Our popular networking and luncheon series at Maggiano's Little Italy at the Fashion Show Mall starts the year with one of the experts affiliated with the World Affairs Council's travel program.  Jerry Sorkin is an expert in Middle East and North African studies with emphasis on Tunisia.  This continues WACLV's efforts to highlight the diversity of Muslim countries and the local Muslim community.  This program also highlights the experts that are involved in the WAC travel program that provide an in depth understanding of many regions and countries.

The cost is $30 for members or $35 for non-members.  Credit card payment is available by pre-registering and paying through PayPal.  Click here to register!

February 23rd - Chung In Moon - Professor, Yonsei University and Ambassador for International Security Affairs with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade for the Republic of Korea will provide a current view on the situation with North Korea.

March 21st - Roxana Saberi - An American/Iranian journalist  was arrested while reporting in Iran.  She offers an intriguing perspective on human rights in Iran and is known for her captivating presentations.  Click here to learn more about Roxana Saberi

Six high school teams are signed up for the academic WorldQuest competition sponsored by the World Affairs Councils of America.  The winning team will have the opportunity to represent Las Vegas for the national competition in Washington D.C.  The study guide will be available shortly.  For more information on how to participate or if you have an interest in sponsorship opportunities for this event please contact Traci Wickham at t.r.wickham@gmail.com  or Anneli Adams at Anneli.Adams@csn.edu

WACLV has received a grant from the Turkish Cultural Foundation to hold a full day workshop at CSN to highlight the culture and history of Turkey.  Three teachers will also have an opportunity to visit Turkey this summer and there will be other community activities held in the Fall.  WACLV hopes to have this as an annual program and we are very grateful for all of the teachers that have helped to develop our schools programs this year.  For more information on this program or to become more involved in our schools programs please contact Mercedes Krause at emkrause@interact.ccsd.net

At the national meeting in Washington D.C. we were challenged to focus on six issues that will impact the nation and Las Vegas in the coming years in terms of international relations.  We are dedicated to taking advantage of every opportunity to engage the community in international issues and opportunities while celebrating the international diversity of Las Vegas.  Here is a summary of the issues we were asked to incorporate in our programming.

1.  Getting the economy on sound footing.  The influence of the United States is dependent on a strong economy.  WACLV will be promoting the international economic opportunities by pursuing partnership programs such as the State Department's International Visitors Program, the China Eco Partnership programs and other programs that connect the local community with international opportunities.

2.  The Opportunities and Challenges of China.  The economic health of Las Vegas is becoming increasingly entwined with China.  WACLV will be continuing to find opportunities to engage members in programs to gain a better understanding of the opportunities and challenges of China.

3.  Asia in General.  Asia is a very large and diverse area of great economic opportunity.  Over the last year we have presented a number of programs highlighting the diverse Asian Muslim Countries.  WACLV will be looking for unique opportunities to present a greater understanding of the issues involving Asia.

4.  Trade.  The U.S. is increasingly excluded from regional trade groups.  Trade will be very important to the economic recovery.

5,  Iran.  Iran has become an emerging threat with its program of nuclear proliferation and is a potetially destabilizing threat in the Mideast.

6.  Border Security and Immigration.  WACLV is committed to balancing the opportunities of Las Vegas' relationship with Mexico with the complexity of the issues of border security and resolution of immigration issues.  Las Vegas with its large Latin population and tourism opportunities with Central and South America has a lot at stake with how issues of border security and immigration are handled as a matter of public policy.

We welcome everyone's ideas and leads to develop high quality programming.  Please contact us at waclasvegas@gmail.com with your thoughts and ideas.

The World Affairs Council of Las Vegas is a non-profit and non-partisan organization dedicated to connecting Southern Nevada with the international community while celebrating the international diversity of the community.  We are committed to providing a variety of programs of interest to the educational, business and general communities that enhance understanding of the international community.