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| Letter from the President |
Dear Colleagues,
We at the National Office will head west to San Francisco, March 14-17, for bright ideas - and (we hope) more seasonable spring weather.
Amid the World Affairs Council of Northern California's 2014 Conference (details below), our 1918 Society will enjoy a breakfast briefing with Ambassador Marc Grossman, former WACA National Board Chair and U.S. Special Representative for Afghanistan and Pakistan.
And more than 25 Council leaders will gather Monday, March 17, for our Spring Leadership Meeting to share best practices in strategic planning, fundraising, and global education programming. Special thanks to WAC Northern California for hosting us and to CEO Jane Wales, who will speak at our luncheon session.
We will report to the national network on these activities in April. Before then, we ask the network to come through for us:
1) Council Dues - Your annual membership in WACA is critical for our common mission and our ability to serve you well. Dues Deadline: March 15. 2014 Membership Renewal Form
2) National Board Development - Recommendations of candidates to serve the WACA National Board must be submitted to the Nominating Committee by March 22. Nomination Details
3) Council Survey - Later this week we will engage our 92 Council leaders to identify key national security and foreign policy issues that will inform our 2014 National Conference (Nov. 5-7).
So many great programs are on tap across our network: This month, WAC Houston and WAC Pittsburgh host the first events for WACA's newest program, Freedom and Power in the Digital Age, sponsored by Google. Next month, WAC Oregon launches its first all-women speaker series, headlined by Hillary Clinton.
Thank you for all that you do to create multigenerational, multicultural forums for thoughtful, informative dialogue that shapes our national conversation on global issues.
Bill Clifford
President and CEO
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| News from the National Office |
Application Deadline: 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 this month'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 as an extremely controversial technology. Leading scientist 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), Strategy: Planning and Implementation, facilitated by Clare Higgins Morton (WAC Atlanta), a luncheon discussion with WAC Northern California's Jane Wales, and more. Leadership Day attendees are eligible to attend WAC Northern California's WorldAffairs 2014 at a discounted rate of $350 per person. More Information
1918 Society 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, Mari�me Jamme, Ray Suarez, and many others. Agenda here
On Saturday morning, WACA will host a breakfast discussion with Ambassador Marc Grossman at the St. Regis Hotel.
1918 Society Conference Call on Syria
WACA President and CEO Bill Clifford moderated the 1918 Society's Feb. 25 call on Ending the Violence in Syria with Ambassador Robert S. Ford, U.S. Ambassador to Syria.
Call for Nominations: WACA National Board
 The World Affairs Councils of America is beginning the nomination process for members of the National Board of Directors, whose terms will begin July 1, 2014 and continue for a three-year initial term. The Nominating Committee of the Board of Directors is seeking individuals who fully support the WACA mission of educating, engaging, and inspiring the American public on global issues and are willing to work to fulfill it.
On behalf of Rich Crepage, Chair of the Nominating Committee, we are seeking your help in identifying the best candidates for directors for the National Board.
We are interested in council staff executives, members of the governing body of a council, and those from the corporate sector who are willing to become Supporting Members of the network. Nominations are due Friday, March 21. More Information
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.
Google - Freedom and Power in the Digital Age
 This month kicks off our newest program, Freedom and Power in the Digital Age. Eight councils were selected to host the program, which features notable Google experts as speakers and is supported by a grant from Google. The program also includes an Educators Seminar with a separate team of Google experts who will address how teachers and students can best leverage the tools of the new digital age to further their educational missions. More Information
This month's programs include:
March 11 -- The World Affairs Council of Pittsburgh hosts Ross LaJeunesse, Global Head of Free Expression and International Relations, Google Details
March 27 -- The World Affairs Council of Houston hosts Mr. LaJeunesse Details
Future of Korea 2014
 We continue our collaboration with the Korean Economic Institute on the Future of Korea program. The centerpiece of the program is a panel discussion consisting of one representative each from the U.S. Department of State, the Korean Embassy, KEI, or other relevant institutions. The panel participants typically offer a general overview presentation (approximately 60-90 minutes in length), followed by a Q&A period. The speakers address political, security, economic and financial issues pertaining to the Korean Peninsula and U.S.-Korea relations. More Information
Upcoming events include:
March 4 -- Cleveland Council on World Affairs
March 20 -- World Affairs Council of Hilton Head
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.
Recent and upcoming Teachers Workshops include:
March 1 -- Santa Fe Council on International Relations and World Affairs Council - Washington, DC
March 8 -- World Affairs Council of St. Louis
March 11 -- World Affairs Council of Seattle
March 15 -- World Affairs Council of Montana and the World Affairs Council of Northwest Ohio
World Affairs Councils in the News
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Recommended Speakers Database
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What's Happening in the Network
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There are over 130 World Affairs Council events scheduled this month across the country. Visit News from the National Network on our homepage for updates from around the network that include programs you can attend, participate in virtually, get ideas about speakers or model format. Also be sure to check out travel programs offered by World Affairs Councils on our homepage. We encourage you to follow-up with the sponsoring council for more information. If we missed something or if you have a program that you would like highlighted on our website or in the WACA Weekly, please contact Ian J. Byrne at [email protected].
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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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The World Affairs Councils of America offers a Recommended Speakers Database on the