Author: World Affairs Council

Orange County: The Ball is in Your Court

July 23, 2026 World Affairs Council Blog, North America

By Nathan Palomares

During the summer of 2026, the FIFA World Cup was hosted in North America by three countries: Canada, Mexico, and the United States. The soccer tournament generated massive buzz in the U.S., with particular excitement among the Mexican community in Orange County, as the Mexican team reached the round of 16 before losing to England.

“It goes way back, ever since I was like really little”, Jesus Santos, a Mexican team fan, said when discussing the significance of the games. “Since I am an undocumented person, it means a lot to me. I want my country to thrive and go further than we would have before, which is why I think it’s a big reason for the noise here in the community of Santa Ana”.

By the time this article was published, Spain had been declared the winner of the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

What the celebrations, watch parties at bars, and passionate sports debates signify is just how eager and excited Orange County is about international sporting events. Now, with the 2028 LA Summer Olympics just around the corner, is Orange County doing enough to position itself as an international sports hub?

Jayne Herring, President and CEO of the World Affairs Council of Orange County, has been espousing the sentiment that the county is not doing enough.

“While it is already a problem that Orange County leadership has waited this long to prepare, at least we should be harnessing this World Cup momentum,” Herring said. “There is beautiful citizen diplomacy happening across this country, with communities adopting fans from around the world, and yet outside of Santa Ana it was as if it wasn’t happening in our region. What a lost opportunity!”

Photo of Mexico team fans watching the Mexico-Ecuador game on the street. Photo taken by Nathan Palomares.

Herring is frustrated by the lack of recognition of long-term economic benefits that can be generated by international engagement and coordination on the county level. She argues that the lack of FIFA engagement in OC is a missed opportunity to attract foreign investors and sports delegates, which would generate financial benefits and boost the country’s cultural power for years or even decades to come.

These feelings expressed by Herring are similar to those of the Executive Director of the Orange County Sports Commission (OCSC). Anthony Brenneman expressed this in terms of improving Orange County’s ability to become an international sports hub.

“Orange County is really its own identity, own brand, own market in a lot of different ways”, Brenneman said. “We have all the right tools, we have all the right ingredients out here; it’s just we have to figure out what cake we want to bake at the end of the day”.

The OCSC is a 501 (c) (3) nonprofit founded in 2019 whose mission is to “enhance the economic, social, and cultural vitality of Orange County communities through sports”, as explained on their website.

Their three pillars for their platform include economic, social, and cultural, which act as guiding visions to help bring in and plan major sporting events in Orange County, so sports and sports diplomacy can thrive in the county.

A common theme among critiques of the county’s ability to organize effective international sports engagements is decentralization.

Brenneman explained that the U.S. is the only country in the world without a ministry of sport, culture, and tourism, which inevitably forces local jurisdictions to fill that gap.

In Orange County, that gap is notoriously hard to fill cooperatively due to local cities clashing, turning any potential county-level organizing into a hot mess. For instance, Brenneman explains that cities collect more sales tax than the county, so the county ends up pointing to the local cities and telling them they should pay for initiatives, such as international events.

This structure has incentivized a decentralized approach to county-level organizing, making it much harder to capture the benefits of coordinated sports engagement.

Map of Orange County. Image from Wikimedia Commons.

“Instead of creating a huge net to catch everything on the county level, we’ve created 34 different smaller nets (cities)”, Brenneman said. “It’s a lot harder to catch a fish in 34 different smaller nets than it is in one giant net that’s going to cover everything”.

Despite the frustration from decentralization, Brenneman and the OCSC see an opportunity on the horizon. LA 2028 Summer Olympics.

The Summer Olympics in LA will spill over into Orange County, with volleyball planned to be hosted at the Honda Center in Anaheim and surfing near San Clemente at Trestle State Beach. Coupled with our proximity to LA, these games will involve OC in one form or another, whether the county is ready or not.

That is the hope for Brenneman and the OCSC, who wish to use LA28 as a springboard to finally address the county government’s lack of an organized approach to sports engagement and unify the local jurisdictions through sports, which he sees as a great unifier.

“If we’re able to use a big event like that to bring people together, to show them the power of sports and community, those results may show them this is why they need to be a part of this”, Brenneman said. “Is it going to solve everything? No, but it can lead to a door-opening opportunity”.

While money talk is what usually gets these types of conversations started amongst county officials, one element of sports diplomacy that is often overlooked is the human connection and goodwill.

“Sport is like a human identity in a lot of different ways,” Brenneman said. “It’s like a way to break bread with your brothers and sisters from next door, and bring people together”.

Amanda, a local political organizer in the county, believes sporting events can help generate pride in a community’s identity. “It creates a lot of excitement and pride in your culture”, Amanda said. “I think it really brings communities together, which is something that we really need currently”.

Her political work within the county, particularly among the Hispanic community, has shown her how a sporting event like FIFA can bring people together and spark conversations beyond sports that affect these communities in places like Santa Ana.

Brenneman shares similar sentiments regarding the cultural and human aspect of sports.

“Maybe you bring in a new sport, new group of people, a new culture that might be traveling for an event that you’re hosting or a watch party that you’re watching”, Brenneman said. “We’re trying to elevate and bring to light why those three dimensions are important to our community overall”.

Photo of Mexico fans watching the game on the street. Photo taken by Nathan Palomares.

As Orange County looks ahead to the opportunities presented by the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics, the challenge is no longer recognizing the region’s potential–it is deciding whether local leaders will work together to realize it.

The World Affairs Council of Orange County believes the expertise to make that happen already exists within the community. Its diverse membership includes professionals and former public servants with a drive for international connectedness.

Which is why, by bringing decades of global experience, the Council wishes to connect these individuals with local governments, businesses, and community organizations to help strengthen its international engagement, foster citizen diplomacy, and position itself as a globally connected region.

“I know we are 34 cities that don’t like to work together, but the resources are available if we can figure this out,” Herring said. “Our membership alone speaks over 27 languages fluently, includes former U.S. State and Commerce Department officials, diplomats, United Nations employees, and humanitarian aid workers with experience around the globe, all right here in Orange County. A coordinated effort will be essential for embracing the next big opportunity!”

WACOC Infrastructure Recap Summer 2026

July 20, 2026 World Affairs Council Blog, Event, Recap

By Nathan Palomares

Earlier this summer, the World Affairs Council of Orange County took its members on three exclusive private infrastructure tours throughout Orange County—the tour series. Hosted by the council, this initiative aims to increase knowledge and awareness of critical infrastructure facilities that the community may take for granted regarding their significance and economic impact on daily lives.

The past three tours included John Wayne Airport in Santa Ana, the San Onofre Nuclear Generating Station at Pendleton, and the Port of LA.

Port of LA:

One of the WACOC’s marketing interns, Elise Hackenberg, who joined the Port of LA tour, learned more about one of her country’s busiest ports, all thanks to the World Affairs Council.

“Before coming to the Port of LA, I had a general idea of how these ports work, Hackenberg said. “However, the most interesting thing I learned on this tour had to do with the security; since foreign shipments are coming in and out of this port, it has its own police force!”

As a result of her experience, Hackenberg encourages people to take advantage of opportunities to learn more about their country’s infrastructure, which can show just how connected we are internationally.

“The Port of LA doesn’t just serve Southern California, but it’s part of a bigger interconnectedness that supports trade and economic stability for not just the U.S., but all of our partners,” Hackenberg said. “I believe that being more informed about these topics has a positive effect on people’s personal and professional growth”.

Photos of Elise Hackenberg touring the Port of LA. Photos taken by Elise on July 13, 2026.

Another WACOC member, Lea Petersen, also visited the Port of LA, where she had fun and learned more about this critical infrastructure.

Photos of the Port of LA. Photos taken by Lea Petersen on July 13, 2026.

San Onofre Nuclear Generating Station:

WACOC member Tim Welch visited the nuclear station on July 14. Welch was amazed at the inner workings of the nuclear station, whose infrastructure, like these, often gets a bad rep.

“Very educational–we learned an incredible amount about what’s going on with the decommissioning of the plant,” Welch said. “They are going to dismantle the domes from the bottom instead of the top! I’m looking forward to seeing how that works”.

For Welch, the tour offers an opportunity that many often are not able to experience and learn more about a nuclear station that is probably passed by on the way to San Diego without a second thought.

Photos of Welch’s tour at the San Onofre Nuclear Station. Photos taken by Welch on July 14, 2026.

John Wayne Airport:

WACOC members also toured John Wayne Airport in Santa Ana, where they learned about the inner workings of running an airport and the importance and sophistication of such a critical infrastructure.

The purpose of the tour series hosted by the World Affairs Council of Orange County traces back to its mission of educating the community. Infrastructure tours are one way to bridge the gap between facilities and ordinary people, where disconnects may arise.

The WACOC wants to be that bridge and will continue striving to do just that.

“I feel that the World Affairs Council helps to connect the local community to the important topics that interconnect us with the world”, Hackenberg said. “These tours give a fun and interesting way to learn more about the infrastructure around us and how we are connected to it”.

The “Global South” Isn’t a Place. It’s a Position.

September 17, 2025 World Affairs Council Africa, Asia, Blog, China, South America

By: Naseem Qader

In today’s global landscape, terminology is never just descriptive— it’s diplomatic. And the language we use to frame the world often reveals more about power than geography.

In diplomacy, the terms we use aren’t just descriptors—they’re instruments. They shape alliances, steer resources, and determine whose interests are prioritized on the global stage.
Today, the phrase “Global South” appears in climate communiqués, policy memos, and development strategies—and increasingly in the language of public diplomacy. It’s meant to signal solidarity. But whose solidarity—and at what cost?

What we call the world reveals how it’s built. Labels like “Global South” often suggest inclusion. But more often, they encode a position—one of adaptation, not authorship. Behind the naming lies a deeper tension: Who is the global system designed for? And who is expected to adjust to it?

Let’s be clear: “Global South” is not a geography. It’s an assignment. The term stretches across more than 130 countries—from nuclear powers like India to digitizing economies such as Kenya and Vietnam, from Gulf oil monarchies to climate-vulnerable nations in the Pacific such as Tuvalu and the Maldives. What unites them is not proximity or governance—but a shared exclusion from global rule-making.

Like “Middle East” or “Latin America,” the term flattens. “Africa” becomes a single noun encompassing 54 countries and over 2,000 languages. As Chinua Achebe famously wrote, “Africa is people. It is not a concept. It is not a geographical expression… It is not the patrimony of European powers.” That reminder still resonates in diplomacy, where shorthand often obscures sovereignty. “The Middle East” groups Israel, Iran, and Yemen under a Cold War-era construct. “Latin America” erases Indigenous sovereignties like the Mapuche, Aymara, and Quechua into a colonial linguistic legacy.

These weren’t names chosen by the communities themselves. They were assigned by global systems that needed the world to be legible—on their terms.

But naming has never gone uncontested. And in that resistance, some of the most enduring insights have emerged.

In the 1950s, Argentine economist Raúl Prebisch warned that global trade rules weren’t neutral—they were designed to entrench advantage, laying the groundwork for what became the Prebisch–Singer hypothesis. His critique remains relevant today in how carbon credits are priced, how financial “risk” is modeled, and how access to aid is still conditioned by externally set criteria.

Tongan‑Fijian scholar Epeli Hauʻofa reframed the Pacific not as “islands in a far sea,” but as“a sea of islands”— relational, connected, expansive. His critique wasn’t merely geographic—it challenged the entire worldview that cast the Pacific as marginal and remote.

And decades earlier, Edward Said warned: “When you don’t define yourself, others will.”

These thinkers weren’t just critiquing terminology. They were reclaiming narrative sovereignty—the right to name, not just be named.

For public diplomacy professionals, these redefinitions are more than theoretical. They offer a model for how we engage—starting from lived experience, not inherited shorthand.

Today, the challenge continues in more complex forms. Borders are no longer only territorial. They are algorithmic, linguistic, and embedded in digital systems.

Consider that languages spoken by hundreds of millions—such as Swahili, Tamil, Quechua, and Hausa—remain underrepresented in AI systems, with low-resource languages comprising less than 1% of most training data. When your language is missing from the dataset, your experience is missing from the future.

Digital finance now encodes old hierarchies through new tools. Smart contracts shape infrastructure lending. Debt is scored by algorithms built on external norms. Climate‑vulnerable communities are asked to fund their own adaptation—through systems they didn’t design.

These aren’t just technical shifts. As the global system digitizes, inherited frames are being embedded into the platforms and protocols that govern tomorrow’s diplomacy. The colonial template hasn’t disappeared—it’s been modernized and hard‑coded.

What makes this moment particularly urgent is how the term “Global South” is being revived—not just as critique, but as brand. It appears in bloc‑building, in strategic communications, and in institutional language—most notably at the 2025 BRICS Summit in Rio, which proclaimed a vision for “Global South cooperation” and “more inclusive governance.” Even when states or blocs use the term “Global South” to project unity or assert leverage, they’re still operating within a framework they didn’t author. Strategic use doesn’t equal narrative control.

Rhetorical solidarity isn’t structural transformation. The term may shift who speaks—but not always who decides. It’s often invoked to suggest alignment, even when the underlying systems remain unchanged.

And when recognition depends on aligning with trauma, donor frameworks, or geopolitical groupings, identity becomes a performance. The label begins to obscure more than it reveals.

This has real implications for diplomacy. AI governance is being shaped in dominant languages, with training data that leaves vast regions behind. Climate finance often centralizes power, reinforcing dependency. And the platforms through which global narratives flow—media, education, policymaking —continue to privilege dominant frameworks that define what counts as legitimate knowledge—and whose voice counts.

When these labels go unexamined, they shape how policies are framed, how trust is built, and who is invited to participate as an equal partner in global decision‑making. If diplomacy is the architecture of global understanding, then language is the scaffolding. And when that scaffolding is built on outdated frames, entire communities are misrepresented—or excluded altogether.

So the question is not whether to use the term “Global South.”

It’s whether we’re willing to interrogate what it does.

When multilateral institutions, diplomatic actors, or global alliances invoke inherited frames, we must ask: Which country? Whose voice? What assumptions are being reinforced —and for whose benefit?

Because it’s not just the map that’s being contested. It’s the right to hold the pen.

That’s the challenge—and opportunity—of public diplomacy today: not simply to translate across borders, but to help reimagine the frame itself.

International Summer Business Mixer

June 24, 2025 World Affairs Council Uncategorized

The World Affairs Council of Orange County is proud to support:

International Summer Business Mixer

Join the British-American Business Council as we unite with dozens of Orange County international chambers & non-profit organizations to celebrate the rich tapestry of business and culture in our community. This unique gathering promises to be a vibrant showcase of diversity and innovation, where businesses from around the globe converge to network, collaborate, and foster meaningful connections. Whether you’re an entrepreneur looking to expand your international network or a culture enthusiast eager to explore new horizons, join us for an unforgettable evening of celebration and camaraderie. Together, let’s embrace diversity, cultivate connections, and pave the way for a more globally connected Orange County.

Date & Time:

Wednesday, August 14, 2024

5:00-8:00 pm

Location:

Hilton Costa Mesa

3050 Bristol St.

Costa Mesa, CA 92626

Tickets:

General Admission: $20.00

Vendor Table: $250.00

Chamber Table: $500.00

Parking:

Discounted parking fee of $8

Lunch & Learn Recap: Education Apartheid in Afghanistan at UCI (2025)

May 19, 2025 World Affairs Council Recap

Education Apartheid in Afghanistan was World Affairs Council of Orange County’s first ever Lunch and Learn, in partnership with UC Irvine’s School of Law’s Center on Globalization, Law, and Society and the Afghan Literacy Foundation.

Aditya Arya, executive director and co-founder of the Afghan Literacy Foundation, Hashmat Nadipor, legal expert and leader of the Afghanistan Human Rights Project at UCI Law, and Muslema Purell, assistant religious director at The Majlis, spoke on the impacts of Taliban’s policies on young girls’ and womens’ access to education during this hour-long lunchtime program.

After the fall of the Taliban in 2001, women and girls rapidly returned to schools, creating effects such as increased economy and lower infant mortality rate.

The three experts discussed the short and long-term implications of the termination of both basic and higher education for women after the return of the Taliban in 2021, not just for women, but what it means economically and societally.

Event Recap: Academic WorldQuest – Shaping Tomorrow’s Global Leaders (2025)

March 15, 2025 World Affairs Council Recap

Hosted by: Chapman University
Organized by: Academic WorldQuest Committee, World Affairs Council of Orange County
Date: Saturday, March 15, 2025
Location: Sandhu Conference Hall, Chapman University, Orange, CA
Time: 11:30 AM – 4:00 PM

The Academic WorldQuest 2025 competition brought together some of Orange County’s brightest high school minds for an inspiring day of academic rigor, teamwork, and global awareness. Held on the beautiful campus of Chapman University, this year’s competition served as the local qualifying round for the nationally recognized Academic WorldQuest, hosted by the World Affairs Councils of America in Washington, D.C.

About the Program

Academic WorldQuest is a flagship youth education initiative that promotes global literacy among high school students. Participating teams study an official set of global topics—ranging from international diplomacy to cybersecurity to global health—and test their knowledge in a competitive, quiz-style format. The program is designed to sharpen critical thinking skills, foster international awareness, and inspire civic engagement among the next generation of leaders.

Highlights from the 2025 Orange County Competition

Top Honors:
A huge congratulations to Irvine High School’s winning team—Ishaan Gaikwad, Aashay Mody, Suresh Swaroop, and Ryan Lee—who clinched first place and earned an all-expenses-paid trip to Washington, D.C. to represent Orange County at the national Academic WorldQuest championship. Their stellar performance and teamwork set a high bar for excellence.
Scholarly Competition:
Teams from across Orange County gathered at Chapman’s Sandhu Conference Hall to tackle challenging questions across categories such as U.S. foreign policy, international economics, global geography, and more. Students brought impressive focus, poise, and camaraderie to each round.
Inspiration and Impact:
The competition not only recognized high academic achievement but also provided students with a meaningful opportunity to engage with real-world issues and develop a deeper understanding of the global landscape. Many students cited the event as transformative—encouraging them to pursue studies and careers in international relations, diplomacy, economics, and public service.

Support the Future of Global Education

The World Affairs Council of Orange County is proud to fund the travel and lodging expenses for our winning team to attend the national competition in D.C., and we rely on the generosity of donors and sponsors to make this experience possible each year.

If you would like to contribute to this life-changing educational initiative, please visit our website to donate or contact our office for sponsorship opportunities.

🔗 Make a Donation
📩 For inquiries: orangecounty@worldaffairscouncil.org

Get Involved in 2026

If you are a high school educator or administrator and would like to pledge your school to participate in next year’s competition, please submit our official Pledge Form or contact us directly.

Let’s continue building the next generation of globally minded citizens—one brilliant student at a time.

Event Recap: YPIN 2025 Kickoff Mixer – Inspiring the Next Generation of Global Leaders (2025)

February 20, 2025 World Affairs Council Recap

Hosted by: Young Professionals Intercollegiate Network (YPIN), a division of the World Affairs Council of Orange County
Date: Thursday, February 20, 2025
Location: Colab Space, 18952 MacArthur Blvd, Suite 100, Irvine, CA
Time: 6:00 PM

The YPIN: 2025 Kickoff Mixer brought together an energized crowd of students and early-career professionals for an evening of networking, creativity, and insightful discussion. Hosted at the innovative Colab Space in Irvine, the event marked the beginning of another exciting year for the Young Professionals Intercollegiate Network (YPIN)—a key initiative of the World Affairs Council of Orange County aimed at engaging young minds in international affairs and policy discourse.

Featured Speakers

Helen Haig
YPIN Co-Chair | Former Advisor to Presidents Reagan & Nixon, and Governor Deukmejian
With decades of experience in national politics and international diplomacy, Ms. Haig offered valuable reflections on past and present U.S. foreign policy. Her insights inspired attendees to consider the real-world implications of international affairs and the importance of civic engagement among young professionals.

Stefanie Sobol
Trustee, World Affairs Council of OC | Former Senior Humanitarian Response Coordinator, USAID
Ms. Sobol addressed recent policy shifts in global humanitarian response and development. Drawing from her experience in crisis coordination, she encouraged attendees to view international challenges as opportunities for thoughtful, ethical leadership.

Event Highlights

Networking with Purpose: Students and early-career professionals connected with peers and mentors, sharing academic paths, professional aspirations, and global interests in a relaxed and welcoming environment.
Creative Activities: Guests took part in guided painting sessions, fostering creative expression and stress relief while sparking conversations around identity and culture.
Engaging Games & Prizes: Attendees competed in international affairs trivia and other games, with prizes awarded for participation and insight, adding a lively and fun element to the evening.
Themed Refreshments: A curated spread of international snacks and beverages kept conversations flowing as participants explored topics ranging from foreign policy to career planning.

YPIN’s Ongoing Mission

The Kickoff Mixer served as a vibrant reminder of YPIN’s commitment to building an informed, globally minded next generation of leaders. In addition to mixers, YPIN organizes year-round programming including speaker series, policy simulations, and community events like the popular “Policy in the Park” town halls.

Membership is open to all young professionals and students, with discounted rates for students and leadership opportunities available through the YPIN Committee.

Join the Movement
Whether you’re a student passionate about international development or a young professional interested in global business, YPIN offers a space to connect, learn, and grow.

Learn more and get involved: worldaffairscouncil.org

Event Recap: Effects of US-India Relationship on Asian Pacific Strategy at the Ebell Club of Santa Ana (2025)

January 28, 2025 World Affairs Council Recap

Hosted by: Orange County World Affairs Council
Date: Tuesday, January 28, 2025
Location: The Ebell Club of Santa Ana, Santa Ana, CA
Time: 6:00 PM Reception | 6:30 PM Program

On the evening of January 28, 2025, the Orange County World Affairs Council welcomed a distinguished panel of experts for a timely and thought-provoking discussion on U.S. Foreign Policy & Strategic Partnerships in the Indo-Pacific. Held at the historic Ebell Club of Santa Ana, the evening brought together over 100 attendees from across Orange County’s international affairs, academic, and business communities.

Panelists

Matt Kawecki
Quad Team Lead, U.S. Department of State
With a career spanning nearly 15 years in the U.S. Foreign Service, Mr. Kawecki brought a unique insider perspective on the evolution of the Quad alliance (Australia, India, Japan, and the U.S.) and its strategic significance in shaping the Indo-Pacific balance. He shared insights from his current work in the Bureau of East Asian and Pacific Affairs, and previously from his diplomatic assignments in China, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, and Oman. His remarks highlighted how the Quad is adapting to regional challenges, including maritime security, technology competition, and supply chain resilience.

Dr. Rafiq Dossani
Senior Economist, RAND Corporation
Dr. Dossani, an expert in Asian security and development policy, offered deep analysis on the geopolitical dynamics involving China, Taiwan, and the broader region. Drawing from RAND’s ongoing research on middle-power equities and the Belt and Road Initiative, he provided a strategic framework for understanding U.S.-Asia engagement. His perspective added academic depth to the conversation, particularly in the areas of artificial intelligence, economic diplomacy, and the future of multilateral cooperation.

Gunjan Bagla
CEO, Amritt, Inc.
Bringing a business and policy lens to the panel, Mr. Bagla shared valuable insights from his two decades of experience advising American corporations on doing business in India. He emphasized the increasing relevance of India as a strategic partner for the United States—not only economically but also geopolitically. His comments addressed how U.S. companies and policymakers can align commercial goals with foreign policy interests, particularly as India rises in global influence. Mr. Bagla’s third appearance with the OC World Affairs Council was met with enthusiasm, especially as he recounted his recent efforts to advocate for a new Indian Consulate in Los Angeles.

Key Themes & Takeaways

The Quad’s Growing Influence: The panel emphasized the Quad’s role in fostering democratic values and practical cooperation on climate change, emerging tech, and defense.
India’s Strategic Position: As a rising power with strong democratic institutions and a young population, India is central to U.S. engagement in the region.
Economic Diplomacy: Panelists underscored the importance of leveraging trade, technology, and investment to deepen regional partnerships and promote stability.
Cross-Strait Tensions: The group explored scenarios related to Taiwan, with emphasis on regional deterrence and the strategic calculus of middle powers.

Community Engagement

The event featured a lively Q&A session, allowing local attendees to pose thoughtful questions on topics ranging from China’s role in the Global South to the potential impact of AI exports. The reception beforehand gave guests a chance to connect with the speakers and fellow attendees over light refreshments. Complimentary parking ensured ease of access for all guests.

Thank You to Our Panelists and Guests
The Orange County World Affairs Council is grateful to our esteemed speakers for sharing their time and expertise, and to our audience for their enthusiastic participation. Events like this reinforce the importance of informed, global dialogue at the local level.

For future events and membership information, visit: www.worldaffairscouncil.org

Event Recap: Admiral Michael Rogers at the Irvine Marriott (2025)

January 9, 2025 World Affairs Council Recap

Cyber Espionage: Threats & Realities featured Admiral Michael Rogers, former director of the National Security Agency and commander of US Cyber Command on the evening of January 9th at the Irvine Marriott.

Amidst the chaos of the fires in Los Angeles, Admiral Rogers spoke on the ever-evolving cyberspace, AI, and technology, and their impact on our national security, moderated by Serge Tomassian.

Admiral Rogers’ conversation emphasized the emerging use of cyber-attacks to infiltrate U.S. information systems and infrastructures, as well as further steps to guarantee not just quick recovery after but prevention and resilience against cybersecurity attacks.

There was also the debate of AI’s role in cybersecurity, how it may be used in both malicious and benevolent manners in the online battlefield, and to what extent it should be restrained by legal means.

Admiral Rogers stresses the importance of a joint effort between federal, academic, and private areas to further grasp the relatively modern topic of cybersecurity.

World Affairs Council of Orange County Holiday Social Dec 2024

Event Recap: Holiday Social (Dec 2024)

December 17, 2024 World Affairs Council Recap

Hosted by: World Affairs Council of Orange County
Date: Tuesday, December 17, 2024
Location: Gulliver’s Restaurant, Irvine, CA
Time: 5:30 PM

This year’s Members Holiday Social was a joyful and elegant celebration of community, music, global conversation, and gratitude—set against the warm, classic backdrop of Gulliver’s Restaurant in Irvine. Organized exclusively for Council members, this festive soiree served as a chance to toast the accomplishments of the past year, welcome our new staff and interns, and look ahead with hope and purpose to 2025.

Evening Highlights

World-Class Performances:
The evening featured a stunning solo violin performance by Dennis Kim, Concertmaster of the Pacific Symphony Orchestra, whose 6:00 PM set captivated the room. Complementing the festive ambiance was smooth live jazz by Jake Brown on saxophone, creating the perfect soundtrack for seasonal cheer and meaningful connection.
Interactive Forum – Air Your Grievances!:
In a lighthearted nod to spirited tradition, members were invited to take the mic for a lively open forum. Whether sharing thoughts on global affairs, offering feedback on the Council’s programs, or delivering a classic dad joke, the community’s voices rang out with humor, insight, and passion.
Fine Fare & Festivities:
Guests enjoyed an elegant selection of hors d’oeuvres, wine tastings, and signature dishes from Gulliver’s—including a premium carving station supported by our Manzo Sponsorship. The mood was festive and welcoming, encouraging both new and longtime members to connect over shared interests in world affairs.

Membership & Sponsorship Support

This year’s social also marked the final opportunity to lock in current membership rates before the 2025 increase. Many attendees renewed or upgraded their membership during the event, affirming their ongoing commitment to global dialogue and education.

We extend our deepest gratitude to our generous sponsors, whose contributions elevated the evening and made it accessible to interns, students, and community partners.

Thank You, Members!

We are truly grateful to our members for your continued support and enthusiasm. Your engagement sustains the mission of the World Affairs Council of Orange County: to promote understanding of global issues and foster dialogue within our local community.

We look forward to seeing you at our events in 2025!

🔗 Renew or Upgrade Your Membership Today
📩 For sponsorship or member inquiries, contact us at orangecounty@worldaffairscouncil.org

Orange County: The Ball is in Your Court

WACOC Infrastructure Recap Summer 2026

The “Global South” Isn’t a Place. It’s a Position.

International Summer Business Mixer

Lunch & Learn Recap: Education Apartheid in Afghanistan at UCI (2025)

Event Recap: Academic WorldQuest – Shaping Tomorrow’s Global Leaders (2025)

About the Program

Highlights from the 2025 Orange County Competition

Support the Future of Global Education

Get Involved in 2026

Event Recap: YPIN 2025 Kickoff Mixer – Inspiring the Next Generation of Global Leaders (2025)

Featured Speakers

Event Highlights

YPIN’s Ongoing Mission

Event Recap: Effects of US-India Relationship on Asian Pacific Strategy at the Ebell Club of Santa Ana (2025)

Panelists

Key Themes & Takeaways

Community Engagement

Event Recap: Admiral Michael Rogers at the Irvine Marriott (2025)

Event Recap: Holiday Social (Dec 2024)

Evening Highlights

Membership & Sponsorship Support

Thank You, Members!

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Orange County: The Ball is in Your Court

WACOC Infrastructure Recap Summer 2026

The “Global South” Isn’t a Place. It’s a Position.

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Orange County: The Ball is in Your Court