New Best Practices; WACA National Conference Student Scholarships Deadline Tomorrow; Star Speakers; WorldQuest Weekly Quiz; Wunderbar Together Programs; Council of the Month; Councils are Hiring; Council Highlights; & more!
Doug Bolton
CEO of Cincinnati Cares 
Mary Yntema
President & CEO, WorldBoston
Board Member, WACA
Kathryn Eissfeldt
Fmr. President, Peoria Area WAC
Board Member, Peoria Area Friends of International Students
New Best Practices Sessions!
September 30 & October 14
We are excited to hold the 6th WACA Best Practices Sessions on Thursday, September 30 at 3:00 PM ET. We will take a deep dive into board and governance practices for World Affairs Councils.
 
Doug Bolton, President and CEO of Cincinnati Cares, will paint the national landscape of board trends, recruitment opportunities, and more. Then Michelle Harpenau, Executive Director of World Affairs Council-Cincinnati & Northern Kentucky, will guide us through a conversation with fellow Council representatives: Mary Yntema of WorldBoston and Kathryn Eissfeldt of Peoria Area World Affairs Council.
 
After hearing from these insightful colleagues, stay on the line for small-group discussions. Different groups will cover board recruitment and governance. When you register, please indicate which group you would like to join! If you can, join us from 4:00-4:30 PM ET for an extended informal discussion.
Council Leaders, check your inboxes for the registration email!
While you’re at it, please mark your calendars for the next WACA Best Practices Session on Thursday, October 14 at 3:00 PM ET on Mergers in World Affairs Councils.
 
We'll feature Paul Rooprai, Vice President of the Strategy Division of Ashley Rountree, and Kim McCleary Blue is the President & CEO of the Los Angeles World Affairs Council & Town Hall.
WACA 2021 National Conference
Bridging Divides at Home and Abroad
November 16-19
Student Scholarships: Deadline Tomorrow, 9/28
Through the generous support of The Gambrinus Company and Mr. and Mrs. Carlos and Malú Alvarez, WACA will offer a limited number of scholarships for undergraduate students from the Council network to attend our 2021 National Conference. Thank you to our generous sponsor!

The nominated student must submit their Application Form, their resume, and a 1-2 page Letter of Intent. The Council must submit the Nomination Form and a Letter of Recommendation from the Council head explaining why the student has been selected. We encourage Councils to publicize the undergraduate scholarship award as soon as possible, since the new deadline for nominations and applications is Tuesday, September 28.
New COVID-19 Policy
In light of our new COVID-19 policy, Early Bird discounts are extended through October 1!

The health and safety of our guests and communities remains a top priority for the World Affairs Councils of America as we approach our 35th anniversary. We look forward to welcoming Member Councils at our 2021 National Conference and are monitoring and responding to the latest information and guidance at the local and national levels.
 
In order to keep all guests as safe as possible, we are implementing the following guidelines and steps to mitigate risk of exposure at the 2021 National Conference and Associated Events:

  • Proof of vaccination required for all attendees. Accepted forms of proof of vaccination include: physical vaccination card or digital photo of vaccination card (on mobile device). Guests will not be permitted entry to the 2021 National Conference without proof of vaccination. (Any medical exemptions must be cleared in advance with the WACA office).
  • Limit to 6-person tables and social distancing measures where appropriate and possible.
  • A CDC-approved face mask, covering mouth and nose, must be worn when indoors (except when eating and drinking).
  • Coordination with the Hotel and Associated Event Venues to implement protective measures such as social distancing and hand sanitization.
   
To read the full policy, head to our conference website.
Star Speakers at Councils This Week
Amb. (Ret.) Roberta Jackson
Fmr. U.S. Ambassador to Mexico
Carlos Pérez Verdía
Economist
Udo Lange
Pres. & CEO, FedEx Logistics
Rushan Abbas
Founder, Campaign for Uyghurs
Peter Shames
NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory
Kishore Mahbubani
National University of Singapore
Amb. (Ret.) John Bolton
Fmr. Assistant to President for National Security Affairs
Analysis of Germany's Sept. 26 Elections
The following WACA Engage America series, held under the auspices of Wunderbar Together 2021, is presented in partnership with the American Council on Germany and Atlantik-Brücke.
Wed., Sept. 29 at 7:00 PM ET
World Affairs Council of Maine hosts Jeff Rathke, President of the American Institute for Contemporary German Studies, and Sophia Besch, Senior Researcher with the Centre for European Reform, for "The World's Most Important Election: Bundestag 2021." REGISTER.
Thu., Sept. 30 at 12:00 PM ET
World Affairs Council of Atlanta hosts Constanze Stelzenmüller, Senior Fellow at the Brookings Institution, for "All Eyes on Germany: An Analysis of the German Election." REGISTER.
WorldQuest Weekly Quiz
This week's WACA WorldQuest Weekly is out! Test your global affairs awareness and dive into news stories that represent a broad spectrum of developments of interest and importance. Most of the questions are drawn from both WACA's Weekly World News Update, and a curated news Twitter feed @TNWAC #WACquiz.

In partnership with WACA, WorldQuest Weekly is produced by the Tennessee World Affairs Council, which offers customized subscriptions to the quiz for Council members. Contact pat@tnwac.org or visit tnwac.org/quiz for details.

Last Week's Winners (9/10 Points):
Clayton (Portland, OR), Carol (Worcester, MA), Catherine (Cleveland, OH), and Clarice (Indianapolis, IN)
Annual Council Initiatives
Make sure to register for two upcoming annual Member Council Initiatives:
  • Starting Sept. 28, WAC Pittsburgh hosts its 2nd Annual Summit, "Into the Depths: Exploring this Global Moment."
  • Starting Oct. 1, WAC Connecticut hosts the Global Security Forum to address the most critical global security issues of today and the opportunities of tomorrow. Read more about the full list of speakers.
Inventing a New World
Discussion with TIME Magazine's Kid of the Year
The Columbus Council on World Affairs will host TIME Magazine’s 2020 Kid of The Year, Gitanjali Rao. The 15-year-old innovator, author, and STEM promoter has a mission to create a global community of young innovators to take on the world’s most pressing challenges. Rao’s noteworthy work in STEM addresses issues ranging from potable water access to cyberbullying, and she’s just getting started. Her presentation will focus on the importance of young people taking action and why their perspectives are valuable when considering global issues.
Council of the Month Highlight
In October, GTAZ will launch its Asia Forum, with special events highlighting the history, culture and current events of China and Vietnam. On October 11, Meet the Author, Peter Martin (Defense Policy & Intelligence Reporter for Bloomberg) as he shares more about his recent book, "China's Civilian Army: The Making of Wolf Warrior Diplomacy". On October 19th, register for the China Town Hall, featuring the national live stream with CNN host, Fareed Zakaria, followed by a hybrid local discussion with Doug Guthrie (Thunderbird School of Global Management), Stephen MacKinnon (Arizona State University), and Paul Triolo (The Eurasia Group).
Job Announcements in the Network
Colorado Springs World Affairs Council seeks to hire a Part Time Executive Director. Learn more.
Baltimore Council on Foreign Affairs seeks to hire a President. Learn more.
World Affairs Council of Dallas/Fort Worth seeks to hire a Part Time Accountant, a Manager of International Protocol Services, and a Director of Membership and Development. Learn more.
World Affairs Council of Seattle seeks to hire a Program Officer, Global Leadership Exchange. Learn more.
International Institute of Buffalo seeks to hire an Immigrant Domestic Violence Advocate and a Development Assistant. Learn more.
World Affairs Council of Kentucky and Southern Indiana seeks to hire a Global Education Program Coordinator. Learn more.
World Affairs Council of Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky seeks to hire an International Programs Associate. Learn more.
All programs below are accessible online unless otherwise indicated.

Monday 9/27

World Affairs Council of Seattle hosts Ambassador (Ret.) Roberta S. Jacobson, former U.S. Ambassador to Mexico, and Dr. Carlos Pérez Verdía, economist, for “Beyond the Border: U.S.-Mexico Relations.” (In Person)

World Affairs Council (Northern California) hosts Lieutenant Governor Eleni Kounalakis and Ambassador Trevor Traina for “On Diplomacy.”

World Affairs Council of Jacksonville hosts R. David Edelman, MIT scholar, Presidential advisor, and leading technologist, for “The Next Decade: Tech Trends and Innovations Shaping Our Future.” (In Person)

World Affairs Council of Atlanta hosts Davy Young and Niall Walsh from Oxford Analytica for “UK Update: What Does the UK Look Like in a Post-Brexit, Post-Lockdown Era?”

World Affairs Council of Western Michigan hosts Adam Weinstein, a research fellow at the Quincy Institute and former Marine deployed to Afghanistan, for “The Afghanistan Withdrawal.”

International Relations Council (Kansas City) hosts Bob Cekuta, retired Ambassador to the Republic of Azerbaijan, for “Nuancing National Security: Energy Security.”

World Affairs Council of Philadelphia hosts a panel of experts for “The Global Movement for Black Lives.”

Tuesday 9/28

World Affairs Council of Pittsburgh hosts a panel of speakers, including keynotes Amali Tower, Founder and Executive Director of Climate Refugees, and Lina AbiRafeh, Executive Director of the Arab Institute for Women, for “2nd Annual Summit, ‘Into the Depths: Exploring This Global Moment.”

World Affairs Council of Greater Houston Rushan Abbas, founder and executive director of Campaign for Uyghurs, for “My Sister’s Keeper: A Personal Account of the Plight of the Uyghurs in China."

World Affairs Council of Charlotte hosts Dr. Udo Lange, President and CEO of FedEx Logistics, for “WACC Private Dinner with Udo Lange, President and CEO of FedEx Logistics.” (In Person)

Colorado Springs World Affairs Council hosts a panel of specialists for “Speaker Series: Virtual Global Security Forum.”

World Affairs Council of the Quad Cities hosts Erika Holshoe, Assistant Director and Curator of the German American Heritage Center, for “Resistance & Remembrance: The Story of the White Rose.” (In Person)

International Relations Council (Kansas City) presents “International Film Club: Take and Run.”

World Affairs Council of Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky presents “China in Africa: Great Decisions Group Discussion.”

World Affairs Council of Kentucky and Southern Indiana hosts Anand Gopal, journalist and sociologist at the Center on the Future of War, for “America, the Taliban, and the War through Afghan Eyes.” (In Person)

WorldBoston hosts Jeffrey Thielman, President and CEO of the International Institute of New England; Larry Tobin, Director of The Shapiro Foundation; and Mary Truong, Executive Director of the Massachusetts Office of Refugees and Immigrants, for “Assisting Afghan Evacuees in Our Region: A WorldBoston Networking Program.”

World Affairs Council Upstate hosts International Women’s Group for “Long Fitness Walk UIWG.” (In Person)

World Affairs Council Upstate hosts attorney Christian Herrmann, Ogletree Deakins, and Alexis Garcin, Chairman and President of Michelin North America, for “Immigration Law & Travel Restrictions Update: What Global Employers Need to Know.” (In Person)


Wednesday 9/29

Los Angeles World Affairs Council & Town Hall hosts Dr. Omar Ghobash, Assistant Minister for Culture and Public Diplomacy of the United Arab Emirates, for “A Diplomat’s Bold Vision for the Future of the UAE.”

World Affairs Council of Central Illinois hosts Dr. Andy Knight, Professor of International Relations at the University of Alberta, for “The Need for R2P: Addressing Atrocity Crimes in Myanmar.”


World Affairs Council of Maine hosts experts Jeff Rathke, President of the American Institute for Contemporary German Studies (AICGS), and Sophia Besch, Senior Research Fellow at the Centre for European Reform, of the at the Johns Hopkins for “The World’s Most Important Election: Bundestag 2021.”

World Affairs Council of Las Vegas hosts Peter Shames, manager of the Data Systems Standards Program for the Interplanetary Network Directorate at Jet Propulsion Laboratory of the California Institute of Technology, for “News From Space: Near and Very, Very Far.” (In Person)

World Affairs Council of Greater Reading hosts Dr. Pauline Milwood, Fulbright scholar, for “New Wine for New Wineskins: The Way Forward for Caribbean Tourism in the Post-pandemic Era.”

World Affairs Council of South Texas hosts Tran Dang, a U.S.-educated lawyer, for “Crisis At The Gate: Towards The U.S. Immigration Reform.” (In Person)

Vermont Council on World Affairs hosts Jessica Alexander, author and humanitarian aid professional, for “Book Talk: The Realities of Life as an Aid Worker.”

Thursday 9/30

World Affairs Council of New Jersey hosts Nicholas Rasmussen, inaugural Executive Director of the Global Internet Forum to Counter Terrorism (GIFCT), for “Radicalization and Terrorism in the Digital Age.”

Global Ties Arizona hosts Carolin Gey, German Honorary Consul in Arizona, for “Destination Series featuring Germany.”

World Affairs Council of the Desert hosts Kishore Mahbubani, retired diplomat and Singaporean civil servant, for “The Future of US/China Relations - Has China Won?”

World Affairs Council of Atlanta hosts Constanze Stelzenmüller, one of the top analysts of Germany and German-US relations, for “All Eyes on Germany.”

International Relations Council (Kansas City) hosts Dave Saunders, Managing Director for Hallmark’s Global Procurement and Asia Buying Office, for “News & Views: International Management During COVID.”

World Affairs Council of Harrisburg hosts PA Council of Churches and members of Mayor’s Interfaith Advisory Council for “Interfaith Prayers for Wisdom and Unity Against COVID-19.”

Foreign Policy Association hosts Dr. David Denoon, professor of politics and economics at New York University and Director of the NYU Center on U.S.-China Relations, for “China’s Grand Strategy: A Pathway to Global Power?”

World Affairs Council of Philadelphia hosts Lauren Schwartz, President and CEO of the World Affairs Council of Philadelphia, for “B.PHL Innovation Fest: Featuring a Lightning Talk by Lauren Schwartz.”

World Affairs Council of Rhode Island hosts anthropologist Thomas Barfield for “Afghanistan: Beyond the Headlines.”

World Affairs Council of Greater Houston hosts Michael O’Hanlon, Director of Research at the Brookings Institution, for “U.S. Grand Strategy: The Art of War in an Age of Peace.”

Friday 10/1

World Affairs Council of Hilton Head hosts Ambassador John Bolton, former Assistant to the President for National Security Affairs and Senior Fellow at American Enterprise Institute in Washington, for “National Security Challenges & Opportunities.” (In Person)

World Affairs Council of Connecticut, in cooperation with other councils, hosts a panel of experts for “The Global Security Forum: Competing for the Future.”

Los Angeles World Affairs Council & Town Hall hosts Gordon Flake, Chief Executive Officer at the Perth USAsia Centre, University of Western Australia, for “US-Australia Cooperation in the Indo-Pacific.”

World Affairs Council of Greater Houston hosts Joey Sanchez, Director of Corporate Engagement at Houston Exponential, for “Global Young Professionals: Friday Tech Talk with Cup of Joe-y.” (In Person)