TN WAC Launches 2013 Academic WorldQuest for High School Students

This year marks the 3rd Tennessee Academic WorldQuest competition and the 11th Annual competition among the network of World Affairs Councils of America. The Tennessee State Championship match is set for February 23, 2013 at Belmont University in Nashville. The winning team from Tennessee will travel to Washington for the National Championship match at Georgetown University on April 27, 2013, as well as tours and visits to international affairs organizations in the nation’s capital.

Pre-Foreign Policy Debate Warmup

Our good friends at the US Global Leadership Coalition (USGLC) have put together some materials that will get you primed for debate watching on Monday night. There’s an excellent video of a panel discussion on the importance of U.S. global engagement to our national and economic security and its impact on Florida’s future. The sessions include leading international affairs leaders in business, military and government. We commend it to your viewing.

Something a bit different… Comp Tickets for Hockey Night in Nashville (Short Notice)

Sporting events in Nashville haven’t exactly been the focus of the Tennessee World Affairs Council and hockey in Nashville hasn’t exactly been a regular Saturday night event given the Predators/NHL labor action. But this offer will change both of those conditions. The Council has been registered in the past with the Predators Foundation — which generously supports non-profit groups in Middle Tennessee — and we recently were offered an opportunity through the Preds’ “Give & Go Ticket” Program.

Updates to Membership and Support

The vitality of the Tennessee World Affairs Council depends on: the enthusiasm of the volunteers who carry out the programs and functions of the Council and the people who support the work being undertaken by their membership sign-ups and donations. To make membership applications and donations easy to accomplish we have updated the web site…

Distinguished Speaker Program: The Changing Middle East – Nov 13

Join us for a special presentation of the Council’s Distinguished Visiting Speaker Program on November 13th. — The “Arab Spring” and the challenge it presents to American foreign policy and interests across North Africa and the Near East has raised new and complicated questions jumping out of the headlines. There could be no timelier topic for us to discuss than the tension between America and the Arab and Islamic worlds. We seek to understand these developments and how they impact U.S. interests in these important regions. Join us for an insightful presentation by renowned Professor Richard Bulliett as he explores “Political Authority in a Changing Middle East.” He comes to the Tennessee World Affairs Council through a grant by the Carnegie Corporation in association with the World Affairs Councils of America.

Event: 2012 National Conference – Washington – Nov 7-9

The World Affairs Councils of America is proud to announce our Confirmed Speakers to date for the 2012 National Conference, U.S. National Security Policy: Six Top Issues for the President in 2013 (See list below). The conference commences at a very exciting time in Washington: one day after the election on Wednesday, November 7. Join us November 7-9, 2012 at the historic Mayflower Hotel in Washington, DC for the launch of our network-wide discussion and analysis of the issues the President of the United States will face in 2013.

Opportunity: Be the First-Ever U.S. Youth Observer at the U.N.

Do you have a passion for international affairs? Ready to bring the voice of United States youth to the United Nations? If so, apply today to be the first-ever U.S. Youth Observer at the United Nations! The United Nations Association of the USA, in partnership with the U.S. Department of State, is currently accepting applications from individuals, ages 18-25, interested in serving as the inaugural U.S. Youth Observer this fall.

Event: UN Association Annual Spring Dinner – Apr 17

The Nashville Cordell Hull Chapter of the United Nations Association-USA announced the annual spring meeting and dinner set for April 17 featuring Vanderbilt University Professor of Law Michael Newton speaking on “International Tribunals: From Eichmann to Gadhafi.”

IMPORTANT DATE CHANGE: Turkey Workshop Reset to Apr 14

The Tennessee World Affairs Council announced today that the “Spotlight on Turkey” teachers workshop, phase I of the program, has been rescheduled for April 14, 2012 (vice March 24, 2012). The change was made to permit registration of additional teachers, to reach the program minimum participation level. “Spotlight on Turkey” is a three part program offered by TN WAC and supported by a grant from the Turkish Cultural Foundation (TCF) in cooperation with the World Affairs Councils of America (WACA). It includes the spring teacher’s workshop (Apr 14) at Belmont University, Nashville; a study tour to Turkey (three teachers nominated by TN WAC); and an outreach program in the fall.