have been changed in the middle of the process. They had done what the previous military governments had wanted and developed the rainforest, and now they are being punished for it. To call them the victims of the entire sordid affair, however, does the Indian a great injustice. For Mr. Reel’s book essentially amounts to not only a tale of one particular individual’s victimization, but also of an entire people left behind by Brazil’s fast-evolving modern society.

Author Series- Timothy Parsons

June 17th, 2010

Among the themes of this summer’s upcoming events is an evaluation of empires, and the claims of American imperialism. Heidi Shoup, our organization’s president spoke on this theme and others in the introduction of Timothy Parsons to our council members last night at the Charles Sumner School in downtown DC. Really I doubt we could find a better start for an exploration of imperialist themes than a discussion with Timothy Parsons, author of The Rule of Empires. A scholar of history, and an educator at Washington University of St. Louis, Dr. Parsons presented a powerful argument in support of the ideas expressed in his book.

The foundation of Dr. Parsons’ argument lay in creating a firm definition of imperialism. Throughout the centuries imperialism has become representative of a number of ideas, understood in varied ways by differing cultures. From ancient Rome to British India, from economic empires and political ideologies to Soviet republics and African colonies some would have us believe that empire as an idea has remained constant and unwavering. Dr. Parsons’ arguments are based directly in contrast with this idea; they require first and foremost, an acceptance of the differences between empire and other forms of forceful coercion. In defining empire narrowly as the formal direct rule of one group over another, Parsons prepared the rest of his argument to stand up against possible criticisms via examples of cultural assimilation and economic hegemony.

With this definition firmly set Dr. Parsons expressed his stance that empire could never be morally or fiscally justifiable. In contrast with our appreciation for some of these past great “civilizers” and military regimes, Parsons painted a picture of inequality, servitude and exploitation. Here I believe Dr. Parsons would likely be engaged by all of the standard traditional arguments over the betterment of native societies and moral superiority of these past conquering nations. Dr. Parsons might find his ideas less argued however in the area of his stance against the fiscal sustainability of empire.

Once, when governors had less ability to control the daily activities of the governed, Dr. Parsons claims imperial goals might have been more reasonable. When a nation was required to delegate authority to local officials, the potential assimilation of the conquered people made resistance less an issue. In the modern empire occupiers have met a host of challenges brought by subjugation and the increased ability of subjects to communicate with one another and the outside world. In many ways the idea of moral superiority has contributed to the failure of modern empire.

The concept of an international moral order might seem new and brilliant when applied to our struggles in the Middle East, but the idea is far from fresh. Historically many with imperial aims have attempted to justify otherwise unacceptable behaviors with moral rhetoric on the benefits of lifting folk from savagery. Though few would appreciate the comparisons and some might even be offended by them, Dr. Parsons listed the actions of Rome, the Conquistadors and Hitler in justifying imperial aims. No nations have seemed impervious to this sense of nationalism gone wrong, when one takes pride in one’s own nation it unfortunately seems not a far stretch to view it as superior to all others.

On the conclusion of Dr. Parsons’ presentation, questions from the audience ranged in nature from full support to utter disagreement. Those disagreements which occurred however seemed largely irreconcilable differences over the understanding of modern empires histories.

Distinguished Speaker Series – Abdullah Abdullah

May 24th, 2010

On May 18, 2010, The World Affairs Council – Washington, DC, in partnership with the University of the District of Columbia, hosted a conversation with Dr. Abdullah Abdullah and Ambassador Ronald Neumann as part of WAC-DC’s Distinguished Speakers series. The evening began with remarks from Ambassador Neumann, who served as Ambassador to Afghanistan from 2005-2007, and worked with Dr. Abdullah Abdullah when he was Prime Minister in Kabul.  Dr. Abdullah Abdullah then took the floor.

Abdullah highlighted both the challenges and the triumphs that the US and Afghan governments have experienced since 9/11. He spoke of improved roads and infrastructure in much of the country. He also emphasized the increased freedom of speech and power of the media in Afghanistan. He pointed out achievements that have been made in education in rural areas, and the increased awareness of women’s rights. However he also highlighted how instability and insecurity in the country still pose a constant threat to future political and economic development.

Dr. Abdullah spoke of the difficulty of establishing a stable democratic government in the country due to the corruption of leaders such as President Hamid Karzai and his “cronies”. He stated that there is a growing gap between the people and the government because of a lack of transparency, because of corruption, and because of the need for rule of law. He told the audience that this gap has fueled the growth of the Taliban. He told of how, when speaking to farmers in Marja, many of them told him that they had decided to support the Taliban because it seemed like a better alternative to the corrupt officials in Kabul.

Dr. Abdullah Abdullah himself ran against President Karzai in the August 2009 presidential election.  He stated, “I took the campaign to the people, listened to them, learned from them, and framed the message of my campaign from them.” However, Abdullah stated that he was cheated out of a fair election by the lack of transparency that allowed Karzai to win the vote.

Despite this, Dr. Abdullah Abdullah cautioned the audience that the US should not conclude that democracy will not work in Afghanistan. He stated that a future leader’s success must be defined by winning and gaining the trust of the Afghan people. In September, Afghanistan will hold parliamentary elections. Dr. Abdullah recognized that this will be a test of the country’s ability to establish a transparent, democratic electoral system. He stated, “We have time to make serious corrective efforts. If we don’t the same painful experience may be repeated.” In the effort to ensure the success of these elections, Ambassador Neumann stated that foreign observation of the process must be made. Abdullah added that the Elections Complaint Commission, which is charged with ensuring the transparency and integrity of the elections, must be truly independent from the current administration.

Dr. Abdullah Abdullah also provided insightful comments on the US’s past and future involvement in Afghanistan. He spoke of the damage that a specific date for troop withdrawal had done to the US’s reputation with the Afghan people. He reminded the audience that once Afghanistan was no longer a US priority at the end of the Cold War, America abandoned the country, and it was out of this environment of sudden neglect that the extremist enemies of the US formed. He cautioned that withdrawing suddenly from the current engagement could have similar effects.

Author series – Jeffery N. Wasserstrom

May 20th, 2010

Last night, on a rainy DC evening, The World affairs council-Washington DC hosted another author series event author series, at Merrill Lynch. This week we were able to have the author of China in the 21st Century, What Everyone Needs to Know, Jeffery N. Wasserstrom, a professor of history at University of California at Berkley, portrayed an insightful portrayal of modern day China. Wasserstrom discussed how the rapid industrialization of the young nation has created many cultural incongruities. He provided ample examples of how China is both culturally and economically similar to the United States during its era of rapid industrialization, during the late 1800’s to the early 1900’s. He then discussed how these two facets have drastically changed the political atmosphere as drastically.  He remarked how the political atmosphere China of today is almost unrecognizable of the China of Mao Zedong. He claimed that today’s atmosphere has taken a radically different approach than the hard line approach the Peoples Republic of China had towards controlling the public’s opinion.

After his presentation Professor Wasserstrom allotted time to take questions from the audience. After many insightful questions from the audience, there was a reception where Professor Wasserstrom signed copies of his book, and socialized with our distinguished guests.

Portuguese Madeira Wine Tasting

April 30th, 2010

Last Thursday, on a beautiful spring evening, the World Affairs Council – Washington DC joined His Excellency João de Vallera, Ambassador from Portugal to the United States, at his residency for a tasting of Madeira Wines.  Author of Oceans of Wine, David Hancock, a professor of History at the University of Michigan, offered a dramatic perspective on how the Portuguese Maderia wine trade shaped the economic and social development of the early Atlantic world and American Society.  Hancock explained the variations in types of Madeira and chronicled their journey around the world, and challenged traditional interpretations that have identified states and empires as the primary driving forces behind trade. Hancock reconstructed the lives of producers, distributors, and consumers, as well as the economic and social structures created by globalizing commerce, to reveal an intricate interplay between individuals and market forces.  The American markets, the largest consumer of Madeira, greatly shaped the path of Madeira production throughout the ages.

Following his informative presentation, Dr. Ana Christina Cabaco da Silva, President of the “Instituto do Vinho da Maderia” presented a special sample of Maderia wines along with artisanal artifacts related to the unique culture of the “Pearl of the Atlantic”, a fitting title for this Portuguese island. These beautiful, handmade artisanal linen artifacts were tastefully displayed throughout His Excellency’s residency. The unique selection of wines included a bottle of Leacock Seco from 1825, a 1925 D’Oliveira Verdelho, a 50 year old Tinta Negra Mole, and a Charleston Sercial. Guests were able to sample the wine from 1825, before the Maderia vineyards were destroyed, and compared the flavor to the newly imported vines from 1925. These delectable wines were accompanied by complementing appetizers prepared to bring out the rich flavors of the wines.

Guests were free to wander about the beautiful house to take in the magnificent linens, socialize with the distinguished hosts, sample the many rich wines, and enjoy the warm evening on the beautiful terrace in the garden.

Author Series Event with Paul Collier – Plundered Planet

April 30th, 2010

Last evening April 27th the World Affairs Council of DC hosted Dr. Paul Collier at CSIS to speak on his most recent book The Plundered Planet.  Dr. Collier spoke before a crowd of council members and local university students on the subjects of economics, environmentalism and where the two seemingly contrary ideologies must cross paths in the future.  The event drew a substantial number of university students, perhaps a result of the importance of environmental issues in this rising generation.

As one might have expected after browsing through Dr. Collier’s book, his words focused heavily on the economic and socio-cultural repercussions of our use of natural assets.  Interestingly much of the material presented would likely be hard to swallow for those dedicated to either environmental or economic studies.  So often these schools of thought seem almost destined to clash but by Dr. Collier’s interpretation the clash of these ideas not only detracts from the value of each school of thought but also endangers both our present and our future.

The Oxford professor explained very clearly how critical it was that ethical debate (second nature to environmentalist) take some role in the field of economics while at the same time expressing how environmental theory is relatively worthless without a grasp of economics.  Part of Dr. Collier’s foundation for his argument lay in the reality that it would be unreasonable to assume that humanity would ever cease using natural resources and that thus preservation purely for the sake of preservation was a flawed and ultimately unjust goal.  He argued that the problem lay in economist’s failure to truly understand and express the “value” of natural resources.

So much of economic theory is stretched out of shape when applied to natural resources.  Typically through the process of creating an asset one is granted ownership of said asset, this principle of ownership is what justifies much of economic thought.  Unfortunately in the case of natural assets application of this principle is flawed, as the assets are not created by anyone they must be recognized as belonging to the many.  The best we can hope for in applying economics to assets of this sort is to spread the rights to this property evenly.

Unfortunately this is not the only problem faced by applications of economic theory to natural assets, there also lays the difficulty of the rights of the future over the rights of the present.  Economists’ views of the future are strange to say the least argued Dr. Collier, here concepts like the “util” and utilitarianism struggle and ultimately fail to properly address the issue.  Where a strict environmentalist might require that nature be preserved, an economist would require only that the “value” of these assets must be passed down rather than the assets themselves.

While in the wealthiest nations of the world preservation holds a strong sway, in the poorest nations of the world the ability to use and develop from these natural resources is often the only road to potential progress.  Due to the importance of natural assets in these nations it is even more critical that the value of these assets be preserved.  Presenting examples of misappropriated natural assets in several African nations and the failure of local governments to preserve resources for the future, Dr. Collier spoke on the importance of just government and an informed citizenry in relation to environmental issues.

After expressing the theories supported in his book, Dr. Collier accepted questions from those in attendance, further illuminating the ideas on which his economic and environmental theories were based.  Attendees fielded questions ranging from the dangers of misinformation and the impact of corruption in governance.  Realizing the difficulties present in creating an informed populace, Dr. Collier responded effectively to the questions presented even in cases where there was ultimately little in the way of definite answers.  The conflict over plundered natural resources is not one likely to disappear overnight, but certainly is a conflict worth fighting.

Distinguished Speaker Event — National Webcast with Colonel Muammar al-Gaddafi

April 30th, 2010

On Monday, April 26, 2010, in conjunction with the World Affairs Council – America and the Embassy of Libya, the World Affairs Council – DC hosted a webcast with Libyan Brother Leader Muammar al-Gaddafi at the National Press Club in Washington, DC. During the event, His Excellency addressed guests from the Washington, DC area, as well as a broader audience of the membership of over 20 World Affairs Councils throughout the US who connected to the webcast via internet.

Heidi Shoup, President of the World Affairs Council – DC, introduced the event and gave a brief overview of the World Affairs Council system, which began as the Foreign Policy Association, founded in 1923. Today, there are over 91 councils in the United States, and taken collectively, the World Affairs Council is the largest non-profit organization in the US dedicated to the mission of promoting an understanding of foreign policy and international affairs. In line with this mission, the World Affairs Council – DC took advantage of this rare opportunity to hear from a fascinating leader whose name is well-known on the world stage.

The discussion was moderated by former US Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs, Ambassador Herman J. Cohen, who devoted 38 years to the foreign service, and participated in track-two diplomacy that ultimately contributed to the normalization of relations between the US and Libya. In his remarks, Ambassador Cohen pointed out that Libyan Brother Leader Gaddafi is the third longest-serving head of state in the world, giving him 40 years’ worth of wisdom and knowledge. Read the rest of this entry »

Author Series Event with Fred Pearce: The Coming Population Crash and Our Planet’s Surprising Future

April 16th, 2010

Author Series Event with Fred Pearce: The Coming Population Crash and Our Planet’s Surprising Future

On Tuesday, April 13, 2010, members and guests of the World Affairs Council – Washington, DC gathered at the Charles Sumner School to listen to global environmentalist and author, and one of Britain’s top science writers, Fred Pearce, as he demystified the topic of population growth, which he addresses in his latest work, The Coming Population Crash and Our Planet’s Surprising Future. Pearce jumped at the chance to deliver what he termed a “good news story,” which he noted, as an environmentalist in the twenty-first century, he does not often have a chance to do. Rejecting Malthusian theories, which claim that the world is doomed because of exponential population growth, Mr. Pearce clarified that in our times, exponential population growth is a myth; the growth rate is in fact falling because women are having fewer babies. Read the rest of this entry »

Professional Development Workshop — Turkey: Where East Meets West, April 10, 2010

April 12th, 2010

Turkey: Where East Meets West – An Educational Seminar for High School Educators

On Saturday, April 10, 2010, thirty greater DC area high school teachers participated in a day-long seminar on Turkey, a topic that is often difficult to integrate into standardized curricula. The day was filled with six fantastic speakers, who illuminated various aspects of the country, including Turkey-US relations, Turkish history, Ottoman-style Islamic Art, Turkey, NATO and the EU, and Turkish culture. The program also included an important section on curriculum development, giving teachers the chance to flex their creative muscles in an interactive activity requiring them to generate lesson plans, and offered suggestions of ways to bring Turkey into the classroom.

The morning portion of the seminar included lectures by Berkan Pazarci, Counselor at the Embassy of Turkey, and Kemal Kirisci, a Fellow at the Transatlantic Alliance of the German Marshall Fund, and Katie Ziglar, the Director of External Development at the Freer/Sackler Gallery. Read the rest of this entry »