WAC Speaker Events

World Affairs Councils speaker programs are flagship programs that stand at the cornerstone of the Council. Most of the events are national programs that are going on in other States at roughly the same time they are happening in ours.

• Global Center Luncheon Series
• Wednesday Wow

Global Center Luncheon Series

The Council has made a strategic partnership with the Bankers Club to host the Global Forum Luncheons. The Luncheons feature, as a keynote speaker, a prominent or well known figure in politics, academia, culture or the literary world.

Some recent speakers have included:

• President Ricardo Maduro, former President of Honduras and founder of an NGO in memory of his son.
• Sir Emyr Jones Parry, Permanent Representative of Great Britain and Northern Ireland to the United Nations
• Special Agent Robert K. Wittman, Agent in charge of the FBI's rapid response task force for International Art Theft.

Notable guests who have attended the Luncheons include Veteran Journalist and Darfur activist, Nick Clooney and Congressman Steve Chabot who has been both a guest and a keynote speaker.

The Luncheons are open to both members of the center and non-members. However, members can purchase tickets at a discounted price and get first preference at some events.

International Topic - Cultural

The Cultural International Topic is an evening event presented in partnership with the Cincinnati Art Museum.

An exhibition is usually the back-drop for a current international topic such as World AIDS day, Art and Diplomacy during Ruben's time or International Art Theft.

International Topic - Political

Chris Preble, Director of Foreign Policy at the CATO institute

Our International political topics take the form of an evening event in partnership with Raymond Walters College at the University of Cincinnati.

The notable speaker is usually an expert from Government or a non-governmental organization with in depth knowledge on "hot topics" such as US - Saudi relations, Al Queada or a political topic currently making the news.

We have speakers from "Think Tank " organizations like the CATO and Brooking's Institution. Recently, Chris Preble, Director of Foreign Policy at the CATO Institute, spoke on American Democracy Promotion.

Town Hall Meeting

Our Town Hall meetings present a panel of notable International experts in contemporary issues. The experts present their topics and their point of view, then debate the topic amongst themselves. The audience is later given a chance to ask questions to particular panelists.

In the past, Global issues such as Women and Globalization, Food Security, or Islam and Globalization have made successful discussions that have kept audiences engaged.

The meetings are held at the CINTAS Center at Xavier University and Co-sponsored by the Brueggeman Center for Dialogue and Southern Ohio District Export Council.

The People Speak Forum

The People Speak Forum, is one of the many programs we partner with outside organizations to bring international awareness to our city and region.

With Thomas Moore College, the University of Cincinnati and others, we participate in this national event directed by The People Speak Forum organization.

Prior topics for this event have included Energy and the Environment, the United Nations, Poverty, Hunger and Health.

Wednesday WOW

In Partnership with the Institute for Learning in Retirement, global topics are presented with global and local perspectives on issues such as the Euro, the European Union, Immigration, Human Rights, Labor and Global Disease among others.

The Wednesday WOW features two events in one day - morning and evening.

To see upcoming events and topics, please click here. If you'd like to see our past events, follow this link.

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