July 2017
WACA 2017 National Conference
Council of the Month
Global I.Q. Minute with Jim Falk
Cover to Cover
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Future of Korea
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UPS
President's Letter
Dear Council Leaders, Friends, and Supporters:  
 
The latest tweets, hours, and days have Washington, DC pundits reexamining their claim that White House events of the last week were the (fill in your superlative)-est ever. 

What might the fall bring for America and the world?!
 
The World Affairs Councils of America looks forward to November, when we convene our annual conference in the nation's capital - a chance to step back and appraise the year since the 2016 election and explore The Future of American Leadership.
 
Planning is well under way, and I want to acknowledge the excellent work of the 2017 National Conference committee: Council leaders  Mimi Gregory (chair), Jim FalkAngelica Ocampo, Derrick Olsen, L.J. Stambuk, and WACA Chair Roman Popadiuk.  Dozens of invitations have been sent to keynote speakers and panelists, as well as embassy and think tank hosts (see below). The committee convenes weekly; please email me your ideas and recommendations.
 
We are excited to share that we have just shy of 50 paid registrants - far more at this stage than previous WACA Conferences, going back to at least 2010. Special thanks to WAC Western Massachusetts for being the first Council to purchase an entire table. Because several Councils have expressed similar interest, the WACA National Office will extend our July Promotion for an additional two weeks!
 
Meanwhile, I encourage Councils whose budgets only allow for half tables to pair up with neighboring WACs. For individuals, be sure to sign up for the early-bird registration discount on the Conference website, and visit often for agenda updates.
 
The committee and I look forward to seeing you in DC in November for what will be the best, most interesting... (add your superlative) WACA National Conference ever!

Yours,

Bill Clifford,  President and CEO
WACA 2017 National Conference
November 15-17
Washington, DC

New Speakers Added


Nancy Lindborg
President 
United States Institute of Peace 
( Full bio



Peter W. Singer  
Strategist & Senior Fellow 
New America  
( Full bio )


Think Tank Off-Site Announced

One of the most popular features of the WACA National Conference for the past two years, according to attendees, are visits to prominent DC-based think tanks for exclusive briefings. 

The  Atlantic Council   has confirmed it will host a cohort of up to 50 conference attendees, who will be briefed by Rafiq Hariri Center experts at its headquarters.  

Mirette Mabrouk  
Deputy Director and Director of Research & Programs 
Rafiq Hariri Center for the Middle East 
Atlantic Council 
( Full bio )


All attendees will be able to select one out of at least four think tanks to engage with top policy analysts. Stay tuned for updates!

Keynote Speaker


Captain (Ret.) Florent "Flo" Groberg  (full bio.is the first immigrant since the Vietnam War to receive the Congressional Medal of Honor. He is the author of the forthcoming book,    8 Seconds of Courage



Book your room at our special group rate now!

The  World Affairs Councils of America 2017 National Conference will be held  November 15-17 at the Capital Hilton in Washington DC. 

Staying at the Capital Hilton
We have secured a special group rate:
  • 1 Queen/King bed Deluxe Room: $279/night          (Single/Double Occupancy) plus tax

This distinguished hotel is located 
in  the heart of our nation's capital -  just two blocks from the White House. Convenient to three Metro stations and Ronald Reagan National Airport, the hotel is within walking distance of museums, memorials,  shopping,  dining, nightlife, and more.

Check out the 2017 National Conference website to learn about speakers, purchase your tickets, see new announcements, and more!
Council of the Month:  WAC Dallas/Fort Worth
The WACA National Office is pleased to recognize  World Affairs Council of Dallas/Fort Worth as Council of the Month for its new staff-sharing initiative with the World Affairs Council of Greater Houston

Amy Miller, Director of Education at WAC Dallas/FW, spent two days in Houston recently with Amanda Renee Rico, WAC Greater Houston's Senior Education Manager, to share best practices, discuss how to enhance the Junior WAC programs and how to better collaborate in the months ahead. In 2018, the Councils plan to collaborate on an educational study tour to Africa.

In September, the two Councils will continue the staff-exchange, with Amanda visiting Amy in Dallas.  WACA encourages Councils to collaborate within states and regionally in order to build a stronger, more influential, and cohesive national network. WAC Greater Houston receives an honorable mention for Council of the Month.

We commend WAC Dallas/FW also for arranging the June 25-30 visit of students from its local Junior World Affairs Councils to help non-profit Isla Urbana install rainwater harvesting systems near Mexico City. Visit dfwworld.org - now more mobile-friendly than ever - to learn more!
Global I.Q. Minute with Jim Falk

World Affairs Council of Dallas/Fort Worth 's Global I.Q. Minute  most recently featured Steven Cook, author of False Dawn and Senior Fellow at the Council on Foreign Relations . I n this episode with Council CEO Jim Falk, Cook explains the evolving multinational relationships in the Middle East, including the Qatar-Saudi Arabia divide, the potential for democracy in the region, and more. 
Listen to the podcast .
Cover to Cover Author Series: NEXT WEEK

Once the world's bastion of liberal, democratic values, Europe is now having to confront demons it thought it had laid to rest.  August's Cover to Cover  will feature  James Kirchick  (full bio.) on his new book, The End of Europe: Dictators Demagogues and the Coming Dark Age on  Thursday, August 10, at 2:00-2:30 PM ET. Based on extensive firsthand reporting, this book is a provocative, disturbing look at a continent in unexpected crisis . Read Kirchick's most recent article for Brookings and register for the call today:



Geopolitical cracks are widening in a region that has flourished under an American security umbrella for more than half a century. The toxic rivalry between China and Japan is threatening to upend the peace underwritten by Pax Americana since World War II. September's Cover to Cover will feature Richard McGregor (full bio.) on his new book, Asia's Reckoning: China, Japan, and the Fate of U.S. Power on Tuesday, September 5, at 2:00-2:30 PM ET. Richard McGregor's book takes us behind the headlines of his reporting as the Financial Times Beijing and Washington bureau chief to show how American power will fare in Asia.
Engage with Us on Social Media!

Hey Councils! WACA is rolling out a robust  social  media strategy and we'd love to have you engage with us - often! 

We'll be generating original content and graphics to go along with posts such as #WhatintheWorld? Wednesdays, where we'll share a surprising development or event in world affairs, and our Friday Country of the Week, where we'll take a deeper dive into the affairs of a country that might not be on your radar.

Follow us; get involved; join the discussion: 

Like us on Facebook   Follow us on Twitter   View on Instagram   View our profile on LinkedIn
 
Future of Korea Program Resumes

The Future of Korea 2017 program series, sponsored by the Korea Economic Institute, continues in August. 

Greater Cincinnati World Affairs Council will host a panel of experts later this month on Korean Peninsula developments. See  details.
WACA and Councils Are Hiring!
Councils in the News
World Affairs Council of Albuquerque - WACA's newest Council
World Affairs Council of Dallas/Fort Worth
World Affairs Council of San Antonio

Tennessee World Affairs Council


World Affairs Council of Oregon



Montana World Affairs Council




World Affairs Council of Pittsburgh


Cleveland Council on World Affairs


Windham World Affairs Council


Travel the World from WAC Philadelphia

Travel with Council Leaders - hear them lecture on Travel the World tours from the World Affairs Council of Philadelphia!

2017-2018 travel schedule includes trips to: 
  • Kay Maxwell, Executive Director, World Affairs Forum (Stamford), Silk Road Odyssey: Oct. 3 - 19
  • Dr. Jerry Leach, former President, World Affairs Councils of America, Inside Morocco: Oct. 20 - Nov. 2
  • Dr. Carla Thorson, Senior Vice President, Programs, World Affairs Council Northern California, Southern Africa: Feb. 18-Mar. 5
  • Patrick Ryan, President, Tennessee World Affairs Council, Tuscany: May 29-Jun. 6
Contact www.wacphila.org/travel  or call 1-800-942-5004 , ext.  209  or 217 .

The World Affairs Councils of America 

1200 18th St., NW, Suite 902, Washington, DC 20036

Phone (202) 833-4557  Fax (202) 833-4555

Email waca@worldaffairscouncils.org Website www.worldaffairscouncils.org