Featured Events

March 3rd, 2026: WACC CEO Series with Kurk Wilks, President and Chief Executive Officer of MANN+HUMMEL

The World Affairs Council of Charlotte is pleased to welcome Kurk Wilks, President and Chief Executive Officer of MANN+HUMMEL, as a featured speaker in our CEO Series on March 3, 2026. As the global leader of a German-headquartered company with more than 21,000 employees across 80+ locations worldwide, Mr. Wilks offers a unique perspective on German–U.S. economic ties, transatlantic leadership, and managing complex global operations in an increasingly interconnected world.

March 3rd, 2026: WACC CEO Series with Kurk Wilks, President and Chief Executive Officer of MANN+HUMMEL2026-01-07T14:14:20-05:00

February 13th, 2026: YPWACC International Career Panel

Join The Young Professionals of the World Affairs Council of Charlotte, UNC Charlotte’s Office of International Programs, and the UNC Charlotte Career Center for the opportunity to attend in person, network, and hear several professionals discuss the international elements of their careers in the higher education, business, government, and nonprofit sectors. 

February 13th, 2026: YPWACC International Career Panel2026-02-11T12:23:15-05:00

February 4th, 2026: YPWACC Drink About It Series –> The Transformative Power of Art

On February 4th, the Young Professionals of the WACC will host the next installment of our Drink About It program series at Lost Worlds Brewing Charlotte in Midtown. This moderated panel discussion will explore the transformative power of art across cultures and borders and examine how artistic expression shapes global perspectives, challenges assumptions, and fosters connection in an increasingly interconnected world.

February 4th, 2026: YPWACC Drink About It Series –> The Transformative Power of Art2026-02-02T13:25:17-05:00

February 3rd, 2026: WACC Ambassadors Circle Series with H.E. Francisco António Duarte Lopes, Ambassador of Portugal to the United States

Join the World Affairs Council of Charlotte for a WACC Ambassadors Circle Series luncheon with H.E. Francisco António Duarte Lopes, Ambassador of Portugal to the United States, on Tuesday, February 3, 2026. Ambassador Duarte Lopes will discuss Portugal’s foreign policy priorities, its strategic partnership with the United States, and its role in today’s evolving global landscape, including Atlantic security, transatlantic cooperation, trade, technology, and leadership within the European Union, offering attendees a clear and forward-looking perspective on Portugal’s global engagement and the opportunities ahead for strengthening U.S.–Portugal collaboration.

February 3rd, 2026: WACC Ambassadors Circle Series with H.E. Francisco António Duarte Lopes, Ambassador of Portugal to the United States2026-01-30T10:53:14-05:00

January 28th, 2026: WACC Distinguished Speaker Series with Tom Standage, Deputy Editor of “The Economist” and Editor of “The World Ahead” — “The World Ahead in 2026)

Annually, "The World Ahead" series by The Economist offers a forward-looking perspective on anticipated developments in the upcoming year. Tom Standage, Deputy Editor-In-Chief of The Economist and Editor of "The World Ahead 2026," will provide well-informed predictions, in-depth analyses from foreign policy and current affairs experts, a synopsis of the global economic forecast, and crucial insights into focal issues that are poised to be significant touchpoints in the coming year.

January 28th, 2026: WACC Distinguished Speaker Series with Tom Standage, Deputy Editor of “The Economist” and Editor of “The World Ahead” — “The World Ahead in 2026)2026-03-04T14:54:40-05:00

January 21st, 2026: WACC Partner Program with Bill Hartung, Author and Senior Fellow at the Quincy Institute for Responsible Statecraft (Virtual)

Join the World Affairs Council of Charlotte on January 21 for a national WAC program featuring Bill Hartung, senior fellow at the Quincy Institute. In conversation with Jim Falk on WorldNow, Hartung will break down the forces shaping the American military‑industrial complex and explore how rethinking a trillion‑dollar defense system could strengthen America’s future.

January 21st, 2026: WACC Partner Program with Bill Hartung, Author and Senior Fellow at the Quincy Institute for Responsible Statecraft (Virtual)2026-01-08T10:16:52-05:00

November 18, 2025: WACC Voyagers Club Dinner with Dr. Tomislav Longinović, Ph.D., Emeritus Professor of Slavic, Comparative Literature and Visual Culture at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, Visiting Professor at Harvard University, and Award Winning Author, “The Future of International Education: Virtualizing the World”

Join the World Affairs Council of Charlotte’s Voyagers Club on November 18 for an extraordinary evening of conversation, cuisine, and curiosity as we welcome Dr. Tomislav Longinović, one of today’s most thought-provoking voices in global education, literature, and cultural studies. A renowned scholar and award-winning author, Dr. Longinović explores identity, language, and cultural transformation in a rapidly globalizing world. His upcoming talk, “The Future of International Education: Virtualizing the World,” will examine how technology, AI, and digital learning are reshaping cross-cultural exchange, redefining global citizenship, and expanding access to education beyond borders.

November 18, 2025: WACC Voyagers Club Dinner with Dr. Tomislav Longinović, Ph.D., Emeritus Professor of Slavic, Comparative Literature and Visual Culture at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, Visiting Professor at Harvard University, and Award Winning Author, “The Future of International Education: Virtualizing the World”2025-11-17T09:00:26-05:00

November 4, 2025: WACC CEO Series with Jörg Wuttke, Partner at DGA Group in Washington, former CEO of BASF in China, and former Head of the European Chamber of Commerce

Join the World Affairs Council of Charlotte on Tuesday, November 4 for a timely CEO Series luncheon with Jörg Wuttke—one of the world’s leading voices on business in China. With decades of executive leadership and policy experience in Asia, including roles as CEO of BASF China and President of the European Union Chamber of Commerce in China, Wuttke brings rare, firsthand insight into the challenges of navigating China’s complex business landscape.

November 4, 2025: WACC CEO Series with Jörg Wuttke, Partner at DGA Group in Washington, former CEO of BASF in China, and former Head of the European Chamber of Commerce2025-10-27T10:06:50-04:00

October 30, 2025: WACC Foreign Relations Speaker Series with Candace Rondeaux, Senior Director, Future Frontlines and Planetary Politics; Professor of Practice, Arizona State University, and Author of “Putin’s Sledgehammer: The Wagner Group and Russia’s Collapse into Mercenary Chaos”

Join the World Affairs Council of Charlotte for a timely and engaging luncheon conversation with Candace Rondeaux, a leading expert on global security, irregular warfare, and authoritarian power. As part of the WACC Foreign Relations Speaker Series, Candace Rondeaux will explore how Russian mercenary forces, especially the Wagner Group, are changing the face of modern warfare. She’ll explain how these groups operate outside traditional military structures to carry out Russia’s strategic goals through proxy wars, resource deals, and influence campaigns across regions like Ukraine, the Middle East, and Africa.

October 30, 2025: WACC Foreign Relations Speaker Series with Candace Rondeaux, Senior Director, Future Frontlines and Planetary Politics; Professor of Practice, Arizona State University, and Author of “Putin’s Sledgehammer: The Wagner Group and Russia’s Collapse into Mercenary Chaos”2025-07-28T16:34:24-04:00

September 17, 2025: YPWACC Drink About It Series –> “Civic Engagement: Before You Go Global, You Have to Know Local”

On September 17th, join YPWACC for the next installment of our Drink About It program series at Lost Worlds Brewing Charlotte in Midtown. This session, "Civic Engagement: Before You Go Global, You Have to Know Local," will be a moderated conversation between our panel of experts. Join us for a dynamic conversation focused on increasing awareness and understanding of our local governance here in Charlotte-Mecklenburg County. We will provide participants with a foundational overview of how local government functions across Charlotte and equip you with the knowledge needed to become informed, engaged members of your community.

September 17, 2025: YPWACC Drink About It Series –> “Civic Engagement: Before You Go Global, You Have to Know Local”2025-09-08T16:05:23-04:00
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