LAST MEETING:  July, 2012   BALKANS DELEGATIONS MEMBERS, Kathleen Hunt and Sharon Kolby  reported  on 21days of meetings  with women's groups, ngo's, universities, embassies and politicians.  You can see pictures of the trip here and read the Balkans Journey to  Understanding blog.  Learn what they learned about this historic and troubled region.

REGISTER with AWIU to received periodic information about  AWIUand the Orange County Chapter

Following AWIU's International Women of Courage "Celebration" in DC members, Chapter Chair Diane McGlinchey visited the US Institute of Peace.  The meeting there featured Secretary of State, Hillary Clinton; China's Foreign Minister, Yang Jiechi;  Dr. Henry Kissinger;  Dr. Zbignew Brzezinski, as well as other speakers, panels and sessions, discussing the opening of China to the US In 1972 and the Future of US - China Relations, as well as the role played by the women of China.

MEETING REPORT:  February 20 2012 

Dr. Georgy Gounev  presented an INSIDER'S LOOK AT THE BALKANS to Orange County members meeting in Laguna Nigel.

Born in Bulgaria, Dr. Gounev has spent a lifetime an accomplished educator, writer, and lecturer.  Duran his recent visit to the Balkans Dr. Gounev interviewed Bishop Artemje of Kosovo as well as lectured at the University Climent.  He presented members a birds-eve-view of the Balkans.  His presentation complimented the study of the AWIU Delegation to the Balkans in June.

His biography is below.

Biography Dr. Georgy Gouney

Dr. Georgy Gounev was born in Bulgaria and educated in Sofia University.  He obtained his PhD from Moscow Institute of International Relations in history.  In 1988, after teaching at Sofia University and publishing four books, he left Bulgaria as a Fulbright Scholar and taught in the University of Ohio.

Dr. Gounev presently teaches Comparative Russian and American History and International Studies at two Southern California Colleges.  In addition, he lectures extensively at various political clubs, churches and other organizations. His first book in English is entitled “Fighting Evil with the Help of Satan.”   The book is an historical analysis of the strategies of Stalin, Hitler, Roosevelt and Churchill during World War II.   Gounev has just completed work on a book entitled “The Dark Side of the Crescent Moon.” This book presents a compelling argument that the US and Russia will become strong allies as Europe comes under the Muslim influence.  Gounev travelled to Europe and the Balkans in the fall of 2009 to conduct one-on-one interviews as part of his research.  Amongst prominent persons he interviewed was Bishop Artemije of Kosovo.  In addition, he was the main speaker in a one hour radio interview in the capital of Sofia where he also lectured at the University of Climent to an audience of about 100 students and faculty.