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Week of October 14th
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Note: The National Office was closed Monday, October 14, in observance of Columbus Day.
Letter from the President
Dear Friends and Supporters,
It's harvest season. The cornucopia of thought leadership that is the World Affairs Councils of America network and our annual National Conference brims. Make sure you have a spot at our table! I guarantee you will benefit from questioning the leaders and experts who grace our podium--and from the give-and-take with neighbors seated to your left and right.
I come to this feast of ideas with enthusiasm and humility. As the new WACA President and CEO, I am enthusiastic because this organization is at a transformational point, poised to expand its reach into our communities and schools where global issues and U.S. foreign policy remain misunderstood. Demand for multinational programs and educational opportunities is increasing because individuals desire to compete intelligently in a complex workplace and connect positively with a world literally at their doorstep.
This is our opportunity, and I am humbled and inspired by the talent and dedication across the national Council network. Everyone--Council staff, members, sponsors, and volunteers--pitches in to provide forums that address some of the world's great challenges in relevant and civil ways.
My aim is that we do our good work better. To increase the impact of World Affairs Councils as we become the most distinctive and influential centers for public engagement in world affairs, I need you. Join me at our stellar 2013 National Conference. Let's harvest fresh ideas together and turn them into initiatives that fulfill our mission.
See you in November!
Bill Clifford
President & CEO
World Affairs Councils of America
2013 National Conference: Hotel Block Ends October 23
Watch the Video
Top Six Reasons to Come to the
2013 National Conference (1min 22s)
Still need a reason to come to the 2013 National Conference? We've got six of them.
Deadline to Book Hotel Room: October 23
The 2013 National Conference will be held at The Liaison Capitol Hill Hotel. We have secured a special group rate of $225/night. To book rooms at this rate, click below or call 1-866-233-4642 and reference "National Conference--World Affairs." The deadline to book a room at the special rate is Wednesday, October 23.
Reserve Hotel Room at The Liaison
Click here to see the list of confirmed speakers
Panel Highlight
U.S. Education: A National Security Imperative
According to the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), American students rank 25th in math, 17th in science and 14th in reading compared to students in 27 industrialized countries. On top of that, approximately 1.1 million American students drop out of school every year. Of those who graduate high school, one-third of those eligible for military service score too low on the Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery to be recruited. Simply put, the future of U.S. education is on a downward trajectory.
Join us at the 2013 National Conference for the plenary, U.S. Education: A National Security Imperative, to learn the hard facts and hear what the U.S. needs to do to get its education system back in gear. The discussion will feature:
NASA Administrator
Michelle A. Rhee
Former Chancellor, District of Columbia Public Schools, and Founder and CEO of StudentsFirst
Moderator: Edward Alden
Bernard L. Schwartz Senior Fellow, Council on Foreign Relations
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 Council 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
Register for 2013 National Conference
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
- Embassy of Canada
- Embassy of Portugal
- Embassy of the United Arab Emirates
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, Google, The Gambrinus Company, Raytheon, ExxonMobil, Duke Energy, Thomson Reuters,
Goldman Sachs, and Coca-Cola
Join the 1918 Society
The 1918 Society is comprised of individuals who wish to directly support the World Affairs Councils of America in its mission of educating Americans on global issues. 1918 Society members enjoy special privileges at the 2013 National Conference including an invitation to the exclusive 1918 Society breakfast, access to the hospitality green suite with the opportunity to meet conference speakers, reserved seating at all plenaries and luncheons, and special recognition throughout the National Conference. If you would like to learn more, please see the full list of 1918 Society benefits or contact Ian J. Byrne at [email protected].
This year's 1918 Society Breakfast will feature Peter Baker, White House Correspondent for The New York Times, and author of the upcoming book, Days of Fire: Bush and Cheney in the White House. Mr. Baker will speak on The President, the White House, and the Making of U.S. National Security. WACA National Board Chair Paula J. Dobriansky will moderate the discussion.
Spotlight on Turkey 2014: Call for Applications
All councils may submit expressions of interest. The series will be offered to up to 14 World Affairs Councils across the country.
Applications are due Friday, October 25, 2013
Academic WorldQuest 2014: Submit Pledge Form Now
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.
Councils, please fill out the 2013-2014 Academic WorldQuest Pledge Form, which is available here and in the WACA Leadership Network.
Competition Questions Available Those who fill out and return the form will be given confidential access to questions prepared by the WACA National Office for local competitions in 2013-2014.
The 2013-2014 Study Guide has been released, as well as information and resources for councils and teachers. 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 week's events include:
October 17 -- South Dakota World Affairs Council
Spotlight on Turkey 2013
 The Spotlight on Turkey program, sponsored by the World Affairs Councils of America and the Turkish Cultural Foundation, has entered Phase III of the 2013 program. Participating councils will be holding programs throughout the fall showcasing Turkish art, culture, and cuisine. More Information
Recent programs include:
October 13 -- Vermont Council on World Affairs
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| Weekly Highlights |
 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.
Tuesday October 15
The San Diego World Affairs Council will host a screening of the documentary "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 Los Angeles World Affairs Council will host a dinner with Dr. Max Nikias for "Online Education: Hype and Reality." More Information
The World Affairs Council of Northern California will host a program and cultural reception for "The New Brazil: Exploring a Changing Culture." More Information
The San Diego World Affairs Council will host a panel discussion on "Hope and Conflict in Egypt, Syria, and Iran." More Information
WorldDenver will host Reza Aslan for a talk about his recently published book, "Zealot: The Life and Times of Jesus of Nazareth." More Information
The Colorado Foothills World Affairs Council will host Reza Aslan for a talk about his recently published book, "Zealot: The Life and Times of Jesus of Nazareth." More Information
The World Affairs Council of Washington, DC will host Alexandra Huddleston for a Young Professionals Author Event. More Information
Wednesday October 16
The World Affairs Council of Northern California will host Canadian Consul General Cassie Doyle for "Energy and the Environment in North America: A Canadian Perspective." More Information
The World Affairs Council of Northern California will host "Forty Years After the Arab Oil Embargo: Energy Independence?" More Information
The Colorado Springs World Affairs Council will host Ann Lesch for "Troubled Political Transitions: A perspective from Egypt." More Information
The Southeast Connecticut World Affairs Council will host Margaret Leinen for "Our Changing Oceans." More Information
The World Affairs Council of Connecticut will host a luncheon with Ambassador Cezar Amaral, Consul General of Brazil to Hartford. More Information
The World Affairs Council of Washington DC will host a panel on "The Future of Puerto Rico: Statehood, Status Quo, or Independence?" More Information
The World Affairs Council of Atlanta will host a dinner with Miriam Bruns and Go Eat Give for "Destination Germany: Oktoberfest!" More Information
The Indiana Council on World Affairs will host a dinner with David L. Ransel and Robert F. Byrnes for "Vladimir Putin's Russia." More Information
Thursday October 17
The International Affairs Forum Michael Metrinko -- retired diplomat, Persian expert, and former US hostage in Iran for 444 days - who will speak on "Iran and the United States: Time for a Reset?" This program will be livestreamed starting at 6:00 PM EDT. More Information
The Juneau World Affairs Council will host their 2014 Fall Forum on Canada. More Information
The World Affairs Council of Inland South Florida will host Mark Takano for "The First 330 Days: A Congressional Report." More Information
The San Diego World Affairs council will host Mr. James Zimmerman for "Working Towards Human Rights." More Information
The San Diego World Affairs Council will host Josh Graff-Zivin and Gordon McCord for "Social and Economic Issues of Energy" as part of their Our Energy Future Public Lecture series. More Information
The San Diego World Affairs Council will host Dr. Sun Jiaming for "Chinese Globalization: Characteristics, Trends, and Impacts." More Information
The World Affairs Council of Jacksonville will host George Siguler for an evening of dialogue. More Information
The Savannah Council on World Affairs will host Frank Calzon for "U.S. and Cuba Relations Under the Obama Administration." More Information
The Peoria World Affairs Council will host a dinner with Ambassador Robert Kimmitt for "The State of the U.S. Economy: National Security Challenge or Opportunity?" More Information
Friday October 18
The Alaska World Affairs Council will host David Goldwyn, President and Founder of Goldwyn Global Strategies, for "Energy and Security: Strategies for a World in Transition" as part of their Shell Oil and Gas Series. More Information
The World Affairs Council of Sonoma County will host Jeffrey Parker for "Blind Ambition: Making Quality Eye Care Available Across China." More Information
The World Affairs Council of Jacksonville will host a luncheon with George Siguler for "Globalization from an Investors Prospective: Twenty Years in Russia, China and India." More Information
Sunday October 20
The World Affairs Council of Northern California will host its IF Book Discussion Group for a discussion of "The Land of Green Plums." More Information
The World Affairs Council of the Desert will host John Petersen for "Climate Change." More Information
Council leaders to lecture on Travel the World tours from the World Affairs Council of Philadelphia:
Kay Maxwell, Executive Director, World Affairs Forum, Stamford, CT. Myanmar (Burma). February 7-20, 2014.
Maria Zammit, World Affairs Council of Greater Hampton Roads, Journey Through India. March 6 - 23, 2014.
Craig Snyder, President & CEO, World Affairs Council of Philadelphia, Inside Iran. April 24-May 8, 2014
Jim Falk, President & CEO, World Affairs Council of Dallas/Fort Worth, Bike & Barge France. May 22-June 1, 2014
Angela Weck, Executive Director, Peoria Area World Affairs Council, Russian River Cruise. June 13-23, 2014
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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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