World Affairs Council of Rhode Island

09/05/2025

Join us on Thursday the 11th at the Hope Club!

Sugata Bose is the Gardiner Professor of Oceanic History and Affairs, Harvard University. He has served as Director of Graduate Studies in History at Harvard and as the Founding Director of Harvard’s South Asia Institute. Prior to taking up the Gardiner Chair at Harvard in 2001, Bose was a Fellow ...

08/15/2025

Last week, WACRI Treasurer, David McCollum, and associate, Isabella lachance, had the pleasure of hosting a distinguished IVLP delegation from several African countries in Rhode Island. During their visit, we showcased how our small state combats illegal fishing and supports our local fishing industry.

The international visitors met with the Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management RIDEM, who showed the visitors how our state enforces fishing laws and regulations. The group was given a tour of Rhode Island’s fishing port in Galilee, where the port manager spoke about the day-to-day port operations and fishing vessels. In their meeting with the Commercial Fisheries Center of Rhode Island(CFCRI) and the Commercial Fisheries Research Foundation(CFRF), the visitors learned how the state is preserving not just a profession but a cultural heritage through resource sustainability.

At the URI Coastal Resources Center(CRC), the visitors were able to tour CRC's aquarium and Inner Space Center on the URI Bay Campus and engage with CRC team members, including Sarah Gaines and Elin Torell. They concluded their tour of Rhode Island's fishing industry at The Marine Affairs Institute at Roger Williams University School of Law, discussing maritime law with Julia Wyman, Director of the Marine Affairs Institute and RI Sea Grant Legal Program.

This exchange of knowledge and best practices exemplifies the power of international collaboration in addressing global challenges like illegal fishing. We're proud that Rhode Island could serve as a model for sustainable fisheries management and look forward to continued partnerships that strengthen marine conservation efforts worldwide. 🌊

08/01/2025

Our treasurer and International Visitor Director, David McCollum, this week visited the Chafee Center for International Business at Bryant University. Similarly to WACRI, the Chafee Center has been committed to growth of Rhode Island, specifically their local economy, through global outreach. David had the pleasure of meeting Cecilia Pirotto and Dr. Edi Tebaldi during his visit. Thank you for hosting WACRI and giving us a tour of your facilitates. We looks forward to fostering this relationship with the Chafee Center.

05/23/2025

Recently we welcomed the International Visitor Leaders Program's distinguished delegation of Education leaders from 13 different nations around the globe. During their visit to Rhode Island, these leaders were able to explore the various ways the Rhode Island Education system integrates different media and technology in the classroom.

The delegation had the opportunity to visit the newly built East Providence High School, where they witnessed firsthand the innovative ways in which the school has adapted their educational curriculum to meet the demands of the digital age while seamlessly integrating interactive learning opportunities that engage students through cutting-edge technology and collaborative environments. The visit continued at Barrington Middle School, Rhode Island's top-performing school district, where delegation members engaged directly with Rhode Island educators to gain valuable insights into best practices that have established Barrington's reputation for educational excellence throughout the state. Following their school visits, the delegation met with esteemed faculty members from the University of Rhode Island's Feinstein College of Education and Brown University's Annenberg Institute, creating meaningful dialogue about educational innovation, research-based practices, and the future of teaching and learning in Rhode Island's academic landscape.

In addition to the above, the group also met with RI architect Jay Litman and a member of his team. Jay is at the forefront of new school design, and he and his team have worked on projects all over the world, including the pioneering Garden City Elementary School in Cranston, RI. His designs incorporate the latest in pedagogic theory into the layout of the schools, making them places that students are excited to attend.

This meaningful international collaboration represents a significant step toward global knowledge sharing in education. By hosting these distinguished leaders, Rhode Island has created valuable connections that will enhance educational practices across continents, benefiting both our communities and those of our visitors.

05/19/2025

We had the honor of welcoming the International Visitor Leaders Program's distinguished delegation of Public Health leaders from 14 African nations. During their visit to Rhode Island, these Public Health leaders and experts had the opportunity to explore the various ways Rhode Island tackles issues of Public Health such as immunization and disease prevention.

While in Rhode Island, the delegation visited multiple Universities, a non-profit, as well as the Rhode Island Department of Health (RIDOH). At Brown University School of Public Health, the nation’s #3 public health program, they engaged with faculty and researchers specializing in immunization, pandemics, and epidemic response. At the University of Rhode Island, they participated in discussions on Dengue Fever with Dr. Alan Rothman, an infectious disease physician and research professor with the College of the Environment and Life Sciences. Beyond academic institutions, the delegation witnessed community health initiatives firsthand at the Comprehensive Community Action Program, Inc. (CCAP), gaining insight into how the organization delivers essential health services to over 40,000 Rhode Islanders. Their visit to the Rhode Island Department of Health (RIDOH) included meetings with key leaders across all divisions, providing a thorough understanding of state-level health service implementation and policy initiatives.

This meaningful international collaboration represents a significant step toward global knowledge sharing in public health. By hosting these distinguished African leaders, Rhode Island has fostered valuable connections that will enhance public health practices across continents, benefiting both our communities and theirs.

05/15/2025

Last week, we had the honor of hosting the International Visitor Leaders Program's distinguished delegation from Georgia. During their visit to the New England region, these emerging business leaders had the opportunity to explore the various ways Rhode Island engages its youth in entrepreneurial activities and builds supportive ecosystems for new ventures.

While in Rhode Island, the delegation toured Rhode Island's entrepreneurial landscape, meeting with several key organizations across the state. They engaged with the Financial Literacy Youth Initiative (FLY Initiative), which provides young people with essential money management skills and entrepreneurial foundations; Real Skills for Youth, a statewide program that connects students to meaningful career exploration; RIHub, the state's premier innovation center and incubator that supports early-stage startups through co-working spaces, accelerator programs, and access to capital networks; and Southern Rhode Island Chamber of Commerce where the delegation exchanged insights with local business owners about community-based approaches to entrepreneurship development as well as networking opportunities.

This international collaboration represents steps towards sharing best practices and connecting entrepreneurial ecosystems across borders. We also want to thank WorldBoston for hosting the Georgia delegation alongside us. By hosting the Georgian delegation, Rhode Island and Boston has established valuable channels for knowledge exchange that benefit both regions.

05/05/2025

“The Canada - Rhode Island Relationship”
Please join us for our next event at thee Hope Club on Wednesday May 14 at 6:00 PM with the Honourable Bernadette Jordan, Consul General of Canada in Boston.
Feel free to share this event with your friends.

04/14/2025

Last week, we had the honor of hosting the International Visitor Leaders Program’s distinguished delegation from Southern Italian higher education institutions. During their two-day visit on Monday and Tuesday, these academic leaders had the opportunity to explore the rich educational landscape of Rhode Island.

The delegation toured several of our state's prestigious universities, including Roger Williams University, Salve Regina University, the University of Rhode Island, and Rhode Island School of Design. Throughout these visits, the Italian representatives engaged in meaningful discussions with university administrators, focusing on developing strong cultural and educational exchange programs that would create valuable opportunities for both American and Italian students.

This international collaboration represents an exciting step toward strengthening academic ties between the United States and Southern Italy's universities. We look forward to seeing the partnerships and cross-cultural learning experiences that will emerge from these promising connections.

03/25/2025

Last Thursday, the World Affairs Council of Rhode Island had the honor of hosting the esteemed Ambassador of Romania to the United States, Dan-Andrei Murray, and the Honorary Consul of Romania to Connecticut, Dana Bucin. The discussion focused on pivotal topics such as NATO and the ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict. With Romania sharing the longest border with Ukraine and having been a NATO member since 2004, their insights were invaluable to the global dialogue on the war and the critical importance of strategic alliances. We extend our sincere thanks to both of our distinguished guests and to everyone who attended and contributed to the conversation.

03/13/2025

The World Affairs Council of Rhode Island (WACRI) had the amazing opportunity to participate in the Global Ties U.S. National Meeting on February 18-21 in Washington, D.C. WACRI Treasurer and International Visitor Director David McCollum and International Visitor Associate Caroline Fowler attended the conference and gained incredible insight in strengthening IVLP partnerships in Rhode Island.

A special thanks to Emmanuel Michaca who represented the University of Rhode Island at the National Meeting. WACRI looks forward to our continued collaboration with the University of Rhode Island and Global Ties U.S. on the International Visitors Leadership Program (IVLP).

03/12/2025

In October 2024, we had the honor of welcoming local leaders from Kosovo as they explored Rhode Island’s approach to renewable energy. From discussions with the Governor’s Office and Rhode Island Commerce to insights from the RI Department of Energy Resources, University of Rhode Island, and Brown University’s School of Engineering and Climate Control, they engaged with experts and leaders who are shaping the future of sustainability. Their visit also included meetings with American counterparts in Washington DC and a stop at the Providence City Hall highlighting how different levels of governments drive climate action.

Collaboration like this strengthens global efforts toward a cleaner, more sustainable future! 🌱♻️

02/03/2025

Register now: join us for an insightful evening with Professor Al-Ali on February 20, 6:00 PM at the Hope Club in Providence.

Nadje Al-Ali is the Robert Family Professor of International Studies, and Professor of Anthropology and Middle East Studies at the Watson Institute for International and Public Affairs at Brown University. Her main research interests revolve around feminist activism and gendered mobilization, mainl....