JANUARY 25, 2020
In this edition of Comm(Unity), we ask you to fill out our quick annual survey so we can better serve you. We also chronicle what might be next in Latin America under the Biden administration, suggest an award-winning book set in Scotland and give the CTWAC version of the viral “Mittens Sanders” meme.
Weekly Episode
We want to hear from you — We all know that a lot changed in the past year. That’s why the Council wants to make sure we adapt as best we can to what you, our audience and community, needs. Fill out our annual survey to tell us what you’re interested in learning about, the best formats for you and how we can best serve our community.
Take the Survey
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Weekly Article Roundup
Follow along with the CTWAC staff on this week’s article roundup (with some special recommendations!):
Latin America is a region where populism has flourished lately, but President Joe Biden is set to shift gears in the future ahead
Take a look at Biden’s prior visits as VP in Latin America
Whether in Cairo in 2011 during the Arab Spring or the United States during election season, struggles for justice can look quite similar
Check out CTWAC member Esam Boraey’s lessons from the Arab Spring
WRITTEN BY ESAM BORAEY
In Spanish there is a phrase auto golpe, literally meaning self-coup, which some find useful to apply to the protests at the U.S. Capitol
Read more about how we need resilience more than ever in this op-ed
WRITTEN BY AMB. CHARLES SHAPIRO (RET.)
Presidential inaugurations make a big splash in the United States (hello, J.Lo), but why do these largely symbolic ceremonies matter so much?
UCONN professor Dimitris Xygalatas chronicles the importance of rituals
Some of our armed forces lack formal strategies for high-profile areas like the Middle East, so why is there such a heavy focus on the Arctic?
Read about what is driving new Arctic defense policies
Weekly Entertainment
READ
Winner of the Booker Prize, Shuggie Bain follows the story of Hugh “Shuggie” Bain, a young boy living in Glasglow, Scotland in the 1980s
LISTEN
“Making connections with Irish business is how I’m helping CT companies meet new opportunities for business growth.”
RECOMMENDED BY REBECCA NOLAN
STREAM
Watch this anthology film consisting of five short segments by different directors that follow lives impacted by COVID
PLAY
Rule the world in this virtual version of the classic game, RISK. Play across platforms with millions of players around the world
COOK
Those who have had traditional Moroccan tea know that it is a full experience, not just a recipe. But until we can book trips to Marrakesh, warm up with this classic Moroccan tea recipe
Member Micro Interview
Check out our bi-weekly micro interview introducing you to fellow CTWAC community members:
COURTNEY FEDERICO
What global issue are you most interested in at the moment?
C: As someone who works in politics, I am fascinated by global political trends and have specifically found the rise of nationalism in countries around the world, including the US, in the last few years to be interesting. The fact that an idea can take hold around the world shows just how interconnected we all are.
What are you most looking forward to in the year ahead?
C: Hugging my friends and family once we’ve all received our vaccines and (hopefully) taking a trip, maybe up to the Canadian Arctic to see the Northern Lights or a narwhal.
What’s your favorite place in the world and why?
C: Taking my hometown of Hebron, CT out of the equation, I would have to say Berlin, Germany. The deep history, the cosmopolitan feel, and Christmas markets – the city really has it all.
Weekly Cartoon
Check in next week for another CTWAC exclusive cartoon:
Thank you to everyone who is taking CTWAC’s annual survey (or has already taken it by the time they reached this closing message!). With the new year, new administration and new considerations on the world stage, we are more excited than ever to bring interesting and important programs to our audience. Please consider taking a few minutes to submit a response so we can better serve our community this year.
Nicole Struth
Director of Education & Special Projects
Image Credits: [1] Amanda looking at questions: Nick Caito Photography; [2] Stephanie Foster: courtesy of Stephenie Foster; [3] Biden signing executive orders: Evan Vucci/AP via CNN; [4] Man standing: Unpaused still; [5] Mint Tea: PHOTO BY CHELSEA KYLE, PROP STYLING BY ASTRID CHASTKA, FOOD STYLING BY ANNA HAMPTON via Epicurious; [6] Courtney Federico: Courtesy of Courtney Federico; [7] Cartoon: Caroline Schaefer; [8] Nicole Struth: Caroline Schaefer
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