"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
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)
Right Here at Home
Sue Root and Eleanor Klepacki
at World Affairs Councils of
America Chairman's Dinner
honoring Rep. Lee Hamilton
Photo credit: Brett Hilton
Karen Wilson Furst speaks with
WACA President Barbara Propes
at the World Bank
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.
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Upcoming events
Saturday, September 11, 2010
The World Affairs Council of Connecticut & The World Affairs Council of Western Massachusetts Present:
Sunset Over the Connecticut: An Evening of Fellowship
A reception at the home of Ambassador Mark & Mrs. Patricia Hambley
Springfield, Massachusetts
6:00 - 8:00 p.m.
$20.00 per person
Open to Council Members Only. (Click here to join the World Affairs Council of Western Massachusetts now.)
Additional details to be announced.
Tuesday, September 21, 2010
Instant Issues Lunchtime Discusson
Dr. Michael Klare
Director, Five Colleges Peace & World Security Studies Program
Grapplin With "Tough" Oil
One Financial Plaza Community Room (3rd Floor)
1350 Main Street (Corner of Main & Court)
Downtown Springfield, MA
Noon
Members: $5; $15 with lunch
Nonmembers: $10; $20 with lunch
RSVP 413-733-0110
Series Sponsors: Robinson Donovan, Wells Fargo Advisors, LLC, Wilbraham & Monson Academy, A. L. Cignoli Company, Garvey Communication Associates, Inc., Speak Easy Accent Modification
Media Sponsor: BusinessWest
Tuesday, October 5, 2010
Annual Meeting & Dinner
Mr. Marco Werman
Anchor & Senior Producer, PRI's "The World"
Telling Stories Here From Out There
Sheraton Springfield Monarch Place Hotel
Springfield, Massachusetts
6:00 p.m.--Cash Bar Reception
6:30 p.m.--Dinner & Program
Marco Werman is Senior Producer
with the Public Radio
International-BBC daily news
program The World, where he
anchors the program, and filters
music and politics through the
daily "Global Hit" segment. An
Emmy-award winning journalist,
Werman is currently developing a
new series for PBS, Sound Tracks.
Additional details to be announced.
Thursday, October 14, 2010
Instant Issues Lunchtime Discusson
Mr. Michael Breen
Co-Founding Director, Iraqi Refugee Assistance Project
Iraqi Refugees: Responding to a Forgoten Crisis
One Financial Plaza Community Room (3rd Floor)
1350 Main Street (Corner of Main & Court)
Downtown Springfield, MA
Noon
Members: $5; $15 with lunch
Nonmembers: $10; $20 with lunch
RSVP 413-733-0110
Series Sponsors: Robinson Donovan, Wells Fargo Advisors, LLC, Wilbraham & Monson Academy, A. L. Cignoli Company, Garvey Communication Associates, Inc., Speak Easy Accent Modification
Media Sponsor: BusinessWest
November 3-5, 2010
World Affairs Councils of America 2010 National Conference
US Foreign Policy: Into the Next Decade
Mayflower Hotel
Washington, DC
For updated information please check The World Affairs Councils of America website.
November 15, 2010
Instant Issues Lunchtime Discusson
Dr. David K. Schneider
Assistant Professor of Asian Languages & Literatures, The University of Massachusetts--Amherst
China and the Realities of Power in Asia
One Financial Plaza Community Room (3rd Floor)
1350 Main Street (Corner of Main & Court)
Downtown Springfield, MA
Noon
Members: $5; $15 with lunch
Nonmembers: $10; $20 with lunch
RSVP 413-733-0110
Series Sponsors: Robinson Donovan, Wells Fargo Advisors, LLC, Wilbraham & Monson Academy, A. L. Cignoli Company, Garvey Communication Associates, Inc., Speak Easy Accent Modification
Media Sponsor: BusinessWest
Saturday, January 22, 2011
The 6th Annual Academic WorldQuest Competition
Rivers Memorial Hall
Western New England College
Springfied, Massachusetts
More details to follow soon.