Speaker Series
Each year, the World Affairs Council of Charlotte recruits internationally renowned government leaders, authors and policy makers for the Speaker Series Program.
Selected speakers present on diverse topics related to global economic crisis, energy policy and climate change, current events, global health, national and global security, foreign policy, public diplomacy and international affairs.
Past speakers include:
- President Luis Guillermo Solís, President of Costa Rica
- George W. Bush, former President of the United States
- Chuck Hagel, former U.S. Secretary of Defense
- Alan Krueger, former Chairman of President Obama’s Council of Economic Advisers
- Tom Ridge, former Secretary of Homeland Security
- General David Petraeus, former Commander, US CENTCOM
- Sergei Khrushchev, Senior Fellow at the Watson Institute for International Studies (Brown University) and son of the late Soviet Premier Nikita Khrushchev
- Major General Michael J. Kingsley, Chief of Staff, United States Africa Command (AFRICOM)
- Rafael Espada, former Vice President of Guatemala
- Rick Steves, travel guru and host of Rick Steves’ Europe
- Carrie Hessler-Radelet, Director of the Peace Corps
- David Rothkopf, CEO and Editor of the Foreign Policy Group and author of “National Insecurity: US Foreign Policy Making in an Age of Fear”
- Robert Walker, President, The Population Institute
- Russell Gold, Senior Energy Reporter for the Wall Street Journal and author of “The Boom: How Fracking Ignited the American Energy Revolution and Changed the World”
- George Friedman, Founder and Chairman of Stratfor and author of “Flashpoints: The Emerging Crisis in Europe”
- Sophie Delaunay, Executive Director, Doctors Without Borders (U.S.)
- Timothy Beardson, author of “Stumbling Giant: The Threats to China’s Future”
- Shibley Telhami, world-renowned expert on the Middle East and author of “The World Through Arab Eyes: Arab Public Opinion and the Reshaping of the Middle East”
- Karl-Theodor zu Guttenberg, former Minister of Defense, Former Minister of Economics & Technology of the Federal Republic of Germany
- Adrian Wooldridge, Management Editor, The Economist
Speaker Series Events
April 9, 2024: Annual China Town Hall — WACC Distinguished Speaker Series with Dr. Shelley Rigger, Vice President for Academic Affairs and Dean of Faculty | Brown Professor of Asian Politics at Davidson College(Virtual)
Join the World Affairs Council of Charlotte and the National Committee on U.S. - China Relations on Tuesday, April 9 at 5:30 p.m. ET for a virtual discussion with Dr. Shelley Rigger, Vice President for Academic Affairs and Dean of Faculty and Brown Professor of Asian Politics at Davidson College on China-US relations followed by a for a nationwide live stream event at 6:30 p.m. ET with a Q&A with Kurt Campbell, nominee for Deputy Secretary of State. He will examine the challenges and opportunities for both countries as they confront the most critical issues of the 21st century.
Feb. 15, 2024: An Exclusive Evening with Rick Steves, best-selling travel author and host of public television’s “Rick Steves’ Europe” and public radio’s “Travel with Rick Steves
Prepare to be transported on a cultural journey filled with tales of exploration, global insights, and the secrets to unlocking the wonders of the world. The World Affairs Council of Charlotte is thrilled to present an enchanting evening with the one and only Rick Steves, renowned best-selling travel author and the charismatic host of "Rick Steves' Europe" on February 15, 2024.
December 14, 2023: WACC Speaker Series with Dr. Fiona Hill, Senior Fellow at the Center on the United States and Europe in the Foreign Policy Program at the Brookings Institution
Step into the world of international affairs and gain invaluable insights at the World Affairs Council of Charlotte's highly anticipated event on Thursday, December 14, 2023. Join us for a captivating WACC Speaker Series luncheon featuring the esteemed Dr. Fiona Hill, Senior Fellow at the Brookings Institution and Former Senior Director for European and Russian Affairs on the National Security Council. Dr. Fiona Hill's expertise in U.S. foreign policy, Russia, national security, and ongoing geopolitical challenges from Russia's invasion into Ukraine makes her an exceptional voice to guide us through the complexities of international affairs. Her unique insights and experiences shed light on the intricate dynamics shaping the global landscape.
October 11, 2023: WACC Speaker Series with Daniel Runde, Author of “The American Imperative: Reclaiming Global Leadership through Soft Power”
Join us on October 11, 2023, for an enlightening WACC Speaker Series luncheon with Daniel Runde. He is a senior VP at the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) and author of "The American Imperative: Reclaiming Global Leadership through Soft Power." Runde presents a captivating perspective on reclaiming global leadership, highlighting the pivotal role of soft power. Discover how diplomacy, economic engagement, and cultural exchange can effectively address global challenges. Don't miss this opportunity to gain a profound understanding of soft power's significance in shaping global leadership.
