"The World Affairs Council is not just a great educational resource, it allows us to make high level contacts that are very useful for operating in the global economy."
John H. Davis
Trustee
The Irene E. & George A. Davis Foundation
On Saturday, January 23, 2010, Springfield Renaissance School emerged from a three-way tie for first place with Central High School and the International Baccalaureate Programme at Commerce to win Academic WorldQuest for the second year in a row. The team will go on to compete national at the World Affairs Councils of America's April 24 contest in Washington at the National Press Club. Find more information about Academic WorldQuest here
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From the left: Team members Steve Villaneuve, Yezenia Rodriguez, Joe Ryan and Giana D'Agostino with Alternate Emily Conlogue and Coach Vin Britt

Board President Gary G. Breton and guest speaker Marco Werman, Anchor of Public Radio International's "The World," listen to a question from an audience member at the Academic WorldQuest student recongition event at Western New England College on April 27, 2009. (Photo: Meredith Basler)


We are entrepreneurs and homemakers, production workers and community leaders, parents and educators — we are the people of the Pioneer Valley, we are grassroots America, and we want to know about our world.
As members of the World Affairs Council of Western Massachusetts, we take a break from our work, our play, our lives, and come together with enthusiastic spirit in search of global understanding and communication.
It’s not as lofty as it sounds.
At our Brown Bag lunches, we meet ambassadors, strategists, politicians, and ordinary people – each of whom shares his or her hands-on perspectives about current issues around the world, and turns our ordinary lunches into world class affairs.
But we don’t just do lunch.

Council President Ken Furst introduces
competiting teams at Academic WorldQuest
2008
Because we believe that Education is the key to creating a prosperous, healthy, peaceful global society – and that education starts with kids – we are proud to conduct a number of programs through our local schools.
We also serve as an engaging networking opportunity for businesses and individuals and as a resource center for our members.

School Partnership Committee Chair
Daphne Hall at Academic WorldQuest 2005
Fabulous speakers, informative seminars, and valuable education for all: We invite you to learn about our programs, attend our brown bag lunches, and join our growing group of interested, interesting individuals.

Council President Ken Furst (second from
the left) on a WACA Leadership Mission
to Taiwan in May 2004.
Upcoming events
Instant Issues Series

Ambassador Mark G. Hambley
Yemen as the New "al-Qaida" Launching Pad: Can it Be Salvaged and at What Cost?
Noon
Community Room @ One Financial Plaza (Sovereign Bank)
1350 Main Street
Downtown Springfield
WAC member without lunch: $5
Member with lunch: $15
Non-member without lunch: $10
Non-member with lunch: $20
The Instant Issues series is sponsored by Wells Fargo Advisors, Garvey Communication Associates, Inc., Speak Easy Accent Modification, and Wilbraham & Monson Academy
Wednesday, March 24, 2010
Instant Issues Series

Dr. Peter Kingstone
Associate Professor of Latin American Politics, Comparative Politics & Political Economy, The University of Connecticut--Storrs
The Sleeping Giant Awakens: Unraveling Brazil's Surprising Success
Noon
Community Room @ One Financial Plaza (Sovereign Bank)
1350 Main Street
Downtown Springfield
WAC member without lunch: $5
Member with lunch: $15
Non-member without lunch: $10
Non-member with lunch: $20
The Instant Issues series is sponsored by Wells Fargo Advisors, Garvey Communication Associates, Inc., Speak Easy Accent Modification, and Wilbraham & Monson Academy