WACA News

WACA Statement on Racial Justice, Diversity, and Inclusion:
The World Affairs Councils of America mourns the senseless killings of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, Ahmaud Arbery, and far too many others who have been victimized by systemic racism and violence. Black lives matter.
WACA, as a civil society organization, stands in solidarity with those who peacefully demand justice and accountability and oppose prejudice and oppression. We re-commit ourselves to:

Listening to and engaging with communities of color and allies who can educate the public on building a more just and equitable country and world
Amplifying Black and other underrepresented voices of courage and insight on how to eradicate racism and discrimination
Ensuring that WACA – its national Board of Directors and Washington, DC headquarters staff – mindfully undertakes actions and supports our member Council affiliates nationwide to promote diversity, equity, and inclusion.

Approved by the WACA National Board of Directors, June 11, 2020

‘CxC: Amplified’ Initiative!
Putting the World Back Together
An ideas summit presented by World Affairs Councils nationwide

CxC: Amplified was a full week of ideas designed to amplify voices on foreign and national policy, Council by Council, and coast to coast. The Ideas Summit brought together leaders, experts, and citizens across the nation to tackle the central question: How will the world be put back together as we chart our way through the new circumstances caused by this coronavirus pandemic?

Virtual programming is dedicated to discussing the personal and professional, economic and foreign policy, and local and global impacts of COVID-19.

SUMMIT RE-CAP

SESSION SPOTLIGHTS

WAC Atlanta: Ambassador Stavros Lambrinidis ~ Europe Day 2020

WAC Dallas-Fort Worth: Amb. Burns, Grossman, McEldowney, and Ries ~ Harvard’s American Diplomacy Project

WAC Connecticut: General (ret.) David Petraeus ~ Leadership During Crisis

Peoria Area WAC: Ambassador (ret.) Bill Taylor ~ Lessons Learned in Ukraine

Tennessee WAC: Dr. Marieta Velikova ~ Global Engagement News Review

To view the full CxC Summit recordings, check out WACA’s YouTube page here.

(WACA will be adding more session videos as they receive them from Councils.)

WACA CEO Featured on Turkish Heritage Organization Webinar

WACA President and CEO Bill Clifford was featured on the Turkish Heritage Organization on June 10.

Clifford was joined by Peter Van Praagh, President of the Halifax International Security Forum, and Nursin Atesoglu Guney, President of the Center of Mediterranean Security, for a conversation on “International Security in a New World.”

WACA COVER to COVER: Monthly Author Conference Calls

Next Week! Cover to Cover on Qatar and the Gulf Crisis

Register now

Thursday, July 16, at 2:00-2:30 PM ET

featuring Kristian Coates Ulrichsen on his book Qatar and the Gulf Crisis. Dr. Ulrichsen is a Fellow for the Middle East at Rice University’s Baker Institute for Public Policy and an Associate Fellow of Chatham House’s Middle East and North Africa Program,

In 2017, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, the UAE and Egypt severed diplomatic ties with Qatar, launching an economic blockade by land, air and sea. Well into its second year, the standoff in the Gulf has no realistic end in sight. With the Bahraini and Emirati criminalization of expressing support for Qatar, and the Saudi labelling of detainees as ‘traitors’ for their alleged Qatari links, bitterness has been stoked between deeply interconnected peoples. The adviser to the Saudi crown prince advocating a moat to physically separate Qatar from the Arabian Peninsula illustrates the ongoing intensity of the crisis. Ulrichsen offers an authoritative study of this international standoff, from both sides.

WACA KNOW NOW:

WACA’s KNOW NOW calls feature global thought leaders hosted by WACA, as well as local authorities in government, business, academia, and cultural fields who are identified and moderated by local Councils.

New Programs TO BE Announced Soon…

PODCASTS:

The World Affairs Councils of America produces original podcasts every month from WACA programs Cover To Cover, Know Now and other Feature Council Podcasts that examine critical international topics with leaders, policy experts, and public intellectuals. Listen directly from the WACA website, or on iTunes or PodBean.

WACA NATIONAL CONFERENCE:

WACA 2020 National Conference

The WACA 2020 National Conference will be held November 18-20 at The Mayflower Hotel in Washington, DC. For up-to-date 2020 Conference details/announcements regarding topics, speakers, working agenda, and other important information – Follow the WACA 2020 National Conference website. We look forward to seeing you in 2020!