“A well informed electorate
is a prerequisite to democracy.”
– Thomas Jefferson
As a World Affairs Council member, you join a diverse group of individuals who are passionate about expanding international awareness. Members participate in world class events featuring speakers who provide the stories behind the headlines as well as special receptions and gatherings.
What we offer, above all else, is ACCESS. Access to speakers, access to information, access to a community of global thinkers.
Upcoming Events
SAVE THE DATE: Sports & Subnational Diplomacy: The World Cup 2026, LA Olympics 2028, and the Impact of Sports on Foreign Policy
Date:
Tue Jul 29, 2025 – 9:00 am
…
SAVE THE DATE: Never Again Starts Here: Confronting Genocide, Honoring Truth (Time is TBD)
Date:
Thu Oct 30, 2025 – 12:00 pm
…
SAVE THE DATE: Angels of War: Honoring the Nurses of the Vietnam War (Date/Time is TBD)
Date:
Sat Nov 1, 2025 – 12:00 pm
…
Global South Perspectives: Paths to Peace in an New World Order (Time is TBD)
Date:
Sat Nov 15, 2025 – 12:00 pm
…
Membership Levels
Join our community committed to strengthening awareness and engagement with the world beyond our borders.
Discounted Membership Levels
Academic
$85
- Must be able to speak, moderate, mentor, or serve on committee
- Discounted rate for all events
Patron Membership Levels
Family
$150
- 2 in the same household
- Discounted rate for all events
- Member only invitations
Attaché
$500/year
- Discounted rate for all events + 1 guest
- Member only invitations
- Eligible to serve on the Board
- Magnetic name tag
- Branded “swag”
- Recognition on Website
Consul
$1,000/year
- All Attaché perks
- Special recognition at programs and reserve seating
- Annual subscription to OC Business Journal
Premium Membership Levels
Founders Club
$10,000
- All Ambassador perks
- Invitations to exclusive speaker dinners and tours
- Complimentary registration for all non-dinner programs
3 Star Minister
$50,000Lifetime
- All Founders Club benefits
- Permanent recognition
- Legacy membership status
4 Star Ambassador
$100,000Lifetime
- All 3 Star Minister benefits
- Permanent distinguished recognition
- Exclusive annual reception
Members Only Program Discounts
Dinner Programs
25% Discount
- All members receive this discount
- Valid for all dinner program events
- Must present membership ID
Non-Dinner Programs
50% Discount
- All members receive this discount
- Valid for all non-dinner events
- Includes seminars and workshops
Event Recaps
A quick look at some of our recent events.
Video: General David Petraeus | Richard Nixon Presidential Library and Museum
This November 28, 2017 dinner was a partnership between the Richard Nixon Foundation and the World Affairs Council of Orange County. Dinner co-chairs were Nixon Foundation President William H. Baribault and World Affairs Council Chairman Judge James P. Gray (Ret.), while vice chairs were Ambassador and Mrs. George L. Argyros …
Video: Conversation With Ambassador John Negroponte
This event was hosted by the World Affairs Council Orange County. John Negroponte is an American diplomat. Negroponte served in the United States Foreign Service from 1960 to 1997. From 1981 to 1996, he had tours of duty as United States ambassador in Honduras, Mexico, and the Philippines. After leaving …
Admiral Michael Rogers • Jan 9 2025
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 …
Education Apartheid in Afghanistan • Jan 22 2025
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 …
Sponsors
Cultivating Political Discussion
2024 Paris Olympics – The Whole World is Watching
It would be an understatement to say that the Olympics is a monumental event that touches the hearts of everyone around the world. To some, …
Mexico’s First Female President & the World’s 29th Female Head of Government
According to Courthouse News, some of President Sheinbaum’s promises during her presidency include scholarships for basic education, better salaries for teachers, increases in minimum wage, …
Global Impacts of U.S. AI Policy: Balancing Regulation, Competition, and Optimism
U.S. Senate Judiciary Subcommittee on Privacy, Technology and the Law hearing on artificial intelligence. (AP Photo/Patrick Semansky) Artificial Intelligence (AI) Regulation and Competition Between COVID-19, …
Mexico’s First Female President & the World’s 29th Female Head of Government
From Reuters, “‘for the first time in the 200 years of the republic I will become the first woman president of Mexico,’ Sheinbaum told supporters …
What is “All Eyes on Rafah”?: A Social Media Slogan Turned Social Advocacy Movement
Following an Israeli ground offensive operation in the city of Rafah in the Gaza Strip, an AI-generated image containing the slogan “All Eyes on Rafah” …
Interruption of Ramadan Might Bring Chaos into the World Order
Ramadan has come to an end. However, peace in the Middle East is yet to be established. During this year’s Ramadan, which started from March …
