"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


World Affairs Council board member Sue Root and Patricia
Hambley listen to Ambassador Mark Hambley's remarks at
a 2006 reception at the Hambleys' Springfield home.
 


Programs

Our forums have been led by ambassadors, counsels-general, international bankers, industry CFOs, and ordinary people who have made – or intend to make – a difference in the world; our programs have included seminars on international trade with export mentors and country-specific information for new exporters. Whether a monthly discussion on economic, social or military issues, or a special multi-cultural conference in Washington, D.C., the World Affairs Council of Western Massachusetts truly offers global enlightenment to all our members.

In addition to our popular Brown Bag speaker luncheons, we also hold speaker events at local restaurants, dinners, panel discussions, and topical after-dinner meetings.
 
In 1988, one of our speakers commanded such an audience that we held the event at the downtown civic center. The guest was President Ronald Reagan. His topic was Soviet Union policy, and he spoke to us a few weeks prior to his historic fourth summit meeting with Soviet General Secretary Mikhail Gorbachev in Moscow. The importance of that Springfield speech – and Gorbachev’s reaction to it – was cited in Colin Powell’s book, My American Journey (Random House, 1995).


October 1, 2008
Annual Meeting
The Honorable Richard E. Neal
US House of Representatives, 2nd Massachusetts Congressional District
The Next Celtic Tiger? Understanding Northern Ireland and Its Future

6:00 p.m.--Cash Bar Reception
6:30 p.m.--Dinner & Business Meeting
Springfield Sheraton at Monarch Place

Cost and other details to follow soon.

November 6, 2008
Instant Issues Brown Bag Series
Dr. Stephen R. Platt
Assistant Professor of Chinese History, University of Massachusetts--Amherst
China Behind the Headlines
Noon--Sovereign Bank Community Room
1350 Main Street, Downtown Springfield
$8.00 per person/$15 with a lunch

This program is part of the Springfield Public Forum's 2008 The City Thinks program.

December 3, 2008
Mr. John Zogby
President, Zogby International
The Way We'll Be

Reception & Dinner
Springfield Sheraton at Monarch Place

Cost, start time and other details to follow soon.

January 24, 2009
Academic WorldQuest 2009 Local Competition
Western New England College



February 18-20, 2009
World Affairs Councils of America National Conference
Mayflower Hotel, Washington, DC

More details to follow soon.