World Affairs Council of Atlanta

The World Affairs Council of Atlanta, in partnership with Rough Draft Atlanta, delivers key international updates straight to your inbox. Here are this week's headlines: ???? Protesters flooded Turkish streets after Istanbul's mayor, who was poised to be the main opposition party's 2028 presidential nominee, was arrested on corruption charges. ???? Pope Francis made his first public appearance on Sunday with a blessing and a wave after spending more than a month in the hospital with respiratory issues. ???? Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney called a snap election for April 28, saying he needs a mandate to deal with President Trump, who "wants to break us so America will own us." ???? Greenland's prime minister called an upcoming US delegation visit, including second lady Usha Vance and national security adviser Mike Waltz, "highly aggressive." ???? Israeli airstrikes killed a top Hamas political leader in Khan Younis, Gaza, amid intensified bombardment following the collapse of a two-month ceasefire. ???? Over 100,000 Israelis protested Saturday night against Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's attempts to fire the Shin Bet chief and Attorney General. ???? The Sudanese Army has seized the Republican Palace in a symbolic turning point in the two-year civil conflict with the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF). The civil war has displaced 12 million people. ???? South Korea's constitutional court dismissed Prime Minister Han Duck-soo's impeachment, reinstating him as acting president amid the country's ongoing political turmoil. ???? Hungary’s parliament passed a law banning LGBTQ+ events and allowing police to use facial recognition to identify attendees. ???? Michelin has docked a star from the world’s oldest starred restaurant in France. ???? Japan’s men’s soccer team became the first to qualify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. For more global updates and headlines, subscribe to our newsletter today. https://lnkd.in/eUYMm7Xh

Jennifer Mina Valencia is the Associate Director of International Alumni Engagement at Emory University, supporting over 20 international networks. She founded Women of Excellence International, a nonprofit empowering women and girls in ministry and leadership across multiple countries. A first-generation Emory graduate with a Master’s in Public Management from Johns Hopkins, Jennifer blends her faith and leadership to drive global impact. Based in Atlanta, she is passionate about travel, design, photography, and family. Welcome to the #GLF2025 cohort, Jennifer! We’re thrilled to have you on board and can’t wait to see the impact you’ll make as a global leader. Interested in becoming a future fellow or a sponsor? Learn more about the Global Leadership Fellows program at https://lnkd.in/eMVs3MPm. #GLF2025 #WACAtl

Our Young Leaders had an inspiring visit to the Porsche Experience Center Atlanta, where they explored the brand’s history, innovation, and commitment to sustainability. It was an afternoon of learning, innovation, and legacy. A special thanks to Daniel Dames for organizing this fantastic immersion! Join us for future experiences—become a Young Leader today. https://lnkd.in/gmd2SsBr #Porsche #WorldAffairsATL

Brian Winter, Editor-in-Chief of Americas Quarterly, joined the World Affairs Council of Atlanta’s virtual dialogue, Beyond Borders, to discuss reviving the Monroe Doctrine and Trump’s Latin America policy with Amb. Charles Shapiro, former U.S. Ambassador to Venezuela. ?? Watch the full conversation here:https://lnkd.in/e_5gxuqm

At last week’s Cocktails with a Consul, Consuls General Javier Diaz de Leon (Mexico) and Rosaline Kwan (Canada) addressed the impact of tariffs on North American trade. With Canada as Georgia’s largest trading partner and Mexico close behind, proposed 25% tariffs could significantly affect businesses, jobs, and economic stability. Both countries are taking countermeasures, highlighting the urgency of trade solutions. Thank you to everyone who attended, and a special thank you to Ana Petrova for moderating and organizing the event. Stay informed on critical global issues. Join the World Affairs Council of Atlanta for more insightful discussions on international affairs- https://lnkd.in/gmd2SsBr #Trade #Economy #GlobalInsights #WorldAffairsATL

The Global Leadership Fellows (GLF) program is designed to shape the next generation of early-career global leaders. Gain hands-on training in diplomacy, business, technology, and more from top industry experts, senior executives, and dignitaries. Immerse yourself in new cultures and expand your professional network through an unforgettable leadership experience in Germany. If you're driven to make an impact both in Atlanta and globally, this is your moment. Apply now to unlock the skills, connections, and mindset to lead with purpose. Know someone who’s the perfect fit? Share this opportunity with your network! Deadline for the GLF 2026 cohort: April 15, 2025. Learn more and apply today- https://lnkd.in/eMVs3MPm

Last Friday, the Global Leadership Fellows dove into a dynamic Master Class on Civil Society, exploring the power of collective action and leadership in driving meaningful change. The day began at the International Women’s Day Breakfast 2025 with a fireside chat featuring Asma Farid, VP & Managing Partner of Farids & Co. LLC. She reflected on this year’s IWD theme, #AccelerateAction, and shared her initiatives in healthcare, hunger relief, refugee resettlement, and education. Next, Fellows met Dr. Steven E Sokol, President of the American Council on Germany, who provided insights and expert advice as they prepare for their upcoming International Immersion trip to Germany. Fellows explored?Local Impact:?Driving Change Through Collective Action at Home?with Atlanta’s civic leaders Danita Knight from YWCA Greater Atlanta, Veronica Maldonado-Torres from Georgia Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, and Kyle Waide from Atlanta Community Food Bank. From empowering communities to tackling local challenges, the panel highlighted the power of collaboration and grassroots action. Later, Fellows engaged in a thought-provoking lunch and discussion titled?Global Impact: Driving Change Through Collective Action Across Borders?with Madhuvanti (Madhu) Deshmukh from CARE, Dr. Nancy Knight from The Task Force for Global Health, Inc., and Barbara S. from The Carter Center. The panel discussion examined how global leaders navigate trust-building, cultural norms, and the complexities of humanitarian issues, health crises, and social inequalities. It highlighted strategies for fostering cross-border collaboration, adapting to diverse cultural contexts, and implementing sustainable, community-driven solutions. Later, Rohit Malhotra, Founder & Executive Director of the Center for Civic Innovation, led a case study where the Fellows explored real-life community challenges and innovative solutions that drive local impact, sparking a powerful discussion on the role of civic innovation in creating meaningful change. In the final segment of the day, Fellows engaged with Doug McVadon, President of Dorrier Underwood, to explore Strategic Thinking & Agile Leadership – Finding Your Why. This session focused on discovering personal and professional purpose while also identifying "blind spots" in listening—understanding how we listen, where we may miss key insights, and how to refine our ability to engage more effectively. ?Stay tuned for more Global Leadership Fellows! Next stop, a Master Class on Technology hosted at UPS!??? ?? Applications for the 2026 Global Leadership Fellows cohort are now OPEN! If you're ready to elevate your leadership journey, apply today and share this opportunity with your network.?? ?? Learn more & apply https://lnkd.in/eMVs3MPm? #GLF #GlobalLeadershipFellows #WACAtlanta #ApplyNow? ??

Charlene Marsh, MPA, a metro Atlanta native and “Double Dawg,” holds a Master’s in Public Administration and dual Bachelor’s degrees in International Affairs and Political Science from the University of Georgia. She serves as Procurement & Capital Projects Manager for the City of Norcross and began her career as an ICMA Local Government Management Fellow in Decatur, Georgia. Recognized as one of Gwinnett County's "35 Under 35," Charlene is passionate about local government, international development, and community engagement, volunteering as a literacy tutor and school council member while staying active in professional organizations like ICMA and Gwinnett Young Professionals. Welcome to the #GLF2025 cohort, Charlene! We’re thrilled to have you on board and can’t wait to see the impact you’ll make as a global leader. Interested in becoming a future fellow or a sponsor? Learn more about the Global Leadership Fellows program at https://lnkd.in/eMVs3MPm #GLF2025 #WACAtl

Are you ready to lead on the global stage? The World Affairs Council of Atlanta is accepting applications for the Global Leadership Fellows (GLF 2026)! This is your chance to join a cohort of dynamic individuals dedicated to fostering international understanding and leadership. Don’t miss this opportunity to advance your career and make a real impact. Apply today and be part of the change! ?? ?? Click the link https://lnkd.in/eMVs3MPm in bio to learn more and start your application. #Leadership #GlobalFellows #WorldAffairs #ProfessionalDevelopment #ApplyNow #FutureLeaders

? Still buzzing from this past Friday! ? Our 10th annual International Women’s Day Breakfast was nothing short of inspiring. A huge thank you to Asma Farid for sharing her incredible journey from Pakistan to the U.S., building an empire with her husband(Tariq Farid), and navigating life’s many responsibilities. She also paid tribute to the powerful influence of her grandmothers in shaping her path. ?? One of her most unforgettable takeaways? ?? “Every day is an opportunity to make a difference. Don’t wait for the perfect moment, start now.” No permission is needed, just lead. ???? To everyone who joined us, thank you for making the morning so special! ?? And a big shoutout to UPS, Edible Brands, Edible Arrangements, and Bank of America for their generous support. Also, we are grateful to our board members who show up(at 6 am) to support the Council; you're the real MVPs.?? Richard Phillips, Cristina Falcone and Jim Reed, and of course Rickey Bevington ?? Missed it? Don’t worry, bigger things are coming! Click the link in our bio to learn more about the council and register for upcoming events. ??? #IWD2025 #WomensDay #Leadership #WACAtl