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2013 National Conference Sponsors
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Week of July 22nd
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The World Affairs Councils of America will host its 2013 National Conference, Six Top Issues for 2014, November 13-15, 2013 at the Liaison Capitol Hill Hotel.
Take Advantage of Special Early-Bird Rate for Members
Prices:
$455 World Affairs Council Member ($495 after September 1)
$545 Non-Member
$430 World Affairs Council CEO/Staff/Board Member
National Conference Scholarships Available
The National Board of Directors of the World Affairs Councils of America is proud to announce that we will be offering 25 scholarships for college students from our national network to attend the 2013 National Conference, U.S. National Security: Six Top Issues in 2014, November 13-15, 2013 in Washington, DC at the Liaison Capitol Hill Hotel. For more information on how to apply, click here.
Councils, a flyer is available for your use to promote the National Conference to your members, which Ian J. Byrne has sent out. If you did not receive it, please send an email to [email protected]. Held annually for over two decades, the World Affairs Councils of America's National Conference engages our regional leaders and members drawn from the business, civic, and education communities with leading policy-makers and experts. The National Conference launches the National Network's year-long discussion of the Six Top Issues for 2014 selected by our network leadership across the country and helps plan our programming for the coming year. The Six Top Issues selected by the National Network's leadership as the most important national security issues for the coming year are: - Cybersecurity
- U.S. Energy Independence
- Global Economic Realignment
- Middle East
- Global Environment Issues
- U.S. Education
Last year's conference kicked off with an exclusive, off the record discussion with then-CIA Director General David H. Petraeus at Wednesday evening's opening dinner. Past conferences have featured distinguished panelists including Congressman Chris Van Hollen, Zbigniew Brzezinski, Singaporean Ambassador to the U.S. Ashok Kumar Mirpuri, former National Security Advisor Stephen J. Hadley, and many more. For more information on the WACA Annual National Conference, click here. Please join us! Conference registration and hotel reservations are now open. Register for 2013 National Conference Reserve Hotel Room at The Liaison Staying at The Liaison We have secured a special group rate at The Liaison Capitol Hill of $225/night. To book rooms at this rate, click here or call 1-866-233-4642 and reference "National Conference - World Affairs." The Liaison is the closest hotel to the U.S. Capitol. The Smithsonian, the National Mall, Union Station, and dozens of the country's most visited museums and monuments are within walking distance. Celebrity chef Art Smith, who creates his award-winning Southern-modern "food for the soul" for the Liaison's restaurant Art and Soul, will be the chef for the National Conference. Perhaps best known as Oprah Winfrey's personal chef, Smith is well known for his fine-tuned, artisanal farm-to-table menu. First Lady Michelle Obama is known to have dined there with friends. Tentative Agenda Wednesday, November 13 9:00 AM - 4:00 PM: Fall Leadership Meeting for Council CEOs and Staff/Annual Membership Meeting 6:30 PM - 8:30 PM: Opening Dinner Thursday, November 14 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM: Main Plenaries 5:30 PM - 8:00 PM: Embassy Receptions Friday, November 15 7:30 AM - 8:45 AM: 1918 Society Breakfast 9:00 AM - 3:00 PM: Main Plenaries Conference concludes at 3:00 PM
Thank You to Our 2013 National Conference Sponsors
Save the Date: Academic WorldQuest 2014
 The 2014 Academic WorldQuest National Competition will take place Saturday, April 26, 2014 at the Georgetown University Hotel and Conference Center in Washington, DC. Read about the 2013 Academic WorldQuest National Competition here.
CONTEXT: Tipping the Scales: Can TTIP Jump Start the Global Economy?
With a still sluggish and struggling global economy, many economists believe that a successfully negotiated trade agreement between the U.S. and E.U. could provide the kind of jolt that many markets need. Based on the sizes of the economies involved, it's easy to see why. With negotiations over the proposed Transatlantic Trade Investment Partnership (TTIP) about to heat up, we asked Kent Hughes to provide context on what could be a game changing agreement. Click here to watch.
WACA-U.S. Department of State Partnership
 The World Affairs Councils of America is partnering with the U.S. Department of State's Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs to provide exciting opportunities for World Affairs Councils members and their families to promote relationships between the United States and other countries of the world. Enrich your family and community by joining our "C2C" - Culture2Culture, Country2Country and Community2Comunity initiative. Volunteer to host an international exchange student starting this fall.
 Many people ask what they can do to make things better for themselves, their children, their communities, and the world. By sharing your home and heart with an international high school exchange student, you will make a difference. What begins as an exchange of kindness, customs and culture within a family extends throughout a high school and community to touch thousands of lives. The Department of State needs host families from all over the U.S. - from large cities to small towns. If you or someone you know would be interested in hosting a student, please visit http://hosting.state.gov for more information and to fill out a short form so that a local representative can contact you.
Recommended Speaker: Jerry Leach
 Dr. Jerry Leach is the former President of the World Affairs Councils of America and Professor Emeritus and former Director of the American Studies Center at the American University in Cairo. His most current speaking topic is "Where is the Egyptian Revolution Going?"
Dr. Leach has held a number of positions in government and in the private sector. He is the former National President of the World Affairs Councils of America. He has also been the Peace Corps Regional Director for Eastern Europe, the Soviet Republics, Middle East, Asia, and the Pacific. In the U.S. government, Dr. Leach served as the National Security Council Director of International Economic Affairs at the White House, as the Deputy Director in the Office of Strategic Technology Affairs, State Department, and as a Consular Officer in the U.S. Embassy, on post in London, UK. Dr. Leach has also been an Assistant Lecturer at Cambridge University, Instructor at the University of Papua New Guinea; and a Peace Corps Volunteer in Turkey.
Dr. Leach obtained a BA from Emory University (magna cum laude), an MA from the University of California at Berkeley, and an MA and PhD from Cambridge University. He has also received a certificate from the Kennedy School, Harvard in Senior Executive Programs and a certification from the U.S. Foreign Service Institute for Diplomatic Training Programs.
If you would like to get in contact with Dr. Jerry Leach, please visit the Recommended Speakers Database in the WACA Leadership Network.
Spotlight on Turkey Study Tours
 The secound group of teachers participating in this year's Spotlight on Turkey program are on the ground participating in a study tour of the country. Teachers from the Vermont Council on World Affairs, World Affairs Council of Connecticut, World Affairs Council of New Hampshire, World Affairs Council of Seattle, Montana World Affairs Council, South Dakota World Affairs Council, Minnesota International Center are currently traveling in Turkey and will return July 27. More Information
Not My Life Programs Underway
 Our newest national program series focusing on human trafficking and modern-day slavery is underway. The program features screenings of the documentary film Not My Life by Robert Bilheimer and Worldwide Documentaries at over 35 World Affairs Councils. The program is made possible by a generous grant from Carlson & The Carlson Family Foundation. Click here to see the participating councils. This month's events include:
July 25 -- World Affairs Council of New Hampshire
July 27 -- San Diego World Affairs Council
DC Recap in Virtual Library
 Each Monday, the World Affairs Councils of America will post a selection of events from the past week, with an emphasis on the Six Top Issues, in the WACA Virtual Library to get you caught up on what's going on in Washington, DC. The Six Top Issues for 2013 are U.S. Education--Competing Globally, U.S. Energy Policy, U.S. Economic Competitiveness, China, the Middle East and Afghanistan/Pakistan. This week's selection features:
Global Economy
House Committee on Foreign Affairs Subcommittee Hearing: The State Department 2013 Trafficking in Persons Report
National Security
U.S. Senate Committee on Foreign Relations nomination hearing for Ms. Samantha Power to be the Representative of the United States of America to the United Nations
Brookings Institution: Privacy, Technology and National Security: An Overview of Intelligence Collection
U.S. Energy Policy
POLITICO Pro's Future of Energy Briefing - What's Next for 2013
China
Wilson Center: The Changing Contours of Civil Society in China: The Growth of Grassroots NGOs and Public Advocacy
Visit the WACA Virtual Library
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| Weekly Highlights |
Council leaders to lecture on Travel the World tours from the World Affairs Council of Philadelphia:
Mimi Gregory, Naples World Affairs Council and Francophile, travels to Paris, Alsace and Burgundy. September 24-October 4, 2013.
Ambassador Marilyn McAfee, Jacksonville Council, lectures aboard a private jet trip to South America. November 2-22, 2013.
Dr. Carla Thorson, Vice President Northern California, Expedition to Antarctica aboard deluxe L'Austral. January 31-February 13, 2014.
Kay Maxwell, Executive Director, World Affairs Forum, Stamford, CT. Myanmar (Burma). February 7-20, 2014.
Jim Falk, President, World Affairs Council of Dallas/Fort Worth and honorary consul to Morocco for Texas returns to lead our Moroccan Discovery tour for a second year. February 15 - 28, 2014.
Maria Zammit, World Affairs Council of Greater Hampton Roads, Journey Through India. March 6 - 23, 2014.
Contact www.wacphila.org/travel or call 800-942-5004 x209 or x217.
 Denotes programming that focuses on one of the World Affairs Councils of America's Six Top Issues for 2013. Learn more about our Six Top Issues.
The Utah Council for Citizen Diplomacy hosts the "Iraqi Young Leaders Exchange Program." More information
WorldBoston hosts the Wall Street Journal's Supreme Court correspondent Jess Bravin for a talk on his new book, The Terror Courts: Rough Justice at Guantanamo Bay. More information
The World Affairs Council of Northern California hosts the International Forum Movie Night with "The Island President." More information
The Utah Council for Citizen Diplomacy hosts four visitors from Georgia, for "Parks, Biodiversity & Ecotourism Management in the U.S." More information
The World Affairs Council of Seattle hosts the "YPIN Spanish Conversation Group." More information
Wednesday July 24
The World Affairs Council of Orange County hosts Somelier Gian Paolo Croce for the "Wine and Dinner Pairing: A taste of Italy." More information
The World Affairs Council of Central Florida hosts "Entrepreneur Night Out." More information.
The Northern Nevada International Center hosts a delegation from Poland. More information
The World Affairs Council of Oregon hosts "International Trivia Night." More information
The World Affairs Council of Pittsburgh hosts Ross Harrison, for "Demystifying Strategy: Is Strategy Possible in a Democracy." More information
The Columbia World Affairs Council hosts a Myanmar Delegation luncheon. More information
Thursday July 25
The World Affairs Council of New Hampshire hosts a screening of "Not My Life" and a panel discussion on human trafficking. This program is sponsored by the World Affairs Councils of America and is made possible by a generous grant from Carlson & The Carlson Family Foundation. More information
The World Affairs Council of Northern California hosts Sanjay Basu, for "The Deadly Side of Austerity." More information
The World Affairs Council of Sonoma County hosts the "Annual Picnic and Book Sale." More information
The World Affairs Council of Washington, D.C hosts Dr. Vali R. Nasr for a discussion on his newest book "The Dispensable Nation: American Foreign Policy in Retreat." More information
The Northern Nevada International Center hosts delegations from Cambodia, Malawi, Montenegro, Sri Lanka and Ukraine. More information
The Utah Council for Citizen Diplomacy hosts seven visitors from Europe, for "Trade and Economic Development." More information
The World Affairs Council of Seattle hosts "Boating on Lake Union with African Women Entrepreneurs." More information.
Friday July 26
The Santa Fe Council on International Relations hosts "A rare opportunity to meet with the Young Leaders of Creativity for Peace." More information
Saturday July 27
The San Diego World Affairs Council will host a screening of "Not My Life." This program is sponsored by the World Affairs Councils of America and made possible by a generous grant from Carlson & The Carlson Family Foundation. More information
The World Affairs Council of Central Florida hosts the "5th Annual Run for Africa 5k." More information
Sunday July 28
The Utah Council for Citizen Diplomacy hosts seven visitors from Europe, for "Trade and Economic Development." More information. More information
The Vermont Council on World Affairs hosts "Global Burlington International Dinner American Barbecue." More information
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The World Affairs Councils of America
1200 18th St., NW, Suite 902, Washington, DC 20036
Phone (202) 833-4557 Fax (202) 833-4555
Email [email protected] Website www.worldaffairscouncils.org
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