Purpose: 

Since the first annual conference in 1969, PAWAC has promoted a better understanding of world affairs among the people of central Illinois by sponsoring public programs and fostering a cooperative educational approach with area schools. 

Programs: 

PAWAC holds business meetings the first Thursday of every month at 5:30 p.m. in the Education Building of the American Red Cross at 311 John Gwynn Avenue in Peoria.  Following the business meeting, individuals are invited to join the group for an informal dinner. 

Throughout the year, PAWAC also sponsors programs by local, state, and national experts concerning international topics on the Third Thursdays of the month.  The Third Thursday programs are typically dinner programs and are open to all.  Please see the latest program here.

Each spring for 40 years, PAWAC has sponsored a two-day conference bringing prominent authorities to central Illinois to discuss a current world concern, or to focus on the social, geographical, economic, and political facets of a region of the world.

Additional programs include an annual high school Scholastic Bowl on international topics and International Dinners with Peoria Arts Partners.

Membership: 

PAWAC is a non-profit, non-partisan organization open to all individuals.  Dues are paid on an annual basis from September 1 to August 31.  Payment for dues can be made with cash, check, or credit card.  Make checks payable to PAWAC.  For membership information, you may download the registration form, register on-line at http://artstix.artspartners.net or call the PAWAC office at (309) 677-2454.

Individual Membership Categories:

Student (proof of ID)           $    5.00

Individual                              $  35.00

Family (same address)        $  55.00

*Friend                                  $100.00

*Patron                                 $300.00

      *Benefactor                          $500.00

*Call Angela Weck, Executive Director at (309) 677-2454 for more information.   

Academic Sponsorships:

Academic institutions can join for $300 or $500.  Each level has its own benefits of membership.  Call Angela Weck at (309) 677-2454 for more information regarding these two categories and see our section on Academic Sponsorships on this website.

Corporate Memberships:

Corporate memberships are available at these levels: Corporate Diplomat ($300)

Corporate Consul ($500)

Corporate Ambassador ($1000)

Corporate Benefactor ($10,000)

For information regarding corporate membership and its benefits, contact Dennis Triggs at (309) 263-8820. 

Affiliations: 

PAWAC is affiliated with the World Affairs Councils of America and the Foreign Policy Association. 

Contact Us:

Peoria Area World Affairs Council

1501 W. Bradley Ave.

Peoria, IL  61625

(309) 677-2454

    pawac@bradley.edu

To review our membership levels, Click Here!

Interested in joining us? Click Here!

Why become a member?

• Explore the many exciting programs our council organizes to engage grassroots discussions of world affairs.
• Get the stories behind the headlines from national and international figures.
• Engage with those in our community who are interested in international affairs and how it affects our lives.
• Join and participate in the World Affairs Council: Education in World Affairs -- Progress through Knowledge.

What are the benefits?

         Increase your knowledge and awareness of international issues.

         Increase your understanding of the global economy.

         Interact with diplomats, scholars, journalists, business professionals, and other international affairs experts at regular dinner programs.

         Attend programs and events with people who have similar interests in international affairs.

         Attend receptions with notable speakers.

         Attend Peoria area and national (Washington, DC) annual conferences focusing on the political, economic, social, and geographic facets of various regions of the world.

         Receive newsletters with articles on international topics and events of this and related organizations.

         Contribute your unique opinions and insights on global matters.

         Participate in the International Scholastic Bowl in Peoria.

         Participate by serving on a committee such as Program, Membership, Marketing, and Finance.

         Receive members eNotes.

         Attend the annual Members Appreciation Party.

         Enjoy the Travel the World program with embassy briefings; this is one of the national Flagship Programs of the World Affairs Councils of America.

         Receive discounts on programs and conferences.

         Receive discounts on publications such as Foreign Affairs, Economist, The New York Times, National Geographic, World Policy Journal; and books from Brookings, the Center for Strategic and International Studies, and the Council on Foreign Relations.  Ask us for a complete list.

Summary of key programs provided by the Peoria Area World Affairs Council:

Annual Central Illinois World Affairs Conference.  The Peoria Area World Affairs Council brings prominent experts to central Illinois to discuss various global concerns or to focus on the political, economic, social and geographic facets of various regions of the world.

Speaker Series.  The Peoria Area World Affairs Council hosts a variety of dinner programs.  Ambassadors, statesmen, academics, and other professionals address a wide range of international topics in an interactive format.

Great Decisions is a discussion series to study and debate foreign policy issues.  Participants use a briefing book prepared by the Foreign Policy Association.

Educational outreach with area high schools, colleges, and universities.  The Peoria Area World Affairs Council hosts an International Scholastic Bowl with 24 area high school teams.  Winners progress to the national Academic World Quest competition in Washington, DC.  Educational outreach also provides teacher training workshops and curriculum materials to prepare students for their future in the global economy.  The Peoria Area World Affairs Council provides teacher credits (CPDUs and CEUs) for its various programs.