World Affairs Council of Austin

Annual Fiesta de El Grito de Independencia Celebration
2024-09-15 18:00 - 21:00 (America/Chicago) | Republic Square Park, 422 Guadalupe Street, Austin, TX, 78701, United States
The World Affairs Council of Austin, in collaboration with the Consulate General of Mexico, the Austin-Saltillo Sister Cities Association, the City of Austin Econonic Development Department, and Downtown Austin Alliance Foundation, and El Mundo host the annual Fiesta de El Grito de Independencia.
This day marks the 214th anniversary of the declaration of independence from Spain by the Mexican priest Miguel Hidalgo y Costilla. The event is free and open to the public.
The highlight of the evening will be when Consul General of Mexico Humberto Hernández Haddad reenacts the cry for independence. Entertainment will feature the Roy Lozano Ballet Folclórico and Mariachi Capital. The event will include an artisan mercado with arts and crafts from México.
This project is supported in part by the City of Austin Economic Development Department.
No RSVPs necessary.

Global Security Forum 2024
2024-09-20 07:30 - 14:00 | ONLINE
The World Affairs Council of Austin in partnership with the World Affairs Council of Connecticut presents the Global Security Forum (GSF), which convenes the nation’s top leadership and experts to discuss security and strategy in the decisive decade to come. Panelists will explore areas in which acting now will be vital to advancing our national and global security interests.
Agenda:
7:30 am CT Welcome and Opening Remarks
2:00 pm CT Forum Concludes
This is an ONLINE EVENT. Purchase VIRTUAL TICKET via this link:

Japan Business Seminar During Oita Festival
2024-09-22 11:00 - 16:00 | Long Center for the Performing Arts, 701 W. Riverside Drive, Austin, TX, 78704, United States
The World Affairs Council of Austin is once again a partner organization for the annual Oita Japan Festival! You won’t want to miss the “Doing Business in Japan” seminar.
Texas exports over $6 billion in goods and services to Japan. Japan is also a top five export market for central Texas companies. Be sure to attend this informative session to learn more from our friends at Q-Branch, JETRO-Houston, and the Greater Austin Asian Chamber of Commerce.
The business-focused session will include an overview of Japan’s industry sectors including a look at the Japanese corporate presence in the U.S., Japanese cultural characteristics, promising sectors for U.S. goods and services, and resources for American companies wishing to establish a corporate entity in Japan.
REGISTER HERE!

WorldNow: Ronald Reagan - His Life & Legend with Max Boot
2024-09-23 18:00 - 19:00 | ONLINE
Historian, author, and CFR foreign policy expert Max Boot reintroduces us to one of America’s most consequential and controversial presidents – and his lasting impact on the U.S. and the world. In conversation with Jim Falk.
“A timely and fascinating book, just what we need to understand, and perhaps transcend, our current age of political paralysis and polarization…Understanding Reagan is key to understanding our politics today.” –Walter Isaacson, author of Elon Musk and Steve Jobs
The details:
When: Monday, September 23 | 7:00PM ET
Where: Zoom Webinar
Tickets: No charge | Register for Zoom link
Register Now

WorldNow with Jim Falk is hosted by the World Affairs Council of Connecticut and Global Santa Fe. Presented in partnership with the Alaska World Affairs Council, Dallas Committee on Foreign Relations, Phoenix Committee on Foreign Relations, SMU Center for Presidential History, World Affairs Council of Albuquerque, World Affairs Council of Austin, World Affairs Council of Colorado Springs, World Affairs Council of Hampton Roads, World Affairs Council of Houston, World Affairs Council of Jacksonville, World Affairs Council of Orange County, World Affairs Council of South Texas, World Affairs Council of Western Massachusetts, WorldOregon, and Perspectives Matter.

About the Book

Reagan: His Life & Legend by Max Boot
Son of the Midwest, movie star, and mesmerizing politician—America’s fortieth President comes to three-dimensional life in this gripping and profoundly revisionist biography.
From best-selling biographer Max Boot comes this revelatory portrait, a decade in the making, of the actor-turned-politician whose telegenic leadership ushered in a transformative conservative era in American politics. Despite his fame as a Hollywood star and television host, Reagan remained a man of profound contradictions, even to those closest to him. Never resorting to either hagiography or hit job, REAGAN charts his epic journey from Depression-era America to “Morning in America.” Providing fresh insight into “trickle-down economics,” the Cold War’s end, the Iran-Contra affair, and so much more, this definitive biography is as compelling a presidential biography as any in recent decades. Purchase Reagan: His Life & Legend here.

About the Author
Max Boot, historian and foreign-policy analyst, is a senior fellow for national security studies at the Council on Foreign Relations and a columnist for the Washington Post. His New York Times bestseller, The Road Not Taken: Edward Lansdale and the American Tragedy in Vietnam, was a finalist for the Pulitzer Prize in Biography.

About the Moderator
Jim Falk is President Emeritus of the World Affairs Council of Dallas/Fort Worth and Global Santa Fe’s Program Chair. Jim co-hosts Perspectives Matter, a McCuistion Program, that airs weekly on KERA-Dallas (PBS). He is a member of the Council on Foreign Relations.

Globalist Coffeehouse: The Middle East – What is the Region's Future and the Role of the U.S.?
2024-09-25 18:30 - 19:30 | 5280 Burger and Taphouse, 7032 Wood Hollow Dr, Austin, TX, 78731, United States
Please join like-minded “global thinkers” for a monthly discussion on the major political/economic issues our world is experiencing. This month’s topic will be the Middle East. We will meet in the private dining room at 5280 Burger and Taphouse, 7032 Wood Hollow Dr.
The Middle East – what is the region’s future and the role of the U.S.?
The Middle East is in a transition period with serious consequences beyond the region. From Israel’s war in Gaza, Lebanon and the role of Iran, Egypt, the Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Turkey, and even the Russians and Chinese, the future of the region is uncertain, especially the goal of a “two-state solution” given the Jewish settlements in the West Bank.
Last month, Dr. Steven Cook spoke to our WAC chapter on the Middle East in a Zoom program with WorldNewsNow. He is the author of the book “The End of Ambition: America’s Past, Present and Future in the Middle East.” He suggests choosing priorities “based on interests that are achievable at an acceptable cost.” Dr. Cook recommends the phase-out of U.S. Military aid over the next decade while agreeing to treaties and agreements “guaranteeing cooperation on security, technology, and intelligence.”
What is your perception of the situation—the issues and, more importantly, your ideas for a solution? Please join us for a lovely discussion.
Dr. Cooks’s presentation is on YouTube; if you have time to watch it—please see the link below.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=INPW7p5m710

For more details contact:
Ellen Murry, Co-chair, of the Globalist Coffeehouse: ellen.murry@yahoo.com
Polina Anastassieva, Co-chair, of the Globalist Coffeehouse: polina@wacaustin.org

13th Annual Texas-European Union Business Summit
2024-10-03 08:30 - 17:00 | San Jacinto Meeting Rooms, 309 E 21st St, Austin, TX, 78712, United States
In its 13th year, the Texas-EU Business Summit is the premier event for Texas businesses, entrepreneurs and economic development professionals seeking to expand their footprint in Europe.
Texas is already the largest exporting state to the European Union. The Summit builds on that foundation, focusing on promoting the international trade capacity of Texas businesses while creating greater awareness regarding the benefits of exporting.
The Texas-EU Business Summit sessions are led by business leaders, trade and investment officials from EU countries, trade policy experts and political officials.

Event hosts include:
The World Affairs Council of Austin,
Center for European Studies at the University of Texas at Austin,
Austin Community College,
The Consulate General of Ireland in Austin, IDA Ireland,
Access to Culture | Sharon Schweitzer J.D.,
Slovak Pro,
Touch4IT,
HR4U,
Talent’em,
and
Pendas International

Discover Global Markets - Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Mexico, and Uruguay
2024-10-08 09:00 - 16:00 | Workforce Solutions North Career Center, 9001 N IH 35, Ste 110, Austin, TX, 78753, United States
Discover Global Markets business development forum is the U.S. Department of Commerce’s annual flagship event series for U.S. exporters! Join the World Affairs Council of Austin and the Texas Camino Real District Export Council members to:

Gain market insights from U.S. commercial diplomats and industry experts based at U.S. Embassies in the Americas.
Paticipate in one-on-one meetings with U.S. government trade experts and other exporters.
Hear from private sector thought leaders about emerging sectors, and regional strategies.
Learn about updates to polices and regulations in the region relevant to your market growth.
Network, network, network!

Compelling reasons to do business in the region:

Close Proximity – The Western Hemisphere region is a natural commercial partner of the United States, tied closely together by geography, history, and culture.
Largest Regional Market for U.S. Exports – The United States trades more with the Americas than any other region of the world. In 2023, over $867 billion of U.S. merchandise exports went to the Western Hemisphere and trade with the region supports more than 3.2 million U.S. jobs (2021). Forty three percent of all U.S. merchandise exports flow to the Western Hemisphere.
Free Trade Agreements – Twelve of our twenty free trade agreement partners are in the Western Hemisphere. In addition to tariff reduction, free trade agreements also liberalize the services sectors and strengthen protections for U.S. investments, patents, trademarks, and trade secrets.
Affinity for U.S. Goods and Services – Countries in the region generally demonstrate a preference for U.S. goods and services so long as they are cost-competitive.
Nearshoring Trends Open New Opportunities – Recent nearshoring trends to the region are driving new opportunities for U.S. firms to sell into regional supply chains in key best prosect sectors including: aerospace & defense, energy, mining equipment, environmental/clean technologies, design & construction, information & communication technologies, healthcare and safety & security.

Registration Fee: $75
* This event is intended for exporters of U.S. goods and services. Priority for one-on-one meetings will be given to U.S. companies who are export-ready and follow the 51% U.S. content policy.

WorldNow: America's Cold Warrior Paul Nitze and National Security
2024-10-23 18:00 - 19:00 | ONLINE
Author James Graham Wilson joins us for another episode of WorldNow with Jim Falk on Paul Nitze, America’s most influential national security strategist throughout the Cold War.
“This book is not a stale history of an insignificant person. It is a well written, fascinating story centered around a very influential man. It just happens that the man’s name is unknown to most, even if his acts are not…America’s Cold Warrior is a book for the casual reader and policy wonk alike. If you enjoy history, war, or great biographies, this book is for you.” – Global Security Review
Purchase America’s Cold Warrior here | Buy on Barnes & Noble | Sundance Bookstore | Amazon
The details:
When: Wednesday, October 23 | 7:00PM ET
Where: Zoom Webinar
Tickets: No charge | Register for Zoom link

About the Book
America’s Cold Warrior: Paul Nitze and National Security from Roosevelt to Reagan by James Graham Wilson
In America’s Cold Warrior, James Graham Wilson traces Paul Nitze’s career path in national security after World War II, a time when many of his mentors and peers returned to civilian life. Serving in eight presidential administrations, Nitze commanded White House attention even when he was out of government, especially with his withering criticism of Jimmy Carter during Carter’s presidency. While Nitze is perhaps best known for leading the formulation of NSC-68, which Harry Truman signed in 1950, Wilson contends that Nitze’s most significant contribution to American peace and security came in the painstaking work done in the 1980s to negotiate successful treaties with the Soviets to reduce nuclear weapons while simultaneously deflecting skeptics surrounding Ronald Reagan. America’s Cold Warrior connects Nitze’s career and concerns about strategic vulnerability to the post-9/11 era and the challenges of the 2020s, where the United States finds itself locked in geopolitical competition with the People’s Republic of China and Russia.
Purchase America’s Cold Warrior here | Buy on Barnes & Noble | Sundance Bookstore | Amazon

About the Author
James Graham Wilson is a Historian at the US Department of State, where he is currently responsible for editing volumes in the Foreign Relations of the United States series on arms control and national security during the Reagan Administration. In addition to America’s Cold Warrior, he is also the author of The Triumph of Improvisation: Gorbachev’s Adaptability, Reagan’s Engagement, and the End of the Cold War.
About the Moderator
Jim Falk is President Emeritus of the World Affairs Council of Dallas/Fort Worth. Now residing in Santa Fe, New Mexico he is member of the Board of Global Santa Fe where he chairs the program committee. Jim co-hosts Perspectives Matter, a McCuistion Program, that airs weekly on KERA-Dallas (PBS). He is a member of the Council on Foreign Relations.

Austin A-List Awards 2024
2024-10-23 18:00 - 21:00 | Long Center for the Performing Arts, 701 W. Riverside Drive, Austin, TX, 78704, United States
The World Affairs Council of Austin and our partners at Opportunity Austin and SXSW are putting on the #ATXalist! The Austin A-LIST Awards introduces visionary founders and exciting new companies that create the most important audiences in Texas and beyond. There is an International Startup of the Year Award as well as several other impressive categories.
Nominations are now open through August 26th.

AI (Artificial Intelligence) Standout Innovation Award

Nominate

Recognizes AI innovation accomplishments through potential breakthrough technology, processes, or services.

International Startup of the Year Award

Nominate

Recognizes an international startup company for their innovation and market positioning. The company must have relocated to the Austin region after January 1, 2018.

C-Suite Leader of Year Award

Nominate

Recognizes leadership that empowers teams to be thought partners, cultivates an ecosystem skillset, and supports a broader group of stakeholders.

Venture Capital Firm of the Year Award

Nominate

Recognizes leadership that empowers teams to be thought partners, cultivates an ecosystem skillset, and supports a broader group of stakeholders.

Emerging Startup of the Year Award

Nominate

Recognizes leadership that empowers teams to be thought partners, cultivates an ecosystem skillset, and supports a broader group of stakeholders.

Growth Catalyst Awards

Nominate

Recognizes companies focused on growth, acceleration, and impact in five categories: Bootstrapped, Seed, Series A, Series B, Series C+.

Bootstrapped (Self-funded business)
Seed ($1 million – $4 million)
Series A ($4 million – $15 million)
Series B ($15 million – $40 million)
Series C+ ($40 million – $100+ million)

People’s Choice Award

This category will be judged by public voting. Voting should not include employees of a nominated company and you can only vote once. Which company are you willing to invest in for a financial return?
Voting for this award will open after the nomination deadline on September 5th.

Globalist Coffeehouse: Aerospace and the Future of NASA
2024-10-30 18:30 - 19:30 | 5280 Burger and Taphouse, 7032 Wood Hollow Dr, Austin, TX, 78731, United States
The recent rescue mission that Musk’s SpaceX assisted with to bring the two stranded astronauts at the International Space Station back to Earth has led to a variety of questions about the future of Aerospace and NASA.With the increased privatization of the Aerospace industry, what role will NASA continue to play? Companies such as Firefly, Icon, and Umbra are all great examples of this trend. The question of funding in the private sector has shifted not just towards private capital but towards venture capitalists. Meanwhile, the government sector is much more limited, with fewer options such as grants or specialized programs.
One of the world’s most significant space events, Space Business Week, is held annually in Paris, France. Taking this into consideration, what is the best market or what market strategy should be implemented for the continuation of the growth of the aerospace industry? What about global competition in Aerospace with countries like China, Japan, and even Russia? With a massive expansion of the aerospace industry, what lies ahead for funding and exploration?

Please join us for a lovely discussion.
REGISTER HERE
For more details contact:
Ellen Murry, Co-chair, of the Globalist Coffeehouse: ellen.murry@yahoo.com
Polina Anastassieva, Co-chair, of the Globalist Coffeehouse: polina@wacaustin.org

An Evening with the Honorable Cónsul General Humberto Hernández Haddad
2024-11-06 17:30 - 19:00 | Neill-Cochran House Museum, 2310 San Gabriel Street, Austin, TX, 78705, United States
Join your fellow members of the World Affairs Council of Austin for this special conversation with the Honorable Humberto Hernández Haddad, Consul General of Mexico in Austin.

About the Honorable Cónsul General Humberto Hernández Haddad:
Law degree from the National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM). Master in International Public Policies. National Prize “President Juarez” in 1972 for his constitutional thesis “Constitutional Analysis of the Reform Laws promulgated by President Juarez. His influence on Mexican political thought. ”
Fellow 1977-1978 from the Center for International Affairs of Harvard University, Cambridge, Massachusetts. Master’s Degree in International Public Policies from the School of advanced International Studies (SAIS) Johns Hopkins University, Washington, D.C, 1980-1981.
Federal Congressman for Tabasco, Mexico, from 1973 to 1976 and from 1979 to 1982. Chairman of the Science and Technology Commission of the Chamber of Deputies from 1979 to 1982.
Federal Senator for Tabasco, Mexico, from 1982 to 1988. Chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Commission 1982-1988.
Consul General of Mexico in San Antonio, Texas, from April 1989 to June 1995.
President of the Accredited Consular Association in South-Central Texas, USA, 1991-1995.
National Journalism Prize 2002 awarded at the Mexican Press Club.
The Government of the United States of America granted him the condecoration Commander´s Award for Public Service, for his performance as Consul General of Mexico in the United States of America.
He received the “Orden de Mayo” condecoration, as Grand Officer, from the Government of the Republic of Argentina.
In 2012 he received the Silver Juchimán Award in Human Rights and for Peace.
Published books: “Colosio and Ruiz Massieu, 20 years later” (September 2014); “The Missing Link” (Penguin Random House, Grijalbo, 2017).
He was president of the Mexican Academy of Social Security Law in 2017-2018.
From December 1st. of 2018, to May 31st. of 2024, he was Undersecretary of Tourism of the Government of Mexico.
From August 28th of 2019 to 27th August 2021, he was General Coordinator of the Council for Tourism Diplomacy.
Law Professor at the Faculty of Law at UNAM (Number 754153).

9th Annual Passport to the World
2024-11-16 11:30 - 15:00 | Austin Central Library, 710 West Cesar Chavez Street, Austin, TX, 78701, United States
Join members of the World Affairs Council of Austin and Austin Sister Cities International ASCI on Saturday, November 16 from 11:30am – 3pm at Austin Central Library, Austin Public Library (710 W Cesar Chavez) for the Annual Passport to the World International Family-Friendly Festival.
Enjoy an afternoon of FREE programming exploring Austin’s rich international community through live performances, interactive games and crafts, and much more! Learn about all of Austin’s incredible Sister Cities with fun, hands on booths and activities by our sister cities.
REGISTER HERE
Austin Sister Cities
-ADELAIDE (AUSTRALIA)
-ANGERS (FRANCE)
-ANTALYA (TURKEY)
-GWANGMYEONG (SOUTH KOREA)
-KOBLENZ (GERMANY)
-LONDON BOROUGH OF HACKNEY (UK)
-LIMA (PERU)
-MASERU (LESOTHO)
-OITA (JAPAN)
-PUNE (INDIA)
-SALTILLO (MEXICO)
-TAICHUNG (TAIWAN)
-XISHUANGBANNA (CHINA)

Globalist Coffeehouse: The U.S. and Mexico Relationship - What’s Next?
2024-11-20 18:30 - 20:00 | 5280 Burger and Taphouse, 7032 Wood Hollow Dr, Austin, TX, 78731, United States
Mexico is our largest trading partner—almost $800 billion last year. Our border includes four states and is nearly 2,000 miles long. Both of our countries are trying to address numerous concerns. Mexico has its first female president and issues like the criminal drug cartels and immigration on its southern border. Finally, a new administration will take office in January. Rhetoric aside, how will our policies impact this relationship in the coming years?
Please join us for a very lively discussion on a rather serious topic.

For more details contact:
Ellen Murry, Co-chair, of the Globalist Coffeehouse: ellen.murry@yahoo.com
Polina Anastassieva, Co-chair, of the Globalist Coffeehouse: polina@wacaustin.org

Member Holiday Party
2024-12-03 18:00 - 21:00
Save the date for the Member Holiday Party!

More details coming soon.

The World Ahead 2025 with Tom Standage
2024-12-12 11:00 - 12:00 | ONLINE
Each year, The Economist publishes The World Ahead series: an informed prediction of the major themes that will dominate the coming year. Spanning topics from politics to technology to sociology and more, this series edited by Tom Standage is as ambitious as it is awe-inspiring. On December 12, Standage rejoins the the World Affairs Councils to discuss his publication’s analysis for 2025 in this ONLINE conversation with Jim Falk, the host of WorldNow.
REGISTER HERE

Most Honorable Son with Gregg Jones: A Forgotten Hero’s Fight Against Fascism
2025-01-09 18:00 - 19:00 | ONLINE
Join your fellow World Affairs Council of Austin members for the first WorldNow virtual conversation of 2025. Author Gregg Jones introduces us to Ben Kuroki, who enlisted following Pearl Harbor and eventually became the first Asian American and only Japanese American to fight in the Pacific theater during WWII. Ben’s vocal championing of anti-bigotry, patriotism, and honor spurred the Roosevelt Administration to reconsider the incarceration of more than 100,000 Japanese Americans on the West Coast.
REGISTER HERE
WorldNow with Jim Falk is hosted by the World Affairs Council of Connecticut and Global Santa Fe. Presented in partnership with the Asia Society – Texas, Alaska World Affairs Council, Colorado Springs World Affairs Council, Dallas Committee on Foreign Relations, Phoenix Committee on Foreign Relations, World Affairs Council of Albuquerque, World Affairs Council of Austin, World Affairs Council of Charlotte, World Affairs Council of Dallas/Fort Worth, World Affairs Council of Hampton Roads, World Affairs Council of Houston, World Affairs Council of Jacksonville, World Affairs Council of Orange County, World Affairs Council of Western Massachusetts, WorldOregon, and Perspectives Matter.

About the Author
A long-time foreign correspondent and investigative journalist, Pulitzer Prize finalist Gregg Jones has covered civil wars and insurgencies in Asia and Latin America, the fall of Asia’s two longest-ruling twentieth-century dictators, and the early months of the U.S. war in Afghanistan.
He is the author of the acclaimed nonfiction books Honor in the Dust: Theodore Roosevelt, War in the Philippines, and the Rise and Fall of America’s Imperial Dream, and Last Stand at Khe Sanh: The U.S. Marines’ Finest Hour in Vietnam, which received the Marine Corps Heritage Foundation’s General Wallace M. Greene Jr. Award for distinguished nonfiction.
About the Host
Jim Falk is President Emeritus of the World Affairs Council of Dallas/Fort Worth. Now residing in Santa Fe, NM, he is Vice Chairman of the Board of Global Santa Fe. In addition to hosting WorldNow with Jim Falk, Jim produces and hosts The Forum, a weekly talk show on KSFR-FM, Santa Fe Public Radio. Jim also hosts Perspectives Matter, which airs weekly on KERA-Dallas (PBS). He is a member of the Council on Foreign Relations.

About the Book
Most Honorable Son: A Forgotten Hero’s Fight Against Fascism and Hate During World War II by Gregg Jones
The first comprehensive biography of unjustly forgotten war hero Ben Kuroki, a Japanese American farm boy from Nebraska who flew fifty-eight combat missions, fighting the Axis Powers during World War II and battled racism, injustice, and prejudice on the home front.
Ben Kuroki was a twenty-four-year-old Japanese American farm boy whose heritage was never a problem in remote Nebraska–until Pearl Harbor. Among the millions of Americans who flocked to military stations to enlist, Ben wanted to avenge the attack, reclaim his family honor, and prove his patriotism. But as anti-Japanese sentiment soared, Ben had to fight to be allowed to fight for America. And fight he did.
As a gunner on Army Air Forces bombers, Ben flew fifty-eight missions spanning three combat theaters: Europe, North Africa, and the Pacific. In between his tours in Europe and the Pacific, he challenged FDR’s shameful incarceration of more than one hundred thousand people of Japanese ancestry in America, and he would be credited by some with setting in motion the debate that reversed a grave national dishonor. In the euphoric wake of America’s victory, the decorated war hero used his national platform to carry out what he called his “fifty-ninth mission,” urging his fellow Americans to do more to eliminate bigotry and racism at home.
Told in full for the first time, and long overdue, Ben’s extraordinary story is a quintessentially American one of patriotism, principle, perseverance, and courage. It’s about being in the vanguard of history, the bonding of a band of brothers united in a just cause, a timeless and unflinching account of racial bigotry, and one man’s transcendent sense of belonging–in war, in peace, abroad, and at home.
Get a copy of Most Honorable Son on Bookshop.org and support local bookstores.

Africa: Issues and Opportunities
2025-01-16 17:30 - 19:00 | Neill-Cochran House Museum, 2310 San Gabriel Street, Austin, TX, 78705, United States
The continent of Africa comprises 54 vibrant, geographically and culturally diverse countries with over 2,000 languages and 1.5 billion people. By 2050, one in every four humans will be African. What will its global role as a region and even individual countries be in the 21st century? How will climate change issues with the resulting drought and famine, warfare, and exploitation of geographical resources play out in the following decades? While the Western media tends to focus on the region’s negative aspects, opportunities are associated with a thriving economy in certain countries and territories. It is a continent of remarkable contrast and one we should know.
Larry Andre is a retired Ambassador with a 38-year career in global public affairs. He was our ambassador to Somalia, Djibouti, Mauritania, and numerous other State Department postings throughout Africa. Former Ambassador Andre lectures on Contemporary African Policy Issues at the LBJ School of Public Affairs, University of Texas.
REGISTER HERE

Priorities for the New Administration with H.R. McMaster
2025-01-23 18:00 - 19:00 | ONLINE
Join your fellow World Affairs Council of Austin members for this special WorldNow virtual conversation. Lt. Gen. (ret.) H.R. McMaster served for 13 months as President Trump’s National Security Advisor. Just two days after the inaugural, he joins us to break down the critical national security and foreign policy priorities that will shape the next four years.
McMaster is also the author of War with Ourselves: My Tour of Duty in the Trump White House.
REGISTER HERE
About the Speaker
Lt. General H. R. McMaster (US Army, Ret.) is the Fouad and Michelle Ajami Senior Fellow at the Hoover Institution. General McMaster was the 26th National Security Advisor to President Donald J. Trump from February 2017 to April 2018. Upon graduation from the U.S. Military Academy, he served as a commissioned officer for 34 years in the Army before retiring in June 2018.
McMaster earned a Ph.D. in history from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. He is the author of several books including At War with Ourselves: My Tour of Duty in the Trump White House; Battlegrounds: The Fight to Defend the Free World and Dereliction of Duty: Lyndon Johnson, Robert McNamara, the Joint Chiefs of Staff, and the Lies that Led to Vietnam.
Additionally, General McMaster hosts Battlegrounds: Vital Perspectives on Today’s Challenges, a podcast produced by the Hoover Institution. He is a Distinguished University Fellow at Arizona State University.
About the Host
Jim Falk is President Emeritus of the World Affairs Council of Dallas/Fort Worth. Now residing in Santa Fe, NM, he is Vice Chairman of the Board of Global Santa Fe. In addition to hosting WorldNow with Jim Falk, Jim produces and hosts The Forum, a weekly talk show on KSFR-FM, Santa Fe Public Radio. Jim also hosts Perspectives Matter, which airs weekly on KERA-Dallas (PBS). He is a member of the Council on Foreign Relations.

Globalist Coffeehouse: Africa
2025-01-29 18:30 - 19:30 | 5280 Burger and Taphouse, 7032 Wood Hollow Dr, Austin, TX, 78731, United States
The topic is Africa: Issues and Opportunities.
The continent of Africa comprises 54 vibrant, geographically and culturally diverse countries with over 2,000 languages and 1.5 billion people. By 2050, one of every four humans will be African. What will its global role as a region and even individual countries be in the 21st century? How will climate change issues with the resulting drought and famine, warfare, and exploitation of geographical resources play out in the following decades? While the Western media tends to focus on the negative aspects of the region, there are also the opportunities associated with a thriving economy in certain countries and even regions. It is a continent of remarkable contrast and one we should know.
Please register using the link below and join us for a lively discussion on a serious topic.

2025 Central Texas Academic WorldQuest™ Competition
2025-02-15 10:00 - 13:00
REGISTION HAS ENDED for your high school team on February 5th at 5:00 pm if your team is ready to compete in the Central Texas Academic WorldQuest™ (AWQ) competition.
Each year, Academic WorldQuest™ seeks to inform and engage high school teens and their teachers across the country in global affairs. More than 4,000 students participate and test their knowledge of international affairs, global current events, and foreign policy. The winning high school teams at each local competition becomes eligible to participate at the Carlos and Malú Alvarez National Academic WorldQuest™ Competition in Washington DC (April 27-29, 2025). Our competition consists of 10 rounds of 10 questions about specific global themes. Each team is comprised of currently enrolled students from the same high school. All high schools located in our five-county metro region (Bastrop, Caldwell, Hays, Travis and Williamson) are eligble to send a team to compete.
The partner organizations for the competition are the World Affairs Council of Austin, Austin Community College, the Center for European Studies, and Hemispheres: The International Outreach Consortium at the University of Texas at Austin.
What is it?
Academic WorldQuest™ is a flagship youth education program of the national network of World Affairs Councils. It is a team competition that engages more than 4,000 high school students annually across the United States to test their knowledge of global issues and foreign policy. In the competition, four-person teams compete by answering multiple-choice questions divided into ten unique and engaging thematic categories. AWQ is a terrific opportunity to engage students in global affairs in a competition against fellow high school students in the Austin metropolitan area. We have had great success and participation in this competition in past years and want to make it even bigger!
Join the competition!
Date: Saturday, February 15, 2025 at Austin Community College’s Highland Campus from 10:00 am – 1:00 pm

Registration Information
Teams consist of four high-school students and at least one alternate team member. High Schools may register teams of 4 students in grades 9 – 12, however; the contest is especially relevant to students in World Geography, AP Human Geography, and Economics. REGISTER YOUR TEAM BEFORE 5:00 pm on February 5, 2025.
How do we prepare?
Academic WorldQuest™ competition student study guide is available here.
2024-2025 AWQ Topics
• The United States and Foreign Languages
• Critical Minerals in Africa
• Nontraditional Approaches to Foreign Policy
• Space and National Security
• Indigenous Peacebuilding
• Music and Globalization
• Borders and Boundaries
• Great Decisions
• Country in Focus: Mexico 2025
• Current Events

Globalist Coffeehouse: Economic Migration Around the World
2025-02-19 18:30 - 19:30 | 5280 Burger and Taphouse, 7032 Wood Hollow Dr, Austin, TX, 78731, United States
Please join us for the Globalist Coffeehouse at the 5280 Burger and Taphouse, 7032 Wood Hollow Dr, on WEDNESDAY, February 19th, at 6:30 p.m.

Economic Migration Around the World

Throughout history, migration has played a key role in the establishment of borders, territories, and countries. Think of nomads traveling across vast types of lands and vegetation in order to continue moving onward, despite not having an established settlement. Yet, their influence plays a key in how future settlements came about.

Fast forward to the present day, the level of international reliance on one another- in economic terms- has become a major factor in how we conduct business; it is difficult to imagine otherwise.

When it comes to specific policies, each country has its own understanding in regards to refugees, immigration, and ultimately a path towards citizenship. Although the process might be varied, all countries agree that they want a positive contribution within their borders. However, what happens when there are anomalies? What regulations should be set in place in order to adhere to the laws? What implications might climate change, catastrophe, or war play in how a country dictates its immigration policy?

Please join us for a lively discussion.

For non-members: Please register first to receive your invitation as a guest.

Brexit 5 Years Later - Where are We Now, and What are the Future Implications?
2025-02-27 17:30 - 19:00 | Neill-Cochran House Museum, 2310 San Gabriel Street, Austin, TX, 78705, United States
In 2020, the UK left the EU. What were the expectations, and where are we now? It’s said that Brexit will cost the UK economy 4% of GDP over the long term. Today, polls show that most individuals in the UK regret the decision. And what about its impact on the EU? Who has benefited from this action? Many would say Ireland and even the EU as corporations moved from London to Dublin, Paris, or other European cities and even countries to remain in the EU. There is talk of a “reset” with a focus from the EU perspective on long-term fishing rights and freedom of movement. Finally, and perhaps most significantly, what are the implications for both organizations, the UK and the EU, with new US administrations’ tariff policies on imports and potentially disengaging from NATO?

Dr. Michael W. Mosser is the Director of the University of Texas at Austin Center for European Studies (CES). He is also an Associate Professor of Instruction with a joint appointment in the Department of Government and the International Relations and Global Studies (IRG) program. He is a Distinguished Scholar at the Robert S. Strauss Center for International Security and Law and was the Executive Director of the Global Disinformation Lab (GDIL) from 2022 to 2024.

Dr. William Nichols is the Chair of the Department of Environmental Science and Policy, Global Studies, and Political Science at St. Edwards University. He has taught various courses over the years, focusing in particular on International Relations, European Politics, American Foreign Relations, and Strategic Intelligence. Dr. Nichols is active in global initiatives on the St. Edwards campus and abroad. He has led 12 European and Asian study programs.

For non-members: Please register first to receive your invitation as a guest.

Commander Jonathan Norris, Naval Aviator and Foreign Area Officer
2025-03-04 17:30 - 19:00 | Neill-Cochran House Museum, 2310 San Gabriel Street, Austin, TX, 78705, United States
Join us for an engaging talk with Commander Jonathan Norris, a distinguished Naval Aviator and Foreign Area Officer. With over 19 years of service, CDR Norris brings a wealth of experience from his diverse roles in aviation, leadership, and international relations. From piloting helicopters in the Middle East to serving as a military advisor in Washington DC and managing defense cooperation in Azerbaijan and Egypt, his career spans crucial aspects of modern military operations and diplomacy. Currently a Federal Executive Fellow at UT Austin’s Clements Center for National Security, CDR Norris offers unique insights into leadership, national security, and defense strategy. Don’t miss this opportunity to hear from a decorated officer whose career embodies the multifaceted nature of today’s naval service.

For non-members: Please register first to receive your invitation as a guest.

Polish Tech Innovation Networking Night
2025-03-07 18:00 - 21:30 | Thompson Hotel, 506 San Jacinto Boulevard, Austin, TX, 78701, United States
Join the World Affairs Council of Austin’s partner organizations for an exciting evening of innovation, culture, and networking at the Polish Tech Innovation Networking Night during SXSW on March 9th! This exclusive event will showcase Poland’s brightest tech companies, offering a unique opportunity to meet the minds behind the cutting-edge innovations shaping the future of tech.
MORE DETAILS AND REGISTRATION HERE

Slovak House at SXSW
2025-03-09 10:30 - 20:00
REGISTRATION CLOSED EVENT AT CAPACITY

Bridging Slovakia & Texas for Unstoppable Business Growth
​Texas is where businesses grow fast, and Slovakia is where world-class ideas and innovations come from. Join us at Slovak House 2025, a high-energy, one-day event designed for entrepreneurs, investors, and professionals eager to expand in Texas – the land of limitless opportunities!
​Join World Affairs Council of Austin’s President, Mortada Mohamed at this all day networking event about real opportunities. You’ll hear from Slovak companies breaking into the U.S. market, meet people who know how to succeed in Texas, and get straight talk from those who’ve done it.
​If you want to learn how to expand, invest, or partner in one of the most business-friendly states in the U.S., this is the room you need to be in.
​REGISTRATION CLOSED EVENT AT CAPACITY
​PROGRAM – SLOVAK HOUSE
​📌 10:30 AM – Welcome to Slovak House
Radovan Javorcik – Ambassador of Slovakia to the United States
Andrea Hrusovska – Chief People Officer at Slovak PRO
📌 10:50 AM – Business Friendly Slovakia
Vladimir Lackovic – Special Representative to the U.S. for Trade and Investment, SARIO – Slovak Investment and Trade Development Agency
Nikola Kmecova – FDI Consultant, SARIO – Slovak Investment and Trade Development Agency
​📌 11:20 AM – TEDx Talk: Slovak Success in the U.S.
Vlado Hruda – Product Manager, Miro
​📌 11:40 AM – Quick Pitch Session
15 Slovak companies, 60 seconds each
​📌 12:00 PM – PANEL 1: Practical Foundations for Success in Texas
Panel of lawyers: Dave Quinn, John Sigety & Martin Valko
Moderator: Erin McKelvey – President, EACC of Texas
📌 13:00 PM – Networking Lunch
​📌 2:00 PM – PANEL 2: The Austin Ecosystem – Your Growth Partner
Marcos Cervantes – CEO of Q-Branch
Mortada Mohamed – President, World Affairs Council of Austin
Scott Smith – Director of Economic Development, City of Cedar Park
David Steele – Director, Plug and Play Sportstech
​📌 3:00 PM – KEYNOTE ADDRESS: Texas – The Land of Opportunity
Texas Secretary of State Jane Nelson
​📌 3:20 PM – Coffee & Networking
​📌 3:40 PM – Quick Pitch Session (Round 2)
15 Slovak companies, 60 seconds each
​📌 4:00 PM – Achieving Success in America
Grant Mitterlehner – CEO of MittGroup
​📌 4:30 PM – TEDx Talk: Slovak AI Innovation Changing America
Niko Dubovsky – Co-founder of SuperCity AI
​📌 4:40 PM – Closing Remarks
​📌 5:00 – 8:00 PM – Networking with Slovak food and drinks
Organizers & Partners:
​SARIO – Slovak Investment and Trade Development Agency | Slovak PRO | Embassy of Slovakia in Washington D.C. | Consulate of Slovakia in Texas | European Union | Programme Slovakia | HR4U
​

CZECH Night at SXSW
2025-03-10 16:30 - 23:00
Join the World Affairs Council of Austin’s partners and experience the best of Czech innovation, entrepreneurship, and culture at the inaugural Czech House @ SXSW 2025!
​Kick off the evening with a flagship Pitch Event, where visionary Czech startups take the stage to showcase groundbreaking ideas. Then, connect with industry leaders, investors, and creatives at a networking reception, featuring a welcome speech by the Czech Minister of Industry and Trade, Lukáš Vlček. As the night unfolds, immerse yourself in exclusive live performances, bringing the energy of the Czech music scene to Austin.
SEE DETAILS AND REGISTER FOR CZECH NIGHT HERE
SEE CZECH SCHEDULE OF SXSW EVENTS HERE

Asia x Austin International Market Summit
2025-03-11 12:00 - 21:00 | Austin Central Library, 710 West Cesar Chavez Street, Austin, TX, 78701, United States
The Asia x Austin International Market Summit returns for 2025!
In “Asian Market Briefings” we’ll hear from international trade experts and country representatives about business and investment opportunities in some of Asia’s most dynamic and robust markets. Hong Kong, Japan, Malaysia and India.
Event Launch Agenda:
12:00 | Registration
12:30 | GAACC Welcome & Summit Sponsors
12:45 | Regional Economic Ecosystem
12:50 | Why Austin
1:00 | Central Texas Cities
1:30 | Asian Markets Briefings
2:30 | Closing Remarks

DETAILS for Full Day AND RSVP HERE

WorldNow: The Future of Borders with Edward Alden
2025-03-19 18:00 - 19:00 | ONLINE
Join your fellow World Affairs Council of Austin members for this WorldNow virtual conversation. In its first few weeks, the Trump administration announced sweeping changes to immigration policy – from mass deportations and a migrant detention center at Guantanamo Bay to suspending asylum and trying to restrict birthright citizenship. What is the cost of these policies – to citizens and noncitizens alike?
CFR’s Edward Alden joins us on WorldNow with Jim Falk to explain the economic, social, and international impact of the new administration’s border policies and mass deportations.

Meet the Author
Edward Alden is Bernard L. Schwartz Senior Fellow at the Council on Foreign Relations. Alden’s career spans more than three decades in journalism, think tanks, and academia. He was the bureau chief for the Financial Times newspaper in Toronto, Canada, and Washington, DC before joining the Council on Foreign Relations in 2007.
In addition to his own books and articles, he has worked with senior US policymakers on in-depth investigations of issues such as US immigration policy, US trade policy, border security, and the future of work. Since 2019 he has also been a visiting professor at Western Washington University, and he currently writes a column for Foreign Policy.
Meet the Host
Jim Falk is President Emeritus of the World Affairs Council of Dallas/Fort Worth. Now residing in Santa Fe, NM, he is Vice Chairman of the Board of Global Santa Fe. In addition to hosting WorldNow with Jim Falk, Jim produces and hosts The Forum, a weekly talk show on KSFR-FM, Santa Fe Public Radio. Jim also hosts Perspectives Matter, which airs weekly on KERA-Dallas (PBS). He is a member of the Council on Foreign Relations.

When the World Closed Its Doors: The Covid-19 Tragedy and the Future of Borders by Edward Alden and Laurie Trautman
A detailed exploration of the most sweeping government border closures in human history during the Covid-19 pandemic and the implications for the future of global mobility.
In When the World Closed Its Doors, Edward Alden and Laurie Trautman tell the story of how nearly every country in the world shut its borders to respond to an external threat and explain how this global shock to the system ended up transforming state border policies around the world.
They detail the consequences of the COVID border restrictions – couples separated for years, children blocked from reuniting with their parents, container ship workers moving essential goods trapped at sea, pregnant citizens barred from returning home – and explain why governments used their harshest containment measures on those coming from outside.
Throughout, Alden and Trautman focus on human stories to show the multiple impacts that states’ increasing restrictiveness has had – economic, demographic, social, and political. And the fallout continues: governments left unchecked will continue to restrict borders with little regard to the collateral damage and disruption they cause.
A sweeping overview of the re-bordering of the world, both during and after 2020, this synthetic, wide-angle view of a singular shock to the international systems of travel and migration highlights why citizens need better protections and governments more robust guardrails.
Get a copy of When the World Closed Its Doors

Globalist Coffeehouse: The "World Order" and US National Security in Transition
2025-03-26 18:30 - 19:30 | 5280 Burger and Taphouse, 7032 Wood Hollow Dr, Austin, TX, 78731, United States
The “World Order” that has defined American “National Security” since the years after WWII is now in transition. What does this mean for the US and the rest of the world? US National Security was previously defined as containing the spread of Communism, encouraging democracy, creating a transnational economic system based on the dollar, and promoting economic growth and stability for countries and our multinational corporations.
How will “National Security” be determined in the future? What policies will result from this transition as it relates to US allies and adversaries? Some would use the term “pivot.” Others view it more ominously as the end of the post-World War II era and a new one that appears more transactional, centered in national self-interest at the expense of alliances, and less interested in shared responsibilities and democratic values.
REGISTER HERE

Foreign Policy ONLINE Town Hall with Senator Chris Murphy
2025-03-31 11:00 - 12:00 | ONLINE
Join fellow World Affairs Councilmembers from across the nation for a town hall on U.S. Foreign Policy. We’ll address the massive changes to the State Department, the role of the U.S. in conflicts around the world, and relationships with allies and adversaries alike.
REGISTER HERE
About Senator Murphy

U.S. Senator Chris Murphy (D-CT), is a member of the Foreign Relations Committee; the Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee; and the Appropriations Committee. He previously served three terms in the U.S. House of Representatives, representing Connecticut’s fifth congressional district. Before being elected to Congress, he served for eight years in the Connecticut state legislature.
