World Affairs Councils of America

Overview

The World Affairs Councils of America (WACA) is the national office of a nonpartisan network of more than 90 independent World Affairs Councils across roughly 40 states, dedicated to deepening American communities' understanding of global issues. Headquartered in Washington, D.C., WACA describes itself as the largest nonpartisan grassroots international affairs organization in the United States, reaching more than 250,000 people annually.

Key functions and role

WACA serves as the central hub for its network of local councils, providing shared programming, speakers from think tanks, embassies and government agencies, and leadership training through initiatives such as WACA100. It organizes an annual national conference each fall in Washington, D.C., leadership missions that send council leaders abroad for fact-finding visits, and the Academic WorldQuest competition, a national championship testing high school students' global awareness.

History

WACA traces its roots to 1918, when journalist and social reformer Paul Kellogg and other Americans concerned that the country might turn to isolationism after World War I formed the League of Free Nations Association, reconstituted in 1923 as the Foreign Policy Association. Local World Affairs Councils grew out of this movement in cities across the country beginning in the 1950s, and in 1986 a national office, the National Council of World Affairs Organizations, was established in Washington, D.C. to coordinate the network; it was later renamed the World Affairs Councils of America.

Political positions

WACA and its member councils describe themselves as nonpartisan educational organizations that present speakers and programming representing a range of perspectives on foreign policy and international affairs, rather than advocating for particular policy positions.

Leadership

Matthew Hughes serves as Chief Executive Officer of the World Affairs Councils of America. Glenn Creamer has chaired the organization's National Board of Directors since November 2020.

Location and contact info

Address
1000 Vermont Avenue NW, Suite 900
Washington, DC 20005, USA
Phone
202-833-4557
Email
waca@worldaffairscouncils.org
Website
https://worldaffairscouncils.org