Inspiring words, tying the quote above to programming and outreach activities this month
ICFRC's two programs this month explore connections far away and close to home. In the first, we are fortunate again to host our annual panel of Mandela Washington Fellows with facilitation by ICFRC board member and UI Tippie College of Business Professor Dimy Doresca. I had the good fortune in late June to attend the opening reception for this year's cohort, and I can tell you firsthand that the 25 fellows are inspiring and they are excited to be in Iowa. It will be a real treat to hear from the selected panel about their work in their home countries and how their six weeks in Iowa will help shape their work and the futures of people in their communities.
In the second program--one day later--ICFRC will co-sponsor a film screening with the Muscatine, Iowa-based Stanley Center at FilmScene as part of the national grand opening of Oppenheimer, directed by Christopher Nolan. To preview the film, two Stanley Center experts will offer brief remarks on the history of nuclear weapons as well as their place in the cinematic imagination since these weapons were first used during the Second World War. The introduction and the film are timely; North Korea and Iran are advancing agendas to develop nuclear capabilities, tensions between nuclear powers India and Pakistan are persistent, and Russia, with the world's second-largest stockpile, has threatened use of these weapons in its war with Ukraine. This film event, then, offers the opportunity for important (re)learning.
We look forward to seeing you at one or both of the events this month. Each is a chance to build community around shared values centered on international understanding and engagement. With the full cohort in attendance, I hope you will take the opportunity to strike up a conversation with some of the Mandela Washington Fellows. And, of course, I hope you will share with me and with your neighbors your thoughts about the difficult themes presented in Oppenheimer.
Thank you to all of you, our members, supporters, and partners, for helping make possible ICFRC excellent programming! As a small organization, we rely on our growing community to do this important work. And when you have them, do let us know about topics or speakers you would like us to cover. The best programs are co-created!
Peter Gerlach
Executive Director
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