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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
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National High School Essay Contest: Republic of Azerbaijan
Forty-Nine 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 two week-long Study Tour of Azerbaijan. For more information, click here or visit the WACA Leadership Network/Program Resources.
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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. |
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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 |
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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. |
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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. This year's categories are: US Education: Competing Globally; US Energy Policy; US Economic Competitiveness; Middle East; Afghanistan/Pakistan; China; NATO; UN Millennium Goals: Child Health; Azerbaijan; and Current Events. For more information, click here or visit the WACA Leadership Network/Program Resources. |
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Hot Topics
The Taiwan Presidential Elections: A Firsthand Perspective 1/13/12
On January 13, the World Affairs Councils of America hosted a Hot Topics Conference Call with the WACA Taiwan Leadership Delegation on the Taiwan Presidential Elections: A Firsthand Perspective for the national network. Michael Phillip, Board Chair, World Affairs Council of California Central Coast and WACA National Board Member, and Jay Bruns, Board Member, World Affairs Council of Connecticut and WACA National Board Member, led the discussion moderated by Lori Murray, WACA President & CEO. Read the trip report. Click here for more information. Click here to listen to the audio of the call! |
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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. |
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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! |
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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. |
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 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. Our extensive roster of speakers includes: Charles Bolden, NASA Administrator; Karl Eikenberry, Former US Ambassador to Afghanistan; Michael Mandelbaum, Professor and Director of the American Foreign Policy program, Johns Hopkins University, SAIS; David Rothkopf, Visiting Scholar, Carnegie Endowment for International Peace; and Gillian Tett, US Managing Editor, The Financial Times. For a full list of speakers and for more information on the conference, please visit worldaffairs.org.
Register by January 15 to take advantage of the Early Bird discount. You can register online at worldaffairs.org; by phone: 415-293-4600; or by printing the online registration form and mailing or faxing to: World Affairs Council of Northern California, 312 Sutter Street, Suite 200, San Francisco, CA 94108, Fax: 415.982.5028.
Colorado Springs
As part of WACA's "Top Six" national security challenges, the Colorado Springs World Affairs Council hosted onDecember 8 its "Presidents' Panel on Education and Global Competitiveness," featuring leaders of four local colleges and universities. This unique program engaged a broad spectrum of the Colorado Springs community in a wide-ranging discussion on the challenges and opportunities of higher education in the U.S. While there remained general optimism that U.S. colleges and universities remained some of the best in the world, there was also a stark recognition, as one panelist put it, that "education was being transformed from a 'public good' to a 'private commodity.' To watch discussion, see http://vimeo.com/33554896. To read a press account of the event from the Air Force Academy's newspaper, see http://www.usafa.af.mil/news/story.asp?id=123283178.
Philadelphia
The World Affairs Council of Philadelphiawould like to highlight the following Travel The World tour:
April 24-May 6, 2012 - Santiago to Havana, Cuba with Dr. Frank Argote-Freyre:
Curious about Cuba? Through our legal travel to Cuba learn about historic changes taking place on this comprehensive 12-night, 5-city journey. Our December people-to-people program was a huge success with members returning with a deeper understanding of Cubans' lives and our hosts gaining insights about America. Lecturer Dr. Frank Argote Freyre accompanies as we learn through panel discussions with political scientists and economists; visits to artists' homes, a dance studio, school, medical clinic and urban farming cooperative. Shorter 7-night fall Cuba programs also available. Call Joan Russell at 800-942-5004 x 209 or email us at travel@wacphila.org
Foreign Policy Association
The Foreign Policy Association's (FPA) Great Decisions 2012 materials - used nationwide to stimulate thought-provoking debate on key global challenges of concern to U.S. policymakers and voters - are now available.
2012 topics include: Middle East realignment; Promoting democracy; Mexico; Cybersecurity; Exit from Afghanistan & Iraq; State of the oceans; Indonesia; and Energy geopolitics. Learn more about the Great Decisions 2012 materials online at www.greatdecisions.org.
In the spring of 2011 populations throughout the Middle East and North Africa rebelled against decades of auotcratic rule. What implications does this have for U.S. foreign policy in the year ahead? Join the FPA for its Mary L. Belknap Memorial Lecture in the Great Decisions Lecture Series with Shibley Telhami, Anwar Sadat Professor of Peace and Development at the University of Maryland, who will discuss developments in this critical region. Anyone interested in attending should send an email to eventsdepartment@fpa.org to register.
Dallas/Ft. Worth
On Tuesday, January 24, 2012, the World Affairs Council of Dallas/Ft. Worth, in partnership with The Economist, would like to invite all those interested to its monthly online audiocast entitled Global I.Q. The first Global I.Q. of the year features Andrew Palmer, finance editor for The Economist who will discuss his forthcoming special report on State Capitalism. Go beyond the pages with the World Affairs Council and The Economist as you submit your questions live for Jim and Andrew, helping to guide the conversation in this free, online webinar. Participants will have the opportunity to submit questions through an online form. Register as you would any other event, and a link will be provided on the day before the audiocast that will enable you to connect to the program. Register now.
Santa Fe
On January 21, 2012, the Santa Fe Council on International Relations, kicks off its Spring 2012 International Lecture Series entitled "Critical Countries, Critical Issues We Do Not Understand". The series includes four lectures on Turkey, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Egypt and begins with a lecture by Professor Jenny White of Boston University on "The New Ottomans: Turkey's Muslim Nationalists". Professor White will discuss whether Turkey can continue to bridge the gulf between the West and the East or if it might be drawn increasingly into the Islamic world; and whether the long ties between Turkey and the U.S. can continue. Register: www.sfcir.org, or call (505) 982-4931.
Boston
Join WorldBoston for its Chat & Chowda Author Series: "The Future of Value: How Sustainability Creates Value through Competitive Differentiation" on Tuesday, January 24, 2012. The Future of Value reveals what it takes to enhance performance using sustainability principles. The boundaries of competition have been altered, contends the author, by sustainability's emergence as the newest dimension of corporate strategy. In this practical and highly accessible read, informed by interviews with more than 25 Global Fortune 500 companies, business and thought leader Eric Lowitt shows executives, private enthusiasts, and students alike how to use sustainability as a means to success. Contact James Nadel at wb@worldboston.org or 617-542-8995 x104
Florida Palm Beaches
 On January 12, 2012, the World Affairs Council of the Florida Palm Beaches will present Stephen Hadley who will discuss National Security Issues to be Debated in the 2012 Presidential Elections. Stephen Hadley, Senior Advisor for International Affairs, completed four years as the assistant to the president for National Security Affairs on January 20, 2009.
On January 25, 2012, the World Affairs Council of the Florida Palm Beaches will present Dr. Peter Vincent Pry who will discuss Turmoil in the Middle East: A Nuclear Iran & Electronic Armageddon. Dr. Pry is President of EMPact America, citizens group dedicated to educating the public on the threat from nuclear and natural electromagnetic pulse (EMP) and to advancing policies for protecting the United States from EMP. He is also Director of the United States Nuclear Strategy Forum, an advisory body to Congress on policies to counter Weapons of Mass Destruction. Pry has just been appointed Director, Task Force on Homeland Security and Terrorism.
Greater Hampton Roads
In 2012, the World Affairs Council of Greater Hampton Roads will present several Great Decisions Topics. On Saturday, January 14, 2012, Greater Hampton Roads presents Exit from Afghanistan & Iraq and What It Means for Joint & Coalition Warfighting with MG Fred Rudesheim, Deputy Director Joint Staff J7 Joint & Coalition Warfighting. Ten 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? Register now! To see more Great Decisions 2012 Topics and Dates, please visit www.hrwac.org/Great_Decisions.html
On February 9, 2012, the World Affairs Council of Greater Hampton Roads will host its 3rd annual Ryan C. Crocker Global Citizen of the Year Award. This is an award for public service and will be given this year to Robin Wright. For more information on this and other programs, please visitwww.hrwac.org.
Pittsburgh
 The World Affairs Council of Pittsburgh is pleased to announce its January 2012 programs. On January 5, the Council will explore The U.S.-Canada Energy Relationship: Why You Should Care with Dale Eisler, Assistant Deputy Minister of the Task Force on Energy Security, Prosperity and Sustainability at Natural Resources Canada, at a public policy discussion and luncheon. On January 18, the Council will have a Breakfast Briefing with Ambassador François Delattre, Ambassador of France to the United States, and Olivier Serot Alméras, Consul General of France in Washington, DC. Later the same day, the Council will host Dr. Daniel Byman, Professor in the Security Studies Program at Georgetown University's School of Foreign Service and Research Director of the Saban Center for Middle East Policy at the Brookings Institution for a Political Salon discussing Redefining Security? Israel, Counterterrorism, and the Arab Awakening.
Western Massachusetts
The World Affairs Council of Western Massachusetts will present Ambassador Mark Hambley at an Instant Issues event on "The Arab Spring One Year On: The Prospects for Positive Transition in the Broader Middle East" on Tuesday, January 17, 2012.
Ambassador Mark Hambley is a veteran of over 30 years in the US diplomatic service including posts as US Ambassador in Qatar and Lebanon and US Consul General in Sana'a, Alexandria, and Jeddah. After September 11, 2001, he served as Political Advisor to the commander of US Air Force deployment in the Middle East against "al-Qa'ida" and the Taliban in Afghanistan. He then became director of the Media Outreach Center, a specialized unit established to improve dialog with and monitor coverage by pan-Arab media. Hambley is a Trustee of the Next Century Foundation and is also Senior Managing Director for International Matters at Apollo Security. Reserve on line at www.worldaffairscouncil.com or call 413-733-0110. The RSVP deadline is January 13.
Western Michigan
On Thursday, January 12, 2012, the World Affairs Council of Western Michigan will present a Global Executive Briefing, "Europe: Breakthrough or on the Brink?" featuring Dr. Jackson Janes, American Institute for Contemporary German Studies, Johns Hopkins University, Washington, DC. The growing European sovereign debt crisis has many looking to Germany, the largest economy in the euro area and the fifth largest in the world, for a solution. Should EU countries abandon the currency altogether? How far are Germany and France willing to go to defend the euro? Is the EU on the brink of implosion of will the debt crisis deepen European integration?
South Dakota
On January 27, 2012, the South Dakota World Affairs Council will present Korea: A Power in the New Global Order. This symposium is the fourth in a series devoted to examining nations with increasingly important positions of power in the global order. Korea (officially the Republic of Korea) was chosen for the 2012 symposium because the country espoused democracy after WW II and emerged as a vibrant economy and dominant force in Asia. Sponsored by the South Dakota World Affairs Council, the Korea Economic Institute, the Stanley Foundation, South Dakota State University, and the Brookings Visitors Commission.
Connecticut
On March 6, 2012, The World Affairs Council of Connecticut will host its eighth Luminary Award celebration at the Hartford Marriott Downtown. Each year, the World Affairs Council of Connecticut (WACCT) celebrates the contribution of a recognized global leader(s) by honoring one or more individuals or an organization from Connecticut that has profoundly influenced global affairs, with a strong emphasis on achieving the overall betterment of the world. In 2012 the council will be honoring the Norwegian Nobel Peace Prize Committee.
Sonoma
On Friday, January 20, 2012, the World Affairs Council of Sonoma County will host its Annual Dinner,"Afghanistan, Pakistan, India: The Challenge of Achieving Good Governance in Asia," this year featuring David Arnold, President of the Asia Foundation.
David Arnold will share his observations from his recent trip to Asia, his hopes and recommendations for U.S. foreign policy, and then describe what direction the work of the Asia Foundation will take for the coming years. Reservation required by January 13. For more information, please visit www.wacsc.org.
Mid-Hudson Valley
A delegation of nine college professors left for the Sultanate of Oman on January 2nd, 2012 and will spend 11 days in Oman visiting schools, colleges, universities and meeting with government officials and academics in Oman. The program, entitled 'Educators to Oman' is fully funded by the Sultanate and is the first of its kind for theWorld Affairs Council of the Mid-Hudson Valley. The nine academics are from Vassar College, Bard College, Marist College, SUNY New Paltz and the three community colleges in Dutchess, Ulster and Orange counties. Upon their return, the academics will share their experiences with their classes, their colleagues and their communities.
Montana
On January 28th, the World Affairs Council of Montana will hold its first WorldQuest: Global Team Trivia Fundraiser event in support of WAC Montana's community and classroom education programs. This festive evening will include a silent/live auction, dinner, and team trivia modeled after Academic WorldQuest, a flagship education program for high school students across the country and WAC Montana's most popular global education initiative. For more information visit www.montanaworldaffairs.org
Harrisburg
Join the World Affairs Council of Harrisburg in the 2012 Executive Lecture Series!
January 19, 2012 6:30 p.m."The History of Globalization" to be presented at The Radisson Hotel and Convention Center, Camp Hill, PA. Keynote Opening Dinner will feature Dr. Carl Strikwerda, President of Elizabethtown College. Purchase tickets now.
January 28, 2012 Globalization and International Economic Order
February 9, 2012 Understanding World Politics
February 23, 2012 Armed Aggression and Global Peace
March 8, 2012 Non State Actors in International Politics
March 22, 2012 Promoting Human Development and Economic Well-Being
Minnesota
On Tuesday, January 24, 2012, theMinnesota International Center will host a Business Roundtable: Doing Business with Turkey. Planned as a business companion program to MIC's Celebration of Turkiye gala, the latest in this series of business workshops presented in collaboration with Dorsey & Whitney and KPMG, presenters will explore economic and political developents, the climant for foreign investment, legal and tax issues, cross cultural issues, and experiences of Minnesota companies in the region. Confirmed speakers include: Hakan Aytekin, Managing Director of Advisory Practice, KPMG; Dr. Sinan Ciddi, Executive Director, Institute of Turkish studies, Georgetown University; Dr. Trevor Gunn, Senior Director- International Relations, Medtronic; Can Okandan, Corporate Supply Chain, Cummins Power; Consul General Fatih Yildiz, Consul General of Turkey in Chicago; and moderator Chris Bercaw, Partner, Dorsey & Whitney.
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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. |
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Log-in for WACA Leadership and Staff: Access the Discussion Board, Resource Materials, Available Authors, Event Calendar Administration, and post your recommended speakers. |
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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
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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
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