Announcements

Events will be held in person when possible, and always simultaneously via Zoom!

Upcoming Events

The Shifting Tides of Influence in the Pacific Dr. Gordon Peake, Senior Advisor for the Pacific Islands US Institute of Peace Asia Center, Washington, DC

Many of the Pacific Islanders have felt forgotten - until China came calling to establish ports. Dr. Peake will address the legacy of history and current challenges for US and other military and trade partners. This event will take place in the Bradley Student Center Ballroom at 7pm, dinner buffet at 6pm.

March 21 @ 6:00 PM

Women and War: The Intersection of Gender, Media Representation, and Conflict Dr. Dima Issa, University of Balamand, Lebanon

In commemoration of Women's History Month, we are delighted to bring you this program via Zoom. There will be no charge for this event and you must register to receive the Zoom link. Pull up a chair and spend your lunch break with us as we hear from Dr. Dima Issa.

March 25 @ 12:00 PM

March Committee Meetings

Share you time and talents with PAWAC, your member driven organization! Zoom links can be found in Monday's newsletter or email director@pawac.org and Angela will provide it. Regular Meetings: Monthly Board Meeting – First Thursday of the month Marketing Committee – First Monday Programming Committee – Third Monday Membership Committee – Third Wednesday Education Committee - Fourth Monday

March 31 @ 5:30 PM

View Upcoming Event Details

Upcoming

View Recordings on YouTube

YouTube

What is a World Affairs Council?

LOCAL • NATIONAL • GLOBAL

Since 1970. Always nonprofit and nonpartisan, the Peoria Area World Affairs Council is a community for regular people of all walks of life who want to know more about international issues. It’s a place in which friends engage in active learning to become informed world citizens. Council programs help members contextualize global developments in a way that is meaningful to our economy and daily lives right here in Central Illinois. Read more about PAWAC, its history, and values at the link below and see the “About” section in the menu.

About PAWAC

Since 1918. The World Affairs Councils of America was formed at the end of World War I with the goal of “engaging the public and leaders to better understand global affairs and America’s role in the world” to support the world's efforts to bring about a just peace. With early support from John Foster Dulles and Eleanor Roosevelt, the organization in 1923 became the Foreign Policy Association. Now the national network includes almost a hundred independent World Affairs Councils across the US. Click the link below to go to WACA’s website.

About WACA

Bringing the World to Central Illinois since 1970 with the first conference, China in Perspective

Photograph of speaker from First Annual Conference in 1970.

Original Founders

  • Ruth and Zealy Holmes
  • J. Terry Iversen
  • Alfred Katz
  • Jerome Metzger
  • Dennis Mcinerny
  • Louise and Lyle Reeser
  • Elmo Roach
  • Janet Roth
  • Richard Sanders
  • Pola Triandis
  • Genevieve Watson

Sustaining Founders

  • Charles Bush
  • Andy Fograsher
  • Larry Resutko
  • Don Samford
  • Connie Tomczyk
  • Judy Triggs

Honorary Founders

  • Barb Drake
  • Michelle Eaton
  • Patricia Luthe
  • George "Mac" Pogue
  • John Rathbun
  • Angela Weck
  • Shawn Weck

Featured Blogs

New Blogs

Testimonials

Why is PAWAC valuable to people in our community? Don't take our word for it. Here is what some people have to say:

You all know what a terrific group the Peoria Area World Affairs Council is because it serves a more critical need than ever in educating this area on global issues. It is wonderful to be able again to get involved. The highlight was the national conference. We were saturated with high quality information.

--Janet Roth, District Manager, Social Security Administration

Judy Triggs,
retired teacher

Frannie Heine,
Maui Jim, Inc.

"I am amazed at how often our programs coincide with breaking news, whether trade policies or what’s happening in the Koreas. And so I look forward to hearing a retired ambassador and lifelong diplomat talk about the importance of rebuilding our foreign service for the next generation. One of the unexpected pleasures of PAWAC involvement has been the opportunity to spend time in conversations over dinner with compatriots whose brains are much alive. I can hardly wait to do that again when we can but am pleased with how well PAWAC continues to educate us on our screens in our homes."

--Barb Drake, retired editor at the Peoria Journal Star

PAWAC gratefully acknowledges the contributions of the following

Corporate Sponsors

Stellar Systems, Inc.
Stellar Systems, Inc.
Stellar Systems, Inc.

Country of the Week

PAWAC Logo

Test your knowledge in this New York Times Country of the Week quiz at the link below. Also see our Resources page for more information on this and other nations of the world. Expand your global horizons one country at a time with this quick weekly feature. And if you enjoy trivia, be sure to try out World Affairs Trivia, which focuses on weekly international news developments.

Educators Circle

The World Affairs Council supports students, parents, classroom teachers, and other educators in our shared mission of international education. We offer many avenues for teachers and others to connect to the global conversation, and we are happy to discuss individual collaborations for your classroom needs. Being part of our Educators Circle is free and no commitment, and we strongly encourage retired teachers to register as well.