The World Affairs Council offers programs throughout the year featuring speakers who discuss issues of national and international significance. You can expect to hear from authors, government leaders, journalists, business leaders, professors and other experts.

Coming this Fall!

The World Affairs Council of Philadelphia's 1st annual WorldQuest* International Trivia Competition and Fundraiser Thursday, October 7, 2010 — Evening Think You're Smarter Than A High Schooler? Test your global knowledge and join us for this fun, fast-paced, interactive trivia competition. Council members, students, corporate sponsors, young professionals and friends of all ages are invited to compete in this challenging quiz game for prizes…and most importantly…bragging rights! What is WorldQuest? It's a team game testing your knowledge of world affairs, geography, history, culture, countries, current events and more... Each team has 7 players You may register individually or as part of a team you assemble It's not about what you know...but what your team knows! Who Can Play? This event is open to the public Anyone who is interested in world affairs is welcome to join or recruit a team Teams will be organized by schools, corporations, groups of friends and families Proceeds benefit the Council's education programs serving 2100 students in 80 schools. Sample topics include: Global Current Events U.S. Foreign Policy International Sports Geography Global Business *WorldQuest is a flagship program of the World Affairs Councils of America. Created in 1995 by the World Affairs Council of Charlotte, it became a national competition in 2003. The Council gratefully acknowledges for their support of this event. Location: The Union League of Philadelphia, 140 S. Broad St. (Business attire is required. For your convenience, please enter from Sansom Street.) Schedule: 5 p.m. Registration 5:15 p.m. WorldQuest competition 6:30 p.m. Prizes and cocktail reception 7:30 p.m. Adjournment Event options: Individual contestants and observers: $45 Individual table sponsors: $250 Corporate team sponsors: $500 For team and round sponsorship, please contact Claudia McBride at 215-561-4700, ext. 232, or Joanie Blackwell at ext. 222. Not a member? Learn about membership benefits or join now. [ Back to Top ]

The Midterm Elections A program in partnership with Wednesday, October 13 — Evening It's "high noon" as the Democrats and Republicans ready themselves for an election-day duel this November. From Sacramento to Sarasota, political passions are rising as the balance of power in both houses of Congress is at stake. Will the Democrats energize their base and rally to maintain Congressional control? Are the Republicans taking their return to power for granted? Join senior WHYY political reporter Dave Davies as he moderates a conversation with Democratic strategist Neil Oxman and Republican strategist Craig Snyder at WHYY's new high tech Dorrance H. Hamilton Public Media Commons. This program will be webcast nationally. New membership offer: membership to two great organizations for just $60! Receive all the benefits of a World Affairs Council Delegate membership and a WHYY Annual Contributor membership (a combined $110 value) for just $60! Plus receive free admission to the Midterm Elections program and a private new member reception. Please call the Council at 215-561-4700, ext. 221 or ext. 200 to become a member and reserve your seat at this event. Benefit details World Affairs Council membership benefits (Delegate membership, $60 value) Discounted admission for one (1) to all Council programs One (1) complimentary lecture pass Council newsletters and bi-weekly e-mail event updates Reduced rate subscriptions to The Economist and Foreign Affairs magazines WHYY membership benefits (Annual Contributor membership, $50 value) WHYY Member Experience card, redeemable for discounts at retail and cultural institutions throughout the Delaware Valley In the Loop, WHYY's weekly e-mail with program highlights and event information Invitations to WHYY sponsored events Discounts to WHYY ticketed events Location: The Dorrance H. Hamilton Public Media Commons, Independence Mall West, 150 N. 6th Street Philadelphia, PA 19106 Schedule: 5:45 p.m. New member's registration and reception 6 p.m. General registration 6:15 p.m. Program 7:30 p.m. Adjournment Event Options: New member reception and program: FREE with new membership New members receive a one-year membership to both the Council and WHYY and the complimentary reception for $60. Join and register for the event now! Members program only: $25 Non-member and student ticket availability: TBD Learn more about membership benefits. [ Back to Top ]

National correspondent, The Atlantic Monthly Monsoon: The Indian Ocean and the Future of American Power Robert Kaplan Thursday, October 21, 2010 During the twentieth century, all eyes were focused on Europe and the Atlantic Ocean as the locus of international power. Now the spotlight — and geopolitical center — has shifted to the countries in the Indian Ocean region — India, Pakistan, China, Indonesia and others. Bestselling author Robert Kaplan joins us to discuss the region's growing strategic importance and the impact of this power realignment on U.S. diplomatic, economic and military interests in Asia and the Indian Ocean, especially as it relates to vital interests in energy independence and global stability. This program is part of Series on South Asia. The Council is also pleased to partner with Featured Book: Monsoon: The Indian Ocean and the Future of American Power by Robert Kaplan Location: World Affairs Council of Philadelphia, D'Alessio Conference Room One South Broad Street, Suite 2M, Philadelphia PA Schedule: 5:30 p.m. Registration 6 p.m. Program 7 p.m. Book signing Event Options: Members and non-members Program only: $20 Not a member? Learn about membership benefits or join now. [ Back to Top ]

James Zogby President of the Arab American Institute, senior advisor to the polling firm Zogby International and author of the forthcoming book, Arab Voices: What They Are Saying to Us and Why it Matters Monday, October 25, 2010 — Evening As President Obama seeks to reinvigorate the Middle East peace talks, a realistic understanding of the players and circumstances involved takes on greater significance, if meaningful progress is to be made. James Zogby, co-founder and senior advisor to the polling firm Zogby International and president of the Arab American Institute, has conducted extensive polls across the Arab World over the last 40 years. Results from the latest comprehensive poll provide the basis of his forthcoming book, Arab Voices: What They Are Saying to Us and Why It Matters. Dr. Zogby will join us to offer highlights of the findings and to discuss the ramifications for the Middle East and U.S. policymakers. Featured Book: Arab Voices: What They Are Saying to Us and Why it Matters by James Zogby Location: World Affairs Council of Philadelphia, D'Alessio Conference Room One South Broad Street, Suite 2M, Philadelphia PA Schedule: 5:30 p.m. Wine and cheese reception 6 p.m. Program 7 p.m. Book signing Event Options: Members Program and reception: $25 or lecture pass Non-members Program and reception: $35 Students (full-time students with valid ID — limited availability) Program only: $10 Not a member? Learn about membership benefits or join now. [ Back to Top ]

RESET: Iran, Turkey, and America's Future Stephen Kinzer Turkey bureau chief for The New York Times Monday, November 8, 2010 — Evening What can the United States do to help realize its dream of a peaceful, democratic Middle East? Stephen Kinzer, former correspondent for The Boston Globe and Turkey bureau chief for The New York Times, suggests in his latest book that, along with reshaping relations with its two traditional Middle East allies, Israel and Saudi Arabia, America's logical partners to help stabilize the Middle East in the twenty-first century are Turkey and Iran. How do Turkey's recent actions, including the nuclear fuel-swap agreement with Tehran, the Gaza- bound aid flotilla, and its vote against a UN Security Council resolution imposing further sanctions on Iran, play into this formula? And what is the likelihood that the U.S. can nurture Iran's nascent democratic movement to bring about governmental change necessary for such an alignment? Stephen Kinzer joins us to discuss his alternative approach for the United States to deal with the volatility in the Middle East and help to achieve peace and democracy in the region. For its support of this event, the Council thanks Turkish American Friendship Society of the United States (TAFSUS) Featured Book: RESET: Iran, Turkey, and America’s Future by Stephen Kinzer Location: World Affairs Council of Philadelphia, Conference Room, One South Broad St., Suite 2M Schedule: Information to come. 5:30 p.m. Wine and cheese reception 6 p.m. Program 7 p.m. Book signing Event Options: Members Reception and program: $25 or lecture pass Non-members Reception and program: $35 Students (full-time students with valid ID — limited availability) Program only: $10 Not a member? Learn about membership benefits or join now. [ Back to Top ]

Andrew Ross Sorkin New York Times columnist and author of Too Big to Fail Friday, November 19, 2010 — Luncheon How did the financial crisis really develop and can we save the economy from another crisis? Andrew Ross Sorkin, bestselling author of Too Big to Fail (soon to be made into an HBO film), joins us to give an insider account of how the global economy got into this quagmire and more importantly, where the economy is headed. With a finger on the pulse of markets — and many CEOs on speed dial — Sorkin offers a comprehensive picture of the challenges ahead and the necessary solutions. Featured Book: Too Big to Fail: The Inside Story of How Wall Street and Washington Fought to Save the Financial System – and Themselves by Andrew Ross Sorkin Location: The Union League of Philadelphia, 140 S. Broad St. (Business attire is required. For your convenience, please enter from Sansom Street.) Schedule: Information to come. 11:45 a.m. Registration for luncheon and program guests 12 noon Luncheon 12:30 p.m. Registration for program only guests 12:45 p.m. Program 2 p.m. Book signing Event Options: Members Lunch and program: $85 Program only: $30 Non-members Lunch and program: $95 Program only: $40 Students (full-time students with valid ID — limited availability) Program only: $20 Not a member? Learn about membership benefits or join now. [ Back to Top ]

The Council is delighted to partner with