International Affairs Forum kicks off 20th anniversary season Sept. 19

Sep 12, 2013 | Intercom

When the International Affairs Forum held its first lecture twenty years ago, a fresh-faced politician named Bill Clinton occupied the Oval Office. In New York, the World Trade Center had been bombed—for the first time. An expanding NATO and the European Union ushered in a new era in Europe. NAFTA changed the Western Hemisphere’s economic formula. Middle East adversaries shook hands at the White House, while the Soviet Union’s demise raised hopes of a new era of peace and stability.

The pace of worldwide events shows no sign of slowing down in the next two decades. Neither does the IAF, whose membership stands at an all-time high as its twentieth anniversary season kicks off this month.

“For two decades, northern Michigan has been able to interact firsthand with some of the most important voices* in international affairs, from policy makers to journalists, from academics to diplomats and generals,” said  IAF board co-chairman Jack Segal. “Today, the reality of the decade-long struggle against radicalism and a new spectrum of challenges underscore the important role the IAF must play.”

The IAF will renew its commitment to that role with special events throughout the 2013-14 season, which begins Sept 19 with “Putin’s Russia: Partner or Adversary,” presented by John Beyrle, U.S. Ambassador to Russia from 2008-2012. The Muskegon native will explore how US-Russian relations have arguably dipped, in the last year, to their lowest point since the Cold War.

Beyrle will be followed by retired diplomat Michael Metrinko speaking on “Iran and the United States: Time for a Reset?” on Oct. 17. With a deep background in Persian culture, language and history, Metrinko served in Iran during the two-year period leading up to the Iranian Revolution in 1979 and was held as a hostage for 444 days. During captivity, he gave no ground to his captors despite threats, beatings and months of solitary confinement.

A special Founders reception honoring original IAF board members will be held before the Oct. 17 lecture.

The fall half of the 2013-14 series concludes Nov. 21 with Robert Rehak, cultural attaché at the Czech Embassy in Washington, speaking on “The Czech Nation: From Nazi and Communist Oppression to Democracy.”

Audiences will notice a revamped lecture format this season – shorter, more focused lectures with more audience interaction, a la the popular live and online TED talks. Board member Debbie Rough said that’s an effort to reach out to new target audiences, including younger professionals.

“We want to create new opportunities for younger people to understand the global forces that are shaping their lives. Because this audience is extremely busy, our challenge is to package information in a way that will be appealing and informative,” Rough said.

To make its content yet more accessible, IAF lectures are now rebroadcast on UpNorth TV public access cable television three times a week, and available online for streaming on demand. Board members also produce “Beyond the Headlines,” a roundtable-style interview program that focuses on current foreign affairs issues and airs on UpNorth TV.

In the winter/spring half of the series, the IAF will turn its attention to Asia, leading up to the culminating event of the anniversary season: the area’s first two-day conference on China. “China Today: Competitor or Partner” is set for June 5-6, 2014 at the Hagerty Center and Dennos Museum.  

The conference will showcase the ties that are rapidly expanding between northern Michigan and China in the areas of business, education and cultural exchanges, and bring in speakers to address topics that will help northern Michigan better understand and benefit from these growing cross-Pacific ties.

The IAF is part of the NMC Foundation and is an affiliate of the World Affairs Council of America. As a non-profit, any extra funds collected go toward NMC student scholarships.

All lectures are held in the Dennos Museum Center’s Milliken Auditorium on the NMC campus at 6 p.m., with a reception prior to the lecture from 5:15 to 6 p.m. Admission is free to all students and educators, and $10 for others. Subscriber tickets for the entire season are available; visit www.nmc.edu/iaf or call (231) 995-1700 for more information.

* Prominent past IAF speakers: