Verde Valley News – As a young man, Charles Blum was inspired by John F. Kennedy to pursue a career in international affairs. He won a fellowship for doctoral studies at the University of Pennsylvania, and entered the US Foreign Service in 1971, serving 17 years in the State Department and the Executive Office of the President. On Thursday, April 11, Charles Blum shares his experiences as part of “JFK’s Quest for Peace,” a FREE presentation from the Verde Valley OLLI Program, 12:30 – 1:45 p.m., in room M-137 on Yavapai College’s Verde Campus in Clarkdale.
John F. Kennedy won the 1960 election in part by outflanking the Eisenhower administration on Cold War Issues. He wrestled with challenges ranging from the Bay of Pigs fiasco and the building of the Berlin Wall in 1961 to the 1962 nuclear confrontation over Soviet missiles in Cuba. How did Kennedy go from a hawkish foreign relations stance in the early 60’s to a Nuclear Test Ban Treaty with the Soviet Union in 1963? How did he hope to settle the war in Vietnam? What lessons can be drawn from his 1963 quest for peace that might be relevant for today’s disorderly and dangerous world?
Charles Blum — whose personal quest for global peace still drives his volunteer work with Yavapai College, Sedona’s Great Decisions chapter and the Phoenix Committee on Foreign Relations – presents this talk as part of the Verde Valley Osher Lifelong Learning Initiative (OLLI) Program’s free Munch ‘n Learn series. Attendees are invited to bring a bite to eat or pick up food at the campus cafe. Enjoy lunch while exploring a variety of topics relating to community issues and programs, as well as developments in science and the arts.
Munch and Learn will be presented by Yavapai College on Thursdays through May 9, from 12:30 to 1:45 p.m., in room M-137 YC’s Clarkdale campus, 601 Black Hills Drive, in Clarkdale. The presentation is free, but you must register by calling 928-649-4275 to ensure seating.
