Having recently navigated the challenge of launching a new and improved website, WACA is keeping an eye out for member Councils that are taking on such a big challenge. We  recognize World Affairs Council of Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky as our Council of the Month to highlight their world-class website and re-branding.

In partnership with one of the Council's vital sponsors, Dover Corporation, and its global marketing firm, DeanHouston, the Council came up with a winning formula. WAC Cincinnati & Northern Kentucky's blog posts celebrate  inclusive branding  and the  launch of their new name and logo reveals a deliberate process worth noting .

"DeanHouston stepped up with an investment of time and expertise to advise the Council leadership through a name change, new logo, messaging, marketing tools, and website. As a small nonprofit organization leading global education efforts, connecting local business and family to world leaders, and creating a culturally aware and informed community, our online and outward presence has shifted to meet the needs of today's society," said Michelle Harpenau, Executive Director. "What you see today came out of this process to better share our story." And what a story it is!

The World Affairs Councils of America congratulates the eight Councils that will participate in the WACA Engage America Series: Oman 2018 . Following a very competitive application process, the Sultan Qaboos Cultural Center (SQCC), selected the following organizations for grant funding:

Ambassador Mary Carlin Yates recently traveled to Sudan, where she had served as  U.S. Interim Chargé d'Affaires (2011-2012). Previously, she served as U.S. Ambassador to the Republic of Ghana (2002-2005). While US Ambassador to the Republic of Burundi (1999-2002), Yates worked to bring stability with the Burundian peace process, led by former South African President Nelson Mandela. She also served in Kinshasa, Zaïre (now Democratic Republic of the Congo), as a political officer and then public affairs counselor in the early '90s during the genocide in neighboring Rwanda.

Register for the call

Join Derrick Olsen, President of WorldOregon, for a discussion with Ambassador Yates about the state of Sudan on  Tuesday, February  20, at 2:00-2:30 PM ET .

What is America's biggest challenge in the world? 

If you're a high school student, you're invited to submit either an essay or a video on this question.

Please join WACA in wishing a warm welcome to Kate McCarthy, World Affairs Council of Maine's new executive director .  

Kate brings 11 years of nonprofit experience to the Council, including eight in international work. Most recently, she served as Director of Operations at Limitless Child International, where she helped bring Maine students to India to introduce soccer to girls living in under-resourced communities (full bio). Welcome to the WACA network, Kate!

World Affairs Council of New Hampshire is conducting a search for its new executive director. See the job announcement.

The WACA National Office is pleased to present our spring interns!

Ganli Demyttenaere is our Spring 2018 Program Intern. She is a junior at Nazareth College of Rochester, majoring in International Studies and Chinese. She studied abroad for the entirety of her sophomore year in Jinan, China, and is spending this semester in DC as part of the Spring 2018 Washington Internship Institute cohort.

Jihoon Austine Choi is our Spring 2018 Outreach Intern. He is a junior at the Maxwell School of Syracuse University, majoring in International Relations with concentrations in intercultural communication and Asia. Jihoon studied abroad last fall in Beijing, China, and is in DC this spring as part of Maxwell's Washington Semester program.

The World Affairs Council of Charlotte hosted Canada's Andrew Leslie, Parliamentary Secretary and a top adviser to President Justin Trudeau on relations with the U.S. Leslie provided timely insight into the NAFTA negations and their potential impact on the Charlotte community. See the local NPR affiliate's coverage of the Jan. 25 event.