Upcoming Events

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

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 11, 2025: 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 captivating tales of exploration, thought-provoking global insights, and the secrets to unlocking the wonders of our world. The World Affairs Council of Charlotte is thrilled to present an unforgettable evening with the one and only Rick Steves, the iconic, best-selling travel author and beloved host of Rick Steves’ Europe on Tuesday, November 11, 2025.

November 11, 2025: 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 Steves2025-11-17T09:00:34-05:00

November 6, 2025: WACC Private Dinner with H.E. Urban Ahlin, Ambassador of Sweden to the United States

Join the World Affairs Council of Charlotte for an exclusive private dinner with H.E. Urban Ahlin, Ambassador of Sweden to the United States, on Thursday, November 6. As the world navigates challenges including the war in Ukraine, climate leadership, and Sweden’s recent accession to NATO, Ambassador Ahlin will provide valuable insight into his country’s foreign policy priorities, democratic values, and evolving partnership with the United States.

November 6, 2025: WACC Private Dinner with H.E. Urban Ahlin, Ambassador of Sweden to the United States2025-08-18T14:43:27-04:00

November 6, 2025: WACC Ambassadors Circle Series with H.E. Urban Ahlin, Ambassador of Sweden to the United States

Ambassador Urban Ahlin will offer valuable insight into the evolving political and security landscape of Europe, the Nordic region, and the broader transatlantic alliance. He will discuss Sweden’s historic decision to join NATO, the significance of that move for regional and global security, and how it reflects Sweden’s deepening commitment to collective defense in the face of mounting geopolitical uncertainty. With global attention centered on the war in Ukraine, rising tensions with authoritarian regimes, and urgent calls for climate leadership, Ambassador Ahlin will explore how Sweden is navigating these challenges through diplomacy, multilateral engagement, and its role as a bridge between Europe and North America.

November 6, 2025: WACC Ambassadors Circle Series with H.E. Urban Ahlin, Ambassador of Sweden to the United States2025-11-17T09:00:41-05:00

November 5, 2025: WACC Partner Program — Tamar Shapiro, Author of the Novel “Restitution and Urban Development Expert”

Tamar Shapiro’s debut novel Restitution tells the story of two American siblings who return to their mother’s East German hometown, from which their mother and grandparents fled in the 1950s, after the fall of the Berlin Wall, only to uncover long-buried family secrets and reckon with the meaning of home, memory, and loss. As we mark the 35th anniversary of German reunification in 2025, the novel offers a timely reflection on how the legacies of division and exile continue to shape both nations and families. The discussion will reflect on Restitution, Shapiro’s experiences living and working in eastern Germany, and her journey from a career in law and community development to fiction, through which she continues to explore how individuals and communities seek restitution – whether via legal frameworks, civic engagement, or the power of storytelling.

November 5, 2025: WACC Partner Program — Tamar Shapiro, Author of the Novel “Restitution and Urban Development Expert”2025-10-27T10:26:57-04:00

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

October 29, 2025: WACC Private Dinner 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”

The World Affairs Council of Charlotte is honored to host renowned expert Candace Rondeaux, Senior Director of Future Frontlines and Planetary Politics at Arizona State University, Professor of Practice, and author of "Putin’s Sledgehammer: The Wagner Group and Russia’s Collapse into Mercenary Chaos." Rondeaux will offer a compelling analysis of how Russia’s growing dependence on paramilitary forces signals a broader shift in modern warfare. She will explore the global implications of this mercenary strategy, highlighting its destabilizing impact in regions such as Ukraine, Africa, and the Middle East, and what it may signal for the future of international conflict and great power rivalry. Drawing on her groundbreaking research and firsthand reporting, Rondeaux will lead a thought-provoking discussion on the intersection of authoritarian power, irregular warfare, and global security. This private, off-the-record dinner provides a rare opportunity for attendees to engage with her directly.

October 29, 2025: WACC Private Dinner 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”2025-07-28T16:35:08-04:00

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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