Upcoming Events

A New Cuba?
Thursday, July 18 at Lariat Steakhouse, 2232 Glen, Peoria
Gather at 5:30 pm. Dinner served at 6 pm with presentation and amazing photography at 7 pm.
with Don Samford
Travel Guide to Cuba and Retired Social Studies Teacher

There is much to watch in Cuba these days. What impact did the brief thaw between the US and Cuba have on development there? What direction will they head next? Is there any hope for trade, especially agricultural trade, in the near future? All of this and more will be discussed!

Join us for traditional Cuban dishes! Dinner tickets must be purchased in advance by July 12. Please use the link below to purchase your ticket with a credit card. Or download the form below and mail it in to PAWAC with your check. Tickets for the program only are recommended in advance, but you may purchase your program ticket at the door.

Download the form

Join us for PAWAC Reads Book Club!
Sunday, April 28, 2019 at 2:00 - 4:00 pm
Peoria Public Library, North Branch

PAWAC Reads! Book Club
July 28, 2019 Selection

The Spy and the Traitor, by Ben Macintyre

The Spy and the Traitor can be called the Greatest Espionage Story of the Cold War. This is a real-life portrayal of a KGB officer, Oleg Gordievsky, recruited to the British Secret Intelligence Service, where he served as senior KGB officer for 11 years. Under Oleg Gordievsky, a large amount of secret information transferred to British hands.

This book details the dirty and highly risky nature of espionage; As opposed to earlier stories, this is one where Russian spying was beaten Ultimately, he came under suspicion by way of a leak from a CIA officer. A detailed plan for escape, devised years earlier saved his life. The dramatic rescue went precisely as planned. Spying is complex and dirty business. Macintyre does a superb job in this fascinating and true story. This has all the twists of a James Bond thriller and is also historically accurate.

Support PAWAC by purchasing your book through Amazon Smiles. Use this link, or search for Peoria Area World Affairs Council as your charity to support when you make purchases on Amazon!

US Foreign Policy in the Trump Era
with Max Boot, CNN Political Analyst
Monday, August 5, Bradley University Student Center
Discussion at 7 pm in the Marty Theater

Accompanied by Dr. Sue Li Terry, Senior Fellow at the Center for Strategic and International Studies, an expert on Korea, discussion will include current events and challenges in the near- and long-term. A conservative commentator, Max Boot has been a vocal critic of President Trump in some areas of his policies. Certain to be a lively discussion!
Tickets for the discussion are available through the link below and at the door. Advanced registration is encouraged as tickets purchased that evening will be subject to availability.
Tickets for dinner preceding the discussion are restricted for PAWAC members as a benefit of membership.
Follow the link to purchase tickets by Tuesday, July 30.

Purchase Tickets Here

Iran in Perspective
Thursday, August 15 at Barrack's Cater Inn, Peoria
Gather at 5:30 pm. Dinner served at 6 pm with presentation at 7 pm.
with Dr. Hadi Esfahani
Professor of Economics at UIUC and native of Iran

Relations between the United States and Iran have become more tense lately. What do Iranians think of their government? What do they hope for their future? How do they believe our two countries could have improved relations?
Don Samford visited Iran, and will conduct this conversation with Dr. Esfahani about the current tensions and what the future may hold.

Dinner tickets must be purchased in advance by August 9. Please use the link below to purchase your ticket with a credit card. Or download the form below and mail it in to PAWAC with your check. Tickets for the program only are recommended in advance, but you may purchase your program ticket at the door.

Download the form

Travel with the World Affairs Councils!

The Peoria Area World Affairs Council frequently partners with the World Affairs Council of Philadelphia to offer unique travel tours to fascinating destinations around the world. Our trips and partner-travel opportunities offer all the highlights of touring plus access to local experts who give behind-the-scenes perspective, and provide opportunities for travelers to connect authentically with people across the world.

To learn more and register for upcoming trips, visit the World Affairs Council of Philadelphia website by clicking here.