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  • Wednesday, October 17, 2018 10:01 AM | Tim Horgan (Administrator)



    Applications are now being accepted for Spring and Summer 2019 International Affairs Academic Internship Programs hosted by The Fund for American Studies (TFAS) in Washington, DC. All of our programs include guaranteed internships placements, academic credit from George Mason University, furnished housing in downtown Washington, as well as many opportunities for networking and professional development. 

    Leadership Scholars Program – Full Scholarships Available

    Through this new scholarship program, TFAS will provide at least 40 full scholarships for top students to participate in our summer program. Students with a specific interest in the armed forces, the intelligence community, diplomacy and foreign affairs are especially encouraged to apply for a National Security Scholarship. More information may be found at www.DCinternships.org/LSP.

    Nominate a Top Student Today
    Please consider nominating top college students for special scholarship consideration. We award close to a million dollars annually and preference is given to nominated students. You may nominate by visiting www.DCinternships.org/Nominate

    Please share the announcement below with any students you know who may be interested in spending the spring or summer in Washington, DC. More information on our programs may be found at www.DCinternships.org. Please feel free to contact me with any questions. I may be reached at cparks@tfas.org or 202.986.0384. Thank you so much for your assistance.


  • Wednesday, October 17, 2018 8:39 AM | Anonymous

    October 15, 2018

    WACA Weekly

    Conference Hotel Block Expires TOMORROW and 1918 Society Dinner; Engage America Programs; Cover to Cover on Privacy; AWQ Details and Official Study Guide; SQCC's SALAM; Council News

    WACA 2018 National Conference: Braving the New World Order

    November 7-9

    The Mayflower Hotel in Washington, DC

    Register for the WACA 2018 Conference

    Announcing: 1918 Society Dinner on Friday, Nov. 9 (6:00 - 8:30 pm)

    His Excellency Cho Yoon-je

    Ambassador

    Republic of Korea to the United States of America

    Ambassador Joseph Yun

    Former U.S. Special Representative for North Korea Policy

    Reception to Celebrate FPA Centennial at OAS

    WACA is proud to co-host a special reception in honor of our partner and founding member, the Foreign Policy Association. FPA, led by Noel Lateef, is marking its 100th anniversary. We are delighted to co-host this reception for all WACA National Conference attendees on Thursday, November 8, at the Organization of American States.

    New Think Tank Speakers!

    William Alan Reinsch

    Senior Adviser and Scholl Chair in International Business

    CSIS

    Scott Miller

    Senior Adviser, Abshire-Inamori Leadership Academy

    CSIS

    Heather Fischer

    Program Manager, Combatting Human Trafficking

    McCain Institute

    Cyril Bumbálek

    National Security Fellow, McCain Institute

    Career Diplomat, Czech Republic Foreign Ministry

    Berivan Orucoglu

    Program Coordinator, Supporting Human Rights Defenders

    McCain Institute

    James Kirchick

    Visiting Fellow - Foreign Policy, Center on the United States and Europe

    Brookings Institution

    Councils Present Engage America 2018 Programs

    The following Engage America Oman 2018 and Future of Korea 2018 programs are co-sponsored by WACA and its grant funders Korea Economic Institute and Sultan Qaboos Cultural Center:

    Oman 2018

    World Affairs Council of New Hampshire will present Dr. Anne Rasmussen for The Music and Culture of Oman: Musical Biodiversity and the Indian Ocean Soundscape on October 16.

    World Affairs Council of Western Michigan will host Dr. Fahad Bishara as part of its Fall Lecture Series: Shifting Sands in the Arabian Peninsula on October 18.

    Future of Korea 2018

    Indiana Council on World Affairs will present a panel of experts for its Distinguished Speaker Series: Future of Korea on October 18.

    October Cover to Cover: Debating Privacy in America

    Join WACA's Cover to Cover conference call on Tuesday, October 23, at 2:00-2:30 pm ET, featuring Sarah E. Igo, Associate Professor of History and Director of the Program in American Studies at Vanderbilt University, on her new book, The Known Citizen: A History of Privacy in Modern America.

    Every day, Americans make decisions about their privacy: what to share and when, how much to expose, and to whom. Securing the boundary between one’s private affairs and public identity has become a central task of citizenship. How did privacy come to loom so large in American life? Sarah Igo tracks this elusive social value across the twentieth century, as individuals questioned how they would, and should, be known by their own society.

    Register now

  • Thursday, October 11, 2018 9:35 AM | Anonymous

    October 10, 2018

    The Carlos and Malú Alvarez Academic WorldQuest 2018-2019 Competition

    2018 AWQ Championship Team: Plano West Senior High School

    World Affairs Council of Dallas/Fort Worth

    Announcing Academic WorldQuest Topics

    1. Country in Focus: Qatar

    2. How to Deal with North Korea

    3. Global Refugee and Migration Crisis

    4. #WeAreNATO – The Alliance at 70

    5. Great Decisions

    6. Japan-U.S. Relations

    7. Space Policy

    8. World Trade Organization (WTO)

    9. Bridging Divides to Build Peace

    10. Current Events

    The Carlos and Malú Alvarez Academic WorldQuest 

    National Competition will be held in Washington, DC on

    April 26-27, 2019

    OFFICIAL STUDY GUIDE

    Location

    United States Institute of Peace

    Hotel Block

    WACA has arranged a group hotel block at the Washington Marriott Wardman Park (2660 Woodley Road NW, Washington, DC 20008). See the reservation link here.

    Event Details

    The national competition is attended by 200-225 of the nation's most promising high school students each year, along with their parents, teachers, and chaperones. The 4-hour AWQ competition is a unique opportunity for students to visit the nation's capital, perhaps for the first time. A weekend of substantive programming is included to enhance the experience. See highlights from last year's Academic WorldQuest!

    Information on 2018-2019 AWQ

    Details for Councils

    Pledge a Team Now

    To confirm your Council's participation in the 2018-2019 Academic WorldQuest, please fill out and submit this Pledge Form by Nov. 9, 2018. 

    Local Competition Questions

    WACA will provide a full set of questions based on the AWQ Study Guide and will be available to local Councils. Indicate your interest in these questions by submitting your Pledge Form.

    For this year's AWQ program, alternative formats in the Current Events round of questions will once again be used in The Carlos and Malú Alvarez National 2019 National Competition. The questions we provide for local competitions, however, will remain fully multiple-choice. Councils are welcome to assess their capacity to adjust their local competition for this year or to continue with the multiple-choice-only model.

    Great Decisions

    The Foreign Policy Association will provide each participating Council with six complimentary copies of the 2018 Great Decisions Briefing Book. Indicate your request for these free copies by submitting your Pledge Form. Additional copies for use in Academic WorldQuest are available at a 60% discount and may be purchased directly from the Foreign Policy Association. Please Note: The Great Decisions 2018 Briefing Book is required study material for the National Competition. However, the Briefing Book will NOT be required reading for local competitions. In order to prepare for local competitions, students should study the online resources outlined in the AWQ Study Guide.

    Thank You to Our Sponsors!

    fpa logo 1918

    Academic WorldQuest Endowment Fund

    Principal Sponsor

    Carlos and Malú Alvarez

    Impetus Foundation

    The Carlos and Malú Alvarez Academic WorldQuest National Competition honors the tremendous dedication and philanthropic support of WACA Board Member Carlos Alvarez and his wife to our flagship youth education program, now in its 18th year, and the Academic WorldQuest Endowment Fund. 

    For information on making a gift to the AWQ Endowment Fund, please visit the WACA website.

    Donate today!

  • Wednesday, October 10, 2018 1:46 PM | Anonymous

    October 10, 2018

    Weekly World News Update

    South China Sea Showdowns; Climate Situation Dire; Elections Around the Globe; Journalist Targeting Skyrockets; Ambassador Haley Resigns

    Quote of the Week

    "There is a direct contradiction between Trump’s aggressive economic nationalism and his administration’s commitment to defend the South China Sea. The South China Sea is not the United States’ home waters; it is China’s. Geography still matters. And because the United States is so far away, its only hope is to offer an uplifting regional vision that anchors its military one.

    -- CNAS Senior Fellow Robert D. Kaplan in a Washington Post op-ed Tuesday.

    Close Encounters in the South China Sea

    Distrust of China Sparks Philippines, U.S. to Step Up Joint Military Exercises” Ralph Jennings -- Voice of America, October 5, 2018

    U.S. Navy Plans Major Show of Strength in South China Sea as Warning to Beijing” Teddy Ng – South China Morning Post, October 4, 2018

    Implications of Growing U.S.-China Confrontation in the South China Sea” SD Pradhan – The Times of India, October 9, 2018

    Climate Change Report Released

    "Summary for Policymakers of IPCC Special Report on Global Warming of 1.5ºC Approved by Governments [Press Release]" -- Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, October 8, 2018

    4 Big Takeaways from the UN’s Alarming Climate Change Report” Umair Irfan -- Vox, October 9, 2018

    The Dire Warnings of the United Nations’ Latest Climate-Change Report” Carolyn Kormann -- New Yorker, October 8, 2018

    "Good News: We Now Have Until 2030 to Save the Earth" Ross Clark -- The Spectator, October 8, 2018

    "Administration Mum on Climate Change Report as Trump Says: 'I Want to Look at Who Drew It'" Stephanie Ebbs -- ABC News, October 9, 2018

    "Climate Politicking Isn't Working. We Need Climate Civil Disobedience" Bill McKibben - LA Times, October 9, 2018

    Elections All Around the World

    Brazil Election: Jair Bolsonaro Heads to Runoff After Missing Outright Win” Ernesto Londoño and Manuela Andreoni -- New York Times, October 7, 2018

    Bosnia Election Seen as Key for Future of War-Ravaged Nation” Eldar Emric and Jovana Gec -- Washington Post, October 5, 2018

    Cameroon Has a Tense, Long Wait for Election Results as Social Media Claims Unverified Winners” Amindeh Atabong -- Quartz, October 9, 2018

    Latvia Election Result Sparks EU Crisis Warning as Pro-Russia Party Sweeps to Success” Simon Osborne -- Express, October 8, 2018

    Troubling Hostility Towards Journalists

    Jamal Khashoggi: Trump 'Concerned' about Missing Journalist; Saudis Deny Involvement” Zachary Cohen and Elise Labott -- CNN, October 9, 2018

     

    Bulgarian Investigative Journalist Murdered” Lili Bayer -- Politico, October 8, 2018

    "The Journalists Killed in EU Member States in the Past Year" Theodor Troev and Kerin Hope -- Financial Times, October 8, 2018

    "43 Journalists Killed in 2018" -- Committee to Protect Journalists

    UN Ambassador Haley Departs

    Nikki Haley Resigns as U.S. Ambassador to the UN” John Haltiwanger -- Business Insider, October 9, 2018

    "Following in Bush 41’s footsteps? Five Takeaways from Nikki Haley’s Departure as UN Ambassador." James Hohmann -- Washington Post, October 10, 2018

    "How Haley’s Vision Clashed With Trump’s" Eli Lake -- Bloomberg, October 9, 2018

    "How Nikki Haley Played the White House Game - and Won" Zack Beauchamp -- Vox, October 9, 2018

    "What Nikki Haley’s Exit May Mean for the Middle East" Laura Rozen -- Al-Monitor, October 9, 2018

  • Wednesday, October 10, 2018 8:43 AM | Anonymous

    October 9, 2018

    WACA Weekly

    Announcing Conference Reception and New Speakers; WAC Charlotte's Stambuk Honored; Cover to Cover on Privacy; Global I.Q. Minute; China Town Hall Programs; Council News and Job Announcements

    WACA 2018 National Conference: Braving the New World Order

    November 7-9

    The Mayflower Hotel in Washington, DC

    Register for the WACA 2018 Conference

    Mayflower Hotel block nearly sold out!    

    Take advantage of our exclusive low rates before they're gone.

    WACA's guaranteed rate expires Tuesday, October 16, at 11:00 pm ET.

    After the cutoff, any unreserved rooms will be released and market prices prevail.

    Book your room now!

    Announcing: Reception at OAS to Celebrate FPA's Centennial

    WACA is proud to co-host a special reception in honor of our partner and founding member, the Foreign Policy Association. FPA, led by Noel Lateef, is marking its 100th anniversary. We are delighted to co-host this reception for all WACA National Conference attendees on Thursday, November 8, at the Organization of American States.

    New Conference Speakers!

    Michèle Flournoy

    Co-Founder and Managing Partner, WestExec Advisors

    Former Under Secretary of Defense for Policy

    Robert Kagan

    Stephen & Barbara Friedman Senior Fellow

    Brookings

    Evelyn Farkas

    Senior Fellow

    Atlantic Council

    Dina Temple-Raston

    Special Correspondent

    NPR

    October Cover to Cover: Debating Privacy in America

    Join WACA's Cover to Cover conference call on Tuesday, October 23, at 2:00-2:30 pm ET, featuring Sarah E. Igo, Associate Professor of History and Director of the Program in American Studies at Vanderbilt University, on her new book, The Known Citizen: A History of Privacy in Modern America.

    Every day, Americans make decisions about their privacy: what to share and when, how much to expose, and to whom. Securing the boundary between one’s private affairs and public identity has become a central task of citizenship. How did privacy come to loom so large in American life? Sarah Igo tracks this elusive social value across the twentieth century, as individuals questioned how they would, and should, be known by their own society.

    Register now

    Council Highlights

    Tuesday 10/9  

    World Affairs Council of New Hampshire hosts David Noble, Director of the Peter J. Werth Institute for Entrepreneurship & Innovation Management, for the “Global Business Summit: Cryptocurrency, Digitization, and Regulation." Details 

    World Affairs Council of Greater Houston hosts Bob Spitz, New York Times Bestselling Biographer, to discuss his book, Reagan. Details 

    World Affairs Council Albuquerque hosts Edl Schamiloglu, Professor, for “Directed Energy – A Game Changing Technology.” Details 

    World Affairs Council Upstate hosts Pema Tseden, Tibetan film director/screen writer, for “Discussion with 12-time Award Winning Tibetan Film Director/Screen Writer from China.” Details 

    World Denver hosts Lois Quam, founding CEO of Ovations, and Pardis Mahdavi, Dean of Women of Pomona College, for “Shared Solutions: Host Communities and Displaced Women Working Together for Better Health and Rights.” Details 

  • Wednesday, October 03, 2018 12:49 PM | Anonymous

    October 3, 2018

    Weekly World News Update

    The New NAFTA; Pompeo and Melania Travel; Tsunami Destroys in Indonesia; Venezuela Gets in Trouble With ICC While ICJ Favors Chile; Macedonia's Name Change; Nobel Physics Prize Sees Female

    Quote of the Week

    "All these steps add up to a step backwards on trade and investment in the United States and the region as a whole that, while not as damaging as it could have been, will do little or nothing to help workers, consumers, and the economies of North America."

    -- Jeffrey Schott, senior fellow at the Peterson Institute for International Economics, in an article on Tuesday examining the new aspects and anticipated effects of the USMCA deal.

    NAFTA Out, USMCA In

    Exit NAFTA, Enter USMCA” William Reinsch -- Center for Strategic and International Studies, October 2, 2018

    5 Things to Know About USMCA, the New NAFTA” Geoffrey Gertz -- Brookings Institution, October 2, 2018

    The New NAFTA: Congratulations in Order, More Dealmaking Ahead” Laura Dawson; Duncan Wood; Christopher Wilson -- Wilson Center, October 1, 2018

    The U.S., Canada, and Mexico’s New Trade Pact Looks a Lot Like NAFTA. Here Are the Key Differences Between Them” Bob Bryan -- Business Insider, October 1, 2018

    Pompeo Travels to Pyongyang...

    High-stakes Denuclearization Talks in Balance as U.S. Announces Top Diplomat’s Visit to North Korea” Jesse Johnson -- The Japan Times, October 3, 2018

    Pompeo’s 4th North Korean Visit Fuels Optimism for Denuclearization” Yi Whan-woo -- The Korea Times, October 3, 2018

    "North Korea Escalates Pressure on U.S. Ahead of Pompeo Visit” Chloe Sang-Hun -- The New York Times, October 1, 2018 

    ...While Melania Travels to Africa

    Melania Trump Visits Africa, Drawing Fresh Contrast With Husband” Jennifer Jacobs -- Bloomberg, October 2, 2018

    "Dear Melania Trump...a Kenyan and a Ghanaian Offer Advice for Her Africa Trip" Esther Ngumbi and George Mwinnyaa -- NPR, October 1, 2018

    Melania Trump Details Her Solo Trip to Africa” Kate Bennett -- CNN, September 26, 2018

    Indonesia Reckons with Tsunami

    Relief Agencies Struggle to Cope With scale of Sulawesi disaster” -- Asia Times, October 1, 2018

    Indonesia Quake and Tsunami: Bodies Buried in Mass Grave” -- Al Jazeera, October 1, 2018

    Indonesia Tsunami: Aid Briefing” Irwin Loy -- IRIN, October 1, 2018

    ICC and Venezuela

    Canada Joins Multilateral Move to Take Venezuelan Government to International Criminal Court Evan Dyer -- CBC News, September 25, 2018

    Venezuela: Six States Request ICC Investigation” -- Human Rights Watch, September 26, 2018

    " Latin American Countries Call for ICC to Probe Venezuela” John Rathbone -- Financial Times, September 25, 2018

    ICJ Rules in Favor of Chile

    Chile Cannot Be Forced to Negotiate Sea Access With Bolivia, Rules ICJ” -- The Santiago Times, October 1, 2018

    World Court Sinks Bolivia’s Legal Fight for Sea Access” -- MENAFN, October 1, 2018

    Macedonia’s Identity Change

    New Name, Same Country? A Choice for Macedonians” Guy Delauney -- BBC News, September 28, 2018

    Result of Macedonia’s Referendum Is Another Victory for Russia” Simon Tisdall -- The Guardian, October 1, 2018

    Macedonia’s Looming War of Interpretations” Vessela Tcherneva -- European Council on Foreign Relations, September 28, 2018

    Woman Wins in Nobel Physics

    Donna Strickland Is the 3rd Woman Ever to Win the Nobel Prize in Physics” Brian Resnick -- Vox, October 2, 2018

  • Tuesday, October 02, 2018 9:05 AM | Anonymous

    October 1, 2018

    October Newsletter

    Councils of the Month Send Reps to Qatar; Global I.Q. with John Kerry; Conference Hotel Block Deadline; Cover to Cover; Engage America Grant Programs; Council Jobs and News!

    Lucky 13: Councils of the Month

    In the most competitive application process in at least a decade, WACA is pleased to announce that the Embassy of Qatar has selected the following Council representatives for our first Leadership Mission to Qatar. The group will explore the dynamic political, diplomatic, economic, and cultural trends of this Arab country in the Persian Gulf on Oct. 12-19. WACA received interest from more than 30 individuals across the Council network. These 14 delegates hail from 13 Councils:

    Melissa Beuc, Board Treasurer -- Indiana Council on World Affairs

    Marian Dickson -- WAC Atlanta

    Lise Falskow, CEO -- Alaska WAC

    Maryanne Maldonado, Executive Director -- WAC Greater Houston

    Judge Angela McCormick Bisig -- WAC Kentucky & S. Indiana

    Michael Mills, Board of Advisors -- WorldOregon

    Dr. Sadiq Mohyuddin, Emeritus Director -- WAC St. Louis

    Talat Mohyuddin -- WAC St. Louis

    Don Samford, WACA Advisory Board -- Peoria Area WAC

    Doug Savage, Director -- Institute of World Affairs (Milwaukee)

    Jim Shepherd, Chairman -- Tennessee WAC

    Charles Stout, Chairman -- WAC Pittsburgh

    Patrick Terrien, CEO -- Columbus Council on World Affairs

    John Young, Board Secretary -- WAC Western Massachusetts

    Global I.Q. Minute: Jim Falk talks with John Kerry

    John Kerry, 68th U.S. Secretary of State, reflects on his service during the Vietnam War, current global events, and the state of partisanship in Congress in this episode of World Affairs Council of Dallas/Fort Worth's Global I.Q. Minute. Listen here.

    October Cover to Cover: Debating Privacy in America

    Join WACA's Cover to Cover conference call on Tuesday, October 23, at 2:00-2:30 pm ET, featuring Sarah E. Igo, Associate Professor of History and Director of the Program in American Studies at Vanderbilt University, on her new book, The Known Citizen: A History of Privacy in Modern America.

    Every day, Americans make decisions about their privacy: what to share and when, how much to expose, and to whom. Securing the boundary between one’s private affairs and public identity has become a central task of citizenship. How did privacy come to loom so large in American life? Sarah Igo tracks this elusive social value across the twentieth century, as individuals questioned how they would, and should, be known by their own society.

    Register here

    Prof. Sarah E. Igo

    WACA 2018 National Conference:

    Braving the New World Order

    November 7-9

    The Mayflower Hotel in Washington, DC

    Register for the Conference


    Councils Host Engage America Grant Programs

    The following Engage America Oman 2018 and Future of Korea 2018 programs are co-sponsored by WACA and its grant funders Korea Economic Institute and Sultan Qaboos Cultural Center:

    Oman 2018

    Columbia World Affairs Council will feature Ms. Haura Al Wahaibi for a breakfast program, speaker series luncheon, and tea time with university students on October 3.

    World Affairs Council of New Hampshire will present Dr. Anne Rasmussen for The Music and Culture of Oman: Musical Biodiversity and the Indian Ocean Soundscape on October 16.

    World Affairs Council of Western Michigan will host Dr. Fahad Bishara as part of its Fall Lecture Series: Shifting Sands in the Arabian Peninsula on October 18.

    Future of Korea 2018

    Indiana Council on World Affairs will present a panel of experts for its Distinguished Speaker Series: Future of Korea on October 18.

    Councils in the News

    World Affairs Council of New Hampshire 

    Oct. 9 Summit on Cryptocurrency, Digitization, and Regulation – Manchester Ink Link 

    Music and Culture of Oman Topic of October 16 Speech at UNH Manchester – Manchester Ink Link

    Trio of National Democrats Descend on N.H. in One Weekend – Concord Monitor

    Jeff Merkley’s Latest NH Trip Sparks More 2020 Speculation – The Oregonian

  • Wednesday, September 26, 2018 4:54 PM | Anonymous

    September 26, 2018

    Weekly World News Update

    73rd UN General Assembly; The Korean Peninsula; Souring India-Pakistan Relationship; Latin America Crises; No Confidence Vote in Sweden; Global Migration; Africa News; U.S. Debt Balloons

    Quote of the Week

    He [Trump] has always been obsessed that people are laughing at the president. From the mid-’80s, he’s said: ‘The world is laughing at us. They think we’re fools,’ ” said Thomas Wright, a senior fellow at the Brookings Institution. “It’s never been true, but he’s said it about every president. It’s the first time I’m aware of that people actually laughed at a president. I think it is going to drive him absolutely crazy. It will play to every insecurity he has.

    73rd UN General Assembly Happenings

    Trump Delivers Nationalist Credo to Skeptical UN General Assembly” Curt Mills -- National Interest, September 25, 2018

    Trump Speaks Out on Globalization” Editorial Board -- The New York Times, September 25, 2018

    "In Most Global of Settings, UN Ponders Populism’s Problems" Associated Press, September 26, 2018

    Iran’s Rouhani Says U.S. Wants to Overthrow Its Government, Rejects Bilateral Talks” Edith Lederer -- PBS, September 25, 2018

    "Full Text: Trump's 2018 UN Speech Transcript" -- Politico, September 25,2018

    Korea: Nukes and Trade

    "The Pyongyang Declaration: Implications for U.S.-ROK Coordination on North Korea" Scott Snyder -- Council on Foreign Relations, September 24, 2018

    Moon, Trump Discuss ‘Corresponding Measures’ for NK Denuclearization” -- The Korea Times, September 26, 2018

    Trump’s New Trade Deal with South Korea, Explained Alexia Fernandez Campbell -- Vox, September 25, 2018

    Leaders of S. Korea, U.S. Welcome Revision to Bilateral FTA” Yonhap -- The Korea Herald, September 25, 2018

    India-Pakistan Ties Sour

    India Cancels Meeting with Pakistan at UN Because of ‘Evil Agenda’” Michael Safi -- The Guardian, September 21, 2018

    "India’s Worst Nightmare" Hussaan Tariq -- Pakistan Today, September 26, 2018

    India Calls Off Meeting with Pakistan at UNGA, Says Imran Khan’s True Face Revealed” -- Times of India, September 21, 2018

    "India, Pakistan Trade Barbs After Meeting Cancelled" Ahmad Adil -- Andalou Agency, September 22, 2018

    Latin America Faces Crisis

    "U.S. Sanctions Target Venezuela’s First Lady and President’s Inner Circle" Carol Morello and

    Anthony Faiola -- Washington Post, September 25, 2018

    Access to Information Denied in Venezuela” Santiago Menna -- Human Rights Watch, September 24, 2018

    For Venezuelans Fleeing Crisis, Argentina Proves a Tough Start” Patrick Gillespie -- Bloomberg, September 22, 2018

    Mexico’s Next President Could Be on a Collision Course with Trump Over Immigration” Joshua Partlow and Nick Miroff -- Washington Post, September 21, 2018

    Swedish Government in "Disarray"

    Sweden Rebels: Sweden PM Loses Vote of No Confidence Sending Shockwaves Through EU” Charlie Buckle -- Express, September 25, 2018

    Sweden’s Prime Minister Loses Vote of Confidence Throwing Government Into Disarray” Holly Ellyatt -- CNBC, September 25, 2018

    The City, the Country Are Ours: Migrants in Sweden Form ‘Resistance’ Movement” -- Sputnik International, September 25, 2018

    Swedish Prime Minister Löfven Loses Confidence Vote” Stephen Brown -- Politico, September 25, 2018

    Global Migration Issues

    EU Leaders are United on Brexit But Divided on Migration” -- The Economist, September 21, 2018

    As Migrants Turn to Spain, a Welcome Mat Shows Signs of Wear” Jeannette Neumann -- Wall Street Journal, September 23,2018

    Migrants Get a Second Chance at Asylum. But It’s Still an Uphill Battle” Hannah Wiley -- The Texas Tribune, September 25, 2018

    Chinese Investment in Africa

    The Future Is in Africa, China Already Knows It” -- The Herald, September 24, 2018

    ’China Equals Hitler,’ Zambian Public Describes Chinese Investment” AFP -- The South African, September 23, 2018

    The China Factor in Africa: Partner or Economic Predator?” Aggrey Mutambo -- Daily Nation, September 25, 2018

    Amnesty in Rwanda

    Rwandan Imprisoned Opposition Leader to Go on Trial as Another Walks Free – For Now” Kara Fox -- CNN, September 22, 2018 

    Good Guys and Bad Guys” Jos van Oijen -- The New Times, September 25, 2018

    Ballooning Debt a Threat to U.S. Economy

    "As Debt Rises, the Government Will Soon Spend More on Interest Than on the Military" Nelson Schwartz -- New York Times, September 25, 2018


  • Tuesday, September 25, 2018 9:02 AM | Anonymous

    September 24, 2018

    WACA Weekly

    Major Council Events; KNOW NOW with Valerie Plame (Tomorrow!); WACA Conference Scholarships; Korea and Oman Grant Series; Global Ties U.S. Poster Contest; Job Announcements; and Council News

    World Affairs Councils Demonstrate Convening Power

    Jamie Dimon

    Chairman and CEO, J.P. Morgan Chase

    WAC Philadelphia - Monday, 9/24

    Doris Kearns Goodwin

    Presidential Historian and Author

    WAC Dallas/Fort Worth - Wed., 9/26

    John Kerry

    Former U.S. Secretary of State

    WAC Dallas/Fort Worth - Friday, 9/28

    Michael McFaul

    Former U.S. Ambassador to Russia

    WAC Monterey Bay - Friday, 9/28

    TOMORROW! KNOW NOW: Plame Discusses U.S. Intelligence Agencies

    Join WACA's KNOW NOW conference call featuring Valerie Plame, former career CIA covert operations officer (left), tomorrow, September 25, at 2:00-2:30 pm ET. Sandy Campbell, Executive Director of the Santa Fe Council on International Relations - our Council of the Month - will moderate.

    Register now!

    WACA 2018 National Conference: Braving the New World Order

    November 7-9

    The Mayflower Hotel in Washington, DC

    Register for the WACA 2018 Conference

    Ten Scholarship Openings for DC-based Undergraduates

    WACA is pleased to offer 10 new scholarships to DC-area undergraduates to cover Conference registration fees. Funding for these scholarships has been generously provided by the Mr. and Mrs. Ray Rothrock Charitable Gift Fund. The purpose of this scholarship programs is to advance WACA's and the Council Network's shared educational mission and to prepare future leaders for the challenges and opportunities of the 21st century. The deadline for applications is Wednesday, October 10.

    Please use this Application Form and send your resume, a statement of interest, and a letter of reference to waca@worldaffairscouncils.org. Selected applicants will enjoy full access to the WACA 2018 National Conference: Braving the New World OrderNovember 7-9 at The Mayflower Hotel in Washington, DC.

    Bookmark the WACA 2018 National Conference website for speaker and program updates!

    WACA Thanks Its Sponsors

    Chevron

    fpa logo 1918

    Council of the Month Launches 3rd Annual Student Policy Simulation

    The Santa Fe Council on International Relations will launch their third annual policy simulation for high school students. In 2018, a natural disaster destroyed the energy infrastructure of the developing country Xlandia. Half of the students were parliamentarians, and half were lobbyists, representing the oil and gas industry, the nuclear power industry, and the solar and wind renewables sector. To top it off, personality cards were introduced an hour into the simulation - and suddenly some of the parliamentarians found themselves in tricky positions of bribery or compromise...

    In 2019, SFCIR will turn to climate change as the guiding theme, with the simulation dovetailing perfectly into the community speaker series on climate change, which will kick off in October 2018 with a trio of seminars and talks featuring several world-class speakers.

    One student reported last year that it "was the best thing he'd ever done in school." SFCIR considers it their flagship educational program, sitting proudly alongside the High School Fellowship Program (for women of color in public schools) and Academic WorldQuest.

    SFCIR welcomes all WACA members to their Journalism under Fire summit in December - at special member rates.

    Councils Host WACA 2018 Engage America Speaker Series Programs

    Charlotte

    World Affairs Council of Charlotte is one of eight Councils to participate in the Future of Korea 2018 program series with a private dinner and expert panel discussion on Wednesday, September 26 and Thursday, September 27. This program is sponsored by the Korea Economic Institute and WACA.

    The World Affairs Council of Dallas/Fort Worth will host Music and The Omani Arts Economy Saturday, September 29 as the fifth of eight Councils to feature an Engage America: Oman program. This program is sponsored by the Sultan Qaboos Cultural Center and WACA.

    WACA Network Speaker Harry Krejsa on Connecting Point (Video)

    Watch the interview featuring Harry Krejsa (left), of the Center for a New American Security, on Connecting Point, where he swung by prior to speaking with the World Affairs Council of Western Massachusetts for their Heartland Security annual dinner on September 17. Krejsa recently wrote the report How Global Engagement Once Fueled the American Middle Class - and Can Again. 

  • Monday, September 24, 2018 5:05 PM | Anonymous
    “I have no interest in investing in Bitcoin”; “Bitcoin has not practical use in my life”; “This is a fringe technology that will never replace currency or change geo-politics”.  These, and many other, thoughts may be running through your head as you think about whether or not to attend this year’s Global Business Summit.  Hopefully, this post will help to convince you otherwise.

    Personally, cryptocurrencies seem risky.  How can something with no backing in reality provide a safe store of value? Is this technology ever going to touch my life? Can it really change the way we do business in the world?  The more I research this topic in advance of the Global Business Summit, on Oct 9th, the more convinced I am that the answer is yes.

    Step away from the very real worries about criminal use of this technology and you will see some equally real opportunities, starting with the Blockchain.  For those who do not know, the Blockchain is the technology behind all cryptocurrencies.  For an easy explanation, think of the Blockchain as a Google Spreadsheet.  Everyone can update it in real time and everyone can see what the others are doing.  However, instead of the information being housed on Google’s servers (where the potential for hacking is greater), this information is simultaneously stored on thousands of computers.  This means that a hacker would have to instantaneously hack all of the computers in this distributed network at once to change all the records.   

    “Ok, so it may be a safe store of information, but I still don’t want to put my money into cryptocurrencies.”  That is perfectly fine, and I am right there with you.  However, imagine you are a small business working on a big international deal.  You have the opportunity to make a huge sale that could completely change your business.  However, you don’t know anyone in the country you are going to work in and don’t know who you can trust. Certainly you can go to a bank and get them to manage the international wire transfer.  However, this can be a complex and lengthy process (not ideal when you are waiting on funds to enter your bank account).  Most international wires take 1-5 business days, but for much larger sums it can take longer.  Also, the various banks involved will take about 4-6% of the funds as their fees.  For a small business, that can add up quickly and ruin profit margins.  However, using a trusted cryptocurrency allows for this transaction to take place instantaneously.  Once the distributed spreadsheet is updated, you can use your currency right away, either purchasing other goods or converting it to a fiat currency of your choice. 

    “Maybe it makes sense for business, but it’s still not for me.”  I get it; however, look at how this technology could revolutionize the banking industry, particularly in areas that do not have strong banking systems.  Almost 1.7 billion people in the world do not have access to a bank account or financial institution.  That means that these people are holding their life savings in their homes, where once it is gone, it is gone for good.  Cryptocurrencies can help provide a safe space for people to easily store their money and make payments online.  Imagine going from storing your money underneath your mattress to an online system that allows you to make purchases at your local market without the worry of being robbed on the way there.  If you use online banking to pay your bills, it works in a similar manner, as in both cases physical money is not transferred, simply the ledger is updated.

    “Fine, that may work well in other countries, but I already have a bank account.  How is this ever going to affect me?”  You may well be surprised to know (as I was) that New Hampshire is one of the biggest adopters of cryptocurrencies in the country.  Per capita, we have the highest number of crypto ATMs, and have a variety of respectable companies in the state who accept cryptocurrencies.  When the online retailer Overstock.com started accepting cryptocurrencies in 2014, NH accounted for 19 transactions, making it the largest purchaser on a per capita basis.  This is truly an emerging market here in the state and something that has the potential to touch everyone’s lives in the near future.

    “Well, that is all well and good, but I am still not convinced”.  If this is still your thinking, try this on for size.  These technologies have real and far reaching implications for the global economy and international diplomacy.  There are several countries looking into creating their own cryptocurrency, including China and Venezuela.  The biggest benefit to these countries, as well as others, would be to avoid any international sanctions. Since ownership of the funds is encrypted, sanctions cannot target individuals or corporations who hold money in these systems.  Terrorist organizations can exploit these systems to raise funds to continue their fight against their enemies. Criminal organizations can use this to launder their money and purchase materials for their operations.  How this will be regulated and investigated is the next step in the conversation, which you will have to show up to hear. 

    “Alright, now I am excited! Where do I sign up?”  Great to hear! We are so excited you are excited!  You can visit our website to register www.wacnh.org/eventcalendar  or you can call our office at (603) 314-7970.  Want to try your hand at cryptocurrency? Create a Bitcoin or DASH account and send us your payment through Coinpayments Inc

    Looking forward to seeing you on October 9th!



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