December 17, 2018

WACA Weekly

Cover to Cover THIS THURSDAY; Important Academic WorldQuest Update; Conference Speakers of Note; Tennessee WAC Podcasts; UCCD Hires; Travel with Councils; plus Council Highlights

Today's WACA Weekly will be the final of the year. We will return with the WACA Monthly on January 7, 2019. From everyone here at the World Affairs Councils of America, we wish you a warm, safe, and happy holiday season! Please note that the national office will be closed from December 24 through January 1.

Make a Year-end Donation to WACA

As 2018 comes to a close, please consider donating to the World Affairs Councils of America. No gift is too small! Your tax-deductible donation will help ensure WACA fulfills its mission of engaging the public and leading global voices to better understand the world, America's international role, and the policy choices that impact our daily lives and our future. Contributions can go towards the Academic WorldQuest Endowment or other programming like the WACA National Conference; WACA's New Horizons fundraising campaign; or supporting operations. We are so grateful your support! Click here to donate.

Help WACA Engage in Global Affairs

Thursday's  Cover to Cover : Stephen Tankel on the War on Terror

Register here

Cover to Cover will feature a conversation with Stephen Tankel, professor at American University and adjunct senior fellow at the Center for a New American Security, on his new book, With Us and Against Us: How America's Partners Help and Hinder the War on Terror. Tankel analyzes the factors that shape counterterrorism cooperation, examining the ways partner nations aid international efforts, as well as the ways they encumber and impede effective action. It offers a policy-relevant toolkit for improving counterterrorism cooperation, devising strategies for mitigating risks, and getting the most out of difficult partnerships. Join our Cover to Cover conference call with Tankel this Thursday, December 20, at 2:00-2:30 pm ET.

Academic WorldQuest Team Rules Update

After feedback and discussions with Councils, beginning this 2018-2019 Academic WorldQuest season, WACA will allow composite teams to compete in the National Competition in April 2019. Up to two high schools or affiliations may make up each Council's team. Each team of four must be composed of enrolled students in a local high school or equivalent certificate program in the Council's region. This new policy will be on a trial basis for one year, after which WACA will elicit feedback and reevaluate on whether to continue the initiative in future years. This year's AWQ Study Guide is now available, along with more information about the Carlos and Malu Alvarez 2018 Academic WorldQuest National Competition, to be held Saturday, April 27, 2019. WACA has secured a group hotel block at the Washington Marriott Wardman Park Hotel. Reserve your room today! Interested in hosting your first Academic WorldQuest? We can advise you on best practices! Click here to read the AWQ Operations Paper and more or contact Drew Lorelli at the WACA office at 202-833-4557.

Notable WACA 2018 Conference Speakers

We are pleased to share the following. If you are interested in inviting a Conference speaker to your Council, please contact the WACA office.

Robert D. Atkinson President, Information Technology and Innovation Foundation Read Atkinson’s article on a possible trade deal with China here.

Robert Kagan Senior Fellow, Brookings Institution Listen to Kagan discuss his book “ The Jungle Grows Back” on a podcast with Jay Nordlinger here.

Gary Schmitt Director, Program on American Citizenship and Resident Scholar Strategic Studies, American Enterprise Institute Read Schmitt’s article on the proposition of a European army here.

Two TNWAC Podcasts: EU Special Update and U.S.-Russia Divide

Tune in on the EU Tune in on Russia

Special Interview with Six EU Consuls General Consuls General based in Atlanta from the UK, France, Germany, Ireland, Belgium, and Greece spoke with the Tennessee World Affairs Council and Global Tennessee about business, bilateral and multilateral relations, and developments in Europe. Listen to the podcast here. An Update on the U.S.-Russia Divide   TNWAC hosted Dr. Marieta Velikova, native of Western Siberia and current Professor of Economics at Belmont University, and Keith Simmons, attorney and former Cold War USAF ICBM missile officer, to discuss preconceived notions, stereotypes, and perspectives on Russia, with Simmons sharing his observations from recent travel in the Russian Federation. Velikova and Simmons reflect on the importance of building bridges among people despite the challenges of national security relationships. Listen to the podcast here.

Utah Council for Citizen Diplomacy is Hiring!

Utah Council for Citizen Diplomacy seeks a full-time Events Coordinator to support, plan, and implement UCCD’s World Affairs Lecture Series, Great Decisions, and other conversations, dialogues, and events . Apply here.

Save the Date: WACA 2019 National Conference Mark your calendars now! The World Affairs Councils of America will return to The Mayflower Hotel for next year's National Conference: November 6-8, 2019.

Travel to Qatar and Oman with WAC Greater Houston

The World Affairs Council of Greater Houston is offering a trip to Qatar and Oman February 15-24, 2019. Experience magnificent Doha, the Museum of Islamic Art, enchanting Muscat, and a desert excursion in Wahiba Sands. The trip will be coordinated in collaboration with Diana Untermeyer, Cultural Adviser of the Qatar-America Institute. Apply here.

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

2019 travel schedule includes trips to:  Michelle Harpenau, Executive Director, World Affairs Council of Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky,Springtime in Provence & Burgundy, May 15 - 23, 2019 Dr. Carla Thorson, Senior Vice President of Programs, World Affairs, Northern California, Arctic Expedition: June 21 - July 1, 2019 Derrick Olsen, President, WorldOregon, Trade Routes of Coastal Iberia: Oct. 13-21, 2019 Jacqueline Miller, President & CEO, World Affairs Council of Seattle, Passage along the Danube River: Oct. 12-24, 2019 Craig Snyder, President & CEO, World Affairs Council of Philadelphia, Exploring Saudi Arabia & Qatar: Nov. 7-17, 2019 Contact www.wacphila.org/travel or call 800-942-5004, ext. 209 or 217.

Council Highlights

Monday 12/17    Global Minnesota hosts Gerardo Guerrero, Consul of Mexico in St. Paul, and Milissa Silva-Diaz, a Passionate Diversity Advocate, for “Culture Through Cuisine: Mexican Tamales and Holiday Traditions.” Details   Santa Fe Council on International Relations hosts Michael S. Vigil, former DEA Chief of International Operations, for “The Trial of El Chapo.” Details    Tuesday 12/18    World Affairs Council of Palm Beach hosts Gordon Chang, Renowned Author and Speaker, for “Trump, China and North Korea: War or Peace?” Details    World Affairs Council of Cincinnati & Northern Kentucky hosts Lyle Goldstein, Professor, for “China’s Maritime Aspirations.” Details    Wednesday 12/19    WorldDenver hosts Lisa Caulkins, Founder of Halfblast, for “Crypto Currency and Block Chain Technologies.” Details    Saturday 12/22    World Affairs Council of Atlanta hosts John Carlos, Former Track and Field Athlete, and Mel Pender, Author, for “Sports Activism on the Global Podium.” Details  

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