June 15, 2020
WACA Weekly
WACA Statement; WorldQuest Trivia National Competition; June Cover to Cover on America's Alliances; Star Speakers at Councils; Council of the Month; WAC Dallas Global Classroom Training; Losses in the Council Network; plus more Council Jobs and Highlights!
WACA Statement on Racial Justice, Diversity, and Inclusion:

The World Affairs Councils of America mourns the senseless killings of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, Ahmaud Arbery, and far too many others who have been victimized by systemic racism and violence. Black lives matter. 

WACA, as a civil society organization, stands in solidarity with those who peacefully demand justice and accountability and oppose prejudice and oppression. We re-commit ourselves to:
  • Listening to and engaging with communities of color and allies who can educate the public on building a more just and equitable country and world
  • Amplifying Black and other underrepresented voices of courage and insight on how to eradicate racism and discrimination
  • Ensuring that WACA - its national Board of Directors and Washington, DC headquarters staff - mindfully undertakes actions and supports our member Council affiliates nationwide to promote diversity, equity, and inclusion.

Approved by the WACA National Board of Directors, June 11, 2020
WorldQuest: A Global Pop Trivia Challenge National Competition
The World Affairs Councils of America, in conjunction with the World Affairs Council of New Hampshire and other Councils across the country, kicked-off WorldQuest: A Global Pop Trivia Challenge, during the week of May 18. Thank you to all those who participated and congratulations to those who have made it to the National Competition!

The National Competition pits the top two winning persons or teams from all participating local Councils around the country against each other to vie for the WorldQuest National Championship. The competition will take place Wednesday, June 15, at 7:00 PM ET. One lucky winner will get a free ticket to the WACA 2020 National Conference in Washington, DC.

Stay tuned for an announcement of the WorldQuest winner in next week's newsletter!
June Cover to Cover : Mira Rapp-Hooper on America's Alliances
Register now for WACA's Cover to Cover conference call on Tuesday, June 23 at 2:00-2:30 PM ET, featuring Mira Rapp-Hooper, Stephen A. Schwarzman Senior Fellow for Asia Studies at the Council on Foreign Relations and Senior Fellow at Yale's Paul Tsai China Center, on her new book Shields of the Republic: The Triumph and Peril of America’s Alliances .

Mira Rapp-Hooper reveals the remarkable success of America’s unprecedented system of alliances developed during the Cold War. Today, China and Russia seek to break America’s alliances through conflict and non-military erosion. Meanwhile, U.S. politicians and voters are increasingly skeptical of alliances’ costs and benefits and believe we may be better off without them. But what if the alliance system is a victim of its own quiet success? Rapp-Hooper argues that America’s national security requires alliances that deter and defend against military and non-military conflict alike.
WACA CEO Featured on Turkish Heritage Organization Webinar
WACA President and CEO Bill Clifford was featured on the Turkish Heritage Organization last Wednesday, June 10.

Clifford was joined by Peter Van Praagh, President of the Halifax International Security Forum, and Nursin Atesoglu Guney, President of the Center of Mediterranean Security, for a conversation on " International Security in a New World." Watch the webinar here!
Star Speakers This Week on Councils' Virtual Programming
H.E. Nestor José Forster Jr.
Ambassador of Brazil to the U.S.
Nancy Lindborg
President and CEO, USIP
Consul Generals William De Baets, Belgium, and Ard vander Vorst, The Netherlands
Clyde Higgs
President and CEO, Atlanta BeltLine, Inc.
Dr. Fahed Hakim
Director, Nazareth Hospital
H.R.H Princess Reema Bandar Al Saud, Amb. of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to the U.S.
*Scroll down to the Council Highlights section to view all programs from Councils this week!
Like all World Affairs Councils across the country, WorldDenver is finding new ways to keep its members engaged in global affairs during the COVID-19 pandemic. WorldDenver hosted a 5-part International Solidarity Series with panelists around the world discussing efforts to adapt to the crisis in their respective fields and industries. The series featured experts in law, policy, trade, and education from Botswana, Lebanon, Mexico, China, and other countries around the globe.  

WorldDenver has also hosted a Virtual International Speaker Series open to all members of World Affairs Councils across the country. Next Wednesday June 24, Ambassador (ret.) Thomas Pickering will speak on the impact of oil, sanctions, and COVID-19 on U.S.-Iran relations. He will be joined by world-renowned expert on Middle East affairs Roxanne Farmanfarmaian, who will be presenting live from London.

All World Affairs Council members are eligible for a member discount and can tune in or receive a recording by registering using the code WDMEMBER.
WAC Dallas Presents the 2020 Digital Global Classroom Workshop
This year, due to COVID-19, the World Affairs Council of Dallas/Fort Worth presents the Global Classroom Workshop virtually Tuesday, July 7-Thursday, July 9.

Global Classroom is an annual summer educator workshop that aims to provide a global component to teachers' current curriculum through discussion, speaker sessions, and group activities. As a part of the workshop, we provide teachers with a multitude of printed and digital resources from organizations and institutions that provide free international education resources to educators. The purpose of Global Classroom is to help North Texas educators make connections between local and global issues by navigating the plethora of global resources available to them.

This workshop is open to 3-12 grade educators of any subject who reside in the Dallas/Fort Worth Metroplex, but is most beneficial for secondary educators. Each participant will receive 12 CPE hours provided at no cost. Sessions will be provided by National Geographic, Population Connection, World Savvy, Apple Education, Dallas Holocaust/Human Rights Museum, and Brown University. Register here.
Peoria WAC's 50th Anniversary Virtual Gala
The Peoria Area World Affairs Council celebrates 50 years of bringing the world to Central Illinois with a virtual gala on Thursday, June 18, at 8:00 PM ET, featuring Ambassador (ret.) Thomas Pickering.

Ambassador Pickering has a distinguished career at the U.S. Department of State, serving as U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations, Russia, India, Israel, Nigeria, Jordan, and El Salvador, and Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs, among other postings. He will share his broad experience with the Council audience as he tackles some of the most critical foreign policy issues facing our country today.  Register here.
Columbus CWA and WACA Partner on June 25 Immigration Program
Columbus Council on World Affairs will present Alfredo Corchado, Mexico City Bureau Chief of the Dallas Morning News, for " Immigration, COVID-19, and the U.S. Economy" on Thursday, June 25.

After the success of the CxC: Amplified Putting the World Back Together Ideas Summit last month, WACA is delighted to amplify the voices of Councils around the country. To view CxC Summit recordings including the Summit highlights video package , check out WACA's  YouTube page here. (We will be adding more session videos as we receive them from Councils.)
Losses in the Council Network
WACA was saddened to learn of the passing of H.B. “Bartell” Zachry, Builder, Community Leader, and Philanthropist. Zachry was a Founder and Board Member of the World Affairs Council of San Antonio, and was honored with the International Citizen of the Year Award in 1989. Please read Robert Rivard’s tribute to Zachry.


WACA joins the Indiana Council on World Affairs in the sense of loss with the passing of Carl Gahwiler, past President of Indiana CWA. Please read Gahwiler's obituary in the Indianapolis Star.

"It was at Carl’s invitation that I joined ICWA and later the board. I am sure that he would want us to continue our efforts to educate and inform in the spirit of understanding and appreciating the issues that affect people around the world." - Larry Cimino, President of Indiana CWA
Columbus CWA Is Hiring - Applications Due June 15!

This position is to provide guidance and support for high school students working on independent projects in their third year of the Global Scholars Diploma program by meeting with students at their school locations once a month or via video conferencing, maintaining constant communication with the school administrators and CCWA staff to ensure that students are completing all necessary requirements, assisting students in all aspects of their independent projects in order to ensure the completion of quality projects, and managing all necessary documentation regarding students’ progress and completion of graduation requirements. Apply by June 15.
Monday 6/15 
 
Los Angeles World Affairs Council & Town Hall hosts H.E. Nestor José Forster Jr., Ambassador of Brazil to the U.S., and professor Carol Wise, University of Southern California, for a livestream event. 
 
World Affairs Council of San Antonio hosts Juan Antonio Flores, Executive Vice President for Government Affairs at Port San Antonio, for a livestream event.  
 
World Affairs (Northern California) hosts a panel of experts for “ U.S.-Taliban Peace Talks.” 
 
Tuesday 6/16 
 
Tennessee World Affairs Council hosts Nancy Lindborg, President and CEO of the United States Institute of Peace, for a webinar event. 
 
Upstate International hosts William De Baets, Consul General of Belgium, and Ard vander Vorst, Consul General of the Netherlands, for “ Doing Business With Belgium & the Netherlands Post COVID-19.” 
 
World Affairs Council of Charlotte hosts Carol Quillen, President of Davidson College, for “ Innovation and Entrepreneurship in Higher Education.” 
 
World Affairs Council of Seattle hosts Steven Lee Myers, Beijing Bureau Chief of the New York Times, for “ China Emboldened?” 
 
World Affairs Council of New Hampshire hosts Paul Pillar, The Iran Project, for “ U.S.-Iran Relations and the Global Pandemic.” 
 
World Affairs Council of Dallas/Fort Worth hosts author Scott Turow for “ The Last Trial.” 
 
WorldBoston hosts a panel of experts for “ Pan African Responses to COVID-19.”  
 
Wednesday 6/17 
 
World Affairs Council of Atlanta hosts Clyde Higgs, President and CEO of Atlanta BeltLine Inc., for “ Parks, Trails, and Protests: The Future of the Atlanta Beltline.” 
 
World Affairs Council of Connecticut hosts Dr. Fahed Hakim, EMMS Hospital Director at Nazareth Hospital in Israel, for “ Coronavirus in Israel.” 
 
International Relations Council (Kansas City) hosts Geoffrey Gertz, Fellow in the Global Economy and Development Program at the Brookings Institution, for “ Balancing Globalization and Self-Sufficiency Post-COVID.” 
 
World Affairs Council of Greater Reading hosts professor Abdullah Konak, Pennsylvania State University, for “ Artificial Intelligence and Data.” 
 
World Affairs Council of Maine hosts assistant professor Allison Hodgkins, American University of Cairo, for “ Great Decisions: Red Sea Security.”  
 
Los Angeles World Affairs Council & Town Hall hosts a panel of experts for “ Confronting Racism: A Pandemic Within a Pandemic.” 
 
World Affairs (Northern California) hosts a panel of experts for “ Preparedness, Climate, Wildfires, and Health.” 
 
World Affairs Council of Dallas/Fort Worth hosts a panel of experts for “ PRIDE: A Global Discussion on COVID and the LGBTQ Community.” 
 
Institute of World Affairs (Milwaukee) hosts a panel of experts for “ Health Disparities and the COVID-19 Pandemic.” 
 
Thursday 6/18 
 
Indiana Council on World Affairs hosts H.R.H Princess Reema Bandar Al Saud, Ambassador of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to the U.S., for “ The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the USA: Celebrating 75 Years of Allies and Economic Partners in the Middle East.” 
 
World Affairs Council of Dallas/Fort Worth, World Affairs (Northern California), World Affairs Council of Jacksonville, Alaska World Affairs Council, WorldOregon, World Affairs Council of Charlotte, World Affairs Council of Connecticut, WorldBoston, International Relations Council (Kansas City), and World Affairs Council of Greater Houston host The Hon. Robert Gates, 22nd U.S. Secretary of Defense, for “ Exercise of Power: American Failures, Successes, and a New Path Forward in the Post-Cold War World.” 
 
Peoria Area World Affairs Council hosts Ambassador (ret.) Thomas Pickering, former U.S. Ambassador to the UN, Russia, India, Israel, and Jordan, for “ Current Challenges in American Foreign Policy.” 
 
International Affairs Forum (Traverse City) hosts Ambassador (ret.) Charles Shapiro, President of the World Affairs Council of Atlanta, for “ Foreign Policy Mashup.” 
 
World Affairs Council of Atlanta hosts Nadia Theodore, Consul General of Canada, for “ Diplomacy and Diversity in the 21st Century.” 
 
World Affairs Council of Greater Houston hosts Bill Browder, Founder and CEO of Hermitage Capital Management, for “ Russia, the West, and the Future.” 
 
WorldBoston John Gans, Director of Communications and Research at the University of Pennsylvania's Perry World House Global Policy Center, for “ White House Warriors.” 
 
World Affairs Council of Sonoma County hosts Maya MacGuineas, President of the Committee for a Responsible Federal Budget, for “ The Debt Buildup in America: What Might the Future Hold?” 
 
San Diego World Affairs Council, World Affairs Council of Inland Southern California, and World Affairs Council of Orange County host author Mara Hvistendahl, Pulitzer Prize Finalist, for “ The Scientist and the Spy: China, the FBI, and the U.S.-China Technological Battle.” 
 
World Affairs Council of Seattle hosts Ambassador (ret.) Mark Lippert, former U.S. Ambassador to the Republic of Korea, for “ The U.S.-Korean Relationship.” 
 
Los Angeles World Affairs Council & Town Hall hosts professor Dan Schnur, University of Southern California, for “ Politics in the Time of Coronavirus.” 
 
Global Minnesota hosts Syrian refugee Ghaith for “ Refugee Voices: Syria.” 
 
Santa Fe Council on International Relations hosts a panel of experts for “ Rule of Law #3: Can the American Body Politic Survive in a Post-Pandemic World?” 
 
Friday 6/19 
 
International Relations Council (Kansas City) hosts Joseph Donalbain, former Strategic Intelligence Officer in the U.S. Army, for “ Military and Strategic Intelligence.” 
 
World Affairs Council of Dallas/Fort Worth hosts businessman and thought leader Tom Peters for “ Putting People First.” 
The World Affairs Councils of America is an independent, nonpartisan organization dedicated to 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.

Your generous contributions will strengthen our capacity to support the World Affairs Council Network through educational and civic initiatives - any amount helps.

Your donation goes to:

  • Academic WorldQuest Endowment
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You can give in one of several ways:

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With the passing of the CARES Act, most individual taxpayers will become eligible for significant tax benefits for charitable contributions made this year. Two of these benefits will be:

  • A $300 Above-the-Line Charitable deduction, meaning that individuals who do not itemize their deductions will be eligible to claim up to $300 of charitable deductions in 2020, on top of the standard deduction
  • Modified Limitations on Cash Charitable Contributions - for 2020, the 60% AGI limitation on cash contributions to 501(c)(3) organizations, such as WACA, is suspended

Click on the categories below to make a donation and view more information about the benefits of your contribution. We thank you for your support!
Access Council Virtual Programming via WACA's Members-Only Portal
WACA is busy preparing a number of additional resources for the Members-Only section! WACA strives to provide Councils with easy access to tools, guidelines, events, and more that add value to our Members both personally and professionally, to our Councils' overall operations, and to the Network as a whole. This is a top priority for the National Office, especially during the COVID-19 crisis. That is why we've added two resource sections dedicated to COVID-19 related information and digital programming available to the public by Councils.

The goal is to make the Members-Only section a one-stop shop for all Council needs. However, these sections are only as good as the information contained within, so we are calling on all Councils to please submit any documentation per the categories below, or any other information helpful to the Network.

The Members-Only section is a private benefit for our Council Members. Please contact Rachel Pastor at rpastor@worldaffairscouncils.org for login details and account creation.
COVID-19 Updates & Tracker

Health & Wellness

Educator Resources
  • Ohio Council for the Social Studies Resource Document -- Bill Hilt, President/CEO, WAC Northwest Ohio
  • To help alleviate some of concerns with distance learning and explaining the current health crisis, the list is a compilation of K-12 Social Studies lessons, activities, and resources. It also has guidelines for explaining COVID-19 to young people.
  • Zoom CEO announcement of free platforms for K-12 schools

WACA Updates: Messages from President and CEO Bill Clifford

*To view Council Member Resources on the WACA website, you must be a Council leader, staff, or board member and have an account

Please contact Rachel Pastor at rpastor@worldaffairscouncils.org if you don't have an account.
WACA's National Speaker Database Needs You!
We have recently debuted WACA's Speaker Database 2.0. In this new iteration, we have expanded our list of speakers and made it easier than ever for you, as Council staff and board members, to engage with it. We want your speakers! Please submit your speakers through the " Submit Your Speakers" button on our website.

You need to have an account through our website in order to view and interact with the database and submit your speakers. To check if you have an account, please visit your Council Member page on the WACA website and see if you are listed as a staff or board member. If you are not, you will not be able to interact with the database yet.

If you do not have an account or are having issues accessing the website and/or the Speaker Database, please email Rachel Pastor.