Keeping our Orange County community engaged with the world.
We are a nonprofit and nonpartisan organization dedicated to engaging our community in what is happening beyond our borders, how it affects us, and how all that is local is also global. We are independently and locally led, operated, and funded. However, we are part of a network of over 90 councils across the country, from Honolulu to Boston, and a part of the World Affairs Councils of America, a national office based in Washington, DC, whose mission is to support and connect us in our work.
We primarily do this work through our programming, which includes intimate and elegant dinners for premium members, black tie galas with internationally known speakers, casual and accessible events for young professionals and students, fun socials celebrating cultures, “Lunch and Learn” panels on current affairs, quiz nights, webinars, receptions, screenings, and picnics. What they all have in common: the opportunity to learn from the experts, to ask questions and get answers, and to be with like-minded individuals who agree our biggest enemy is not each other, but apathy. We host conversations, not platforms.
We on the council approach multifaceted issues by presenting excellent and renowned speakers, including experienced diplomats and ambassadors, former heads of state, foreign ministers, high-level government officials, prominent journalists and writers, and top military and intelligence officials.
Many members have lived, worked, studied, or served abroad, study international affairs, conduct international business, or simply appreciate the importance of understanding world affairs. The council has widespread support throughout the local community, including among corporate, public, and academic sectors. Membership fees help to sustain our operations expenses so we can keep programming accessible to our community
The council also sponsors students through its scholarship outreach program. This allows high school and university students—our future leaders—to attend events and become engaged by learning more about critical international issues and it gives them the opportunity to meet and speak with guest speakers.
Please feel free to contact the council offices for more information on attending an event or joining the council.
Become a Member of the World Affairs Council of Orange County.
Office Hours
Monday: 10:00 am – 6:00 pm
Tuesday: 10:00 am – 6:00 pm
Wednesday: 10:00 am – 6:00 pm
Thursday: 10:00 am – 6:00 pm
Friday: 10:00 am – 6:00 pm
Office Location
2151 Michelson Dr. Suite 264, Irvine, CA 92612
World Affairs Council of America
The World Affairs Councils of America is the largest non-profit grassroots organization in the United States dedicated to educating and engaging Americans on global issues with nearly 100 councils across 40 states reaching more than half a million people a year.
Monthly Newsletters from the National Office
The World Affairs Council of Orange County is one of over such councils throughout the United States. World Affairs Councils are non-profit, non-partisan, non-government organizations open to all who wish to join.
Each Council is independent, but together they form a national network for citizen education that focuses on international issues. The Orange County Council is proud to be a member of the World Affairs Councils of America.
The Council is a 501 (c) (3) non-profit organization, and all contributions to it are tax-deductible.
Events & Speakers
The centerpiece of the Council’s activities is its Speakers Program, which brings some of the world’s top international figures to Orange County.
World Affairs Council of Orange County past speakers have included:
- Amb. Linda Thomas-Greenfield, U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations
- Gen. David Petraeus (ret.), former Commander of U.S. Central Command & former Director of the CIA
- Amb. John Emerson, former U.S. Ambassador to Germany
- Arianna Huffington, founder of the Huffington Post
- Buzz Aldrin, American astronaut
- Frank Carlucci, former National Security Advisor and Secretary of Defense
- Gen. Michael Hayden (ret.), former Director of the CIA and NSA
- Gen. Richard Myers (ret.), former Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff
- HRH Turki bin Faisal Al Saud, Saudi royal family & former Saudi Ambassador to the U.S.
- Gen. Ben Hodges (ret.), former Commander of U.S. Army, Europe
- Hugh Hewitt, host at The Hugh Hewitt Show
- John Bruton, Ambassador to the European Union & former Prime Minister of Ireland
- John Hofmeister, President of Shell Oil
- Lou Dobbs, journalist and TV personality
- Mark Lijek, American diplomat rescued during the Argo operation
- Reza Pahlavi II, son of the former Shah of Iran
- Richard Nixon, 37th President of the United States
- Amb. Robert H. Tuttle, U.S. Ambassador to the Court of St. James
- Vicente Fox, former President of Mexico
- Amb. Colleen Bell, former U.S. Ambassador to Hungary
- Adm. Phil Davidson, former Commander of the U.S. Indo-Pacific Command
- Adm. Michael Rogers, former Director of the National Security Agency (NSA)
- Dr. Greg Treverton, former Chairman of the National Intelligence Council
- Sec. Leon Panetta, former Secretary of State
- Adm. Karl Schultz, Commandant, U.S. Coast Guard
- Senator Lisa Murkowski, U.S. Senator of Alaska
- Congressman Will Hurd, former U.S. Congressman of Texas
- Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya, Belarussian opposition leader
- Amb. William B. Taylor, former U.S. Ambassador to Ukraine
- LTG H.R. McMaster (Ret.), National Security Advisor (2017-2018)
- Amb. Laurent Bili, French Ambassador to the U.S.
- Amb. Masood Khan, Pakistani Ambassador to the U.S.
… countless United States and foreign ambassadors, senior diplomats, and international affairs experts!
Please take a moment to look at our upcoming events at worldaffairscouncil.org/events
