The Complicated Case of Iraq – An Inside Look into the Challenges of Democracy Building

What’s it like in Iraq today? How is it to live in the the Republic of Kurdistan and Erbil, thought by some to be the world’s longest continually inhabited city? Is democracy taking hold there as America considers continuing military withdrawal from the country?

Join us for a live discussion from Erbil, Kurdistan, Iraq with Steve Driehaus.

Wednesday, April 21 @ 12PM (Noon) EST

Steve DriehausSteve Driehaus is Resident Senior Director in Iraq for the National Democratic Institute (NDI). He manages 16 Iraqi and other nationals who design and implement programs to support Iraqi democracy. NDI focuses on strengthening political parties, professionalizing offices and staff of Parliament Members, empowering women and youth to engage in the political process, and election monitoring.

Before joining NDI, Steve was President of Good Government Group, LLC, a consulting firm in the intersection of public policy, community engagement and economic development.  Steve was Executive Director of Cincinnati Compass, a regional initiative advocating on behalf of immigrants. Previously Steve served as Country Director for the Peace Corps in Morocco, after 4 ½ year service for Peace Corps Swaziland, and 2 years in Senegal after graduation from Miami. Steve is a former U.S. Congressman (2009-11) and an 8-year Ohio Representative.

When not overseas, Steve and his wife, Lucienne, reside in Cincinnati, Ohio.

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The Current Economic and Political Challenges of the European Union

Please join us for an FPLC special event with Mr. Marius Hirte, the Director of Competitiveness for the General Secretariat of the Council (GSC) at the European Union.

Thursday, March 4, 2021
@ 6PM EST US

Marius HirteMr. Hirte will be joining us from his office in Belgium for sharing with our members a dynamic and timely presentation on the “The Current Economic and Political Challenges of the European Union”, a very important topic part of today’s global socio-economic and political context, especially following the many changes the past year of 2020 brought to the world landscape and to the European Union in particular.

Mr. Hirte holds an Advanced Degree in Political Studies from “Université Libre de Bruxelles (ULB)“ in Belgium and from “Université de Nancy” in France with a specialization in European Studies. He also holds a Master of Science Degree in International Relations from the University of Bucharest, Romania.

Prior to his current tenure leading the Office of Competitiveness, Mr. Hirte managed GSC’s Office for Environment, Education, Youth, Culture, Audio-Visuals and Sports (EYCS), as well as GSC’s Office of the Environment. He is the former Deputy Permanent Representative of Romania to the European Union and the former Deputy Head of the Permanent Mission of Romania to the European Union in Brussels.

The event will be will be presented as a LIVE WEBINAR, moderated by the FPLC Board President, Dr. James Buchanan and by FPLC Secretary, Mr. Joe Dehner, Esq.

Event Sponsored by:

Clash of Globalizations

The USA and China:
Much more than a Trade War
An Evening with Dr. James P. Buchanan

Thursday, November 14, 2019

5:30 p.m. Reception/6:15 p.m. Dinner/7:00 p.m. Presentation
Schiff Family Conference Center at Xavier University

There is a great deal of discussion about the trade war with China. President Trump has imposed an increasing series of tariffs on China in order to get what he believes to be a better trading agreement with China. China has retaliated with their own tariffs. That this is having negative impacts in both the US and China is undeniable. The outcome is to be determined. But the current trade war is just a small part of a much larger conflict between the West and China – a clash of models of globalization. The Washington Consensus, also known as the Bretton-Woods System has been the dominant mode of globalization since the 1950’s and has gone through its own evolution culminating with the formation of the World Trade Organization in 1992.

While China is a member of the WTO, at the same time it has developed and pursued its own competing model of globalization, which not only competes with the Bretton-Woods model but is often in violation of the rules governing its membership in the WTO. The best example of the Chinese model of globalization is The Belt and Road Initiative – a long-term plan for regional interconnectivity and dominance in Asia to which China has committed some $8 trillion dollars. Both the WTO and The Belt and Road are facing significant challenges. This session will lay out in broad terms the two Globalizations allowing us to discuss this clash of globalizations and the implications for US foreign and trade policy.

Dr. James P. Buchanan was educated at Yale University and University of Chicago where he completed a PhD in comparative religions, philosophies and comparative value systems. He has also studied in France, Russia and China. In 2000 he became the first holder of the Besl Family Chair in Ethics/Religion and Society at Xavier University. From 2002 to the present he has been University Professor and Executive Director of The Edward B. Brueggeman Center for Dialogue at Xavier.

Dr. Buchanan has delivered over 300 lectures and talks worldwide on issues ranging from interfaith relations; globalization; systems theory and global systems, and sustainability. He has published widely. His new book, Wagers Into the Abyss: Ethics in an Age of Global Systems will be published next year.

Event sponsored by:

Xavier University - Edward B. Brueggeman Center for Dialogue

World Affairs Council

The Current Impact of Today’s US Immigration System & Policies

Real World Ramifications for the TriState, Historical Context and Possible Solutions

An Evening with Dr. Bryan Wright,
Julie LeMaster, Esq. & Doug Halpert, Esq.

Tuesday, September 24, 2019
5:30 p.m. Reception/6:15 p.m. Dinner/7:00 p.m. Presentation

Dr. Bryan Wright

Dr. Bryan Wright

Dr. Bryan Wright is the Executive Director of Cincinnati Compass, a collaborative project of the Cincinnati USA Regional Chamber, City of Cincinnati, and more than 65 community partners who believe that immigrants and refugees are key contributors to a strong regional economy and a diverse, vibrant community. Most of his career focuses on immigrant and refugee integration toward inclusive economic development.

Julie LeMaster

Julie LeMaster

Julie LeMaster, Esq. is Founder/Executive Director of the Immigrant and Refugee Law Center, which provides free legal services to low-income immigrant and refugee families through Community Learning Centers in Cincinnati Public Schools. Julie is a passionate human rights lawyer with extensive experience with these issues. She works locally, nationally and globally to advance human rights and gender equality, most recently in conflict affected countries, and has a deep understanding of issues facing these communities.

Doug Halpert

Doug Halpert

Douglas Halpert, Esq. is Partner of Hammond Law Group LLC with 31 years’ experience representing companies, universities, not-for-profits, students and professionals in navigating the work visa, permanent residence (green card) and naturalization process, and has been listed in Best Lawyers in America for over a quarter century.

Dr. Wright and attorneys LeMaster and Halpert will discuss the immigration system and policies including their impact on TriState companies, universities, not-for-profits, and families with a focus on the latest regulatory and policy developments; legislative, regulatory and policy choices for Congress and the Administration; and perspective on the current dynamic in terms of U.S. immigration history and how other countries handle immigration.

Event sponsored by: