There is no easy way to do this. Using your workaround is the best option I can think of.
I ended up using my workaround and created ONE global function. All it does it fires off Ext events.
I cant really gove you an answer,but what I can give you is a way to a solution, that is you have to find the anglde that you relate to or peaks your interest. A good paper is one that people get drawn into because it reaches them ln some way.As for me WW11 to me, I think of the holocaust and the effect it had on the survivors, their families and those who stood by and did nothing until it was too late.