News – World Affairs Council of Austin

By Betsy Mckinney The bumble bee, a once-abundant species spanning 31 states and multiple Canadian provinces, has been added to the Endangered Species List. Their alarming decline is cause for extreme international concern—wild bees are vital to a functioning global environment, health, and business. Why? These

23Jan

Leveraging the International Student Workforce

Ben Ramirez
Blog, News, Recent

AIESEC is a global not-for-profit organization established in 1948 that is dedicated to empowering young leaders across the world. Operating in more than 126 countries and 2,600+ universities, we bridge Austin companies and the global talent pool of professionals to provide students and graduates with the

17Jan

Embrace new technologies to help transform your business for the digital age

Today, digital transformation is affecting all businesses at a more rapid pace than ever before. Now is the time to embrace new technologies to help transform your business for the digital age, or risk becoming obsolete. Blockbuster Video and Kodak are recent examples of companies which were destroyed by new

18Dec

AquAdvantage: Helpful or Harmful?

Betsy McKinney
Blog, News, Recent
aqua culture, AquAdvantage, Betsey McKinney, business, environment, extinction, fish, frankenfish, genetic engineering, health

For the first time in history, a genetically engineered animal has been approved for human consumption: AquaBounty Technology’s salmon-creation, known as AquAdvantage. Its genetic makeup is comprised of components from three fish: base DNA from an Atlantic salmon; a growth gene from a Pacific Chinook salmon; and a

10Aug

Cultural Competence as a Paradigm for Peace

Ben Ramirez
Blog, ITC, News, Recent

There is a general tendency amongst people of good will to believe that we as human beings are more similar than different and that despite some superficial differences in the form of customs and behaviors, deep down we are all the same – human beings with the same core needs, values and desires. We find […]

22Jul

Linking Texas to Life Sciences Industry Opportunities in the UK

Ben Ramirez
Blog, ITC, News, Recent

Last month, a delegation from Britain, including members of the Association of British Healthcare Industries (ABHI), the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FOC), and UK Trade & Investment (UKTI), visited Austin. The trip was a part of an 18-month program to build a relationship with the Texas healthcare system

28Jun

How to “pre-adapt” your future and power more success

Nature has much to teach us—even about business. Did you know, for example, that when bacteria are grown alongside an antibiotic, they not only become resistant to it but also different antibiotics to which they’ve yet to be exposed? Biologists call this “pre-adaptation,” and in today’s volatile, uncertain,

20Jun

Brits Debate Brexit as Austin Moves Forward

Ask Fred Schmidt what he thinks about Brexit, the June 23 referendum on whether Britain should continue as part of the European Union, and he doesn’t hesitate: “Linking the EU and U.S. economies with TTIP [the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership] is where the future lies, said Schmidt, and entrepreneur

14Jun

‘Tis the Ramadan Season

Ben Ramirez
Blog, News, Recent
culture, Islam, Muslim, Ramadan, religion

Muslims in the greater Austin community began the holy month of Ramadan on Monday, June 6. They joined billions of other Muslims worldwide to observe a month of spirituality and devotion. For the next thirty days, they will fast from dawn to dusk. In addition to abstaining from eating and drinking throughout the

10Jun

3 Cross-Cultural Tips for Doing Business during the Holy Month of Ramadan

Suzanne Krause
Blog, News, Recent
business, culture, employees, employer, international business, Islam, Muslim, Ramadan, religion

For most government organizations and government linked companies, time for Muslim prayer will have a bearing on meeting time. In addition, during the fasting month of Ramadan, they tend to dislike a meeting in the afternoon. ~Executive, Malaysian Airlines Do you think your business calendar and