World Affairs Council of Hampton Roads

10/08/2026

Attend in-person, or claim a virtual spot using the QR code!

10/08/2026

Get a front row seat to foreign policy, big ideas and global connections 🌎

Our members are invited to attend the World Affairs Councils of America’s 2026 National Conference, America’s Global Choices: Then, Now, & Next. Connect with diplomats, hear from leading policy experts, explore D.C. think tanks, and meet fellow Council members from across the country.

📍The Mayflower Hotel | November 17th-20th
Register by October 15th for standard pricing!

Learn more about the conference and register at this link: https://worldaffairscouncils.org/national-conference/

10/07/2026

Idea for your next night out: dinner, trivia, and a little friendly rivalry!

Join us for the 26th Annual WorldQuest hosted by Kurt Williams of News 3 WTKR. Bring your team of 8, and see how your global knowledge stacks up!

November 10th | Norfolk Yacht & Country Club
Dinner: 5:30pm | Competition Begins: 6:30pm

Registration closes November 3rd, so gather your team and claim your spot today. Register here: https://lnkd.in/e68ZRyGw

10/05/2026

We're kicking off a new season, and you're invited!

Celebrate World Smile Day with us on October 14th from 7-9pm at Operation Smile's headquarters in Virginia Beach. This exciting evening highlights global connection, inspiring stories, and the vibrant culture of the Philippines.

Step inside Operation Smile’s immersive Interactive Learning Center, discover the stories behind its life-changing work around the world, and enjoy a complimentary reception featuring Filipino bites and drinks.

Come curious, come hungry, and help us start the season with something worth smiling about!

Event Details:
October 14th | 7-9pm
Operation Smile Headquarters in Virginia Beach (3641 Faculty Blvd)
Free Event | Claim your spot at the link: https://secure.qgiv.com/for/celebrateworldsmiledayatoperationsmile/event/celebrateworldsmiledayatoperationsmile/

09/21/2026

We're pleased to share an upcoming local event from one of our partners:

The Quincy Institute's Veterans in Foreign Policy Initiative is hosting the national premiere of its inaugural documentary, The Weight: Veterans on Fighting America's Foreign Wars on Tuesday, September 22, at the MacArthur Memorial. The documentary explores the experiences of veterans who served in America's post-9/11 conflicts and the enduring responsibilities carried by those who serve.

Following the screening, we'll hear from:

Major General Joseph Reynes, U.S. Air Force (Ret.), Executive Director of the General Douglas MacArthur Foundation
Lieutenant Colonel Mike Nelson, U.S. Army Special Forces (Ret.)
Former U.S. Army Captain Allison Jaslow
The discussion will be moderated by Adam Weinstein, Director of the Veterans in Foreign Policy Initiative at the Quincy Institute.

Event Details:

September 22, 2026
MacArthur Memorial
198 Bank Street, Norfolk, VA

Doors Open: 6:00 p.m.
Screening: 7:00 p.m.
Panel Discussion: Immediately following
Afterward, we'll gather for a reception at Grain beginning at 8:30 p.m. with drinks, heavy hors d'oeuvres, and an opportunity to continue the conversation with the panelists and fellow guests.

You can register for the documentary premiere here:
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/the-weight-veterans-on-fighting-americas-foreign-wars-documentary-tickets-1996689009577

09/04/2026

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

07/09/2026

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.