UPCOMING EVENT

Mexico: Neighbor and Strategic Partner

Thursday, February 23

Mexican Consul Vicente Sanchez Ventura will provide perspective on challenges being undertaken by the Mexican government regarding the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA), the Mexican "Drug War", and the strategic partnership between Mexico and the U.S.

UPCOMING EVENT

Turkish Consul General in Akron: An Outlook on World Affairs from the Perspective of a Strategic Ally

Wednesday, November 9

Consul General Fatih Yildiz will talk about the foreign policy of Turkey in a world where many risks and opportunities coexist. He will elaborate on Turkey's unique characteristics, the principles that guide Turkey's foreign policy, and Turkish-American relations.

UPCOMING EVENT

Britain – Building on Today’s Domestic and Global Challenges

Thursday, October 13

Ramin Navai will provide perspective on challenges being undertaken by the British government, both
domestic and internationally, including economic challenges and the August riots, as well as its work with the new Libyan government.

UPCOMING EVENT

Brazil Today – A Global Model of Democracy and Development

Thursday, April 28

Ernesto Henrique Fraga Araújo will bring perspective to Brazil's historic juncture — strong economic growth and political stability — and the country's strengthening relationship with the U.S. on security, economics and interreliance.

UPCOMING EVENT

U.S. and Russia Today — Partnering on Global Challenges

Thursday, February 24

Alexey Timofeev, Counselor of the Embassy of the Russian Federation in the U.S., Washington, D.C., will present an overview of U.S. and Russian 21st-century cooperation, including the new historic nuclear arms agreement and the complex challenges facing both countries in the Arctic Region.

RADIO BROADCAST

ACWA Interviews Finland's Stude on WZIP 88.1 FM

Ann-Sofie Stude, Minister Counselor, Head of Political Affairs, Embassy of Finland, Washington, D.C., was interviewed by ACWA Executive Director Jane Walker Snider for WZIP's Community Concern program. Listen to the full interview on our Resources page.

RECENT EVENT

Finland Today — Arctic Region Development Strategy: Opportunities & Safeguards

Thursday, November 11

Ann-Sofie Stude, Minister Counselor, Head of Political Affairs, Embassy of Finland, Washington, D.C., will discuss the complex issues related to the impact of global climate change in the Arctic region. She will also provide an overview of Finland's education system which annually has students outperforming students in other countries.

RADIO BROADCAST

ACWA Interviews Indonesia's Gustanto on WZIP 88.1 FM

Gustanto, Minister Counselor for Political Affairs, Embassy of Indonesia in Washington, D.C., was interviewed by ACWA Executive Director Jane Walker Snider for WZIP's Community Concern program. Listen to the full interview on our Resources page.

RECENT EVENT

Indonesia Today — Vigorous Democracy & Strategic U.S. Partner

Thursday, October 14

Gustanto, Minister Counselor for Political Affairs, Embassy of Indonesia in Washington, D.C., discussed ways in which the bilateral U.S.-Indonesia partnership will support new and expanded initiatives in both countries within the new Comprehensive Partnership. He also provided perspectives on his country's transition to democracy and its unique geography as the world's largest archipelago.

RECENT EVENT

Austria Today — Beyond "The Sound of Music"

April 22, 2010

Hilton Akron/Fairlawn

Dr. Wolfgang Renezeder will discuss how Austria has reinvented itself since WWII, through its own efforts and favorable external factors: peace in Europe, an expanding European Union, the collapse of communism and growing global prosperity.

Dr. Renezeder was interviewed by ACWA Executive Director Jane Walker Snider for WZIP's Community Concern Program at 88.1 FM. The program will be posted online soon.

RADIO BROADCAST

ACWA Interviews Netherlands' Raes on WZIP 88.1 FM

Saturday, March 6 at 12:30 p.m. - or -
Sunday, March 7 at 12:30 p.m.

Dr. Stephan Raes, Head of Economic Department, Royal Netherlands Embassy, Washington, D.C., was interviewed by ACWA Executive Director Jane Walker Snider for WZIP's Community Concern program.

RECENT EVENT

The Netherlands & the U.S. — Global Initiatives / Domestic Differences

February 18, 2010

Hilton Akron/Fairlawn

Dr. Stephan Raes, Head of Economic Department, Royal Netherlands Embassy, Washington, D.C., will discuss the U.S./Netherlands relationship today, as well as some challenges specific to his country. These include: sustainability, water and energy; illegal drug trade; and immigration. Dr. Raes will also provide an overview of the Netherland's health care policies in the context of the U.S. Congress' proposals.

RECENT EVENT

South Africa - New Government, New Directions

November 19, 2009

Hilton Akron/Fairlawn

Mongezi Mahlulo, First Secretary, Public Diplomacy, and Boipelo Lefatshe, 3rd Secretary, Public Diplomacy, Embassy of South Africa in Washington, D.C., provided an overview of South Africa today in the context of the country’s recent change in government which gave President Jacob Zuma a mandate for the next five years. The diplomats were also interviewed by ACWA Executive Director Jane Walker Snider for WZIP's Community Concern program.

RECENT EVENT

Morocco and the U.S. — The Historic Alliance in the 21st Century

October 8, 2009

Wassane Zailachi, Deputy Chief of Mission - Embassy of the Kingdom of Morocco in Washington, D.C., provided an overview of the liberalization of Moroccan society under King Mohammed VI and review the long relationship with the U.S. and its strategic importance to both countries in the 21st century. She was also interviewed by ACWA Executive Director Jane Walker Snider for WZIP's Community Concern program.

ACWA NEWS

ACWA Interviews David Schwake on WZIP 88.1 FM

Jane Walker Snider, ACWA Executive Director, recently interviewed ACWA guest David Schwake, Political Counselor, Embassy of the Federal Republic of Germany in Washington, D.C.

Ms. Snider also appeared on WZIP’s Community Concern interview program to explain ACWA's programs and goals.

RECENT EVENT

U.S.–German Relations: Addressing Global Issues

David Schwake, First Secretary, German Embassy, Washington, D.C., provided an overview of current global issues being addressed by his government and the U.S., including the global economic crisis and Afghanistan. He also addressed two historic events being commemorated by Germany this year: the 20th anniversary of the fall of the Berlin Wall and the 60th anniversary of the Berlin air lift.

RECENT EVENT

Dongman Han, Minister-Counselor for Economic Affairs, Embassy of the Republic of Korea, Washington, D.C., discussed how a new chapter in U.S.-Korea relations offers the potential to significantly and permanently upgrade not only bilateral economic relations but important strategic initiatives.

RECENT EVENT

David Stuart, Deputy Chief of Mission, Embassy of Australia, Washington, D.C., addressed his country’s unique position in global diplomacy and trade. Today’s Australia is a country influential in trade and politics, looking to the U.S. to the East and India to its West, with important relationships in between. Ohio exports to Australia in 2007 were more than $683 million.

RECENT EVENT

Minister Rubens Gama, Minister-Counselor for Commercial Affairs and Technology, Brazilian Embassy, Washington, D.C. Minister Gama discussed challenges facing Brazil in various areas, such as poverty, infrastructure, energy and the environment.

RECENT EVENT

Spain: New Values and Challenges at Home and Abroad

José Luis Briceño, Director of the Department of Industry and Technology, Trade Commission of Spain, Chicago, provided an updated profile of Spain, bringing into focus major changes in government, trade and social values.

Spain's Socialist government was re-elected in March 2008. A core issue is the significant shift in its economy, following a 14-year boom, and related immigration debates. Accompanying this are major social changes, commitment to international aid and advances in technological fields, including alternative energy and desalination plants. He also provided perspective on Spain's relationship with the U.S., including its bilateral trade of $10 billion.

RECENT EVENT

Prospects and Challenges of North American Integration

Antonio Ortiz-Mena, Head of Section, Economic Affairs, Mexican Embassy, Washington, D.C., discussed issues related to the North American economic integration as well as the U.S.-Mexico relationship.

SPEAKER REPORT

Globalizing India: Opportunities & Challenges

Manoj Joshi, Counsellor, Economic Affairs, Embassy of India, Washington, D.C., discusses India's rapid economic growth, the opportunities it provides to global industry, and the need to leverage this growth to combat poverty and improve infrastructure.

SPEAKER REPORT

Malaysia-U.S. Relations:
The Sky is NOT the Limit

Ilango Karuppannan, Deputy Chief of Mission, Embassy of Malaysia, Washington, D.C., discusses the shared values and concerns of Malaysia and the U.S., as well as the growing trade and investment relations between the two countries. Malaysia is the 10th largest trading partner of the U.S.