Join the Discussion!
The World Affairs Councils of America is pleased to announce the confirmed speakers to date for the 2013 National Conference,
Six Top Issues for 2014, November 13-15 2013 at The Liaison Capitol Hill Hotel in Washington, DC. 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 Highlights: Cybersecurity
With cybersecurity dominating the news and our relations with our allies and adversaries across the globe, join our Keynote Plenary discussion and take advantage of a special opportunity to discuss this central issue with our special guests:
Keynote: Cybersecurity; Assessing the Threat, Meeting the Challenge
The Honorable Michael Chertoff
Former Secretary of Homeland Security; and Chairman and Co-Founder, The Chertoff Group, on cybersecurity
Keynote Plenary Discussion: Cybersecurity; Assessing the Threat, Meeting the Challenge
Frank J. Cilluffo
Former Special Assistant to the President for Homeland Security; Associate Vice President, George Washington University; Director, Homeland Security Policy Institute, on cybersecurity
Deputy Commander, U.S. Cyber Command, on cyber security
Kevin Johnson
Chief Executive Officer, Secure Ideas; and Senior Instructor, SANS Institute, on cybersecurity
There's Still Time to Take Advantage of Special Early-Bird Rate for Members
Prices:
$455 World Affairs Council Member ($495 after September 3)
$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, Duke Energy, Goldman Sachs, and Coca-Cola
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.
Call for Applications: Understanding Muslim Societies Program Extension
The World Affairs Councils of America is pleased to announce an extension of the
Understanding Muslim SocietiesSpeaker Series. Up to fifteen councils will be selected to host the program through December 2014. All councils, including those who have already participated in the program, may apply. Applications are due August 30, 2013.
More Information
Shibley Telhami, who spoke during the 2012 program and will speak again, published an op-ed in
The Washington Post on August 6 titled "Egypt's Identity Crisis."
Read Here
Academic WorldQuest 2014: Study Guide Released
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.
The 2013-2014 Study Guide has been released, as well as information and resources for councils and teachers. More Information
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
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
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.
One of the many excellent benefits of being a World Affairs Council member is access to subscription discounts for various foreign policy and globally minded publications. A few of the discounts include 
Denotes programming that focuses on one of the World Affairs Councils of America's Six Top Issues for 2013.