90 Local Councils. One Shared Mission.

The World Affairs Councils of America (WACA) has been working to deepen communities’ global perspective from the founding of our first Council in 1918. Since then, 90 communities and local Councils around the country have benefited from the perspectives shared by thousands of journalists, professors, thought leaders, and diplomatic corps members.

Council Resource Library: Get access to exclusive members-only content, including white papers, leadership and transition materials, best practices, and more.

Virtual Programs: Learn more about how WACA can serve current and prospective member councils with quarterly WACA 101 orientation sessions, quarterly WACA Roundtables over specific aspects of Councils’ work, & biweekly WACA Office Hours.

Council Leadership Meeting: The Council Leadership Meeting, also called the Spring Leadership Meeting, is a unique annual opportunity for all Council staff and board members to come together to build the WACA community, highlight best practices, problem-solve shared challenges, and plan future opportunities as a network.

National Conference: For nearly four decades, the WACA National Conference has brought World Affairs Council leaders and members to engage with top government officials, diplomats, business executives, innovators, journalists, educators, and students on the most pressing global issues and policy choices that impact our lives. Register NOW for the 2026 National Conference: America’s Global Choices happening in Washington, D.C., November 17-20!

Academic WorldQuest™: The World Affairs Councils of America’s flagship youth education program is a fun, friendly, and powerful team- based knowledge competition designed for high school students keen to learn about international affairs. This annual program involves both locally sponsored AWQ contests as well as the AWQ championship in the nation’s capital.

Engage America Series: Each year, the WACA National Office partners with think tanks, foundations, NGOs, corporations, and occasionally government agencies to arrange timely “national conversations” at several World Affairs Councils across the country on critical international topics.”

Newsletter Archive: Find previous WACA Monthly Newsletters, weekly alerts, and Weekly World News.

Cover to Cover: From 2015-2023, WACA’s Cover to Cover Author Series featured a broad spectrum of authors offering various viewpoints on a number of topics. View the recorded Zoom sessions here.

Embassy Row Live: In 2020 and 2021, WACA conducted its Ambassadors Series, Embassy Row Live! spotlighting distinguished diplomats. We discussed new ideas, policy developments, and possible solutions to critical international challenges. Watch the recorded Zoom sessions here.