Founded in 1979, the Colorado Springs World Affairs Council is a non-partisan, not-for-profit, educational organization. Our mission is to create and sustain study, discussion, and public participation in international relations—in essence, non-partisan, grassroots education on world affairs. Our purpose is to help prepare this and the next generation to be more informed citizens of a global power
and more effective participants in a global marketplace. Our guiding principle is that an informed and engaged citizenry must be the foundation for shaping policy in a free society. This is especially true in the domain of foreign policy, where global issues are increasingly complex and international relationships are increasingly interdependent. The Council is a member of the World Affairs Councils of America (www.worldaffairscouncils.org), a national network of over 90 autonomous councils across the United States. What we do
Public Policy Programs – monthly programs with renowned speakers with expertise and experience on the most pressing global issues … and an opportunity for you to engage with them directly. Speaker Program Series: luncheon or evening programs with internationally renowned speakers, with the opportunity to network with like-minded people and interact directly with the experts. Secondary School Student and Teacher Programs – an expanding effort to help provide the next generation a better foundation in both global literacy (an understanding of the world around them) and global competence (an ability to interact effectively with those of different backgrounds, perspectives, cultures, belief systems, and languages). High School Symposium: an annual full-day program attracting several hundred high school students from across the Pikes Peak Region, with a keynotes speaker or panel, break-out sessions, debates, and discussion groups. Academic WorldQuest®: a team competition among high schools, testing students’ knowledge of world affairs. The Council sends the winning team to Washington DC each spring to compete with teams from other councils in a national competition sponsored by the World Affairs Councils of America. International Visitors Program – The Committee for International Visitors hosts numerous international visitors to the Pikes Peak Region under the auspices of the U.S. Participants have the opportunity to host and engage with emerging political, business, and cultural leaders from around the world.
