Educators from Kyrgyzstan hang out with the Grinch at the Dr. Seuss Memorial Sculpture Garden in Springfield.

Five educators from the Kyrgyz Republic were recently in Springfield through the US Department of State’s International Visitor Leadership Program to learn more about the Irene E. and George A. Davis Foundation’s Reading Success by 4th Grade! initiative.  The delegation included the director of a production studio that created the first Kyrgyz language educational cartoon for children, the director of a children’s library, the director of early education at a children’s home, and two specialists from the Ministry of Education of Kyrgyzstan.

A visit with The Very Hungry Caterpillar at the Eric Carle Museum

The Visitors began their stay in western Massachusetts with a trip to the Eric Carle Museum of Picture Book Art in Amherst.  Although previously unfamiliar with Carle’s work they explored exhibits on his art and techniques, Latino folk tales, and illustrator Robert R. Zakanitch.  They also asked questions of staff in the museum’s reading library and art studio about techniques for encouraging literacy in young children.  The World Affairs Council gave each Visitor a Russian translation of Carle’s book Mr. Seahorse.

In the evening they visited the home of Past Council President Ken Furst and his wife Karen at their home in Wilbraham for an informal dessert reception with members and friends of the Council.  This was a warm and informal opportunity to learn more about one another.

Monday was a full day, beginning with a breakfast meeting with Sally Fuller to hear about the history of the Reading Success by 4th Grade! initiative and the commitment of the Davis Foundation and other funders to making a real difference in the lives of children in Springfield by working with parents, teachers and others to strengthen the literacy rate.

WGBY General Manager Rus Peotter shows off the station’s master control room

After breakfast they walked over to western Massachusetts’s public television affiliate WGBY, got a tour of the station and then went over to the Gerena Community School to see the North End Center for Literacy and Learning, a key part of a WGBY’s Ready To Learn: North End project.

At lunchtime the group reunited with Sally Fuller at the Springfield Housing Authority‘s Sullivan apartments community room to hear about Talk/Read/Succeed!, a family-school-community framework to organize engagement with families living at two Springfield Housing Authority developments.   Representatives from the SHA, the Regional Employment Board of Hampden County, and the Behavioral Health Network all spoke about their efforts.  Sally Fuller gave each of the Visitors a copy of the Oh, the Places You’ll Go! by Dr. Seuss and a Cat in the Hat tee shirt.

Christin LaRocque (right) demonstrates an Old McDonald’s Farm toy and book from the Early Childhood Resource Center in the Springfield City Library’s children’s room

The last meetings of the day took place at the Springfield City Library.  After a stroll through the Dr. Seuss National Memorial Sculpture Garden, the group toured the library, heard about programs to support early childhood literacy.  They then met with members of the Early Literacy Coalition, including representatives from Head Start and Home City Families, who discussed ways the Coalition encourages daycare providers to promote and support literacy in the children they care for.

Early reviews from the Visitors and the Professional Resources they met with in Springfield were all glowing.  The IVLP continues to be a wonderful opportunity for folks in western Massachusetts to show off how we try to tackle challenges and to learn things from others from around the world.

Sue Root and Tadanori Yamashita, Professor Emeritus of Mount Holyoke College, at the World Affairs Council’s 2010 Annual Meeting

On April 29, 2013, the Japanese government announced that the Order of the Rising Sun, Gold and Silver Rays, will be conferred upon Ms. Sue C. Root of Holyoke, in recognition of her significant contributions to promoting friendly relations between Japan and the United States of America.

The former Executive Director of the World Affairs Council of Western Massachusetts, Sue Root has actively contributed to various exchanges between Massachusetts and Hokkaido as a member of the board of directors of the Massachusetts Hokkaido Association since its establishment in 1990. Since 1995, she has participated in grass roots exchanges and cultural exchanges between Japan and the United States and fostered mutual understanding between the two countries.  In 2000, on the tenth anniversary of the sister state relationship, she successfully received a delegation of 70 members led by the governor of Hokkaido and conducted various memorial events.

On the 20th Anniversary in of the signing ceremony establishing the sister city relationship between Springfield and Takikawa, Mayor Domenic Sarno and Mayor Koukichi Maeda sign a document to renew the relationship.

In 2010, on the twentieth anniversary, Ms. Root played an important role in receiving the Japanese delegation, which co-signed a joint-declaration with the Massachusetts Hokkaido Association.  Since the establishment of the sister state relationship, various exchange programs have been created like a chain reaction between Hokkaido and Massachusetts. These programs can be attributed to Ms. Root’s earlier work.

For three decades Ms. Root has contributed to increasing the diplomatic knowledge of citizens of western Massachusetts as a board member–including a stint as President — and then as Executive Director of the World Affairs Council of Western Massachusetts.  Since her retirement in 2003, she has contributed again as a member of the board of directors of the Council.

1st Class Grand Cordon Order of the Rising Sun

The Order of the Rising Sun is a Japanese order, established in 1875 by Emperor Meiji. The Order was the first national decoration awarded by the Japanese Government created by decree of the Council of State. The order is awarded to those who have made distinguished achievements in international relations, promotion of Japanese culture, advancements in their field, development in social/occupational welfare or preservation of the environment. It is awarded in the name of the emperor.

Wall Street Journal Asia’s Hugo Restall

The World Affairs Council of Western Massachusetts is delighted to partner with the Springfield Public Forum to present Hugo Restall, Editorial Page Editor of The Wall Street Journal’s opinion pages in Asia, who will speak on Why Chinese Are Unhappy on Wednesday, May 29, 2013 at CityStage, One Columbus Center (150 Bridge Street) Springfield, Massachusetts.  There will be a cash bar reception at 6:00 p.m. and the program will start at 6:30 p.m.

This event is free and open to the public.

Originally from Western Massachusetts and currently based in Hong Kong, Hugo Restall edits the Wall Street Journal’s opinion pages in Asia.  Prior to becoming a member of The Wall Street Journal editorial board in 2004, he joined the Asian Journal in April 1994 as an Editorial page writer and subsequently worked as Deputy Editorial page Editor.  Hugo also served as editor of the Far East Eastern Economic Review, a monthly journal of opinion and analysis published in Hong Kong.

We will also be recognizing Springfield area high school students who participated in the World Affairs Council’s Academic WorldQuest competition in January including the local champions, Springfield Renaissance School, who have just returned from competing nationally in Washington, DC at an event hosted by the World Affairs Councils of America.

Emily Conlogue, Zachary Holland, Coach Angela Sullivan, Alternate Elieser Rodriguez, Kyle Richmond-Crosset, and Jesse Lederman at Academic WorldQuest 2013 in Washington, DC

On April 27, 2013, the World Affairs Councils of America presented their 11th Annual Academic WorldQuest competition.  The World Affairs Council of Western Massachusetts–thanks to sponsors St. Germain Investment Management, Bacon & Wilson, and Rediker Software–sent a team of four students, a student alternate and teacher/coach from Springfield Renaissance High School to compete against 42 other high schools from around the country.

In addition to the competition there was sometime for our team to explore Washington–The National Museum of American History and Ben’s Chili Bowl both got high marks.  On Friday evening the World Affairs Councils of America presented a panel on From Graduation to DC: Paths to a Career in Foreign Policy featuring Kelsey Hartigan, Program Officer, International Program, Nuclear Threat Initiative; Adam Johnson, English Language Officer, International Visitor Leadership Program, U.S. Department of State, and Associate Director, External Relations, Young Professionals in Foreign Policy; and Jackie Quiñones, Africa Expert, Democratic Staff, House Foreign Affairs Committee.  Bill Clifford, President & CEO of WorldBoston, was the moderator.

The competition took place on the morning of April 17 at Georgetown University.  David Rothkopf, CEO and Editor-at-Large of Foreign Policy, moderated.  In the end Plano West Senior High School representing the World Affairs Council of Dallas Fort Worth emerged from a tie to take the top spot.  Naples Community School fielded by the Naples Council on World Affairs placed second, and the World Affairs Council of Greater Richmond’s Maggie Walker Governor School came in third.

Students from Cairo’s Hayah International Academy.

Following the competition the team members heard from a panel of Egyptian students from Hayah International Academy in Cairo, Egypt, who discussed among other things what the media does not report about life in Egypt, the impact of the revolution on their personal goals, and varying opinions in Egypt regarding the place of religion in the country’s political sphere.

News of the competition was reported out via Twitter and that exchange can be seen at hashtag #AWQ2013, including pictures.

Council President Gary Breton with the Renaissance Team and Coach at Western New England University

On Friday, April 26, a team of five students–four team members, plus an alternate–along with their teacher/coach from Springfield Renaissance High School will head to Washington, DC to represent the World Affairs Council of Western Massachusetts in the national Academic WorldQuest competition.  The event will take place at Georgetown University and David Rothkopf, CEO and Editor-at-Large of Foreign Policy, will moderate.

Kyle Richmond-Crossett, Zach Holland, Emily Conlogue and Jesse Lederman won the return to trip in January at the World Affairs Council’s local competition.  The team is coached by teacher Angela Sullivan.

Longmeadow High School came in second, and Wilbraham & Monson Academy (2011 champs) placed third.  The local competition was sponsored by St. Germain Investment Management, Bacon & Wilson, and Rediker Software.

Renaissance Academic WorldQuest Team Accepts Congratulations from the Springfield School Committee

The team received much deserved recognition from the Springfield School Committee on April 11.

Check this website along with our Facebook page and Twitter feed (watch out for hashtag #AWQ2013) for more information about the competition.

Editor at Large Peter Sokolowski (far right) Leads a Tour of Merriam-Webster. (Photo Credit: Joanne Watson, Merriam-Webster, Inc.)

The visit was brief but jam packed with activity and the reviews so far have all been great. On Sunday, March 31, a multi-regional group of two dozen English teachers and administrators from 23 countries visiting the US through the State Department’s International Visitor Leadership Program (IVLP) arrived in Springfield.  The visit was organized by World Learning in Washington, DC.

The trip began with a stop at the home of American poet Emily Dickinson in Amherst.  A mix of business and pleasure, everyone in the group was at least somewhat familiar with Emily Dickinson’s work and delighted to see her home.  One visitor from Bangladesh said, “From now on whenever I teach her work I will feel like Emily Dickinson is in the classroom with me.”

Monday was all business although still a lot of fun.  Editor at Large Peter Sokolowski at Merriam-Webster, Inc. put together a full day of workshops on a variety of relevant topics. The day began with a welcome and brief history of Merriam-Webster from President and Publisher John Morse.  Mr. Morse and Mr. Sokolowksi then lead a tour of the building.

President & Publisher John Morse Reviews Galleys With Visitors

After the tour and a delicious coffee break, Peter Sokolowski presented “Idioms and Usage in a Learner’s Dictionary”.  (Every member of the group was given a copy of Merriam-Webster’s Advanced Learner’s English Dictionary and Merriam-Webster’s Essential Learner’s English Dictionary to take home with them.)  Director of ELL Publishing Jane Mairs then offered tips on “Teaching Vocabulary”.

Following lunch, the group learned about how to run a spelling bee both in a classroom and on a larger scale.  The members of the group then participated in a spelling bee among themselves.  There was even a sudden death tie breaker between two Visitors before a winner emerged with the word “nausea”.

Spelling Bee Sudden Death Tie-Breaker!

In the afternoon Associate Editor Kory Stamper presented more classroom activities using a learner’s dictionary and an astonishingly thorough and entertaining history of English in 45 minutes! (Did you know the first recorded use of the acronym OMG for Oh, My God! was in a letter from British Navy Admiral John Arbuthnot Fisher to Winston Churchill in 1917?)

A very special moment happened early on in the proceedings when Mr. Hachime Athie, an English teacher from Mauritania, showed off his copy of a Merriam-Webster French-English Dictionary, which Peter Sokolowski wrote, that was given to Mr. Athie by the African Education Initiative of the US Agency for International Development ten years ago.  ”I carry it with me always!” said Mr. Athie.

Italian Consul General Giuseppe Pastorelli

Mr. Giuseppe Pastorelli, Consul General of Italy in Boston, will speak on “The Role of Italy in the Eurozone” at an Instant Issues event on Tuesday, April 23, 2013 at noon in the Community Room at 1350 Main Street—3rd Floor (Sovereign Bank), downtown Springfield.

The cost for members is $5 without a lunch and $15 with a lunch provided.  Nonmembers cost is $10 without a lunch and $20 with a lunch provided.  To reserve a sandwich (tuna, turkey or vegetarian), email or call the World Affairs Council office at 413-733-0110.  You can also register and pay online with a credit card here.

The Instant Issues series is generously sponsored by Wells Fargo Advisors LLC, Wilbraham & Monson Academy, Prosperity Candle and A. L. Cignoli Company, Our media sponsor is BusinessWest.

RSVP deadline for this event is Thursday, April 19, 2013.

Pascal Akimana, Co-Founder & Executive Director of Umoja Now

Pascal Akimana, Co-Founder and Executive Director of the Holyoke-based human rights organization Umoja Now, will speak at an Instant Issues event on Men’s Role in Ending Violence in Conflict and Post Conflict Setting:  One Man’s Experience in Burundi on Wednesday, March 27, 2013 at noon in the Community Room at 1350 Main Street—3rd Floor (Sovereign Bank), downtown Springfield.

The cost for members is $5 without a lunch and $15 with a lunch provided.  Nonmembers cost is $10 without a lunch and $20 with a lunch provided.  To reserve a sandwich (tuna, turkey or vegetarian), email or call the World Affairs Council office at 413-733-0110.  You can also register and pay online with a credit card here.

A native of Burundi, Pascal Akimana is a human rights activist with over ten years of experience developing and managing programs in the fields of gender justice and equality, peace and reconciliation, and HIV/AIDS prevention. He personally spent many years as a refugee from war, and witnessed horrible violence particularly against women, which led him to this  work. Pascal’s personal and professional experiences have made him a leader in the field of gender-based violence prevention, and an expert at approaching violence prevention in conflict and post-conflict settings.  He has worked with many organizations throughout the US and Africa, including Men’s Resources International, International Rescue Committee, American Refugee Committee International, the South African AIDS Trust, Sonke Gender Justice, EngenderHealth, and the United Nations High Commission for Refugees.

The Instant Issues series is generously sponsored by Wells Fargo Advisors LLC, Wilbraham & Monson Academy, Prosperity Candle and A. L. Cignoli Company, Our media sponsor is BusinessWest.

RSVP deadline for this event is Monday, March 25, 2013.

Michelle Kwan, 5-time World Figure Skating Champion and Senior Adviser at the U.S. Department of State

The National Council for International Visitors National Meeting, a gathering of representatives from Councils for International Visitors (including the World Affairs Council of Western Massachusetts), National Program Agencies and the US Department of State, took place from February 12-16 in Washington, DC.

H.E. Ambassador Elkanah Odembo at the Kenyan Embassy

The meeting included keynotes from speakers like Under Secretary of State for Public Diplomacy and Public Affairs Tara D. Sonenshine, Senior Adviser for Civil Society and Emerging Democracies to Secretary of State Tomicah Tillemann, and Senior Adviser for Public Diplomacy and Public Affairs Michelle Kwan (who apparently had a little bit of success in an earlier career as a figure skater).

Michelle Kwan was on hand to kick off the US Department of State’s “Expand Your World” program to promote exchange experiences.  Her public service announcement is available here.

The 2013 Gold Star IVLP Alumni Luncheon was also not to be missed and began with a rousing poem by IVLP alum Michael Mabwe, Director of Zimbabwe Poets for Human Rights.

Other highlights of the National Meeting were networking opportunities, State Department regional briefings, and receptions at the National Museum of Women in the Arts and at several embassies.  More information about the event can be found here.

The World Affairs Council’s next contingent of International Visitors will be a group of 30 English teachers from around the world who will come to Springfield at the beginning of April for meetings at Merriam-Webster and a visit to the Emily Dickinson Museum.

Council President Gary Breton with Renaissance Team Kyle Richmond-Crosset, Coach Angela Sullivan, Zachary Holland, Emily Conlogue and Jesse Lederman at Western New England University

On January 19, the Springfield Renaissance School won the World Affairs Council of Western Massachusetts Academic WorldQuest competition for the fourth time in five years!  Since the competition began in 2006, Renaissance is the only school that has ever won more than once and now they are again preparing to go to Washington, DC, to compete in the World Affairs Council of America‘s national competition on April 27 at Georgetown University.

Longmeadow High School, who began participating in Academic WorldQuest last year, took second place, and 2011 champions Wilbraham & Monson Academy came in third.

The local competition is sponsored locally by St. Germain Investment Management  Bacon & Wilson PC, and Rediker Software.

Chicopee High School, the International Baccalaureate Programme at Commerce (2006 champions), and the High School of Science and Technology (2007 champs) also participated.

This year’s topics–determined by the World Affairs Councils of America– included Current Events, Geography, the Middle East, China, Environmental Sustainability, Afghanistan & Pakistan, US Energy Policy, US Educational Policy the 50th Anniversary of the Cuban Missile Crisis, and US Economic Competitiveness.

The Judges Double Check Their Tabulations

We will celebrate and recognize all the students who participated in Academic WorldQuest 2013 at an Instant Issues event to be scheduled later in the spring.