Published: Sunday, June 20, 2010, 6:32 PM
Patriot-News Editorial Board After World War I, President Woodrow Wilson and journalist Paul Kellogg, among others, wanted to keep Americans engaged in global affairs.
They started two grassroots efforts known as the Foreign Policy Association and the World Affairs Council.
They started two grassroots efforts known as the Foreign Policy Association and the World Affairs Council.
The World Affairs Council of Harrisburg sponsors lectures and support for teachers of world affairs as well as opportunities for educational travel.
Branches of these nonprofit, nonpartisan groups were established in dozens of America’s largest metropolitan areas, including Pittsburgh in the 1930s and Philadelphia in the 1940s.
They hosted discussion groups and educational sessions that often included top movers and shakers in international affairs, including foreign dignitaries.
On Thursday, they are meeting on U.S.-European relations at Radisson Penn Harris Hotel & Convention Center in East Pennsboro Twp.
But Harrisburg never got a World Affairs Council.
The council is a great addition to Harrisburg’s growing intellectual scene. It already has co-hosted several discussions on the Middle East at Harrisburg University.
It’s wonderful to see many of the area’s universities coming together to be part of the council and working with the city’s International House community and Messiah College’s Harrisburg Institute, among others.
For better or worse, Harrisburg has had a reputation to outsiders as a sleepy town in the middle of the state.
Anyone who lives here or visits for longer than a few hours realizes how wrong that perception is. Harrisburg is a diverse community with many immigrants, visiting international scholars and foreign military personnel learning and teaching at our universities, hospitals and the Army War College.
Groups such as the Foreign Policy Association and newly launched World Affairs Council of Harrisburg further foster the area’s connections to the wider world and are warmly welcomed.
They hosted discussion groups and educational sessions that often included top movers and shakers in international affairs, including foreign dignitaries.
In 1949, Harrisburg started a branch of the Foreign Policy Association. It still exists today, hosting monthly dinners with distinguished scholars and power brokers.
On Thursday, they are meeting on U.S.-European relations at Radisson Penn Harris Hotel & Convention Center in East Pennsboro Twp.
But Harrisburg never got a World Affairs Council.
Until now.
Joyce Davis, a veteran foreign journalist and former spokeswoman for the mayor, has founded the World Affairs Council of Harrisburg.
Joyce Davis, a veteran foreign journalist and former spokeswoman for the mayor, has founded the World Affairs Council of Harrisburg.
The council is a great addition to Harrisburg’s growing intellectual scene. It already has co-hosted several discussions on the Middle East at Harrisburg University.
Future events in the works include visits from foreign dignitaries and diplomats and a special emphasis on bringing together high school and college students interested in global affairs. There also will be overseas travel opportunities, including ones for high school students.
For better or worse, Harrisburg has had a reputation to outsiders as a sleepy town in the middle of the state.
Anyone who lives here or visits for longer than a few hours realizes how wrong that perception is. Harrisburg is a diverse community with many immigrants, visiting international scholars and foreign military personnel learning and teaching at our universities, hospitals and the Army War College.
Groups such as the Foreign Policy Association and newly launched World Affairs Council of Harrisburg further foster the area’s connections to the wider world and are warmly welcomed.
© 2010 PennLive.com. All rights reserved.
No comments:
Post a Comment