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Week of February 24
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1918 Society Conference Call on Syria
The World Affairs Councils of America will host a 1918 Society Conference Call on Ending the Violence in Syria with Ambassador Robert S. Ford, U.S. Ambassador to Syria, on Tuesday, February 25, at 1:30 PM ET. Bill Clifford, WACA President and CEO, will moderate the call.
1918 Society members: As an additional benefit, you are welcome to invite up to three guests to join the call.
for dial-in instructions.
 Ambassador Robert S. Ford was appointed U.S. Ambassador to Syria in January 2011. He is a career member of the Senior Foreign Service, holding the rank of Minister Counselor. He previously served as U.S. Ambassador to Algeria (2006-2008), Political Counselor (2004-2006) and Deputy Chief of Mission (2008-2009) at the U.S. Embassy in Baghdad, and Deputy Chief of Mission in Bahrain (2001-2004). Full Bio
Program Announcement: Combating Human Trafficking
 Carlson & The Carlson Family Foundation has officially renewed funding of the World Affairs Councils of America's national program on combating human trafficking. More than 30 World Affairs Councils participated in the 2013 program, which featured screenings of the documentary film Not My Life. The 2014 program will feature discussion forums as well as film showings. Up to 35 Councils will be selected to participate in the 2014 program.
We welcome applications from Councils that did not participate in the program last year. We will also accept applications from Councils seeking to expand upon their participation last year by reaching new audiences, particularly youth, with the film and by presenting new speakers and discussions to audiences already exposed to the film. Program Details
Cover to Cover
Be sure to join us for March's Cover to Cover with Harvard Professor David Keith on his book A Case for Climate Engineering. The call will take place on Tuesday, March 11, at 2:00 PM ET.
RSVP to Ian J. Byrne at [email protected] to receive dial-in instructions.
 Climate engineering--which could slow the pace of global warming by injecting reflective particles into the upper atmosphere--has emerged in recent years as an extremely controversial technology. A leading scientist long concerned about climate change, David Keith offers no na�ve proposal for an easy fix and argues that after decades during which very little progress has been made in reducing carbon emissions, we must put climate engineering on the table and consider it responsibly. The book provides a clear and accessible overview of the costs and risks, and how climate engineering might fit into a larger program for managing climate change.
 David Keith has worked at the interface of climate science, energy technology, and public policy for 25 years. He won first prize in Canada's national physics exam, won MIT's prize for excellence in experimental physics, and was named one of TIME magazine's Heroes of the Environment 2009. David Keith is the Gordon McKay Professor of Applied Physics in the School of Engineering and Applied Sciences (SEAS) and Professor of Public Policy in the Harvard Kennedy School. In Calgary, Canada he helps lead Carbon Engineering, a company developing technology to capture CO2 from ambient air.
Spring Leadership Meeting - Monday, March 17
More than 20 Council leaders, staff, and Board members have already signed up for the Spring Leadership Meeting on Monday, March 17. As those of you who attended the annual Leadership Meetings in New York, Denver, and Chicago know, the program provides a unique, concentrated opportunity to network with fellow Council leaders and discuss best practices, covered in a variety of workshops. The agenda includes Global Ed: WorldQuest and Beyond, facilitated by Aubrie Lyons (Montana WAC), and Strategy: Planning and Implementation, facilitated by Clare Higgins Morton (WAC Atlanta). More Information
Those who attend Leadership Day will be eligible to attend WAC Northern California's WorldAffairs 2014 at a discounted rate of $350 per person. (Regular charge is $395 for members, $490 for non-members to attend.) Price includes: Friday program and evening reception; Saturday program, including breakfast, lunch, and light reception. Please visit our website for more information.
1918 Society Program at WorldAffairs 2014
 The World Affairs Councils of America's is offering a special opportunity to our 1918 Society members to attend the World Affairs Council of Northern California's annual spring conference - WorldAffairs 2014 - at a discounted rate of $300 per 1918 Society member and $350 per spouse or guest. Enjoy a terrific line-up of speakers including Thomas Friedman, Marc Grossman, Mari�me Jamme, Ray Suarez, and many others. Agenda here
Academic WorldQuest 2014: Team Registration Now Open and Hotel Booking Information
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.
We have secured a group rate of $119 per night at the Georgetown Hotel and Conference Center. To secure your rooms with this block, please dowload and submit the below two forms to Kelly Rodark, Guest Services Coordinator, via email at [email protected]. You will then be emailed your confirmation number.
- Rooming List Template
- Credit Card Authorization Form
Please note that if incidentals are not to be charged to the credit card used to book the room, the chaperone will need to provide an additional credit card at check-in for incidentals.
The cut-off date to book with the group rate is March 24, 2014, but the room block is likely to sell out before then.
Team registration forms are due by March 26. Teams who have won their local competition must submit the following forms:
The 2013-2014 Study Guide is available here. More information and resources for councils and teachers can be found on our website.
Local Academic WorldQuest competitions are under way. Take a look at the local competition schedule on our website.
Understanding Muslim Societies
 The World Affairs Councils of America, with the generous support of Carnegie Corporation of New York, continues its very successful Engage America Series Understanding Muslim Societies. The program will be held throughout 2014 and focuses on countries in the Middle East, as well as Afghanistan/Pakistan, and those relevant rising economic powers that are competing globally with the U.S., such as Indonesia, Malaysia and Singapore.
Programs scheduled for this week include:
Feb. 25-27 -- World Affairs Council of Las Vegas
Feb. 26 -- World Affairs Council of Connecticut
Spotlight on Turkey 2014
The World Affairs Councils of America has commenced its eighth year of collaboration with the Turkish Cultural Foundation on the national Spotlight on Turkey program. The program runs a full calendar year and focuses on giving an overview of the history of Anatolia and Turkey with a special emphasis on Turkish culture to American educators and the general public.
With a Teachers Workshop in the spring, a Teachers Study Tour in the summer, and public cultural programs in the fall, the program emphasizes classroom learning and public education about Turkey and its contributions to the global community. Visit our website to learn more about the program and to see the participating councils.
Upcoming Teachers Workshops include:
March 1 -- Santa Fe Council on International Relations
March 1 -- World Affairs Council - Washington, DC
Webinar: Mapping the Nation
 The World Affairs Councils of America, in conjunction with the Asia Society and the Longview Foundation, hosted a webinar on the Mapping the Nation resource on February 19. Mapping the Nation uses a million data points to demonstrate the international connections of every state and county in the U.S. The webinar focused on how to use this economic, demographic, and education data for your Council's advocacy efforts and to create and strengthen programs. This opportunity was brought to the National Office by the Columbus Council on World Affairs. If you were unable to join, visit our website to watch a recording.
Job Opportunity
The World Affairs Council of Houston is hiring a Chief Executive Officer. Please visit WAC Houston's website for more details.
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| Weekly Highlights |
The World Affairs Council of Monterey Bay hosts its weekly Great Decisions discussion: "Islamic Awakening." Details
The World Affairs Council of Northern California hosts Prince Albert II of Monaco to discuss "The State of the Oceans in the Modern World." Details
The Minnesota International Center hosts "Culture through Cuisine -- Sweden." Details
The International Institute of Buffalo hosts Professor Dr. Marion Warner of the University of Buffalo for "U.S. Trade Policy." Details
The World Affairs Council of Seattle hosts former Ambassador Robert Meece as part their Member-to-Member lunch series. Details
Tuesday, Feb. 25
The World Affairs Council of Quad Cities hosts WAC-WCI board member Jordan Schneider to discuss "Afghanistan: A Personal Journey." Details
The Indiana Council on World Affairs hosts Energy Systems Network's Paul Mitchell to discuss "Energy Independence." Details
The Montana World Affairs Council hosts its local Academic WorldQuest competition. Details
The World Affairs Council of Western North Carolina hosts retired Mars Hill University Professor Dr. Jim Lenburg to discuss "China's Foreign Policy." Details
The Alabama World Affairs Council hosts Dr. Itonde Kakoma, Assistant Director, Carter Center, for "Current African Wars and the State of Ongoing Diplomacy -- A View from the Ground." Details
Wednesday, Feb. 26
The World Affairs Council of Connecticut hosts "Global Conversation Series: Understanding Muslim Societies" with Professor Ellen Lust of Yale University and Heidi Hadsell, President of the Hartford Seminary. Details
The World Affairs Council of Las Vegas hosts Professor Nathan J. Brown of George Washington University to discuss "The Muslim Brotherhood: The Mother Lode of Contemporary Political Islam." Details
The above two programs are part of the World Affairs Councils of America's Understanding Muslim Societies, which is made possible by a generous grant from Carnegie Corporation of New York.
The World Affairs Council of Maine hosts its local Academic WorldQuest competition. Details
The World Affairs Council of Western Massachusetts hosts Father Warren Savage to discuss "The Pope as a World Leader." Details
The World Affairs Council of Greater Reading hosts Rabbi Brian Michelson to discuss "The Theological Differences among the Diverse Groups within the Jewish Tradition." Details
The World Affairs Council of Dallas/Fort Worth hosts its local Academic WorldQuest competition. Details
The World Affairs Council of San Antonio celebrates politician and businessman Henry G. Cisneros as its "International Citizen of the Year." Details
The World Affairs Council of Northern California's East Bay chapter hosts cybersecurity expert Michael McNerney to discuss "Cyberwarfare: National Security's New Challenge." Details
The World Affairs Council of Northern California Marin chapter hosts Montana State University Professor David Clay Large to discuss "Troubled Giant: Germany's Leadership Role in the European Union." Details
The World Affairs Council of Sonoma County hosts Jonathon Whooley of San Francisco State University to discuss "The Middle East and Coming Changes in the Balance of Power." Details
Friday, Feb. 28
The World Affairs Council of Oregon hosts Professor Barbara Tint of Portland State University to discuss "Israel and the U.S." Details
World Affairs Council - Washington, DC hosts a Teacher Workshop as part of Spotlight on Turkey. Details
The Santa Fe Council on International Relations hosts "A Portrait of Turkey." Details
The above two programs are part of Spotlight on Turkey, sponsored by the World Affairs Councils of America and the Turkish Cultural Foundation.
The World Affairs Council of Austin holds its Academic WorldQuest competition. Details
The World Affairs Council of Mid-Hudson hosts its Academic WorldQuest competition. Details
The World Affairs Council of Western North Carolina hosts its Academic WorldQuest competition. Details
Council leaders to lecture on Travel the World tours from the World Affairs Council of Philadelphia:
James Nathan, Executive Director, Alabama World Affairs Council. Inside Cuba. March 15-22, 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.
Angela Weck, Executive Director, Peoria Area World Affairs Council, Russian River Cruise. June 13-23, 2014.
L.J. Stambuk, President & CEO, World Affairs Council of Charlotte, Croatia and Slovenia. September 7-20, 2014.
Mimi Gregory, Vice President, Naples Council on World Affairs, Grand Danube Passage. September 1-15.
Heather Hodges, President and Ambassador-in-Residence, Cleveland Council on World Affairs, South American Tapestry. October 16-November 2.
Steven E. Sokol, President and CEO of the World Affairs Council of Pittsburgh, Turkish Treasures. October 17-31.
Mark Johnson, Ambassador (Ret.) and Founder, Montana World Affairs Council, Undiscovered Landscapes of the Mediterranean. October 23-November 6.
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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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