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About the Council
Who We Are
We are a vibrant community of thoughtful, global thinkers who are fascinated with international affairs. Our members include academics, diplomats, business executives, authors, government service personnel, and people from all walks of life. Most live in Hilton Head and surrounding Beaufort County, South Carolina. Our Council is open to all people and we invite you to join us and become a global thinker too!
Our mission: To educate, engage, and inspire our community regarding world affairs.
The Council:
- Provides opportunities to learn more about world events and their impact on the US. We offer a variety of programs for our members, the general public, and the next generation – students in our area who participate in Academic WorldQuest, Model UN and other sponsored activities.
- Is a 501(c)(3) non-profit, non-partisan organization.
- Strives to create an open space for all our members and program participants to respectfully express and acknowledge different points of view and engage in civil discourse on important global issues.
- Invites all people to join our community and share our passion for learning about the world. Our programming is accessible and intentionally seeks to connect our community with different sources of expertise and perspectives on current global affairs and important challenges facing nations and people worldwide.
 The mission of the World Affairs Council of Hilton Head and its success in fulfilling it has had a profound influence in the decision of us "come here's" as it adds value to the already full measure of quality of life. Its ability to bring people together in a new community of inquisitive minds is a rare feature of Hilton Head. If you are new or have lived in Hilton Head for a considerable period of time, I encourage you to "try it out." The Council, like most organizations, is best understood by attending and participating. |
Our HistoryThe active and vibrant World Affairs Council of Hilton Head as we know it today has its origins in the Foreign Affairs Seminar, when a small group of like-minded islanders began meeting at the Hilton Head Public Library in 1981. The organization drew on its own members to present topics of interest and lead discussions regarding current events and media coverage of foreign policy issues. Since then the organization has flourished, bringing national and international speakers to Hilton Head, expanding to over 1100 members, and offering a wide range of programs for its membership and the wider community. |
| Timeline1981: Foreign Affairs Seminar (FAS) founded in 1981. Membership grew to 50 over the next 3 years. 1985: FAS moved to larger space at Palmetto Electric Community Room. 1991: With membership expanding to more than 100, moved to a larger venue at Congregation Beth Yam. 2002: When membership grew to 400, the group moved to Main Street Theater. 2005: FAS became an affiliate of the World Affairs Councils of America. Changed the name to World Affairs Council of Hilton Head, and incorporated as a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization. 2006: WACHH had a membership of 400, with a wait list of 400, limited by the size of the venue. 2007: Summer Forums established, offering foreign policy talks by Council members in a Summer Forum open to members, guests and non-members. 2010: WACHH found a new home at First Presbyterian Church allowing space for new members and wait-listed applicants. Membership grew to 800. Over the next few years, the Foreign Policy Association’s Great Decisions program and the Council’s Fall Forum study group for members were developed. 2012: Academic WorldQuest is started in partnership with Beaufort Country School District. 2014: Evening Speaker Series established, open to members, guests, and the general public. We start our Model UN Program. 2021: WACHH turns 40 ! |
World Affairs Council of Hilton HeadOffice:19 Bow Circle Suite A1, Hilton Head Island, SC 29928 Mail: PO Box 22523, Hilton Head Island, SC 29925 843-384-6758 | execdirector@wachh.org |
