September 18, 2026 - It's been a whirlwind week! This past week the Peoria Area World Affairs Council kicked off its 2026-27 programming year by hosting a delegation from the Korean Economic Institute.
The Korea Economic Institute of America is a think tank based in Washington, D.C. dedicated to promoting understanding of Korea in the United States through policy analysis, research, and dialogue. The visit by the KEI delegation comes at a time where South Korea has been very much apart of recent current events and as Illinois continues to innovate & promote itself in the technology manufacturing industry.
On Wednesday, the group's first stop was Illinois State University where the Varner International Business Institute hosted a dinner & program. Dinner from Seoul Mama, a local Korean resturaunt, was provided in partnership with Asia Connect at ISU.
This is the second PAWAC program that has been hosted in the past year in Bloomington-Normal. This is the third year that VIBI at ISU has been a PAWAC educational partner. The Peoria World Affairs Council is excited to continue bringing its signature programs across the river and share these exciting events in greater Central Illinois. In addition to guests from around Bloomington-Normal, there were students in attendance from local high schools.
On Thursday, the group was hosted by the Turner School for Entrepreneurship & Innovation at Bradley University for a "brown bag" lunch & learn with Bradley faculty & students.
On Friday, the group kicked off their morning with a roundtable with business & civic leaders from around the Peoria area including the Greater Peoria Economic Development Council and the East Peoria Chamber of Commerce. The group wrapped up their tour of Central Illinois with a tour of the Caterpillar Visitor's Center & Museum.
It is exchanges like these through PAWAC, where Central Illinois is not only able to learn from our guests, but our guests are also able to learn about Central Illinois.
The Peoria Area World Affairs Council would like to give special thanks to the World Affairs Councils of America, PAWAC members that helped host the delegation, Rick Swan, and everyone else that made this week possible!
