Public Discourse Activation

Runs multi-year capacity-building programs focused on Northern Ireland, the Korean Peninsula, and cross-Taiwan Strait relations, providing mentorship, workshops, high-level meetings, and international travel for emerging scholars and practitioners. Includes cohorts from Northern Ireland and U.S.-China young leaders working groups.

Produces research publications, including special issues of the journal _American Foreign Policy Interests_, and multimedia content such as podcast series featuring emerging leaders, to disseminate analysis on cybersecurity, post-conflict challenges, and diplomatic engagement.

Conducts sustained, closed-door dialogues under the Chatham House Rule involving former officials, scholars, and experts from the U.S., China, Japan, South Korea, and other regional powers to promote stability, reduce misperceptions, and advance peaceful resolution of strategic competition. These include annual conferences on U.S.-China relations, Northeast Asia security, and trilateral or four-party cooperation, some dating back over three decades.

Convenes annual Track II dialogues in New York City with participants from mainland China, Taiwan, and the U.S. to discuss peace, stability, and misperceptions across the strait. These discussions have contributed to key diplomatic developments, including the formulation of the “1992 Consensus” and the “Four No’s” pledge.

Hosts an annual gala and administers two major awards: the William J. Flynn Initiative for Peace Award (established 1997) and the George F. Kennan Award for Distinguished Public Service (established 1994), recognizing contributions to peace, diplomacy, and public service by figures such as Bill Clinton, George J. Mitchell, and William J. Burns.

Offers public briefings, panel discussions, lectures, and seminars featuring government officials and foreign policy experts on topics including U.S.-Japan relations, nuclear deterrence, the Middle East, and transatlantic relations. Also publishes policy recommendations and reports from diplomatic dialogues.

Plays an active role in conflict resolution by organizing high-level conferences, securing diplomatic access (e.g., U.S. visas for key figures), and engaging in shuttle diplomacy. Contributed to the Northern Ireland peace process, the Good Friday Agreement, and U.S.-DPRK negotiations, including the resumption of the Six-Party Talks.

Secures grants and sponsorships to support the organization’s core initiatives, including the UN Day, Internship, and Model United Nations Conference programs.

Organizes and conducts a two-day Model United Nations Conference annually in Rochester, NY, in collaboration with St. John Fisher University, engaging over 500 to 600 high school students and advisors from Central and Western New York.

Hosted the Great Decisions Program, a public discussion series focused on national foreign policy issues, to promote civic engagement and global understanding.

Runs a year-round internship program that connects local college students and recent graduates with community partners working on refugee support, women's issues, education, and climate change, while involving them in planning and facilitating key initiatives such as UN Day and the Model United Nations Conference.

Hosts annual UN Day events on or near October 24th to educate students, members, and the Rochester community about selected global issues and promote awareness of the United Nations, human rights, and global peace.

Planned and organized a picnic for international students at Rochester colleges and universities in partnership with Rochester Global Connections, including coordinating donation requests for supplies such as hotdogs from Zweigle's.

Conducts an annual UNICEF Greeting Card Sale to raise funds for children's long-term wellness in developing countries.

Recruits and places interns from local colleges and universities with local organizations such as Rochester Refugee Resettlement Services to support community initiatives related to refugee support, women's issues, education, and climate change.

Funds and donates recreational infrastructure—including basketball courts, gymnasiums, and outdoor gym pavilions—to improve quality of life for U.S. and allied service members at military bases in Estonia, California, Louisiana, and New York. Projects include a basketball court at Tapa Military Base (Estonia), a gym pavilion at Lincoln Military Housing (CA), and Airmen Attics at Barksdale Air Force Base (LA), serving hundreds of service members, trainers, and families.

Distributes care packages, personal correspondence, and moral support to deployed U.S. military units, including sponsorship of 34 soldiers during a 9-month deployment in Afghanistan. Also provides essential items such as winter clothing to American volunteers serving with the Armed Forces of Ukraine in Donbas.

Operates educational travel programs that provide civilians with firsthand insight into the lives and challenges of U.S. service members, their families, and allied personnel, including focused programming on geopolitical conflicts such as the war in Ukraine and tensions involving Iran, China, Taiwan, and the Korean Peninsula. These programs include expert briefings, panel discussions, and diplomatic engagements to enhance public understanding of national security affairs affecting U.S. interests.