National Conference: November 5-7, 2014
Save the date! The World Affairs Councils of America will host its 2014 National Conference,
America and the World 2015, on
November 5-7 at The Fairfax at Embassy Row Hotel.
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 Conference helps to frame and guide our national network of Councils to plan programming for the coming year on critical global and U.S. foreign policy issues identified by our network leadership across the country.
In March, we asked Council membership to select 10 topics/regions from among 40 topics. The results of this poll revealed several new themes in addition to some from previous Conferences that remain compelling. These topics and related issues will inform the 2014 National Conference agenda:
- China, the U.S., and Asia
- Russia / Eurasia
- Cybersecurity
- Future of Education
- Youth, Jobs, and Social Unrest
- Food and Water
- Global Economic Realignment
- Future of Energy
- Africa
- Climate Change
Last year's conference kicked off with Senator Kelly Ayotte (R-NH) at Wednesday evening's opening dinner and closed with a keynote from former First Lady Laura Bush. Past conferences have featured distinguished speaker and panelists including Zbigniew Brzezinski, former CIA Director General David Petraeus, Singaporean Ambassador to the U.S. Ashok Kumar Mirpuri, Senator Mark Warner (D-VA), former National Security Advisor Stephen Hadley, and many more. Click here to see our 2013 speakers and agenda.
Staying at The Fairfax
We have secured a special group rate at The Fairfax at Embassy Row:
Superior King: $234 per night (Single/Double Occupancy)
Superior Two Doubles: $254 per night (Single/Double Occupancy)
Reserve Room Here
WACA National Board Nominees
According to the Bylaws, one authorized representative of each member organization may vote YEA or NAY on the nominees for the WACA National Board. The election of Directors of the WACA National Board for terms beginning on July 1 of each year are required to take place by May 30, with the Membership provided with the list of Nominees at least 30 days prior to that date. The Bylaws also allow for email election of Directors if there is no other business that requires a physical meeting of the Membership. Nominees and Voting Instructions
2014 European Union Outreach
This month, we kick off our newest program with the European Union Delegation to the U.S. With Europe Day (May 9) as a focal point, the program is designed to raise awareness, knowledge, and understanding about EU policies, the EU's role as an international actor, and the value of the EU-U.S. relationship. Activities will highlight the impact of local and regional economic, social, and cultural connections to Europe. More Information and Event Schedule
Peoria World Affairs Council
EU diplomats talk free trade at Bradley University -- Peoria Public Radio
World Affairs Council of Las Vegas
Eliminating tariffs called key to Nevada's international trade -- Las Vegas Review-Journal
The Columbus Council on World Affairs will be livestreaming its Signature Luncheon, "Why STEM Matters to the World," featuring a panel of corporate leaders from Honda, Battelle, and Abbott Nutrition. Employers are seeking candidates with expertise in STEM, but reports consistently show that U.S. students are falling behind in those subject areas. Tune in May 13 for a conversation with three experts in STEM fields who know firsthand the global impact of STEM and the importance of combined global/STEM education. 
The World Affairs Councils of America offers a Recommended Speakers Database on the