Great Decisions with Lt. Col. Thomas Kenney | AI and American National Security

Artificial intelligence (AI), especially generative AI, is often claimed as an emerging technology that will disrupt all facets of society. Join us for a timely discussion of this topic with&nbsp;Lt. Col. Thomas Kenney, outgoing commander of the 416th Civil Affairs Battalion (Airborne) on Camp Pendleton North, San Diego, CA and Fellow at the Belfer Center. This program will feature an expert presentation, live audience Q&amp;A, and time for networking and discussion with other globally-oriented participants. This program is free and open to the public, but advance registration is required. The program will be live-streamed to Zoom from 6:00-7:00 PM.&nbsp;<a href="https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_a8cYfo6WTACZfrlLNq6BXg">To attend virtually, please register here.</a> Note: This event does not take place in the Boston Public Library. This event is taking place in the&nbsp;Eichenbaum Colloquium Room on the 1st floor of the Kilachand Center for Integrated Life Sciences &amp; Engineering (CILSE) at 610 Commonwealth Avenue, Boston MA.

Eichenbaum Colloquium Room on the 1st floor of the Kilachand Center for Integrated Life Sciences & Engineering (CILSE)

Chat & Chowder with John Sullivan | Midnight in Moscow

Join us for this installment of our popular Chat &amp; Chowder series, featuring former Ambassador to Russia John Sullivan. Ambassador Sullivan will discuss his new book "Midnight in Moscow: A Memoir From The Front Lines Of Russia's War Against The West." Chat &amp; Chowder programs are an excellent opportunity to engage with expert speakers and to network with other globally-oriented participants in an informal environment. Each event features a presentation, audience Q&amp;A, dedicated time for networking, and (of course!) a selection of chowders and beverages. Thanks to the generous support of <a href="https://lowellinstitute.org/about/">The Lowell Institute</a>, Chat &amp; Chowder is now free of charge for all participants (Zoom live-streams remain free as well). We sincerely appreciate The Lowell Institute’s commitment to our mission, as well as the support of our venue, Foley &amp; Lardner LLP. Please consider helping sustain this work by making a contribution <a href="https://www.worldboston.org/support-us">here</a>. This program will be streamed to Zoom from 6:15 to 7:15. <a href="https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_lOIdjAV6QhKF0HI3BzZDYw">To attend the program virtually, please register for the Zoom webinar here</a>. Advance registration is required. We cannot accommodate walk-ins for the in-person program.

Foley & Lardner LLP

Great Decisions with Dr. Daniel Drezner | U.S. Changing Leadership in the World's Economy

Under President Biden, the U.S. has advanced new ideas about trade, technology, industrial policy, competition with China, and the organization of the world economy. For most of the postwar era, the U.S. has tied its global leadership to cooperative agendas aimed at creating a more open-world trading system, but that has apparently come to an end. What are America’s options and opportunities as a leader of the world economy? How will America’s “foreign policy for the middle class” and strategic competition with China impact its leadership role? How can the postwar rules and institutions of the world economy be made safe for economic nationalism and great power competition? Join us for a timely discussion of this topic with&nbsp;Dr. Daniel Drezner, Distinguished Professor of International Politics and Associate Dean of Research at the Fletcher School at Tufts University. This program will feature an expert presentation, live audience Q&amp;A, and time for networking and discussion with other globally-oriented participants in the Newsfeed Café. This program is free and open to the public, but advance registration is required. The program will be live-streamed to Zoom from 6:00-7:00 PM.&nbsp;<a href="https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_4CVBmxIUSaK7HPmZKRH73g">To attend virtually, please register here.</a>

Rabb Hall, Boston Public Library

International Affairs Book Swap

Did you make a New Year’s resolution to clean out clutter this year? Or to read more? Or maybe to network with other internationally-minded people? For all of the above and more, join us for our International Affairs Book Swap on February 11th! This festive, informal program will feature book “shopping” and swapping, slam-style book pitches, networking, beverages and appetizers, and raffle prizes! And the best part is, you get to cull your bookshelves and restock with a new-to-you book or two. Come for the books, the fun, or all of the above! Participants should bring at least one and no more than six books about any topic in international affairs. We ask that all books be in good condition and published within the past ten years. And, please join us at 5:30 PM for a special Q&amp;A session with WorldBoston staff members on the state of WorldBoston and what WorldBoston is looking forward to in 2025. If you are interested in "pitching" your book please fill out this <a href="https://forms.gle/MZ9sJQg5sGfd2yMT6">form</a>. Spots are limited. All those who participate in pitching their book receive a free copy of the 2025 Great Decisions Briefing Book. Advance registration is required. We cannot accommodate walk-ins for the in-person program.

Great Decisions with Tim Ritchie | Science Across  Borders

Scientific advances benefit from collaboration between researchers, but what happens when material, such as Artificial Intelligence (AI) is controversial and important to a nation’s national security? Is there a middle ground between sharing information and denying access? How can we regulate cooperation? Join us for a timely discussion of this topic with&nbsp;Tim Ritchie, President of the Museum of Science. This program will feature an expert presentation, live audience Q&amp;A, and time for networking and discussion with other globally-oriented participants. This program is free and open to the public, but advance registration is required. The program will be live-streamed to Zoom from 6:00-7:00 PM.&nbsp;<a href="https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_NydGx06XRSyP-BR1sv1VUw">To attend virtually, please register here.</a> Note: This event does not take place in the Boston Public Library. This event is taking place in the CDS Conference Center on the 17th Floor of the Boston University Center for Computing and Data Sciences.

CDS Conference Center, 17th Floor of the Boston University Center for Computing and Data Sciences 

Chat & Chowder with Joseph S. Nye, Jr. | A Life in the American Century

Join us for this installment of our popular Chat &amp; Chowder series, featuring Joseph S. Nye Jr., Distinguished Service Professor Emeritus at Harvard University to discuss his book A Life in the American Century. Chat &amp; Chowder programs are an excellent opportunity to engage with expert speakers and to network with other globally-oriented participants in an informal environment. Each event features a presentation, audience Q&amp;A, dedicated time for networking, and (of course!) a selection of chowders and beverages. Thanks to the generous support of <a href="https://lowellinstitute.org/about/">The Lowell Institute</a>, Chat &amp; Chowder is now free of charge for all participants (Zoom live-streams remain free as well). We sincerely appreciate The Lowell Institute’s commitment to our mission, as well as the support of our venue, Foley &amp; Lardner LLP. Please consider helping sustain this work by making a contribution <a href="https://www.worldboston.org/support-us">here</a>. This program will be streamed to Zoom from 6:15 to 7:15. <a href="https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_t8e_F9nHTLeB99_An7gyWA">To attend the program virtually, please register for the Zoom webinar here.</a> Advance registration is required. We cannot accommodate walk-ins for the in-person program.

Pardee School, Riverside Room

Chat & Chowder with Rohit Lamba | Breaking the Mold: India's Untraveled Path To Prosperity

Join us for this installment of our popular Chat &amp; Chowder series, featuring Professor Rohit Lamba, assistant professor of economics at Cornell University and visiting assistant professor of economics at New York University Abu Dhabi to discuss his new book Breaking the Mold: India's Untraveled Path to Prosperity. Chat &amp; Chowder programs are an excellent opportunity to engage with expert speakers and to network with other globally-oriented participants in an informal environment. Each event features a presentation, audience Q&amp;A, dedicated time for networking, and (of course!) a selection of chowders and beverages. Thanks to the generous support of <a href="https://lowellinstitute.org/about/">The Lowell Institute</a>, Chat &amp; Chowder is now free of charge for all participants (Zoom live-streams remain free as well). We sincerely appreciate The Lowell Institute’s commitment to our mission, as well as the support of our venue, Foley &amp; Lardner LLP. Please consider helping sustain this work by making a contribution <a href="https://www.worldboston.org/support-us">here</a>. This program will be streamed to Zoom from 6:15 to 7:15. <a href="https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_pvtpWSrdQNqCgAaXYd8FMQ">To attend the program virtually, please register for the Zoom webinar here</a>. Advance registration is required. We cannot accommodate walk-ins for the in-person program.

Great Decisions with Dr. Emily Reichert | Climate Technology

Will the United States and other powerful countries approach current and future climate initiatives with an increased commitment to nationalism? Or could a growing spirit of international accord develop to confront the “common enemy” of climate change? Join us for a timely discussion of this topic with&nbsp;Dr. Emily Reichert, CEO of MassCEC and former CEO of Greentown Labs. This program will feature an expert presentation, live audience Q&amp;A, and time for networking and discussion with other globally-oriented participants in the Newsfeed Café. This program is free and open to the public, but advance registration is required. The program will be live-streamed to Zoom from 6:00-7:00 PM.&nbsp;<a href="https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_6uNiZ3XTSPisOkmy2BHtWw">To attend virtually, please register here.</a>

Boston Public Library, Rabb Hall

Great Decisions with Dr. Ali Banuazizi | Mideast Realignment

The United States and Middle East are at a crossroads. In spite of a reduced presence in the Middle East, the U.S. still has significant national interests there and the area is a key arena for global power politics. Can the U.S. continue to defend its interests in the Middle East and globally with a lower level of military and political involvement, or should it recommit to a leading role in the region? Join us for a timely discussion of this topic with&nbsp;Dr. Ali Banuazizi, Research Professor of Political Science at Boston College. This program will feature an expert presentation, live audience Q&amp;A, and time for networking and discussion with other globally-oriented participants in the Newsfeed Café. This program is free and open to the public, but advance registration is required. The program will be live-streamed to Zoom from 6:00-7:00 PM.&nbsp;<a href="https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_tJPc4Gh6T6yxZBbYOC8MlQ">To attend virtually please register here.</a>

Chat & Chowder with Dr.  Abiodun Williams | Kofi Annan and Global Leadership at the United Nations

Join us for this installment of our popular Chat &amp; Chowder series, featuring Dr. Abiodun Williams, Professor of International Politics at The Fletcher School at Tufts University, to discuss his new book Kofi Annan and Global Leadership. Chat &amp; Chowder programs are an excellent opportunity to engage with expert speakers and to network with other globally-oriented participants in an informal environment. Each event features a presentation, audience Q&amp;A, dedicated time for networking, and (of course!) a selection of chowders and beverages. Thanks to the generous support of <a href="https://lowellinstitute.org/about/">The Lowell Institute</a>, Chat &amp; Chowder is now free of charge for all participants (Zoom live-streams remain free as well). We sincerely appreciate The Lowell Institute’s commitment to our mission, as well as the support of our venue, Foley &amp; Lardner LLP. Please consider helping sustain this work by making a contribution <a href="https://www.worldboston.org/support-us">here</a>. This program will be streamed to Zoom from 6:15 to 7:15. <a href="https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_F8yNDGPfRoWn80ULkUpmEQ">To attend the program virtually, please register for the Zoom webinar here</a>. Advance registration is required. We cannot accommodate walk-ins for the in-person program.

Great Decisions with Ambassador Robert Blake Jr. | Understanding Indonesia

Despite its large size, Indonesia remains virtually invisible to most Americans. But as one of the world’s largest democracies, the world’s largest Muslim-majority nation, and as an economic driver of ASEAN, why does it fly below the radar? What are current issues in U.S.-Indonesian relations, and what role can the country play in Asia? Join us for a timely discussion of this topic with&nbsp;former Ambassador Robert Blake Jr.&nbsp;This program will feature an expert presentation, live audience Q&amp;A, and time for networking and discussion with other globally-oriented participants in the Newsfeed Café.

Chat & Chowder | Lost Decade

Join us for this installment of our popular Chat &amp; Chowder series, featuring former Ambassador Robert Blackwill, Henry A. Kissinger senior fellow for U.S. foreign policy at the Council on Foreign Relations (CFR), and a senior fellow at Harvard Kennedy School’s Belfer Center for Science and International Affairs, to discuss his new book Lost Decade: The U.S. Pivot to Asia and the Rise of Chinese Power. Chat &amp; Chowder programs are an excellent opportunity to engage with expert speakers and to network with other globally-oriented participants in an informal environment. Each event features a presentation, audience Q&amp;A, dedicated time for networking, and (of course!) a selection of chowders and beverages. Thanks to the generous support of <a href="https://lowellinstitute.org/about/">The Lowell Institute</a>, Chat &amp; Chowder is now free of charge for all participants (Zoom live-streams remain free as well). We sincerely appreciate The Lowell Institute’s commitment to our mission, as well as the support of our venue, Foley &amp; Lardner LLP. Please consider helping sustain this work by making a contribution <a href="https://www.worldboston.org/support-us">here</a>. This program will be streamed to Zoom from 6:15 to 7:15. <a href="https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_KqXZCqHsTZKqBNVTbhyF0Q">To attend the program virtually, please register for the Zoom webinar here</a>. Advance registration is required. We cannot accommodate walk-ins for the in-person program.

Chat & Chowder | The End of Ambition

Join us for this installment of our popular&nbsp;Chat &amp; Chowder&nbsp;series, featuring&nbsp;Steven A. Cook,&nbsp;Senior Fellow for Middle East and Africa Studies and Director of the International Affairs Fellowship for Tenured International Relations Scholars at the Council on Foreign Relations, to discuss his new book&nbsp;The End of Ambition: America’s Past, Present, and Future in the Middle East. Chat &amp; Chowder&nbsp;programs are an excellent opportunity to engage with expert speakers and to network with other globally-oriented participants in an informal environment. Each event features a presentation, audience Q&amp;A, dedicated time for networking, and (of course!) a selection of chowders and beverages.

Foley and Lardner LLP

Great Decisions | NATO's Future

Since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022, attention on NATO has increased throughout the world. As its members prepare for the 75th NATO summit in early July, focus will intensify even more. In the U.S. we hear a lot of opinions about NATO, but how do Europeans feel about their security? The world will get key indicators of European political trends next month as 400 million people vote in European Parliamentary elections. Join us on the eve of these elections as Mustafa Soykurt, Consul General of France in Boston and Sonja Kreibich, Consul General of Germany to New England, discuss the future of NATO and the future of Europe. The program will feature an expert discussion, live audience Q&amp;A, and time for networking and discussion with other globally-oriented participants in the Newsfeed Café. This program is free and open to the public, but advance registration is required. The program will be live-streamed to Zoom from 6:00-7:00 PM.&nbsp;<a href="https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_aE687ik4SderpFC2Hrf9eg" target="_blank">To attend virtually, please register here.</a>

Boston Public Library-Rabb Hall

Chat & Chowder | Spies: The Epic Intelligence War between East and West

Join us for this installment of our popular&nbsp;Chat &amp; Chowder&nbsp;series, featuring Calder Walton, Assistant Director of the Applied History Project and Intelligence Project at Harvard's Belfer Center, to discuss his new book,&nbsp;Spies: The Epic Intelligence War between East and West. Chat &amp; Chowder&nbsp;programs are an excellent opportunity to engage with expert speakers and to network with other globally-oriented participants in an informal environment. Each event features a presentation, audience Q&amp;A, dedicated time for networking, and (of course!) a selection of chowders and beverages. Thanks to the generous support of&nbsp;<a href="https://lowellinstitute.org/about/" target="_blank">The Lowell Institute</a>,&nbsp;Chat &amp; Chowder&nbsp;is now free of charge for all participants (Zoom live-streams remain free as well). We sincerely appreciate The Lowell Institute’s commitment to our mission, as well as the support of our venue, Foley &amp; Lardner LLP. Please consider helping sustain this work by making a contribution&nbsp;<a href="https://www.worldboston.org/support-us" target="_blank">here</a>. This program will be streamed to Zoom from 6:15 to 7:15.&nbsp;<a href="https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_WzsCL1uBRXGQrXxc1J8InQ" target="_blank">To attend the program virtually, please register for the Zoom webinar here.</a> Advance registration is required. We cannot accommodate walk-ins for the in-person program.

S22: conversations

Wondering what to do in Boston? Places to eat? Free activities? Good for a group? Date night spot? Girls night out? The best things to do? Ask Joyraft!

Best places to go in Boston? Things to do? Places to eat?

Questions & answers about things to do in Boston

Recs 💬

Community recs 💬

S4: top picks

The most fun, cool and unique things to do in Boston. Can’t miss events, shows and experiences. Concerts, restaurants, bars, free things in Boston and beyond.

The most fun and cool events happening around Boston

Hot and new things to do in Boston

Hot & new

Hot & new 🔥

S11: happening this weekend

What to do in Boston this weekend? From festivals, concerts, performances, free events, screenings and more, Joyraft has the best things to do in Boston.

25+ things to do in Boston/Cambridge/Somerville this weekend

Things to do in Boston this weekend

This wknd

This weekend for you

S21: roundups

Our top picks: outdoor dining, free events, spring festivals, best bars, upcoming concerts, museum parties - the latest in and around Boston.  Slug: joyraft-top-picks-best-things-to-do-boston-ma

Top picks of the best things to do in and around Boston

Joyraft picks: Boston’s best things to do

Roundups ⭐️

Curated by Joyraft ⭐️

S28: calendar experiences

This week in Boston

This week in Boston 📆

This week 📆

S20: c+d experiences

Discover new, unique events and experiences happening in and around Boston. Perfect for date night, good for a group or with a friend. Be the first to know.

The newest events happening in and around Boston

The newest events on Joyraft

Just added

Just added to Joyraft

S16: editor picks

The most unique and can’t miss things coming up in Boston / Cambridge / Somerville and beyond. Festivals, food, drinks, fairs, concerts, art and free activities.

Unique and Can’t Miss Things to Do in Boston

Can’t-miss things to do in Boston 🚨

Can't-miss things to do 🚨

S2 (A): top experiences

The most popular things to do on Joyraft. Concerts, restaurants, bars, events, parties, openings, kid friendly, date ideas, free things in Boston and beyond.

Top 20 things to do in Boston

Top 20: Joyraft’s most popular

Top 20

Top 20 on Joyraft

S3 (A): trending experiences

Discover can’t miss events and things to do in Boston. The most fun, unique and cool events coming to the Boston area this spring and summer.

The hottest events happening in Boston

Trending events on Joyraft

Trending 📈

S17: interest based

Your guide to everything free in and around Boston. From events, to fairs, to festivals, to outdoors. Joyraft has all the free events happening near you.

100+ free things to do in Boston and beyond

Free things to do in Boston

Free things to do

S19: interest based

Discover kid-friendly fun in Boston, Massachusetts, and surrounding areas! Enjoy hands-on exhibits at the Boston Children’s Museum, explore the New England Aquarium, and visit the Franklin Park Zoo. Find parks, playgrounds, and seasonal events perfect for families across Massachusetts.

Top 20 kid-friendly things to do in Boston, MA

Kid-friendly things to do in Boston

Kid-friendly events

S18: interest based

Where to eat and drink in Boston? Joyraft has Boston’s newest bars, restaurants and specials. Drinks and pre fixe dinner menus. Cambridge & Somerville too.