World Affairs Council of Hampton Roads

08/10/2026

Congratulations on this incredible honor, Eleanor! It was a pleasure to have you as part of our team, and we're so excited to see your hard work recognized. Well deserved!

Batten University is proud to announce that Eleanor VanDuyne, a sophomore double majoring in Political Science and International Studies, has been selected as the University's inaugural recipient of the Virginia Foundation for Independent Colleges (VFIC) Presidential Scholars Program. Read more at the link in our bio.

📸: World Affairs Council of Hampton Roads

07/10/2026

07/09/2026

We are deeply saddened by the passing of Scott Wheeler—a longtime board member, friend, and dedicated supporter of the World Affairs Council of Hampton Roads.
For decades, Scott believed in the power of global engagement and a thriving civic life in Hampton Roads. Through his leadership, generosity, and unwavering partnership, he helped strengthen our mission and our community.
We are incredibly grateful for his friendship and the many ways he invested in our organization and our region. His legacy will continue to inspire our work for years to come.
Our hearts are with his family and loved ones. He will be dearly missed.

05/21/2026

Insightful comments and discussion at Wednesday’s event with New York Times correspondent Suzy Hansen on her recent years’ experience in Turkey embedded in a neighborhood in Istanbul to explore how global geopolitics are affecting everyday
people by examining the human realities of President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan’s rise to power, the influx of Syrian refugees, and the slow, disorienting advance of 21st-century authoritarianism.

Geopolitics is not just something that happens in government offices; it unfolds at barber shops, over coffee with family and friends and on city streets.

Thank you to sponsors Norfolk Arts Commission, Slover Library Foundation, and Dominion Energy.

05/19/2026

05/19/2026

Artificial intelligence is becoming part of how NATO trains, adapts, and prepares for the future fight. That is exactly what in Audacious Training beacon project is designed to support.

As one of NATO - Allied Command Transformation (ACT)’s 2026 Beacon Projects, AI in Audacious Training is helping modernize how exercises are designed, controlled, and refined through practical AI-enabled tools that support exercise teams in building faster, more dynamic, and more realistic training scenarios.

Developed in close coordination between the NATO Joint Warfare Centre, the NATO Joint Force Training Centre, and NATO - Allied Command Transformation (ACT), the project is already moving from experimentation toward practical implementation in major NATO exercises.

Read more: https://www.act.nato.int/article/ai-in-audacious-training/

05/19/2026

05/19/2026

Last day to fill out the application is TODAY!
https://forms.gle/b5o99pBPNpHgbucV9

05/15/2026

✨ Come travel the world with the World Affairs Council of Jacksonville! ✨
We are thrilled to share the World Affairs Council of Philadelphia’s Celtic Lands: Featuring Normandy & the D-Day Beaches journey, sailing from May 1–10, 2027 aboard the elegant Le Lapérouse and hosted by Trina Medarev! Even more exciting — six Jacksonville travelers have already signed on for this unforgettable experience!
From the historic shores of Normandy and Omaha Beach to the castles of Wales, the streets of Dublin, and the breathtaking Scottish Isles, this immersive voyage blends history, culture, and lifelong learning in extraordinary ways. Acclaimed historian Dwight David Eisenhower II will join travelers throughout the journey as featured guest speaker.
This beloved program sells out quickly, and special savings of up to $2,000 per couple are currently available.
History. Culture. Camaraderie. Adventure.
We would love for you to join us! 🌍