World Affairs Council - Seattle

Join World Affairs Council on 𝗢𝗰𝘁𝗼𝗯𝗲𝗿 𝟮𝟴𝘁𝗵 𝗮𝘁 𝟱:𝟯𝟬𝗽𝗺 𝗣𝗧 for an engaging evening with Jonathan Cheng, China Bureau Chief for The Wall Street Journal and one of the paper’s leading observers of Chinese and Korean Peninsula affairs, for an inside look at the rapidly shifting geopolitical landscape of East Asia.

Register now: https://www.world-affairs.org/event/from-taiwan-to-pyongyang-inside-asias-shifting-balance-of-power/

𝗘𝘃𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗗𝗲𝘁𝗮𝗶𝗹𝘀
Beijing’s approach to Taiwan has grown increasingly assertive as its partnership with Russia continues to reshape global politics. Meanwhile, North Korea’s growing relationship with Moscow has provided Kim Jong Un with new sources of leverage. Join us, along with moderator Heather Yang Hwalek, to explore how these developments affect the future of security and stability across East Asia.

Copies of Cheng’s new book, Korean Messiah: Kim Il Sung and the Christian Roots of North Korea’s Personality, are available for purchase.

Our inaugural 𝗚𝗹𝗼𝗯𝗮𝗹 𝗖𝗹𝗮𝘀𝘀𝗿𝗼𝗼𝗺 𝗘𝗱𝘂𝗰𝗮𝘁𝗼𝗿 𝗙𝗲𝗹𝗹𝗼𝘄𝘀𝗵𝗶𝗽 𝗞𝗶𝗰𝗸-𝗢𝗳𝗳 was incredibly special. This cohort is full of remarkable educators who are eager to learn from one another, share their experiences, and strengthen our global learning community. We are especially proud that we’ve been able to create a welcoming, supportive environment where educators feel comfortable bringing their authentic selves, exchanging ideas, and building meaningful connections.

The orientation was hands-on and engaging, filled with laughter, thoughtful conversations, collaborative activities, and inspiring stories from the teachers who are helping cultivate the next generation of globally minded leaders. Throughout the day, participants explored the fellowship experience, reflected on their goals for the year ahead, and began building relationships that will support and inspire them throughout the program.

It was energizing to see educators from diverse schools, grade levels, and subject areas come together with a shared commitment to expanding global perspectives in their classrooms and communities. Their passion, curiosity, and dedication remind us why this work matters so deeply.

As we begin a new school year, we are excited to see how this cohort grows together, supports one another, and translates their learning into impactful experiences for students throughout the greater Seattle area and beyond. The future is bright, and we're grateful to be part of this journey alongside such an incredible group of educators!

𝙅𝙤𝙞𝙣 𝙪𝙨 𝙞𝙣 𝙬𝙚𝙡𝙘𝙤𝙢𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙤𝙪𝙧 𝙞𝙣𝙖𝙪𝙜𝙪𝙧𝙖𝙡 𝙂𝙡𝙤𝙗𝙖𝙡 𝘾𝙡𝙖𝙨𝙨𝙧𝙤𝙤𝙢 𝙀𝙙𝙪𝙘𝙖𝙩𝙤𝙧 𝙁𝙚𝙡𝙡𝙤𝙬𝙨𝙝𝙞𝙥 𝙘𝙤𝙝𝙤𝙧𝙩!

We are thrilled to welcome our 𝗳𝗶𝗿𝘀𝘁-𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗿 𝗰𝗼𝗵𝗼𝗿𝘁 𝗼𝗳 𝗚𝗹𝗼𝗯𝗮𝗹 𝗖𝗹𝗮𝘀𝘀𝗿𝗼𝗼𝗺 𝗘𝗱𝘂𝗰𝗮𝘁𝗼𝗿 𝗙𝗲𝗹𝗹𝗼𝘄𝘀—a dynamic group of K–12 educators, specialists, and administrators from across the greater Seattle area who are committed to bringing global perspectives and learning into their schools and communities. Learn more about this year's cohort here: https://www.world-affairs.org/educatorfellowscohort/

Over the coming year, these educators will learn, connect, collaborate, and grow together as they explore what it means to prepare students to be thoughtful, informed, and engaged global citizens.

We’re excited to learn alongside them, strengthen our 𝗴𝗹𝗼𝗯𝗮𝗹 𝗹𝗲𝗮𝗿𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗺𝘂𝗻𝗶𝘁𝘆, and build new connections across classrooms, schools, and communities throughout the region.

Here’s to a year of curiosity, collaboration, meaningful conversations, and global learning!

𝗪𝗲𝗹𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗲, 𝗙𝗲𝗹𝗹𝗼𝘄𝘀! 𝗪𝗲’𝗿𝗲 𝘀𝗼 𝗴𝗹𝗮𝗱 𝘆𝗼𝘂’𝗿𝗲 𝗵𝗲𝗿𝗲.

Africa is the fastest growing continent in the world, and by 2050 it is expected to be home to 25% of the world’s population. So how does this young and rapidly growing population affect the pressure being put on African governments? And how do the evolving political and economic landscapes across Africa impact international relations? 𝗙𝗶𝗻𝗱 𝗼𝘂𝘁 𝗼𝗻 𝗢𝗰𝘁𝗼𝗯𝗲𝗿 𝟭𝟵𝘁𝗵 at our upcoming event with Africa policy expert and former US Ambassador to Botswana, Michelle Gavin: https://www.world-affairs.org/event/africa-rising-how-young-leaders-are-shaping-the-continents-future/

For a sneak peek into what this conversation might look like, check out this Council on Foreign Relations podcast with the former Ambassador: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6vn1719Lh90

Are you interested in learning more about the technological, social, and political shifts going on across Africa right now? Join World Affairs Council on October 19th at 5pm for a conversation between UW’s Dr. Christopher Tounsel and former US Ambassador to Botswana, Michelle Gavin, on what the future holds for Africa and the world!

Gavin will engage participants in a thorough discussion in relation to her book, The Age of Change, which highlights the ambitions, frustrations, and creativity of Africa’s youth and their impact on both local politics and global power dynamics.

Don’t miss your chance to get in on this unique and valuable conversation! Register here: https://pci.jotform.com/form/262456974584170

Last month, on August 11, the World Affairs Council's Global Classroom program hosted its 2026 𝗘𝗨 𝗣𝗼𝗹𝗶𝗰𝘆 𝗙𝗼𝗿𝘂𝗺 𝗘𝗱𝘂𝗰𝗮𝘁𝗼𝗿 𝗪𝗼𝗿𝗸𝘀𝗵𝗼𝗽 𝗼𝗻 𝗘𝗨 𝗦𝗲𝗰𝘂𝗿𝗶𝘁𝘆 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗗𝗲𝗺𝗼𝗰𝗿𝗮𝗰𝘆 at the University of Washington. Thank you to everyone who joined us and made the event so meaningful!

Throughout the day, educators explored the European Union's democratic institutions, security challenges, civic engagement, and institutional resilience through conversations with experts from across the region.

A special thank you to our speakers 𝗝𝗼𝘀𝗲 𝗠𝗶𝗴𝘂𝗲𝗹 𝗥𝗼𝗻𝗰𝗲𝗿𝗼 𝗠𝗮𝗿𝘁𝗶𝗻, 𝗧𝗿𝗮𝘃𝗶𝘀 𝗝. 𝗡𝗲𝗹𝘀𝗼𝗻, 𝗜𝗹𝗲𝗮𝗻𝗮 𝗠𝗮𝗿𝗶𝗻, 𝗦𝗮𝗯𝗶𝗻𝗲 𝗟𝗮𝗻𝗴, 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗚𝘂𝗻𝘁𝗶𝘀 𝗦𝗺𝗶𝗱𝗰𝗵𝗲𝗻𝘀, 𝗮𝘀 𝘄𝗲𝗹𝗹 𝗮𝘀 𝘄𝗼𝗿𝗸𝘀𝗵𝗼𝗽 𝗳𝗮𝗰𝗶𝗹𝗶𝘁𝗮𝘁𝗼𝗿 𝗥𝘆𝗮𝗻 𝗛𝗮𝘂𝗰𝗸, for sharing their expertise and perspectives with our educator community.

We are also grateful to our partners and supporters at the 𝗨𝗻𝗶𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗶𝘁𝘆 𝗼𝗳 𝗪𝗮𝘀𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗴𝘁𝗼𝗻'𝘀 𝗝𝗮𝗰𝗸𝘀𝗼𝗻 𝗦𝗰𝗵𝗼𝗼𝗹 𝗼𝗳 𝗜𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗻𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗦𝘁𝘂𝗱𝗶𝗲𝘀, 𝗨𝗪 𝗖𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗘𝘂𝗿𝗼𝗽𝗲𝗮𝗻 𝗦𝘁𝘂𝗱𝗶𝗲𝘀 & 𝗘𝗨 𝗖𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗿, 𝗘𝗹𝗹𝗶𝘀𝗼𝗻 𝗖𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗥𝘂𝘀𝘀𝗶𝗮𝗻, 𝗘𝗮𝘀𝘁 𝗘𝘂𝗿𝗼𝗽𝗲𝗮𝗻 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗖𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗿𝗮𝗹 𝗔𝘀𝗶𝗮𝗻 𝗦𝘁𝘂𝗱𝗶𝗲𝘀, 𝗖𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗚𝗹𝗼𝗯𝗮𝗹 𝗦𝘁𝘂𝗱𝗶𝗲𝘀, 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗘𝘂𝗿𝗼𝗽𝗲𝗮𝗻 𝗨𝗻𝗶𝗼𝗻 for helping make this professional learning experience possible.

𝙏𝙝𝙖𝙣𝙠 𝙮𝙤𝙪 𝙩𝙤 𝙖𝙡𝙡 𝙤𝙛 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙚𝙙𝙪𝙘𝙖𝙩𝙤𝙧𝙨 𝙬𝙝𝙤 𝙥𝙖𝙧𝙩𝙞𝙘𝙞𝙥𝙖𝙩𝙚𝙙 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙝𝙚𝙡𝙥𝙚𝙙 𝙢𝙖𝙠𝙚 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙙𝙖𝙮 𝙨𝙪𝙘𝙝 𝙖𝙣 𝙚𝙣𝙜𝙖𝙜𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙢𝙚𝙖𝙣𝙞𝙣𝙜𝙛𝙪𝙡 𝙚𝙭𝙘𝙝𝙖𝙣𝙜𝙚 𝙤𝙛 𝙞𝙙𝙚𝙖𝙨!

Check out more about the program here: https://www.world-affairs.org/event/2026-eu-policy-forum-educator-workshop-eu-security-and-democracy/

The Global Leadership Exchange (GLX) team, a program within World Affairs Council, regularly hosts international visitors from all around the world. Part of these exchanges include Dinner Diplomacy, an opportunity for guests to chat, exchange ideas, and share about their cultures over dinner with Seattle-area community members.

Last month, one of GLX’s interns, Mia McGrath, hosted guests in her own home. Read about her experience in her recent blog, 𝘎𝘭𝘰𝘣𝘢𝘭 𝘐𝘯𝘴𝘪𝘨𝘩𝘵𝘴, 𝘚𝘦𝘳𝘷𝘦𝘥 𝘍𝘢𝘮𝘪𝘭𝘺-𝘚𝘵𝘺𝘭𝘦: https://www.world-affairs.org/event/global-insights-served-family-style/

Think you would be interested in hosting some of our international guests? Learn more and sign up here: https://www.world-affairs.org/program/dinner-diplomacy/. Or reach out to [email protected] with any questions!

We would like to extend a huge thank you to Akhror Burkhanov for opening the doors of the new Uzbekistani Consulate to members of our community last Friday. The Consul General engaged in an open conversation with our members over coffee, discussing Uzbekistan's unique ties with Seattle, their reform and development strategies, and their hopes for establishing enduring relationships throughout the PNW.

To those who attended, thank you for bringing such thoughtful questions and engaging in this deeply meaningful conversation. We hope to see you again soon.

One week ago, we hosted our first Fellows Luncheon of the 2026-27 program! Gerard Ryle, Executive Director of The International Consortium of Investigative Journalists, led our Fellows in an enticing conversation over a delicious meal. Together, they explored the global forces reshaping investigative journalism, the rise of AI and evolving technology in news consumption, and the complex landscape of transparency and information security in journalism. Thank you to Gerard for joining us and leading such an engaging and impactful conversation.

As we take this year’s fellows on a globally oriented professional development journey, follow along with our topics and speakers. The fellows cohort renews every summer, so keep us in mind as you think about next steps in your career.

Are you interested in learning more about the technological, social, and political shifts going on across Africa right now? Join World Affairs Council on October 19th at 5pm for a conversation between UW’s Dr. Christopher Tounsel and former US Ambassador to Botswana, Michelle Gavin, on what the future holds for Africa and the world!

Gavin will engage participants in a thorough discussion in relation to her book, The Age of Change, which highlights the ambitions, frustrations, and creativity of Africa’s youth and their impact on both local politics and global power dynamics.

Don’t miss your chance to get in on this unique and valuable conversation! Register here: https://pci.jotform.com/form/262456974584170

Do you ever catch yourself wondering, what in the world is going on with the US and Denmark?? Now’s your chance to get clarity on the never-ending headlines from this insider’s perspective! Join World Affairs Council and Scan Design Foundation on 𝗢𝗰𝘁𝗼𝗯𝗲𝗿 𝟭𝟰𝘁𝗵 𝗮𝘁 𝟱:𝟯𝟬𝗽𝗺 for a conversation with Rufus Gifford, 𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗺𝗲𝗿 𝗨𝗦 𝗔𝗺𝗯𝗮𝘀𝘀𝗮𝗱𝗼𝗿 𝘁𝗼 𝗗𝗲𝗻𝗺𝗮𝗿𝗸.
In conversation with World Affairs Council President and CEO Jacqueline Miller, Ambassador Gifford will provide an insider's perspective on US-Denmark relations and the role of diplomacy in a changing world. Join them to explore the countries’ enduring ties, Denmark's strategic importance to US interests, and the future of the alliance.
Register now to connect with fellow global affairs enthusiasts at this conversational event and w**e reception: https://www.world-affairs.org/event/u-s-denmark-relations-people-partnerships-and-the-future-of-the-transatlantic-alliance/U.S.–Denmark