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 citizens and decision-makers expect in 2018? 

WACA is pleased to present a special KNOW NOW webinar, featuring DC-based consultancy Control Risks' outlook for 2018. 

Register for the call

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

We will discuss the Top 5 Risks facing global organizations in the year ahead:

1. North Korea escalation
2. Large-scale cyber attacks targeting infrastructure
3. U.S. becoming protectionist
4. Big power rivalry in the Middle East
5. Personalized leadership

The webinar will showcase 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.

February KNOW NOW

Ambassador (Ret.) Mary Carlin Yates will be hosted by Derrick Olsen, President of WorldOregon, for a discussion about Sudan on Tuesday, February 20, at 2:00-2:30 PM ET. Register for the call.

The World Affairs Council of Orange Countywill celebrate its 50th anniversary on Tuesday, January 23. 

Ryan Crocker, former U.S. Ambassador to Afghanistan, Iraq, Pakistan, Syria, Kuwait, and Lebanon, will speak on "Middle East Meltdown: Causes and Consequences for the U.S." at WAC Orange County's commemorative event. Details.

The World Affairs Council of Hilton Head will host Ivo H. Daalder, President of the Chicago Council on Global Affairs, on Friday, January 26. Daalder, formerly the U.S. Ambassador to NATO, will discuss "Trump's Foreign Policy." 

See details.

After nearly eight years of outstanding leadership, Anna Berry, Executive Director of the World Affairs Council of New Hampshire, is stepping down from her position to pursue an opportunity at the New Hampshire Bar Association (see press release). The WAC New Hampshire Board is now conducting a search for its new executive director.See the job announcement.

Global Minnesota is also hiring. See the posting for their new Corporate and Foundation Giving Officer.

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

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.

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.

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