Join the Discussion!
The World Affairs Councils of America is pleased to announce the initial slate of confirmed speakers for the 2013 National Conference,
Six Top Issues for 2014. Make your plans to join us November 13-15, 2013.
Click here to see the list of confirmed speakers.
Councils, a flyer is available for your use to promote the National Conference to your members. Download Flyer
Speaker Highlight
Justice Stephen G. Breyer
Associate Justice, U.S. Supreme Court
As dysfunction and acrimony dominate the description of Washington, and only 3 in 10 Americans say they trust the federal government to do the right thing, it is our privilege to host Justice Stephen G. Breyer at the 2013 National Conference for a very timely and important discussion on the President, national security, and making our democracy work.
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
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
Please join us! Conference registration and hotel reservations are now open.
The World Affairs Councils of America will host its 2013 National Conference, Six Top Issues for 2014, at the Liaison Capitol Hill Hotel.
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.
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 generous sponsors: Chevron, NATO,
The Gambrinus Company, Raytheon, ExxonMobil,
and Duke Energy
Deadline: 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. The deadline for submitting nominations is Friday, September 6.
Taiwan Leadership Mission Delegation Announced
The World Affairs Councils of America has selected the following Leadership Delegation to represent our national network during the upcoming Leadership Mission to Taiwan, September 7-14, 2013.
Anna Berry, World Affairs Council of New Hampshire
John Bretz, World Affairs Council of Houston
Margaret Corbin, World Affairs Council of Rochester, NY
David Edick, San Diego World Affairs Council
Susan Fairchild, World Affairs Council of Seattle
Nels Hamilton Granholm, South Dakota World Affairs Council
Douglas LeVien, World Affairs Council - Washington, DC
Rajeev Narayan, International Affairs Council of Raleigh, NC
Mary Anne Rooney, World Affairs Council - California Central Coast
Steven E. Sokol, Head of Delegation, World Affairs Council of Pittsburgh
1918 Society Hot Topics Conference Call 
Last week, the World Affairs Councils of America hosted General Michael V. Hayden, former Director of the Central Intelligence Agency & the National Security Agency for an exclusive, off the record 1918 Society Hot Topics Conference Call on Understanding Data Surveillance, PRISM and NSA. General Hayden was on CBS's Face the Nation with Bob Schieffer on Sunday. You can watch General Hayden's interview in the WACA Virtual Library.
Join the 1918 Society 
Please consider making a tax-deductible gift to support the World Affairs Councils of America's mission to educate and engage Americans on global issues by joining the 1918 Society. Benefits include:
- Special recognition as an individual sponsor of the World Affairs Councils of America on our website and in all materials, which are distributed to our vast national network throughout the year.
- Access to exclusive, off-the-record 1918 Society Hot Topics Conference Calls where members are given first-hand access to distinguished policymakers, journalists, and experts on today's pressing news items.
- An invitation for two to join the 1918 Society Breakfast at the 2013 National Conference. This year will feature Peter Baker, White House Correspondent, The New York Times, on The President, the White House, and the making of U.S. National Security.
- National Conference benefits include access to the hospitality "green room" suite and the opportunity to meet guest speakers and other leaders attending the conference, and priority seating at lunches and the opening banquet dinner.
- Eligibility to apply for Leadership Missions, which overseas visits by delegation made up of civic and business leaders from around the national network to learn about a host country.
Please contact Ian J. Byrne at [email protected] or at 202-833-4557 if you have any questions or are interested in joining the 1918 Society.
Not My Life
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:
August 20 -- Minnesota International Center
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.
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.
Denotes programming that focuses on one of the World Affairs Councils of America's Six Top Issues for 2013.