Institute of Current World Affairs
@icwa.org
We advance American understanding of international cultures and affairs by sending young professionals abroad on two-year independent writing fellowships.
"Riding the escalators from the Central to Mid-Levels districts & staring up at the towering office buildings & residential complexes, I was struck by the city’s vertical orientation." Former fellow @steventagle.com shares photos from a 2013 trip to Hong Kong on Compass: compass.icwa.org/p/hong-kong
January 12, 2026 at 11:22 AM
"Riding the escalators from the Central to Mid-Levels districts & staring up at the towering office buildings & residential complexes, I was struck by the city’s vertical orientation." Former fellow @steventagle.com shares photos from a 2013 trip to Hong Kong on Compass: compass.icwa.org/p/hong-kong
A @hls.harvard.edu & @upenn.edu grad specializing in intl law & human rights, Sabrina Ochoa will study the impact of the International Criminal Court’s prosecution of crimes against humanity during the Philippines’ “war on drugs,” focusing on the victims of atrocity crimes.
December 23, 2025 at 6:58 AM
A @hls.harvard.edu & @upenn.edu grad specializing in intl law & human rights, Sabrina Ochoa will study the impact of the International Criminal Court’s prosecution of crimes against humanity during the Philippines’ “war on drugs,” focusing on the victims of atrocity crimes.
A @nyu.edu graduate and recent Fulbright research fellow in Kyrgyzstan, journalist Diana Kruzman @dkruzman.bsky.social will investigate how communities in Lebanon adapt & even thrive after breakdown, & she’ll report on wider developments in the Middle East.
December 23, 2025 at 6:58 AM
A @nyu.edu graduate and recent Fulbright research fellow in Kyrgyzstan, journalist Diana Kruzman @dkruzman.bsky.social will investigate how communities in Lebanon adapt & even thrive after breakdown, & she’ll report on wider developments in the Middle East.
A graduate of Middlebury College with a master’s degree from @harvard.edu Kennedy School, Mahli Knutson will spend two years in China examining changes in family life and their impact on the concept of childhood, public systems such as orphanage care & decisions families make about childrearing.
December 23, 2025 at 6:58 AM
A graduate of Middlebury College with a master’s degree from @harvard.edu Kennedy School, Mahli Knutson will spend two years in China examining changes in family life and their impact on the concept of childhood, public systems such as orphanage care & decisions families make about childrearing.
We’re delighted to announce the appointment of three outstanding new fellows who will begin their fellowships next year: Mahli Knutson, Diana Kruzman @dkruzman.bsky.social and Sabrina Ochoa www.icwa.org/icwa-2026-fe...
December 23, 2025 at 6:58 AM
We’re delighted to announce the appointment of three outstanding new fellows who will begin their fellowships next year: Mahli Knutson, Diana Kruzman @dkruzman.bsky.social and Sabrina Ochoa www.icwa.org/icwa-2026-fe...
Last days of the Soviet Union - photography by Jennifer Katzka on Compass: compass.icwa.org/p/last-days-...
December 19, 2025 at 3:30 PM
Last days of the Soviet Union - photography by Jennifer Katzka on Compass: compass.icwa.org/p/last-days-...
Portugal - photography by Jennifer Katzka on Compass: compass.icwa.org/p/portugal
December 12, 2025 at 12:18 PM
Portugal - photography by Jennifer Katzka on Compass: compass.icwa.org/p/portugal
The institute is thrilled to announce the 2026-2028 Rydell-Frisa Disarmament Fellowship, which will examine the state of global nuclear disarmament education, with immersion in a country or region to be determined next year. We are very grateful to Randy Rydell and Beth Frisa for making it possible.
December 9, 2025 at 1:15 PM
The institute is thrilled to announce the 2026-2028 Rydell-Frisa Disarmament Fellowship, which will examine the state of global nuclear disarmament education, with immersion in a country or region to be determined next year. We are very grateful to Randy Rydell and Beth Frisa for making it possible.
Rowland visited a harm reduction welcome center in Rio’s Maré favela, near the recent police mega operation that killed 132. Even during smaller raids, which happen as often as 3x a month in this favela alone, schools, clinics & transportation services shut down, creating fear & disrupting life.
November 19, 2025 at 2:12 PM
Rowland visited a harm reduction welcome center in Rio’s Maré favela, near the recent police mega operation that killed 132. Even during smaller raids, which happen as often as 3x a month in this favela alone, schools, clinics & transportation services shut down, creating fear & disrupting life.
A big thank you to all the fellows, supporters and friends who joined us last weekend to celebrate ICWA’s 100th anniversary! We look forward to building on your ideas and excitement as we move into the institute’s next century.
November 17, 2025 at 11:57 PM
A big thank you to all the fellows, supporters and friends who joined us last weekend to celebrate ICWA’s 100th anniversary! We look forward to building on your ideas and excitement as we move into the institute’s next century.
Tomorrow, for ICWA's 100th, Deanna Donovan, William Knowland, @brettvsimpson.bsky.social & James Workman will discuss what we must do to adapt to climate change. Open to the public. Register to join us on Nov 14 at House of Sweden in DC @swedeninusa.bsky.social: www.eventbrite.com/e/the-world-...
November 13, 2025 at 6:51 PM
Tomorrow, for ICWA's 100th, Deanna Donovan, William Knowland, @brettvsimpson.bsky.social & James Workman will discuss what we must do to adapt to climate change. Open to the public. Register to join us on Nov 14 at House of Sweden in DC @swedeninusa.bsky.social: www.eventbrite.com/e/the-world-...
For ICWA's 100th anniversary, alumni @brynbarnardart.bsky.social, Kenneth Cavander, Jean-Benoît Nadeau & Roger Reynolds will discuss how art can bridge national & economic divides. Open to the public. Register to join us on Nov 14 at @swedeninusa.bsky.social in DC: www.eventbrite.com/e/the-world-...
November 11, 2025 at 10:15 AM
For ICWA's 100th anniversary, alumni @brynbarnardart.bsky.social, Kenneth Cavander, Jean-Benoît Nadeau & Roger Reynolds will discuss how art can bridge national & economic divides. Open to the public. Register to join us on Nov 14 at @swedeninusa.bsky.social in DC: www.eventbrite.com/e/the-world-...
For ICWA's centenary, ICWA alumni Joseph Battat, Bacete Bwogo, William Foote & Joel Millman will discuss tariffs & anti-migration policies dominating the international agenda. Open to the public. Register to join us on Nov 14 at @swedeninusa.bsky.social in DC: www.eventbrite.com/e/the-world-...
November 9, 2025 at 4:21 PM
For ICWA's centenary, ICWA alumni Joseph Battat, Bacete Bwogo, William Foote & Joel Millman will discuss tariffs & anti-migration policies dominating the international agenda. Open to the public. Register to join us on Nov 14 at @swedeninusa.bsky.social in DC: www.eventbrite.com/e/the-world-...
Join us at @hrc.org in Washington, DC on Nov 13, when returning David Mixner LGBTQ+ Fellow Edric Huang will deliver his end-of-fellowship talk about the role of LGBTQ+ rights in Taiwan’s democracy & what the movement says about the country. Register here: www.eventbrite.com/e/lgbtq-righ...
November 5, 2025 at 3:22 PM
Join us at @hrc.org in Washington, DC on Nov 13, when returning David Mixner LGBTQ+ Fellow Edric Huang will deliver his end-of-fellowship talk about the role of LGBTQ+ rights in Taiwan’s democracy & what the movement says about the country. Register here: www.eventbrite.com/e/lgbtq-righ...
Join us at @hrc.org in Washington, DC on Nov 13, when returning David Mixner LGBTQ+ Fellow Edric Huang will deliver his end-of-fellowship talk about the role of LGBTQ+ rights in Taiwan’s democracy & what the movement says about the country. Register here: www.eventbrite.com/e/lgbtq-righ...
October 28, 2025 at 8:59 PM
Join us at @hrc.org in Washington, DC on Nov 13, when returning David Mixner LGBTQ+ Fellow Edric Huang will deliver his end-of-fellowship talk about the role of LGBTQ+ rights in Taiwan’s democracy & what the movement says about the country. Register here: www.eventbrite.com/e/lgbtq-righ...
Executive director Greg Feifer @gregoryfeifer.bsky.social visits Peter Bird Martin Fellow Brett Simpson @brettvsimpson.bsky.social in Tromsø, Norway.
October 17, 2025 at 8:17 AM
Executive director Greg Feifer @gregoryfeifer.bsky.social visits Peter Bird Martin Fellow Brett Simpson @brettvsimpson.bsky.social in Tromsø, Norway.
A local Rowland befriended fries churros out of the back of a car at a children's event at an evangelical church in Brazil.
August 20, 2025 at 12:40 PM
A local Rowland befriended fries churros out of the back of a car at a children's event at an evangelical church in Brazil.
While visiting the beach town of Cumbuco in northern Brazil, Rowland met empty nesters @mudarorumoviagens, who have been on the road for 9 months in their VW Kombi, driving up the coast from São Paulo. "When will you make your way back to São Paulo?" Rowland asked. "Who knows," they said.
August 11, 2025 at 3:15 PM
While visiting the beach town of Cumbuco in northern Brazil, Rowland met empty nesters @mudarorumoviagens, who have been on the road for 9 months in their VW Kombi, driving up the coast from São Paulo. "When will you make your way back to São Paulo?" Rowland asked. "Who knows," they said.
Rowland Robinson with his Forro dance school group at a collective birthday party during the "Fiesta Junina." Forro is the typical dance style from northeastern Brazil that is performed frequently throughout June & July to celebrate the Catholic saints.
August 5, 2025 at 6:13 AM
Rowland Robinson with his Forro dance school group at a collective birthday party during the "Fiesta Junina." Forro is the typical dance style from northeastern Brazil that is performed frequently throughout June & July to celebrate the Catholic saints.
Rowland Robinson shares some photos from his new base in Brazil. In May, he accompanied non-profit workers to Cracolandia or "Crackland," a region of São Paulo known for its high incidence of drug use. In the video, he dances with folks living on the street--you can spot him by his patagonia!
July 31, 2025 at 1:03 PM
Rowland Robinson shares some photos from his new base in Brazil. In May, he accompanied non-profit workers to Cracolandia or "Crackland," a region of São Paulo known for its high incidence of drug use. In the video, he dances with folks living on the street--you can spot him by his patagonia!
Edric Huang walked in the parade with Nagoya University designated associate professor Euan McKay, who has formed support networks for LGBTQ+ faculty across Japan & conducted research on LGBTQ+ university students’ experiences.
July 21, 2025 at 1:31 PM
Edric Huang walked in the parade with Nagoya University designated associate professor Euan McKay, who has formed support networks for LGBTQ+ faculty across Japan & conducted research on LGBTQ+ university students’ experiences.
This year, Nagoya Rainbow Pride attracted over 50,000 visitors & 1,200 parade participants. Nagoya is the capital of Aichi Prefecture, the first Japanese prefecture to recognize same-sex couples & their children as a family with its “Familyship Oath System” in early 2024.
July 21, 2025 at 1:31 PM
This year, Nagoya Rainbow Pride attracted over 50,000 visitors & 1,200 parade participants. Nagoya is the capital of Aichi Prefecture, the first Japanese prefecture to recognize same-sex couples & their children as a family with its “Familyship Oath System” in early 2024.
Tens of thousands of people—including Edric Huang—attended this April rally to recall KMT legislators. Booths lined both sides of the street for people to sign petitions in their home districts. So far, 31 petitions to recall Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT) legislators have reached the final stage.
July 7, 2025 at 4:58 PM
Tens of thousands of people—including Edric Huang—attended this April rally to recall KMT legislators. Booths lined both sides of the street for people to sign petitions in their home districts. So far, 31 petitions to recall Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT) legislators have reached the final stage.
Taiwanese rapper Yang Shu-ya performs “2045,” about her anger if war broke out between China & Taiwan. Behind her, the words “Protect Taiwan! Reject the United Front” create a direct link between the KMT party & the CCP’s tactics to influence & ultimately invade Taiwan.
July 7, 2025 at 4:58 PM
Taiwanese rapper Yang Shu-ya performs “2045,” about her anger if war broke out between China & Taiwan. Behind her, the words “Protect Taiwan! Reject the United Front” create a direct link between the KMT party & the CCP’s tactics to influence & ultimately invade Taiwan.
Edric Huang joins worshippers weaving through the city’s streets, hoisting up palanquins with Matsu & her daughter deities & setting off firecrackers. A procession of “Yige” floats parade through the streets to the tune of remixed Taiwanese folk songs & modern pop songs.
June 12, 2025 at 9:44 PM
Edric Huang joins worshippers weaving through the city’s streets, hoisting up palanquins with Matsu & her daughter deities & setting off firecrackers. A procession of “Yige” floats parade through the streets to the tune of remixed Taiwanese folk songs & modern pop songs.