Dear Members and Friends of WACHH,
The World Affairs Council of Hilton Head started last year with our exceptional Friday Speakers and we all enjoyed socializing with friends and hearing different perspectives from our guest speakers. Since March, however, the pandemic has forced all of us to adjust our lives in new ways. Thanks to your patience, our Council was able to successfully transition to virtual events. I think you will agree that in-person events are preferred over virtual, but there have been positive outcomes that have come about due to this change. Did you notice that we are able to field more audience questions than usual during our virtual events? And, you no longer have to miss any of our speakers due to schedule conflicts because they are video recorded and available anytime, anywhere to members.
We are kicking off 2021 with David Eisenhower (Ike’s grandson), who will share his views on Great Power Rivalries from a rear-view mirror. His presentation will be followed by eight more events covering a range of topics including the influence of millennials on foreign policy, North Korea, global relations and the impact disinformation. Our Program Committee has started to issue invitations for the 2021-21 season, when we expect to be back hosting live events at First Presbyterian Church.
You won’t want to miss the upcoming Evening Speaker Series programs which begins online January 12 with a presentation about Pat Conroy and his legacy as a teacher. We have also invited experts to cover two timely topics: Healthcare Delivery in the US vs. Canada, and the history of the Olympics. These programs are open to the public so please, invite your friends to attend. The Great Decisions books have now arrived and will be distributed shortly for group discussions in February and March. For those who have never participated in this nation-wide program, details are on our website.
Our student outreach programs with local high schools (Model UN and Academic WorldQuest) are on temporary hiatus due to school restrictions. We thank all of you who have volunteered with these programs in the past and invite you join to us next year as these global education programs rebound with new energy.
We look forward to 2021, a special year for WACHH as we celebrate our 40th anniversary! We are planning unique activities to honor our history and heritage. Stay tuned for more information.
So, be well and be informed. May 2021 be a year of promise and one of new learning opportunities for you.
John Gilbert
President, World Affairs Council of Hilton Head
