Dear All,

After a long farewell already, from the WACA National Conference to recent calls and emails, just a few final words of gratitude.

Leading WACA has been a totally invigorating and rewarding challenge. It all comes down to the people you meet and work with and break bread with. I've been so fortunate to get to know many of you, and I thank you for your trust and the opportunity to serve and learn from you.

From San Antonio, where I have just concluded my last official business, I am as optimistic for WACA's future as the day I started. Matthew Hughes is taking the baton with enthusiasm and will bring his talent to bear in so many ways. Support him like you did me, and watch how this splendid network will continue to shine and fulfill its vital mission.

I hope our paths will cross again soon and warmly wish you all the best.

Thank you.

Bill.

The World Affairs Councils of America, a nonpartisan nonprofit organization dedicated to engaging the public and leading global voices to better understand the world, has opened applications for a Programs Intern and a Communications Intern.

The successful candidate must be currently enrolled in an undergraduate or graduate-level program or have graduated within the last calendar year. Interns must be based in Washington, DC. The internship period will run from February to early May 2023.

Applications are due Friday, January 20 to krider@worldaffairscouncils.org. Candidates should submit a resume and cover letter. For more information, head to our website.

Are you based in Washington, D.C.? We are seeking volunteers to support our annual high school educational program, Academic WorldQuest. Volunteers will support the day-of operations of this national program held at the U.S. Institute of Peace. Interested candidates must submit their resumes to krider@worldaffairscouncils.org by Tuesday, April 18.

The International Center of the Capital Region proudly launches the 518 Ambassador Podcast. The 518 Ambassador Podcast will feature interesting interviews with international visitors, speakers, experts, staff, volunteers, and board members.

Subscribe on all major podcast apps or visit: https://iccralbany.org/518-ambassador-podcast/

The team at WACA has released its local competition questions. If you have submitted a pledge form but have not yet received the local competition questions please contact our Global Education Coordinator, Kaela Rider.

We are looking forward to the 2022-2023 Carlos and Malú Alvarez Academic WorldQuest National Competition. The annual competition will be held in person in Washington, DC on April 28-29, 2023.

New! International Relations Council (Kansas City) seeks an Executive Director. Applications will be received until January 25.

New! Global Santa Fe seeks a President/CEO. Applications will be received until January 31.

New! Alaska World Affairs Council seeks a President/CEO. Applications will be reviewed as received.

New! Los Angeles World Affairs Council & Town Hall seeks a Programs Director. Applications will be reviewed as received.

World Affairs Council of Kentucky & Southern Indiana seeks a seeks a Membership & Development Coordinator. Applications will be reviewed as received.

World Affairs Council of Pittsburgh seeks to hire a Strategic Programming Manager and a Youth Programming Coordinator. Applications will be reviewed as received.

World Affairs Council of New Orleans seeks a WACNO Fellow and Board Members! Applications will be reviewed as received.

World Affairs Council of Charlotte hosts Tom Standage, Deputy Editor of The Economist, for “WACC Distinguished Speaker Series with the Deputy-Chief-Editor for the Economist and Editor of ‘The World Ahead 2023’” (In Person)

International Relations Council (Kansas City) presents “Global Affairs Book Club: Our Woman in Havana” (In Person)

World Affairs Council of Greater Houston presents “Travel Info Session: 2023 Destinations at a Glance!” (Virtual) 

World Affairs Council of San Antonio presents “Annual Membership Meeting” (In Person)

International Relations Council (Kansas City) hosts Jake Okechukwu Effoduh, Vanier Scholar at the Osgoode Hall Law School, for “What’s Happening in Nigeria” (Virtual) 

World Affairs Council of Greater Reading hosts James Garrett, recent graduate of Penn State University, and Tabea Kuhlmann, student at Ludwig Maximilian University, for “The Significance of German-American Relations: A Personal Experience with James Garrett and Tabea Kuhlmann” (In Person) 

Cleveland Council on World Affairs hosts a panel of experts for “Spotlight on the Environment: Debriefing COP27 and the Global Water Crisis” (In Person)

World Affairs Council of Greater Houston hosts Ambassador Douglas Lute, United States Ambassador to NATO, for “WOODLANDS - The U.S., the War for Ukraine & Russia’s Threat to Europe & Beyond” (In Person)

World Affairs (Northern California) hosts Roy Suarez, broadcast journalist, author, and host of “On Shifting Ground”, and Sue-Lin Wong, South East Asia correspondent for The Economist and host of "The Prince", for “What’s Next For Xi’s China?” (Virtual)

Tennessee World Affairs Council hosts Her Excellency Geraldine Byrne Nason, Ambassador of Ireland to the United States, for “IBC Lunch with Ambassador of Ireland to the USA, Her Excellency Geraldine Byrne Nason” (In Person)

Southeast Connecticut World Affairs Council hosts John Feffer, director of Foreign Policy In Focus at the Institute for Policy Studies, for “Exceptionalism Is No Longer Exceptional” (In Person)

Savannah Council on World Affairs hosts Ambassador (ret.) David Satterfield, former U.S. Ambassador to Turkey (2019-2022) and Director of the Baker Institute for Public Policy at Rice University, for “Diplomacy and Global Challenges in U.S. Foreign Policy” (In Person)

World Affairs Council of Rhode Island hosts Roman Gerodimos, professor at Salzburg Academy, for “The New World Disorder: the Battle for Values, Identity, and Engagement” (Virtual)

World Affairs Council of Greater Houston hosts Ambassador Douglas Lute, United States Ambassador to NATO, for “The U.S., the War for Ukraine & Russia’s Threat to Europe & Beyond” (In Person)

Columbia World Affairs Council hosts Kara Dempse, professor of Geography at Appalachian State University, for “Why the Walls Remain – Northern Ireland From Good Friday to Brexit” (In Person)

Indiana Council on World Affairs hosts Fiona Hill, Senior fellow at Brookings, for “Ukraine: One Year Later” (Virtual)

Olympia World Affairs Council hosts Tom Crawford, founding member of Thurston Climate Action Team, for “Climate Breakdown: Global Violence, Local Solutions” (In Person)

World Affairs Council of Maine presents “Coffee and Discussion: Current Events at the Falmouth Memorial Library” (In Person)

Upstate International presents “Ladies Night Out with Italian Cuisine – Greenville” (In Person)

WorldOregon hosts David Austin, Director of Strategic Partnerships for the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP), for “Great Decisions 2023: Global Famine” (In Person)

World Affairs Council of Hilton Head hosts Ambassador (ret.) Lawrence Butler, former Ambassador to the Republic of Macedonia (2002-2005), for “The Balkans: The Next Battleground?” (In Person)

Peoria Area World Affairs Council presents “PAWAC Reads!: A Voice out of Poverty by Jillian Haslam” (In Person)

Global Minnesota presents “Urban Expedition: Mexico” (In Person)