WAC Pittsburgh Hosts Future of Korea Program

The World Affairs Council of Pittsburgh will host a Future of Korea program today, January 16, and Wednesday, January 17. This program, presented in partnership with the World Affairs Councils of America and the Korea Economic Institute (KEI), will feature a panel of experts selected by KEI:

• Jaepil Moon, First Secretary, Embassy of Korea
• Juli S. Kim, North Korea Desk Officer, U.S. Dept. of State
• Juni Kim, Program Manager, Korea Economic Institute

Global Minn. Cited for Great Decisions Program

Global Minnesota was recognized by the Star Tribune for its timely focus on China in 2018 through its Great Decisions program. Read the article: "Rash Report: China Rises, Including to Top of 2018 'Risk List'."

Special KNOW NOW: Control Risks Webinar

The year 2017 saw a host of new challenges for global organizations, and continued economic and political volatility heightened by competing leadership styles on the world stage. What should organizational decision-makers expect in 2018? 

Join us for special webinar KNOW NOW featuring highlights from Control Risks' RiskMap, an annual forecast for political and security risk around the world.

Control Risks is a specialist global risk consultancy that helps to create secure, compliant and resilient organizations in an age of ever-changing risk.

Register for the call

Join us for this month's KNOW NOW on Tuesday, January 30, at 2:00-2:45 PM ET.

WACA Seeks Chief Operations Officer

The World Affairs Councils of America is pleased to announce the open position of Chief Operating Officer. The COO will provide internal management of the WACA national office staff and oversee a variety of organizational priorities and projects. See the full posting and send complete applications to apply@worldaffairscouncils.org. Apply by Monday, January 22

FPA Student Essay/Video Competition

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.

Maximum essay length: 750 words; maximum video length: 5 minutes

Winners in each medium will be judged by an expert panel of educators and designers of student outreach programs. See more details here.

Criteria for judging:

• Creative engagement with the Centennial Challenge topic
• Compelling demonstration of the position you take
• Breadth and depth of the vision you present

Prizes:

• 1st prize: $1500 and expenses paid for a trip to attend the 2018 Foreign Policy Centennial Spring Dinner in New York City
• 2nd prize: $500
• 3rd prize: $500

Deadline for submissions: January 31, 2018

WACA - Global Ties U.S. Breakfast

The World Affairs Councils of America is pleased to sponsor the Global Ties U.S. National Meeting once again this year as part of a reciprocal arrangement to strengthen collaboration between our organizations.

For those Council leaders, staff, and board members who plan to attend the Global Ties "Change Through Exchange" Conference in Washington, DC, we cordially invite you to participate in the WACA breakfast on Thursday, February 8, at the Omni Shoreham Hotel.

Cover to Cover: February

Somewhere in nature, a killer virus is boiling up in the bloodstream of a wild animal, preparing to jump to a human being. This not-yet-detected germ has the potential to wipe out millions of lives over a matter of weeks or months. That risk makes the threat posed by ISIS, a ground war, a massive climate event, or even the dropping of a nuclear bomb on a major city pale in comparison. 

In The End of Epidemics, Dr. Jonathan Quick, Harvard Medical School faculty member and Chair of the Global Heath Council, examines the eradication of smallpox and devastating effects of influenza, AIDS SARS, and Ebola. Analyzing efforts to contain these diseases and citing firsthand accounts of failure and success, Dr. Quick proposes a new set of actions which he has coined, "The Power of Seven," to end epidemics before they begin.  

Register for the call

Join us for February's Cover to Cover on Tuesday, February 13, at 2:00-2:30 PM ET.

Listen to WACA Podcasts!

On Wednesday, January 10, the World Affairs Councils of America hosted Richard N. Haass for a special Cover to Cover conference call on our world in disarray. Listen now.

Academic WorldQuest 2018

Information for the 2017-2018 Academic WorldQuest program is now available!

This year's AWQ Study Guide is now available, along with more information about The Carlos and Malu Alvarez 2018 Academic WorldQuest National Competition, to be held Saturday, April 28, 2018.

This year's AWQ National Competition will feature a welcome reception at the United States Institute of Peace on 

Friday, April 27. For topics, Study Guide, and more, click here.

Please note: the links in this block for the AWQ Study Guide are up to date. Links from previous emails may no longer be active due to the launch of the new WACA website. 

Sponsored by: United States Institute of Peace

World Affairs Councils Highlights

Did you know that WACA features Council events on its new website? Council leaders and staff: log in to your member account now and add your events for a chance for your Council to be highlighted on our main page!

Tuesday, January 16

Cleveland Council on World Affairs hosts its Academic WorldQuest Competition. Details 

Colorado Foothills World Affairs Council hosts David Firestein, Founding Executive Director of the China Public Policy Center, for "China's 19th People's Congress." Details

World Affairs Council of Maine holds a discussion group, "Effects of Pulling Out of the Paris Climate Accord." Details

Wednesday, January 17

Colorado Springs World Affairs Council hosts David Firestein, Founding Executive Director of the China Public Policy Center, for "China - After the 19th Party Congress." Details

WorldDenver hosts David Firestein, Founding Executive Director of the China Public Policy Center, for "China's Global Aspirations." Details

World Affairs Forum (Stamford) hosts Michael Hanna, Senior Fellow at The Century Foundation, for "The Trump Administration and the Future of a Fractured Middle East." Details

World Affairs Council of Upstate hosts Dr. Cleve Fraser, Professor of Politics and International Affairs at Furman University, for "The U.S. Relationship with Latin America." Details

World Affairs Council of Seattle hosts Kemal Kirisci, Director of the Turkey Project at the Brookings Insittution, for "Turkey and the West: Navigating a Troubled Relationship." Details

Thursday, January 18

World Affairs (Northern California) hosts Sarrah Buageila, Project Manager at the Institute for Social Policy and Understanding, for "Celebrating the American Muslim." Details

World Affairs Council of Greater Houston hosts Daniel Yergen, Vice Chairman of IHS Markit, for "Global Perspectives." Details

World Affairs Council of San Antonio hosts a panel of experts for "Dream Week: World Topics, Personal Voices." Details

San Diego World Affairs Council hosts Dr. Khaleel Mohammed, Professor at San Diego State University, for "Understanding Islam and Its Role in Global Affairs." Details

Indiana Council on World Affairs hosts Jorge Sanchez Catano, Deputy Consul of Mexico, for "Mexico: U.S. Neighbor and Friend." Details

Worcester World Affairs Council  hosts Graham Allison, former Director of the Harvard University Belfer Center Science and International Affairs, for "Destined for War: Can America and China Escape Thucidides' Trap?" Details 

Olympia World Affairs Council hosts Tom Rainey, Faculty Emeritus at The Evergreen State College, for "Russia and China's Strategic Alliance: Implications for the U.S." Details

World Affairs Council of Las Vegas hosts Dr. Bruce Bennett, Senior International Defense Researcher at the RAND Corporation, for "Is Military Conflict a Prospect for the U.S. in East Asia?" Details

Foreign Policy Association hosts Leon Botstein, President of Bard College, for "Elites, Education, and the Future." Details 

Friday, January 19

World Affairs Council of Austin hosts a panel of experts for, "Driving Innovation: 2018 Business Forecast." Details

World Affairs Council of Dallas/Fort Worth hosts Graham Allison, former Director of the Harvard University Belfer Center Science and International Affairs, for "Destined for War: The Future of the American and Chinese Relationship." Details