Bart Pogue, US Department of State Foreign Service Officer for USAID, discusses his posting in Guatemala.
Angela Weck: I am filling a lot bigger shoes than previously! Kristin McHugh, the person who took over betwee 2015-2018, really improved the professional nature of the organization. I find myself in awe of her efforts, and I want to be certain to continue her forward progression. PAWAC: What motivates you to dedicate so much of your time to the organization? Weck: I am passionate about global education. We tend to be insular here in Central Illinois. I feel motivated to make sure we all strive to understand the world around us, and how what happens there affects us here, and how what we do here affects them there.
PAWAC: You hosted a Critical Review Social at your house in May, where you and other board members sought membership opinions. While our programming was widely praised, members noted that we are sometimes too "Eurocentric." How do you respond to that? Weck: I would point out that, over the course of the year, we make a serious attempt to move around the world with our programming. It may seem like the "big programs" are Eurocentric, but PAWAC works hard to cover the rest of the world in one way or another. The other side of this issue is attendance and costs. It is true that more people attend programs focused on the northern hemisphere, and so the organization has to consider finances when we select programming topics. That's where the "big programs" vs. "small programs" disparity comes into play. PAWAC: Our country has become extremely polarized politically, but PAWAC is a non-partisan organization. How do you ensure that people of all perspectives are represented in PAWAC? Do you believe that PAWAC leans too much to one side of the aisle?
PAWAC: What is your vision for PAWAC? Where do you see us three years from now as a community?
Weck: PAWAC is working hard to expand its partnerships with various entities in the community. We already enjoy strong ties to Bradley University, Illinois Central College, and Eureka College. But we would to see how to grow our ties to the ethnic groups in the region, businesses with international connections, religious groups, and travelers of all sorts. We also need to grow our membership, supply volunteers to reach out to all these groups! PAWAC: That sounds like a great step forward for the organization. Final question: we have a lot of exciting upcoming programs. Which one are you looking forward to the most? Weck: I have to admit I have a soft spot for Lebanon. Ever since the Celebrate Lebanon! program from 2010, I have dreamed of visiting! I am looking forward to seeing how we can grow the relationships between PAWAC and the Lebanese American community and all the associated possibilities! PAWAC: Thank you for your time, Angela. As always, it's a pleasure to speak with you. Weck: Thank you.
0 Comments
|
PAWAC BlogWhere you can find summaries of our past events and interviews with members. We have more to come in the future, so stay tuned! Archives
February 2021
Categories |
Peoria Area World Affairs Council | 1501 W. Bradley Avenue, Peoria, IL 61625
(309) 677-2454 (phone) | (309) 677-3256 (fax)
director@pawac.org
Photos copyright Joe Couri/Kristin McHugh/Kristin McHugh for The Stanley Foundation
(309) 677-2454 (phone) | (309) 677-3256 (fax)
director@pawac.org
Photos copyright Joe Couri/Kristin McHugh/Kristin McHugh for The Stanley Foundation
In affiliation with the World Affairs Councils of America
https://www.worldaffairscouncils.org/
https://www.worldaffairscouncils.org/