March 22, 2021
Star Speakers; Council of the Month; Call for Nominations; Council Highlights; and more!
Star Speakers Around the Network
Ambassador Jon Huntsman Jr.
Fmr. Governor of Utah
Admiral James Stavridis &
Elliot Ackerman, Co-Authors
Fmr. U.S. Senator Sam Nunn
Nuclear Threat Initiative
Walter Isaacson, Author
& David Rubenstein (Moderator)
The Code Breaker
Congresswoman Jane Harman
President Emerita, Wilson Center
Thomas Bollyky
Global Health Program, CFR
Global Ties U.S. 2021 National Meeting
WACA is pleased to sponsor the Global Ties U.S. 2021 National Meeting taking place this week, March 22-26, 2021.
John Kerry, the first-ever U.S. Special Presidential Envoy for Climate, has been announced as a keynote speaker! He joins U.S. Department of State International Visitor Leadership Program (IVLP) alumni Saad Abid of Morocco and Raisa Banfield of Panama for the plenary session: “The Global Fight Against Climate Change & Environmental Degradation: A Celebration of IVLP Alumni” on Tuesday, March 23 at 2:30 PM ET.
U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken will deliver closing remarks on Friday, March 26 at 2:45 PM ET. A career diplomat, Secretary Blinken has served under Presidents George W. Bush, Bill Clinton, Barack Obama, and Joe Biden in numerous foreign policy positions on the National Security Council and within the Department of State.
Attending the Global Ties U.S. National Meeting? Join WACA at our Virtual Booth:
  • Monday, 3/22 at 12:00 PM ET
  • Wednesday, 3/24 at 3:00 PM ET
  • Thursday, 3/25 at 1:00 PM ET
WAC Pittsburgh is Council of the Month!
The World Affairs Council of Pittsburgh recently announced their merger with Global Minds Initiative, intending to increase access to global education opportunities for young people. Read the full press release.
Women's Rights in the Arab Region
Tuesday, March 30, 12:00 PM ET

This event is the first in a five-part series that will cover: Human Rights; Resiliency; Immigration; Diplomacy; and Youth. Dr. Lina AbiRafeh joins WAC Pittsburgh to give a keynote address on her experience fighting for global women's rights in the Arab region. Dr. AbiRafeh is a global women's rights expert with decades of experience worldwide. She serves as the Executive Director of the Arab Institute for Women at the Lebanese American University.
DOS Office of Public Liaison Seeks Virtual Event Partners
The U.S. Department of State’s Office of Public Liaison connects the Department’s foreign policy experts with domestic audiences across the country to facilitate dialogue on foreign policy priorities and the importance of diplomacy.

Busy planning 2021 outreach events, the Office of Public Liaison is looking to connect with several World Affairs Councils across the country to schedule virtual speaker programs. Last year, over 10 virtual WAC programs took place - featuring speakers such as the Ambassador-at-large for Global Women's Issues and the Acting Special Representative for Global Partnerships, as well as speakers on U.S.-China relations and more. Interested Councils may contact Irina Karmanova at karmanovaI@state.gov.
Call for Nominations to WACA National Board
Nominations Due April 19
The World Affairs Councils of America is seeking nominations of a diverse slate of excellent candidates for the WACA National Board of Directors. WACA Board Members serve three-year terms. WACA is looking for approximately four to six (4-6) new Board Members, and the next cohort would begin serving at the start of our fiscal year, on July 1, 2021.

Make a Recommendation
If you would like to recommend an individual whom you believe has a clear commitment to our mission, a demonstrated understanding of the national network, and proven leadership experience, download the documents below and submit the Nomination Form along with all required materials via email to Bill Clifford at bclifford@worldaffairscouncils.org.
 

 
Nominations for directors are due April 19, 2021. The Nominating Committee will review the submissions and recommend individuals for selection to the Executive Committee. Full WACA membership will vote on the slate by May 28, 2021.
AWQ Nat'l Competition Team Registration Due April 1
The Carlos and Malú Alvarez 2020-2021 Academic WorldQuest National Competition is scheduled to be held virtually on April 16-17, 2021.

Saturday, April 17, 2021
National Competition Welcome and Login: 1:30 PM ET
National Competition Start Time: 2:00 PM ET

Team Registration
Councils may submit up to three (3) teams to the National Competition this year. The Team Registration forms were sent out Friday, March 5, to AWQ Administrators. Please ensure that the form is completely and accurately filled out. Team Registrations are due April 1, 2021!

Teams MUST be composed of the original players that worked together in their local competition! Teams or schools may not 'swap out' or rearrange players.

Volunteer Proctors Needed!
WACA is seeking volunteer proctors for the day of the National Competition to assist with scanning for dishonest gameplay or other assistance. Brief training and materials will be supplied.

Platform and Technology Guideline
The National Competition will utilize MyQuiz.org and Zoom breakout rooms. On Friday, March 5, an email with further details on the National Competition's Platform and Technology Guidelines was sent to AWQ Administrators.

If you have questions about AWQ, please email Laura Duncan at lduncan@worldaffairscouncils.org.
Los Angeles WAC & TH Launches New Website
The Los Angeles World Affairs Council and Town Hall has unveiled a new website! Along with an enhanced, contemporary look, the website is designed with a powerful membership and events registration platform to offer members and visitors an improved online experience.
Councils Are Hiring!
WorldBoston is hiring for Manager of Operations and Global Engagement Programs. Learn more on their website.
Global Minnesota is hiring for two positions: Interim Professional Exchanges Program Manager (Mid-March to Mid-August 2021) and Development Associate. Learn more on their website.
WACA is Accepting Applications for Summer 2021 Interns
Applicants to WACA's Summer 2021 Internship must submit a resume and cover letter to Laura Duncan at lduncan@worldaffairscouncils.org by Friday, April 23, 2021. Due to the number of applications we typically receive, we are unable to acknowledge each applicant personally. Only those selected for an interview will be contacted; no phone calls, please. 
Monday 3/22

Alaska World Affairs Council hosts Mark Magnier, U.S. correspondent for South China Morning Post, for “Understanding the U.S.-China Summit in Alaska.” 
 
Naples Council on World Affairs hosts Steven Cook, Senior Fellow at the Council on Foreign Relations, and Ambassador Nabil Fahmy, Dean of American University of Cairo, for “U.S.-Arab Relations in the World.” 
 
World Affairs Council of Palm Beach hosts Michael Greenwald, Director at Tiedemann Advisors, for “U.S. and the Future of the Global Geopolitical and Geoeconomic Landscape.” 
 
World Affairs Council of Western Michigan hosts Professor Elizabeth Asiedu, University of Kansas, for “China in Africa and the Case of Ghana.” 
 
Los Angeles World Affairs Council & Town Hall hosts Ava Homa to discuss her book Daughters of Smoke & Fire: A Window Into the Kurdish People’s Everyday Struggle. 
 
Tuesday 3/23

World Affairs Council of Jacksonville hosts Ambassador Jon Huntsman Jr., former Governor of Utah, for “Russian and the U.S.: The New Cold War?”  
 
World Affairs Council of Atlanta hosts Senator Sam Nunn and Frank Jones to discuss his book Sam Nunn’s Quest: A Nuclear Weapon Free-World. 
 
World Affairs Council Dallas/Fort Worth hosts authors Admiral James Stavridis and Elliot Ackerman to discuss their book 2034: A Novel of the Next World War. 

Indiana Council on World Affairs hosts Ambassador Francis O’Donnell, Strategic Advisor of the Global Partnerships Forum, for “The End of Globalization?” 

World Affairs (Northern California) hosts Danusia Hubah, Acting Deputy Director of the Office of Iranian Affairs in the U.S. Department of State, for “Restoring U.S.-Iranian Relations.” 
 
Southeast Connecticut World Affairs Council hosts Binalakshmi Nepram, Founder of Manipur Women Gun Survivors Network, for “Peace Movement by Indigenous Women in India.” 
 
Sarasota World Affairs Council hosts Shaima Hussain Gargash, Deputy Chief of Mission at the Embassy of the United Arab Emirates, for “The United Arab Emirates and the U.S.: Cooperation and Challenges.” 
 
World Affairs Council of the Quad Cities hosts Professor Matlub Ahmed, Black Hawk College, for “Can We Migrate to Another Planet or Save the Earth?” 
 
Montana World Affairs Council hosts Professor Tsuneo Akaha, Middlebury Institute of International Studies, for “East Asia in Transition: Japan-U.S. Relations During the Trump and Post-Trump Years.” 
 
Foreign Policy Association hosts Steve Brozak, President of WBB Securities, for “A Global Response to the COVID-19 Pandemic.” 
 
World Affairs Council Upstate hosts Professor Kelsey Shoub, University of South Carolina, and Professor Paul Hirschfield, Rutgers University, for “Policing Styles: Does Europe Have a Better Model?” 
 
Cleveland Council on World Affairs hosts Molly Williamson, retired Foreign Service Officer and current scholar with the Middle East Institute, for “Why is It so Hard to Talk About Climate Change?"

World Affairs Council of Greater Houston hosts Marc Mori, Director of Nuance Blue LLC, for “Perspectives on Peace.” 

Santa Fe Council on International Relations hosts Todd Greentree for “Global Supply Chains and National Security.” 
 
The Tennessee World Affairs Council hosts a panel of experts for “Career Panel: Women in International Law.” 
 
Wednesday 3/24

World Affairs Council of Greater Houston hosts David Rubenstein, Carlyle Group Founder, and Professor Walter Isaacson, Tulane University, to discuss his book The Code Breaker: Jennifer Doudna, Gene Editing, and the Future of the Human Race. 

World Affairs Council of Atlanta hosts Jack Devine, former CIA Spymaster and President of the Arkin Group LLC, for “The Fight Against Russian Aggression.” 
 
World Affairs Council of Central Illinois hosts Professor Don Wuebble, University of Illinois, for “Global Climate Change.” 
 
The Institute of World Affairs hosts professor Chia Vang, UW-Milwaukee, and David Keegan, Adjunct Lecturer at Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies, for “China and East Asia.” 
 
World Affairs Council of San Antonio honors Dr. Larry Schlesinger, from the Texas Biomedical Research Institute, for “2021 International Citizen of the Year Award Celebration.”  
 
World Boston hosts Professor Paul Berkman, Tufts University, for “Struggles Over the Melting Arctic.” 
 
World Affairs Council of Western Massachusetts hosts Mike Chinoy, former CNN Asia Correspondent, for “The Rise of the Human Rights Movement.” 
 
World Affairs Council of New Hampshire hosts Bonnie Glaser, Senior Adviser for Asia at the Center for Strategic and International Studies, for “Global Tipping Points: The U.S., China, and Their Global Strategic Competition.” 
 
World Affairs Council of Dallas/Fort Worth hosts Paul Haenle, Maurice R. Greenberg Director’s Chair and Director of the Carnegie-Tsinghua Center, for “Navigating the U.S.-China Relationship.” 
 
Foreign Policy Association hosts Jeffrey Morton, Fellow at the Foreign Policy Association, for “The World Health Organization.” 
 
World Affairs Council of Seattle hosts a panel of experts for “From Global to Local: Informing Seattle’s Pandemic Response.” 

Thursday 3/25 

Los Angeles World Affairs Council & Town Hall hosts Congresswoman Jane Harman, President Emerita of the Wilson Center, for “A Conversation with Former Congresswoman Jane Harman.”

World Affairs Council of Kentucky and Southern Indiana hosts Thomas Bollyky to discuss his book Plagues and the Paradox of Progress: Why the World is Getting Healthier in Worrisome Ways. 

Savannah Council on World Affairs hosts the Honorable Patrick Faber, Fmr. Deputy Prime Minister of Belize, for “The Effect of COVID-19 on Belize’s Economy, Education and Healthcare.” 
 
World Affairs Council of Atlanta hosts Allison Padilla-Goodman, Vice President of the Southern Division of the Anti-Defamation League, for “What We Can Do Against Hate Crimes.” 
 
World Affairs Council of St. Louis host Professors Leilani Carver-Madalon and John Lewington, Maryville University, for “The End of Globalization?” 
 
Santa Fe Council on International Relations hosts Ambassador Luis Moreno, Board Member of the Foreign Service Grievance Board, for “Can Haiti Break Its Cycle of Violence?” 
 
Tennessee World Affairs Council hosts Foreign Service Officer Allen O. DuBose for “International Career and Jobs Panel: The United States Foreign Service and the U.S. State Department.” 
 
World Affairs Council of Albuquerque hosts Ambassador William Brownfield, Senior Advisor of the Americas Program at the Center for Strategic & International Studies, for “Early Challenges Confronting the Biden Administration in Latin America.” 
 
World Affairs Council of Rhode Island hosts Professor Carolyn Fluehr-Lobban, Rhode Island College, for "Women Leaders and Women's Leadership/Locally and Globally." 
 
World Affairs Council of Harrisburg hosts Donald Brown, Scholar in Residence for Sustainability Ethics and Law at Widener University Commonwealth Law School, for “Struggles Over the Melting Arctic.” 
 
World Affairs Council of Philadelphia hosts Chilean Senators Juan Pablo Letelier and Kenneth Pugh for “What Can Chile Teach Us About Democracies and Constitutions?”  

World Affairs Council of Atlanta hosts Ariel Lopez, Founder and CEO of KNAC, for “Negotiating and Networking Up in a Virtual World.” 

Friday 3/26

Alaska World Affairs Council hosts Jason Scott Smith, Graduate Director of the Department of History at the University of New Mexico, for “The Widening Gap: Income Inequality During the Pandemic.” 
 
Peoria Area World Affairs Council hosts Professor John Williams, Bradley University, for “Locking Skeletons in the Closet: The Far Right’s Crusade against Holocaust Historians.” 
 
Would Affairs Council of Greater Houston hosts Angela Stent, Director of the Center for Eurasian, Russian, and East European Studies at Georgetown University, for “Commemorating International Women’s Day.” 
 
Tennessee World Affairs Council hosts Professor Nathan Amador Rowley, Ohio Wesleyan University, and Professor Erinn Patrick Nicely, Western Governors University, for “Struggles Over the Melting Arctic.”