WACA National Conference Award Recipients; Post-Conference Survey; Academic WorldQuest Study Guide; WorldQuest Weekly Quiz; Councils are Hiring; Council Highlights; & more!
WACA 2021 National Conference
Bridging Divides at Home and Abroad
November 16-19
This past week, WACA marked its 35th anniversary as a national association at its 2021 National Conference. WACA welcomed representatives of its 90 Member Councils to Washington, DC for insightful discussions and professional development.
Chairman's Individual Award: Ljubomir "L.J." Stambuk
Ljubomir “L.J.” Stambuk was recognized by Glenn Creamer, Chairman of the WACA Board, for his exemplary leadership at the World Affairs Council of Charlotte. L.J. has led his team through the second year of the pandemic with sustained virtual programming and fundraising efforts. In his introduction, WACA President and CEO, Bill Clifford, said, “[WAC Charlotte’s] educational offerings for students and young professionals provide future leaders with the tools and global mindset to excel in [their] community and beyond.” Congratulations to L.J. Stambuk! 
Council of the Year: WorldDenver
WorldDenver was recognized for its responsive and innovative programming, its expanded staff, and merger agreement with the Center for Teaching International Relations. WorldDenver and the Center for Teaching International Relations jointly announced a merger agreement earlier this year making the World Affairs Challenge, a 30-year international education and mentoring program, a permanent program of WorldDenver. The World Affairs Challenge has benefited over 8,000 students over the last three decades. The program invites teams of students to present solutions to local challenges related to the UN Sustainable Development Goals. Read the full press release.

John Krieger, Executive Director of WorldDenver, accepted the award on behalf of his team. Congratulations WorldDenver and thank you for all of your dedicated work and outreach this year!
Welcome Nebraska WAC to the World Affairs Council Network!
The WACA Board of Directors approved the latest member of the World Affairs Councils of America network: Nebraska World Affairs Council (NEWAC). On November 19, NEWAC was approved to join the World Affairs Councils of America. Welcome to the network!
In Case You Missed It...
Watch Our Closing Keynote on Revitalizing Democracy on YouTube!
The new President of the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, Mariano-Florentino Cuéllar, closed the WACA 2021 National Conference. On Friday, November 19, Cuéllar, the 10th President of the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, spoke on how the U.S. can revitalize democracy at home and abroad.

The full session is available on our YouTube channel. Watch now!
The Inaugural Global Women's Lecture Series Is Now on YouTube!
This year, WACA announced the launch of our Global Women's Lecture Series and held the first program at the 2021 National Conference. Dr. Nina Ansary, award-winning author, historian, and United Nations Women Global Champion for Innovation and Director of the initiative, moderated the discussion.
She was joined by Amb. Kelley Currie, former U.S. Ambassador-at-Large for Global Women's Issues, and Zarifa Ghafari, former mayor of Maidan Shahr. In addition, representatives from Girl Up opened the discussion.

The Series will continue to feature prominent leaders who will share their individual experiences that speak to issues and challenges faced by women and girls in the global community. Make sure to subscribe to our YouTube channel so you can watch all of the recordings from our 2021 National Conference!
Take the Survey!
Post-Conference Survey
WACA asks that all attendees of the 2021 National Conference fill out the post-Conference survey. In responding to the survey, you are helping the World Affairs Councils of America team assess its 2021 National Conference and improve future programs. We value your feedback and thank you for attending the National Conference!
Student Scholars
Through the generous support of the Gambrinus Company and Mr. and Mrs. Carlos and Malú Alvarez, WACA welcomed student scholars from around the country to the 2021 National Conference. These scholarships fulfill our educational mission and prepare future leaders for 21st century challenges and opportunities. The student scholars heard from global thought leaders, networked, and had professional development opportunities during the Conference.
Mr. and Mrs. Carlos and Malú Alvarez pictured with some of our 2021 student scholars and young leaders.
The young leaders were part of a special briefing from Nikolina Angelkova, a Bulgarian Member of Parliament.
Thank You to Our Leadership Day Task Force!
Thank you to the Council leaders who planned and organized the sessions for Leadership Day 2021:

Thank You to Our Interns and Volunteers!
Thank you to our interns and volunteers who supported the organization of WACA's 2021 National Conference:

  • Leon Cao, Program Intern
  • Savannah Causey, Network Development Intern
  • Lauren Bander, Volunteer
  • Mayya Belova, Volunteer
  • Jeremias Thiel, Volunteer
  • Ariatani Wolff, Volunteer 
Academic WorldQuest Study Guide
This month, WACA announced the release of the Carlos and Malú Alvarez 2021-2022 Academic WorldQuest Study Guide! WACA provides a list of sources for each AWQ category in the official Academic WorldQuest Study Guide.

Council Staff, make sure to check your inboxes for the AWQ Study Guide release and submit your pledge forms by November 30, 2021.

School Staff, please reach out to your local World Affairs Council to learn more about their local competitions. We hope to see you and your students in Washington, DC, in April 2022!
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.
Job Announcements in the Network
International Institute of Buffalo seeks to hire an Executive Director, a Case Manager - Trafficked Youth, a Resettlement Case Manager, and a Resettlement Program Coordinator. Learn more.
Columbus Council on World Affairs seeks to hire a part-time Program Coordinator. Learn more.
WorldDenver seeks to hire a Finance and Office Manager. Learn more.
World Affairs Council of Dallas/Fort Worth seeks to hire a Director of Membership and Development. Learn more.
All programs below are accessible online unless otherwise indicated.

Monday 11/22

World Affairs Council of Western Massachusetts hosts Esam Boraey, Visiting Professor of Public Policy at Westleyan University, for “95th Annual Meeting: ‘Lessons for Activists From the Arab Spring’”

International Relations Council presents “International Film Club: Charlie’s Country”

Montana World Affairs Council hosts Lisa McCarthy for “What? So What? Now What? (WSWNW)”


Tuesday 11/09

Foreign Policy Association hosts David H. Petraeus, Ret. U.S. Army General, for “FPA Live: U.S. Involvement in Afghanistan: Taking Stock and Looking Ahead”

World Affairs Council of Harrisburg presents “Kids and COVID Part II the Vaccine”

World Affairs Council of Philadelphia presents “iThrive: Lives in Balance”

World Affairs Council Upstate presents “Long Fitness Walk with the UIWG” (In Person)