|
 |
|
|
|
|
Sign Our Petition!
A Call to Action: Educating the Next Generation of Global Citizens
Last Spring, WACA's network leadership voted US Education Competing Globally as the Number ONE National Security issue facing our country that needed to be debated and discussed in the 2012 election year. At our November Annual meeting we approved A Call to Action: Educating the Next Generation of Global Citizens.
Sign the petition!
The Call to Action stresses the urgency of preparing the next generation to thrive in tomorrow's world and the commitment of the network to address this issue. WACA's 2011-2012 Education Committee, chaired by Claudia McBride, President, WAC of Philadelphia, and Heidi Shoup, President, WAC of D.C., is reviewing the K-12 education programs in the network and determining how to strengthen our education efforts. Click here for more information and visit the WACA Leadership Network/Share the Best
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Leadership Mission to Afghanistan
The World Affairs Councils of America's Leadership Mission to Afghanistan is in partnership with Ambassador Ryan Crocker and the US Embassy in Afghanistan, and will take place this spring. The delegation consists of Council Leaders from across the network who will be discussing a cross section of economic, security and political issues during the visit.
The main purposes of the leadership missions program are to get to know the people, the issues, and the problems of the city, the country, or the organization first-hand and to establish a much greater connection between the country and a well-informed and influential part of the American public. Click here to see the delegation list. Click here for more information about Leadership Missions.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
National High School Essay Contest: Republic of Azerbaijan
Fifty Councils across the country are participating in WACA's National High School Essay Contest on the Republic of Azerbaijan in partnership with the Heydar Aliyev Foundation for the 2011-2012 year. Ten Student Winners will be invited to participate in a ten day long Study Tour of Azerbaijan. Click here to see a list of participants. For more information, click here or visit the WACA Leadership Network/Program Resources. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Academic World Quest 2011-2012
This year marks the 10th Annual Competition of the World Affairs Councils of America's flagship education program for high School Students on global issues, Academic WorldQuest. The results from the regional competitions are starting to come in! Click here to see a list of the regional competitions and the winners to date. For more information, click here or visit the WACA Leadership Network/Program Resources. For information on the National High School Essay Contest: Republic of Azerbaijan, click here.
Thank you to our Sponsors: ExxonMobil and NATO
Thank you to our Partners: Embassy of the People's Republic of China, Royal Embassy of Saudi Arabia |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2011 National Conference
The 2011 National Conference, US National Security: Six Top Issues for the 2012 Election took place November 2-4, 2011 at the Mayflower Hotel in Washington, DC. Also happening at that time was our Fall Leadership Meeting for Council CEOs and Staff and our WACA Annual Membership Meeting. This year's conference launched the year long discussion on the Six Top National Security Issues facing the United States in the run-up to the 2012 presidential election, which were selected by our council network leadership; US Education: Competing Globally, US Energy Policy, Afghanistan/Pakistan, US Economic Competitiveness, the Middle East, and China.
Keynote speakers included Senator John McCain, (R-AZ); William J. Burns, Deputy Secretary of State; Stephen Hadley, former National Security Advisor; Senator Sam Nunn, Co-Chairman & CEO, Nuclear Threat Initiative; Zbigniew Brzezinski, former National Security Adviser to President Jimmy Carter; Ambassador Marc Grossman, US Special Envoy to Afghanistan and Pakistan; NSA. Richard C. Levin, President of Yale University, delivered the opening keynote speech on US Education: Competing Globally with moderator Stone Phillips, former Dateline NBC Anchor.
Thank you to our Sponsors: NATO, Thomson Reuters, Northop Grumman, Chevron, Goldman Sachs, the Gambrinus Company, Raytheon, ExxonMobil, El Paso Corporation, Barclays Capital, and the Hutchins Family Foundation. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Engage America Series
Six Top Issues-Middle East/Afghanistan-Pakistan/US Economic Competitiveness
Understanding Muslim Societies
The World Affairs Councils of America has been awarded a grant from Carnegie Corporation of New York for a new Engage America Series entitled, Understanding Muslim Societies. This project will be part of the Six Top Issues for US National Security Engage America Series that is being undertaken by the World Affairs Councils of America network between now and the 2012 election. The National speaker series provides for up to 35 local World Affairs Councils events featuring leading experts from Carnegie Corporation of New York programs and institutions who will address Understanding Muslim Societies. For more information, click here or visit the WACA Leadership Network/Program Resources |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Engage America Series
EU National High School Outreach
The World Affairs Councils of America has been awarded a contract by the Delegation of the European Union to the United States to conduct educational outreach to American high schools. WACA will be working with 12 local World Affairs Councils to implement the program in their communities as part of our Six Top National Security Issues programming- US Education, Competing Globally. The program consists of visits and classroom presentations to secondary school students, primarily grades 9-12, by European officials in metropolitan regions of the United States. The objective of the program is to engage American students and teachers on a personal level to deepen their understanding and knowledge of the European Union. For more information, click here or visit the WACA Leadership Network/Program Resources. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
WACA in the Huffington Post
The Huffington Post went live on Saturday, November 19, 2011 with a piece written by Dr. Lori E. Murray, WACA President & CEO, on the 2012 Foreign Policy Campaign Debates. Click here to read the article!
Dr. Murray argues that the divide no longer exists between foreign and domestic policy and calls on the American political debates to reflect that reality. She draws on our WACA leadership vote on the Six Top National Security Issues for the 2012 Election and WACA National Discussion on the Six Top Issues launched at the 2011 National Conference to support the point. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
World Affairs Councils Vote on Top Six 2012 Election Issues
In March, 2011, the World Affairs Councils of America released their network leadership survey results that concluded that the Six Top National Security Issues facing the United States in the run-up to the 2012 presidential election are: US Education--Competing Globally, US Energy Policy, Afghanistan/Pakistan, US Economic Competitiveness, Middle East, and China.
The survey results are guidng the programming of the National Network for the 2012 Election year. The WACA National Conference in November 2011 publicly launched the national network discussion of the Six Top Issues. The issues are being discussed and debated with the American public through local council and national office speaker programs, the WACA national high school competition, Academic WorldQuest, resources materials and videos in the WACA Virtual Library, Hot Topic conference calls, among other programs. The number one top national security issue that the network leadership voted for is US Education—Competing Globally. WACA has posted an online petition, unanimously supported by its leadership at its Annual Membership Meeting, on the importance of this challenge and has also launched a major review of its education programs nationwide to determine how the network can do more.
Six Top Issues press release 2011 National Conference Program 2011 National Conference Videos
Speaker Programs Hot Topics Calls Virtual Library Newsletters Sign Our Petition! |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
State of the Union Address
President Obama delivered the State of the Union Address on Tuesday, January 24, 2012 to Congress and the nation. Click here to watch the video. To view more of our resources, click here. |
|
|
|
|
|
 |
 On March 30-31, 2012, the World Affairs Council of Northern California will host its annual conference,WorldAffairs 2012: Navigating in a Shifting Global Landscape. We will examine key shifts in the global landscape and how the US and the international community may respond. Topics include: global security, the global economy and long-term developmental and environmental issues. For a full list of speakers and for more information on the conference, please visit worldaffairs.org.
Philadelphia
The World Affairs Council of Philadelphiawould like to announce the following Travel The World tour:
INSIDE WASHINGTON - April 16-21, 2012
Join a small national group of some 30 Council members for a one-week program of briefings and special events. Keynote speakers include, Robin Wright, author of "Rock the Casbah" and New York Times journalists, Eric Schmitt and Thom Shanker, at the National Press Club as they talk about their new book, "Counterstrike". Both books provided complimentary to participants. Embassy visits, briefing and luncheon at the Pentagon, the Hill, and cultural highlights including Freer and Sackler docent-led tour, and optional Kennedy Center symphony. Five lunches or dinners and 5 nights accommodation at the J.W. Marriott. $2,750. Call Joan Russell at 800-942-5004 x 209 or email us at travel@wacphila.org Visit our website http://www.wacphila.org/travel/
Foreign Policy Association
 On Thursday, February 9, 2012, the Foreign Policy Association presents the Lester Morse Distinguished Lecture in the Great Decisions Lecture Series. The years after September 11, 2001, the U.S. is winding down its military commitment in Iraq and slowly pulling out of Afghanistan. What exit strategy will help Afghanistan and Iraq build stable democratic nations? How can the U.S. continue to achieve its counterterrorism goals? What is the role of the U.S. in the future of the Middle East? Join the FPA for the Lester Morse Distinguished Lecture in the Great Decisions Lecture Series with Ambassador Ronald Neumann, President of American Academy of Diplomacy and former U.S. Ambassador to Afghanistan, who will discuss possible scenarios. Register online todaywww.fpa.org
Dallas/Ft. Worth
The World Affairs Council of Dallas/Fort Worth, in partnership with The Economist invites you and your members to participate in a live interactive webinar. Get the world at your desktop on Thursday, February 9 with this month's first Global I.Q. withThe Economist. This webinar features Simon Long who will discuss his forthcoming special report on Pakistan.
Join us on Tuesday, February 28 for this month's second Global I.Q. with The Economist. This webinar features Andrew Palmer, finance editor for The Economist who discusses his upcoming special report on financial innovation and examines the whole process of innovation within finance, an environment where intellectual-property rights are notable for their absence, where products are rapidly imitated and where the pressure to sell can easily outrun the ability of the industry and its regulators to keep control. Go beyond the pages with the World Affairs Council and The Economist as you submit your questions live, helping to guide the conversation in these free, interactive webinars.
Seattle
On January 31, 2012, President Jimmy Carter visited Seattle to help launch the Seattle World Affairs Council's 60th anniversary celebration. This event took place at the Paramount Theatre in downtown Seattle for the evening to celebrate global engagement, waging peace, fighting disease, and building hope. The evening was capped by the presentation of our World Citizen and World Educator awards and a conversation with President Carter.
Santa Fe
The Santa Fe Council on International Relations would like to highlight the below events. Register for all events at: www.sfcir.org, or (505) 982-4931.
SFNM political columnist, Bill Stewart, will address "Foreign Policy in an Election Year: Republican candidates grapple with President Barack Obama and the president's reduction in the armed forces" at a World Affairs Discussion Luncheon on Friday, February 10, 11:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m., Register by Tuesday, Feb 7.
The Council on International Relations presents the second of four Spring 2012 International Lecture Seriesentitled "Critical Countries, Critical Issues We Do Not Understand" (lectures on Turkey, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Egypt ). Professor Timothy Hoyt of the U.S. Naval War College will speak on "Pakistan - Four Futures for a Troubled Relationship". U.S.- Pakistan relations are difficult and at their lowest point since the death of Osama Bin Laden. Can this marriage be saved? Saturday, February 25, 3:00 p.m.
Boston
WorldBoston would like to highlight the below events:
February 8: International Business Forum and Networking Evening
Leaders of New England's top companies and trade associations will gather for the 18th Annual International Business Forum and Networking Evening. Prof. Michael Goodman, Chair of the Public Policy Department at UMass Dartmouth, and Geoffrey S. Somes, Senior Economist at State Street Global Advisors, will present the 2012 global trade and economic outlook.
Wednesday, February 8, 5:00 - 8:00 pm; $45 Pre-registration required
RSVP: Contact James Nadel at wb@worldboston.org or 617-542-8995 x104
February 14: Middle East Realignment
The popular revolts and upheaval of the Arab Spring have radically changed the face of the Middle East. What lies ahead for the region's transition to democracy? With many longtime allies ousted, how will the U.S. recalibrate its relations with the new regimes? Prof. Denis Sullivan, Director of the Middle East Center at Northeastern University, and Karim Haggag, Egyptian diplomat and Middle East regional security expert, will take your questions in the opening installment of GREAT DECISIONS 2012. Tuesday, February 14, 6:00 - 7:30 pm For more information: Contact James Nadel at wb@worldboston.org GREAT DECISIONS is "free and open to the public" thanks to support from The Lowell Institute
February 15: CHAT & CHOWDA Author Series with Charles Kupchan "No One's World: The West, the Rising Rest, and the Coming Global Turn"
New location: The Downtown Harvard Club of Boston. In No One's World, former National Security Council member Charles A. Kupchan challenges the prevailing view that democracy, capitalism, and secular nationalism will continue to uphold the primacy of the Western order, arguing instead that the world is headed for political and ideological diversity. Emerging powers are following their own paths to modernity and embracing their own conceptions of domestic and international order. Kupchan provides a detailed strategy for striking a bargain between the West and the rising rest, offering an essential global guidebook for the 21st century. Wednesday, February 15, 5:30 - 7:00 pm; $15 for World Affairs Council members / $25 general admission; Contact James Nadel at wb@worldboston.org or 617-542-8995 x104
Florida Palm Beaches
On February 22, 2012 theWorld Affairs Council of the Florida Palm Beaches will present Joe Barneswho will explain Why Conservatives & Liberals Are BOTH Wrong About Energy Policy - and will discuss the key issues needed to establish an actionable energy policy. Joe Barnes is the Bonner Means Baker Fellow at the James A. Baker Institute for Public Policy at Rice University. He has written extensively on international economics, with a focus on the geopolitics of energy.
Greater Hampton Roads
The World Affairs Council of Greater Hampton Roads will conduct its 3rd annual "Ryan C. Crocker Global Citizen of the Year" dinner program on February 9, 2012 in Norfolk, VA. This year's recipient and guest speaker is Ms. Robin Wright; journalist, author, commentator, and well-known expert on the Middle East and the Arab Spring. The award's namesake, U.S. Ambassador to Afghanistan, Ryan C. Crocker, will be on hand to help present the award. Additionally, the council's annual Norfolk NATO Festival banquet in April honoring the NATO alliance will feature guest speaker, U.S. Secretary of State, Hillary Rodham Clinton.
Pittsburgh
The World Affairs Council of Pittsburgh is excited to highlight a sampling of our February programming: On Friday, February 10, the Council will host Ambassador Cynthia Schneider for a Public Policy Discussion and Luncheon entitled Blindsided? Washington's Response to the Arab Spring, focusing on the U.S. government's initial reactions and responses to the evolving developments in the Middle East.
From Monday, February 13 to Thursday, February 16, the Council will host its annual U.S. Army War College series featuring current Eisenhower Fellows at the U.S. Army War College. Events include seminars at local high schools and universities, discussions with teachers groups, a public library visit, and a Political Salon entitled North Korea, Smart Diplomacy, and Security Challenges in the Pacific Rim.
On Monday, February 27, the Council and Pittsburgh Arts & Lectures present An Evening with Sebastian Junger, award-winning journalist and best-selling author, for a private reception and public lecture at Pittsburgh's Carnegie Music Hall. Mr. Junger will talk about his book WAR and documentary film Restrepo. His lecture will be followed by an audience Q&A and book signing. To register for upcoming events, please visit www.worldpittsburgh.org.
Harrisburg
Join the World Affairs Council of Harrisburg in the 2012 Executive Lecture Series!
International 101: The Forces Shaping International Business, Politics and Diplomacy
FEB. 8, 2012 - The Different Faces of Modern Russia Presentation/Dinner. Special Delegation from Russia with discussion topics to include education, politics, culture, healthcare, the economy and more. Open to the public. RSVP by Feb. 3 to mkreidler@keystonehumanservices.org or 717-232-7509, x139
FEB. 9, 2012 -- Understanding World Politics : An overview off the issues, philosophies and
debates shaping international political thought.
FEB. 18, 2012 - Live teleconference with HRH Prince Hassan of Jordan. Check our website for updated information and times. Venue: Dixon University Center
FEB. 23, 2012-- Armed Aggression and Global Peace: Understanding the pursuit of military power among nations around the globe, as well as approaches to conflict resolution to prevent wars and promote international stability.
Venue: Harrisburg University
New Hampshire
The World Affairs Council of New Hampshire will present on Tuesday, February 21 ~ 6 PM: GLOBAL TIPPING POINTS: FREE SERIES. Part 1: Poverty
Speaker: Michael Fairbanks, Founder of the SEVEN Fund, Harvard University Weatherhead Fellow, Senior Advisor to Rwandan President Paul Kagame, Co-Author of "Plowing the Sea: Nurturing the Hidden Sources of Advantage in Developing Nations" Free and open to the public Please register in advance! This Headline Speakers Series is presented in partnership with UNH Manchester
Charlotte
The World Affairs Council of Charlotte would like to highlight the following events:
Speaker Series with Dr. Katherine Bliss - Feb. 9th
Dr. Katherine E. Bliss is deputy director and senior fellow with the CSIS Global Health Policy Center and director of the CSIS Project on Global Water Policy. She is also senior fellow with the CSIS Americas Program.
The Magellan Society (Young Professionals of the WACC) Presentation by Kishore Eechambadi - Feb. 13th
Kishore Eechambadi is a humanitarian entrepreneur and co-founder of The Coupon Doc, a healthcare startup he launched in July of 2011.
Business Breakfast Series with His Excellency Dr. Neil Parsan - Feb. 29th
His Excellency Dr. Neil Parsan assumed the position of Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to the United States of America and The United Mexican States and Permanent Representative of Trinidad and Tobago to the Organization of American States (OAS) on February 7, 2011.
Atlanta
The World Affairs Council of Atlanta is proud to be offering an executive education certificate program in emerging markets strategies from March 26 through March 30, 2012 in Atlanta, GA. The week-long certificate program is offered through the Executive Education department at the Robinson College of Business, Georgia State University and will be directed by Dr. Wayne Lord, President of the World Affairs Council of Atlanta. For more information and to register, go to http://robinson.gsu.edu/execed/programs/certificate-emerging.html. For more information, e-mail chmorton@gsu.edu or call 404-413-7083.
Oregon
World Affairs Council of Oregon's 2012 International Speakers Series: With a national election on the horizon and the role of America on the world stage at a critical crossroads, the World Affairs Council of Oregon has invited Jim Lehrer, award-winning journalist and longtime News Anchor of PBS NewsHour, to launch its 2012 International Speakers Series: Politics and Principles: America and the World in 2012 on February 3, 2012. The Series continues with economist and Nobel Prize winner Amartya Sen - Economics, Ethics & Justice (March 11); New York Times columnist-author David Brooks - Inside the American Mind (March 27); and Afghan human rights champion Sima Samar - The Question of Afghanistan (April 27).
Columbus
On February 23, the Columbus Council on World Affairs will host Dr. Ali Mazrui for Islam in Africa's Experience: Expansion, Revival & Radicalization. Dr. Mazrui is widely consulted on many issues including constitutional change, educational reform, Islamic culture, and Muslim history. He has been involved in a number of United Nations projects on matters ranging from human rights to nuclear proliferation. In 2005, the American journal Foreign Policy and the British journal Prospect nominated Dr. Mazrui as one of the top 100 public intellectuals alive in the world. To watch this event live on February 23 at 12:00pm EST, log on to http://www.livestream.com/columbuscouncilonworldaffairs.
Las Vegas
The World Affairs Council of Las Vegas had a great year of capacity building. For 2012 the number of competing WorldQuest teams has doubled and scheduled for February 18th, the international visitors program continues to grow, a young professionals group has formed and programs are in the planning stages throughout the year. WACLV is looking forward to another year of membership growth and broadening relationships throughout the community.
Alaska
The Alaska World Affairs Council will feature Dr. Trita Parsi, on Friday, February 10th. Dr. Parsi is the President of the National Iranian American Council. He will be speaking on the Obama Administration's Iran policy.
|
|
|
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
 |
|
|
|
 |
|
|
The World Affairs Councils of America represents and supports the largest national non-partisan network of local councils that are dedicated to educating, inspiring and engaging Americans in international affairs and the critical global issues of our times. |
|
|
|
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
 |
|
|
Log-in for WACA Leadership and Staff: Access the Discussion Board, Resource Materials, Available Authors, Event Calendar Administration, and post your recommended speakers. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 |
|
|
|
|
From the Network, for the Network
Travel the World
Global IQ with the Economist
It's Your World
Great Decisions
World Affairs Today
World in Transition
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 |
|
|
Akmaaq
Aviation Leasing
Barclays Capital
Booz Allen Hamilton
1918 Society Members
Carnegie Corporation of New York
Chevron
The Claremont Group
El Paso Corporation
ExxonMobil
The Gambrinus Company
Goldman Sachs
Hutchins Family Foundation
Merrill Lynch - Mr. Michael Phillip
NATO
Northrop Grumman
Raytheon
Thomson Reuters
Turkish Cultural Foundation
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
