WACA 2022 National Conference
Navigating a Fractured World
November 15-18
The World Affairs Councils of America is delighted to have delivered last week's WACA 2022 National Conference successfully to a diverse, engage and appreciative audience from Councils across the country. We will send a follow up newsletter with video recordings from all sessions before Thanksgiving. A post-Conference survey will be distributed tomorrow.
2022 International Service Award:
Ambassador Linda Thomas-Greenfield
Chairman's 2022 Individual Award: Xiao Yin Zhao
Xiao Yin Zhao was recognized by Glenn Creamer, Chairman of the WACA Board, for her exemplary leadership at the World Affairs Council of Kentucky & Southern Indiana. In his introduction, WACA President and CEO Bill Clifford cited several accomplishments including, “[WAC Kentucky & Southern Indiana] has compassionately navigated controversial relationship with its sister city in Russia since the beginning of the war in Ukraine." He also mentioned Xiao Yin's earlier service and advice as a WACA Board Member for six years. Congratulations to Xiao Yin! 
2022 Councils of the Year: Peoria Area WAC and WAC Tennessee
Peoria Area World Affairs Council and Tennessee World Affairs Council were recognized for their all-volunteer staff and their contributions to the growth of Academic WorldQuest not just in their communities but across the Council Network. To quote WACA President and CEO, Bill Clifford - "Small is beautiful."

Angela Weck of Peoria Area WAC, accepted the award on behalf of her team. Jim Shepherd accepted the award on behalf of Pat Ryan for WAC Tennessee. Congratulations and thank you for all of your dedicated work and outreach this year!
In Case You Missed It...
Watch Our Opening Keynote on YouTube!
Ryan Heath, Editorial Director, Global Growth at Politico, was joined by Surya Dodia, a 2022 Student Scholarship recipient from Naples Council on World Affairs for the opening dinner keynote conversation on Wednesday, November 16.

Dodia, who accepted Bill Clifford's impromptu offer to moderate the discussion with Mr. Heath, showed incredible poise and interviewing skills as the two spoke about contemporary journalism, global issues ranging from conflict in Ukraine to climate change, and next-generation leadership.

The full session is available on our YouTube channel. Watch now!
The WACA Global Women's Lecture Series Is Now on YouTube!
This year, WACA produced the second edition of the Global Women's Lecture Series at the 2022 National Conference. Dr. Nina Ansary, an award-winning author, historian, and United Nations Women Global Champion for Innovation, directs this series and moderated the program.
Our featured speaker, Masih Alinejad, Iranian-American journalist, TV presenter, women's rights activist, and author of the best-selling memoir, The Wind in My Hair, drew multiple standing ovations. Nina Ansary and Masih Alinejad's conversation focused on Women in the Frontlines of Iran Revolution and the global impact of this movement.

Make sure to subscribe to our YouTube channel so you can watch all of the recordings from our 2022 National Conference!
WACA National Conference Photo Competition!
WACA would love to see the amazing photos that you took at the National Conference! Share a photo or two that you took throughout the duration of the National Conference by submitting it to waca@worldaffairscouncils.org.

Submissions will be taken until Friday, November 25. The winner will be announced in next week's WACA Weekly and will receive a free ticket to the 2023 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 2022 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.
Thank You to Our Leadership Day Task Force!
Thank you to the Council leaders who planned and organized the sessions for Leadership Day 2022:


Thank You to Our Interns and Volunteers!
Thank you to our interns and volunteers who supported the organization of WACA's 2022 National Conference:

  • Veronica Pacheco, WACA Communications and Marketing Intern
  • Balnur Yerezhep, WACA Programs Intern
  • Jonah Gosnay, Volunteer, WAC Connecticut
  • Jonathan Guiterrez, Volunteer, WAC St. Louis
Academic WorldQuest Study Guide
This month, WACA announced the release of the Carlos and Malú Alvarez 2022-2023 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 Local Competition Question Set release and submit your pledge forms by November 30, 2022.

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 2023!
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.