Maintaining an Active Voice in World Affairs

Promote global identity in the Upstate. Sustain international engagement in our region. Get involved in leading intellectual discussions on critical issues facing the world. At World Affairs Council Upstate, we are participants in shaping a global tomorrow. Join us in fostering a broad perspective of our ever increasing inter-dependent world by sponsoring, donating, or becoming a member of World Affairs Council Upstate.

Dedicated to fostering a deep understanding of global affairs and cultures, and supported by individuals and businesses, Upstate International engages globally-minded South Carolinians directly with each other and with elected officials, civic leaders, and professionals from around the world. Upstate International works with partner organizations to reach all generations and sectors and is always looking to enhance those partnerships and collaborations.

About WACA

“The World Affairs Councils of America is the largest nonprofit grassroots organization in the United States dedicated to educating and engaging Americans on global issues with nearly 100 councils across 40 states reaching more than half a million people a year.” Learn more at www.worldaffairscouncils.org.

World Affairs Council Upstate Events

Every year, the nation-wide network of World Affairs Councils collectively conducts more than 1200 programs in communities and cities across the nation. Each council sets is own calendar and programs. The WACA offers a number of programs every year, including our annual National Conference, national program series, Leadership Missions, and special programs. It also acts as a distribution center for five national flagship programs: Academic WorldQuest, It’s Your World!, Great Decisions, Travel the World, and World in Transition.

Upcoming 2019 WACU events:

America and the World Monthly Lecture Series: September 2019 – April 2020
Topics to be announced soon.

Upcoming Distinguished Speaker Events:

Wednesday, May 15: International Insight: The Speed Round
8:00 – 9:30 a.m. at AVENUE, 110 E Court Street, Suite 600, Greenville, SC 29601
Buckle up and join us for the fastest trip around the world you’ll ever take!
The Upstate SC Alliance Global Competitiveness Council, European American Chamber of Commerce – Carolinas, and World Affairs Council Upstate invite you to get to know international delegates as we host them in the Upstate. Join us for roundtable discussions with Consuls General, Honorary Consuls, bilateral chamber directors, and trade representatives to learn how your company can do more business with our trade partners. A full breakfast (and plenty of coffee!) will be provided to help fuel your trip.
Please RSVP by May 9th. Click here for information and tickets.
Ticket Price: $15 Full Hot Breakfast Included.
Questions? Contact Tiffany Tate at [email protected].

More events being planned for Summer and Fall:
- America and Cuba. After the Obama thaw, is President Trump returning U.S.-Cuban relations to the chilly days of the Cold War? Will Cuba be our friend or foe? The World Affairs Council Upstate (WACU), continues its Distinguished Speaker Series with Ambassador Vicki Huddleston, an expert on U.S. – Cuban relations. Ambassador Vicki Huddleston, retired career Senior Foreign Service officer, spent years navigating the complicated relationship between the U.S. and Cuba as the Deputy Director of Cuban Affairs for the Department of State. Her presentation Overcoming the Ghost of Fidel Castro: A New Approach to Cuba is timely and relevant. Join us for a seated dinner, the Ambassador’s presentation, plenty of time for Q&A, and networking.
- Doing Business with Ireland. World Affairs Council Upstate, in partnership with Upstate SC Alliance, is pleased to present Shane Stephens, Irish Consul General in Atlanta, for a presentation, Q&A, and light breakfast.
- Doing Business with Germany. Meet and discuss doing business in Germany with Dr. Heike Fuller, German Consul General in Atlanta (and/or the Ambassador to Germany) over breakfast at the BMW Zentrum Center.

Join The World Affairs Council Upstate

Join us in educating ourselves on, and promoting a global perspective in, our increasingly inter-dependent world by becoming a member of WACU.

WACU Memberships:

Individual Membership: $100.
Family Membership $125.
Corporate Business Memberships at various levels. Contact Tracie Frese to find the right fit for your organization. Email her at [email protected]

WACU Benefits:

Free admission or discounts on events and programs
Automatic membership in Upstate International
Publication discounts, including: Foreign Affairs (30% off), Foreign Policy (40% off), The Economist (10% off), The New Yorker (80% off), Harper’s Magazine (38% off), Brookings Institution (20% off books) and World Policy Journal (20% off).
Access to World Affairs of Council of America (WACA) Resources: WACA Leadership Network; Discussion Boards, Resource Materials, Authors, Events, and Programming
WACA Weekly Digest with updates from around the WACA National Network, including attendance and virtual participation opportunities in programs and discussions with U.S. and international leaders, as well as access to a virtual library of renowned speakers and special events.

Join Now: Click Here

Engage Opportunities with World Affairs Councils of America

Cover To Cover

Cover to Cover is a monthly program featuring the most influential authors on subjects of national and international importance.

Offered as a benefit to all current WACA Member Councils, Cover to Cover conference calls are opportunities for Council leaders, members, and supporters to engage with esteemed authors on critical issues. Cover to Cover authors often welcome invitations to speak at Councils. In short, the WACA National Office covers a topic with an expert so that Councils may discover a speaker and cover the topic in even greater depth in their own communities, spearheading a national conversation.

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Podcast

WACA Podcasts feature the most influential authors and experts on subjects of national and international importance. Moderated by WACA President and CEO Bill Clifford.

Listen to the Latest Podcast

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Know Now

KNOW NOW Conference Call Series

The World Affairs Councils of America is pleased to present the Know Now conference call series. These calls will 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, using our national conference call platform to bring local and national issues of global dimensions to our network.

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Leadership Mission

Leadership Missions

For more than two decades, the World Affairs Councils of America has been invited to bring small delegations of council leaders to learn about a host country. A leadership mission is an overseas fact-finding visit to a city, country, or international organization by a national leadership delegation of the World Affairs Council movement.

More Information

WACU Steering Committee

Alexander Akulli
Director, Center for International Studies, USC Upstate

Elizabeth Feather
Director of Research, Upstate SC Alliance

Katherine Palmer Kaup
James B. Duke Professor of Asian Studies and Political Science, Furman University

William Lasser
Executive Director, Calhoun Honors College, Clemson University

Rob Rowen, Chair
President, Global Action Coalition

Nathan Stock Middle East Institute

Marcel Summermatter
marcel-summermatter-LinkedIn

Michael H. Watts PS Group