May 18, 2023 @ 6:30 pm Surfing as Development: Stories of postwar transformation on Nicaragua’s Emerald Coast

  By ,

 As the dust settled after a decade of war and Nicaragua faced the daunting challenge of rebuilding, surfers sought out the world’s best waves.  By chance they stumbled upon the remote beaches of Nicaragua’s Emerald Coast, discovering a previously unknown surfing paradise.  The daredevils of travel, surfers withstand anything for the thrill of a good wave. Learn how their tenacity and networking created new value and industry for Nicaragua’s sleepy coasts – paving the way for tourism development and eco-communities. In 2021, at the height of the pandemic, Tamara Stenn purchased a small surf house in Nicaragua.  She has been… Continue reading

April 26, 2023 @ 6 pm – Members & Friends Salon : A Conversation w/ the Students of Peace Jam

  By
jody williams with students

  Brattleboro’s Nobel Peace Prize Laureate, Jody Williams, works with Peace Jam students around the world. The WWAC partners with, and supports, the Peace Jam Club at BUHS. Peace Jam is an international education program built around Nobel Peace Prize Laureates who work personally with youth to pass on the spirit, skills, and wisdom they embody. Its is to inspire a new generation of leaders who will transform themselves, their local communities, and the world.   Members & Friends – Please join us on April 26 at 6pm for a conversation with these bright and engaging students.  Don’t miss this intergenerational… Continue reading

The Czech Republic, The European Union and the Rise of Populism-Dr. Martin Nekola

  By

The current political situation in the Czech Republic, a small country in the very heart of Europe, historically considered the crossroads between the West and the East, is the reflection of the latest developments in the entire European Union, currently facing a serious crisis, caused by Brexit, a refugee crisis and the rise of populist tendencies. The lecture will address all these issues, with the further focus on the Czech Republic and other countries of Central Europe. Join us on April 4 for a presentation by Dr. Martin Nekola. Dr. Martin Nekola, Ph.D., received his doctorate in political science at Charles… Continue reading

Members & Friends March Salon : Local Journalism: The Backbone of Democracy

  By

Windham World Affairs Council invites members & friends to participate in a discussion about the importance of local journalism in holding representatives accountable and trusting that it remains possible to get “old fashioned” objective reporting on current events. Additionally, how do we protect our access to “speaking”/”hearing” opposing points of view on the topics that divide us, including, but not limited to climate change, the pandemic and the war in Ukraine and its impact on international business. Enjoy a conversation with our featured guest Paul Belogour, owner of Vermont News & Media LLC which includes The Brattleboro Reformer, The Manchester… Continue reading

Our new Salon format is a success!

  By

On February 1st,  twenty five  community members gathered for a dynamic discussion on the current attacks against democracy and what we can do about them. Board members Tamara Stenn and Clare Gillis “moderated” this discussion guided by Timothy Snyder’s On Tyranny: Twenty Lessons From the Twentieth Century  Our next Salon, on Feb 22, will explore the attacks against Black History Month. Our February 23 event features biographer Kal Raustalia to speak on the contributions of Ralph Bunche, the first African American Nobel Laureate. Continue reading

Ralph Bunche: The Absolutely Indispensable Man by Kal Raustalia

  By

About the Event:   Join us for a Zoom lecture/conversation on February 23 @ 7 pm with author Kal Raustalia whose book, The Absolutely Indispensable Man, explores the life of Ralph Bunche, the first black Nobel Laureate and a man who reshaped postwar diplomacy. To many in midcentury America Bunche personified both the promise and perils of the United Nations during the Cold War. Civil rights and colonialism are rarely twinned in our understanding of 20th century politics, but for Bunche they were of a piece–manifestations of white supremacy that required dismantling to achieve a just world. Decolonization was a throughline… Continue reading

Ambassador Peter Galbraith to Discuss Ukraine at Annual Galbraith Lecture

  By
peter galbraith

The Windham World Affairs Council will present its annual Galbraith Lecture on November 3, 2022 at Brooks Memorial Library at 7:00 pm with Ambassador Peter Galbraith. Recently returned from Ukraine and Moldova, Galbraith will provide an update on the military and political situation in Ukraine and assess the future prospects in his talk entitled “The Ukraine War: What now? What next? and How does it End? The event will be held in person and online. Registration is required at Eventbrite at: https://bit.ly/3eKLCMq (a QR code is included below). Masks are required. The event is free but a donation of $10… Continue reading

David Barton Bray : ‘Mexico’s Community Forest Enterprises: Success on the Commons and the Seeds of a Good Anthropocene’

  By
david-bray

The Windham World Affairs Council (WWAC) presents a presentation by David Barton Bray entitled: ‘Mexico’s Community Forest Enterprises: Success on the Commons and the Seeds of a Good Anthropocene’ on Friday, 7 Oct, 2022 — 7:00 – 8:30 pm at the Centre Congregational United Church of Christ at 193 Main Street, Brattleboro, VT 05301. The presentation will focus on the content from his newest work in Mexico and his latest book,“Mexico’s Community Forest Enterprises: Success on the Commons and the Seeds of a Good Anthropocene”, published in 2020. It will respond to the question: How do we protect our global… Continue reading