It's that time of year again! With a new semester underway and Fall right around the corner, PAWAC already has a great slate of programs & events on the calendar to bring the world to Central Illinois for Fall 2026.
6:30 PM - North Branch, Peoria Public Library, 3001 West Grand Parkway, Peoria, IL 61615
Sasha Volyanyk, leader missionary for the project in Ternopil, Ukraine, will join us in person for this event! He will be joined by local partners who will offer a candid discussion of the challenges for building a community that will be able to raise the children of Ukraine as they return from abroad. Planning for the next generations of Ukrainians requires hope in equal measure to the physical and financial needs of the country. Join us to learn about their efforts! This event is free and open to the public. Bring a friend!
5:30 PM dinner followed by 7:00 pm program, Illinois State University Alumni Center, 1101 N. Main Street, Normal, IL
PAWAC is hosting representatives from the Embassy of South Korea, the US State Department, and the Korean Economic Institute to address the strong relationship between the US and South Korea from manufacturing and trade to cultural exchange. Tickets are available for the themed dinner and program, or just the program alone. This program is sponsored by the Korea Economic Institute and the World Affairs Councils of America.
You can register for this program HERE: https://peoria-area-world-affairs-council.square.site/product/from-kor-us-to-k-pop-trade-culture-and-challenges/4BDE55CKNJLD2MYQIVOFC4NW?cs=true&cst=custom
7:00 PM - ICC North - 5407 N University St, Peoria, IL 61635
Cornelius Queen, senior vice-president at the Egyptian-American Enterprise Fund and co-author of the new book, A Daring Enterprise: A US-Egyptian Partnership and the Case for Soft Power, will join us to discuss his experience and expertise with the Enterprise Fund as a public diplomacy strategy used to create economic opportunity and promote stability.
5:30 PM - Caterpillar Edwards Demonstration and Learning Center
TICKETS ARE ON SALE NOW!
You won’t want to miss this first-ever local competition celebrating the connections within our global community. Seating is limited, and tickets purchased before September 15 will receive bonus tickets for the special beverages that are being crafted to feature potential Sister Cities! Consider becoming a table sponsor to be served first at the evening of delicious food and global fun!
You can register for this program HERE: https://peoria-area-world-affairs-council.square.site/product/global-top-chef-/2CFIMXUOSLRTEHHBMF4I2BHX?cs=true&cst=custom
8:00 AM - Bradley Hall, Bradley University, Peoria, IL
Twenty four of Central Illinois' best high school scholastic bowl teams compete in a fun-filled day of academic competition to see who will be crowned the "best in the world [affairs]" and win a bid to compete at the WACA Academic WorldQuest in Washington, D.C.
There are certainly more programs to come! Can't make it or want to stay in the loop about future programs? Please reach out to director@pawac.org to make sure you are on our mailing list for our weekly newsletter. Additionally, you can find us on Facebook, LinkedIn, or Instagram at @pawac.
We hope you will consider joining us for these exciting programs at the Peoria Area World Affairs Council!
