Aaron Esparsen, 29, is from Las Cruces, NM, but has lived in Colorado Springs for most of his life. Him and his wife Jeanette have been married since 2019, and the couple purchased their first home at the end of June 2022 Aaron is a University of Colorado - Colorado Springs graduate having recieved his bachelor's degree in history a...
On Thursday, January 12 CSWAC was pleased to host for former U.S. Ambassador to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia Robert Jordan, now Diplomat in Residence in the John G. Tower Center for Political Studies at Southern Methodist University. In an armchair discussion with Jim Falk, president emeritus of the World Affairs Council of Dallas/Fort Worth and board member of Global Santa Fe, Ambassador Jordan delivered an engaging
Matthew Hughes assumed his role as President and CEO of WACA on January 17, 2023. “We are thrilled to welcome Matthew Hughes, an accomplished nonprofit leader with an exciting vision for WACA’s future and the credentials to achieve it. Matthew’s proven record of building organizational capacity, creating innovative programs and partnerships, and delivering results is exactly what WACA needs in our next chapter.
The Colorado Springs World Affairs Council is a proud facilitator of two international exchange programs, the U.S. Department of State's International Visitor Leadership Program and the Congressional Office of International Leadership's OpenWorld program. We are thrilled to share a snap shot of a year filled with innovation in virtual programming, ...
After a two-year postponement due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the 2022 World Affairs Councils of America's Spring Leadership retreat was finally hosted by the Colorado Springs World Affairs Council on June 9-11. During their brief stay in Colorado Springs, 30 national leaders of World Affairs Councils from across the nation met face to face after two...
I was 18 when I was accepted to the Philippine Youth Leadership Program sponsored by the U.S. Department of State. My exchange was comprised of a month of leadership training and development at Northern Illinois University that focused on developing principled civic leadership, community development, responsible citizenship, and project manage...
At the Colorado Springs World Affairs Council (CSWAC), we rely heavily on the diverse perspectives, advice and passion of our Board of Directors. We are uplifted by such a tremendous team of professionals dedicated to supporting and promoting greater understanding and connection with the world in Colorado Springs. In May, we were able to welcome tw...
On April 1 – 9, six women from across Kyrgyzstan visited Colorado Springs to engage with other professionals in the field of Promoting Peace and Security. The delegates were hosted in the homes of Colorado Springs World Affairs Council members, fully immersing them into Colorado culture and lifestyle. Their short week in our city was packed with me...
On March 22, a delegation of seven professionals from the Dubai Culture and Arts Authority "virtually" visited Colorado Springs. They participated in a meeting with two local resources, the Pikes Peak Library District (PPLD) and the Pikes Peak International Hill Climb (PPIHC) to hear and exchange ideas about "Enriching the Cultural and Creative Sec...
On February 3, an international delegation of 23 emerging leaders from 20 African countries met with TESSA to discuss how the organization serves victims of domestic violence. For the last 45 years, TESSA has been serving the Pikes Peak Region by providing both rural and urban advocacy to victims of Inter-Personal Violence, Sexual Assault, and Huma...
Each month, Global Ties U.S. invites the International Visitor Leadership Program network to submit an article for their blog #ExchangeMatters. This month, we were featured with some of our fellow peers. Below is the article. Check out other stories here and here. "Promoting Social Change through the Arts" was a 2021 Internatio...
Greetings for an auspicious 2022, everyone! "As Helen Keller so aptly observed, "The only thing worse than being blind is having sight but no vision." A quick look at CSWAC shows there's much good to build upon as its new Executive Director. Specifically, my goals for 2022 include the continuation of drawing from the rich experiences of our members...
World Affairs Council Colleagues, The Colleagues program this evening, Wednesday, December 15, has been cancelled per the decision by Patty Jewett Golf Club. There are trees and power lines down and traffic lights are out which make for hazardous conditions. We want to air on the side of caution as well to ensure our members are safe. Accordingly, ...
Read all about it! New Executive Director welcomed, 2022 Great Decisions topics announced, overview of recent international visitor programs, and more! Read the 2021 December Newsletter here. Or, copy and paste the below link into your browser. https://mailchi.mp/csworldaffairs.org/colorado-springs-world-affairs-council-june-newsletter-5356322?fbcl...
Download PDF File Here
The following are policies and procedures for event registration, payments, and guests approved by the Board of Directors of the Colorado Springs World Affairs Council. Guest Policy It is the policy of the Colorado Springs World Affairs Council to encourage the participation of guests and journalists. One way to encourage participation is to ...
Julia Costin, has been recognized as "Top 100 Romanians Everywhere" for her contribution to education as well as the initiatives she leads to strengthen bilateral ties between Romania and the US. Julia is a great advocate of citizen diplomacy, and she successfully led negotiations between Romania and the US to establish Fort Lauderdale, the s...
Transparency and Accountability in Government - Angola, Mozambique, and Sao Tome and Principe Our cultural moment holds the tension and weight of transparency and accountability in governing bodies. We have heard the cries and felt the quakes of our nation over injustices in our governmental systems. This project highlight...
Today we heard from General Harry Raduege about Cybersecurity and the threat we face in almost every facet of our daily lives. We even learned the term "Cyber Hygiene"! Our programs are carefully planned and are rich in knowledge, passion, and intellect.
World Food Day 2021 is being observed a second time during the COVID-19 pandemic. From the disturbance of agri-food systems and a global economic recession to an increase in food insecurity and inequality, the pandemic has exposed the fragility of our societies, but it has also shown how people can come together towards a common goal. As a global c...
Learn about recent international visitor programs and how Colorado Springs is staying engaged with other countries. View the newsletter here.
Transparency and Accountability in Government – AfricaCountries represented: Ethiopia, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Chad, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Cote d'Ivoire, Guinea, Liberia, Namibia, Senegal, South Africa, and the United States. Last Monday, the Colorado Springs World Affairs Council's International Visitor Program hosted a delegation of c...
Today we had our annual High School Symposium entitled, "Never Again....Can Your Generation End Genocide?" The 8 Colorado Springs schools that participated are: CIVA , Rampart, Air Academy, Fountain Valley, Pine Creek, Sand Creek, Harrison, and Coronado! We want to thank our special sponsors, El Pomar Foundation and Colorado College! A h...
It's #HighSchoolSymposium week! We look forward to hearing from Ros Duman (Coalition Against Global Genocide) in a presentation entitled, "Never again? Can your generation end global genocide?" We want to extend a huge "THANK YOU" to our Education Sponsor for this event... El Pomar Foundation!
Are you an experienced nonprofit executive with a passion for international affairs and a proven track record of strategic partnerships and fund development? Then this job is for you! Check out our opportunity for a part-time Executive Director position! We are seeking a professional with Strategic VisionProgram Development Experience Proven...
We are launching a monthly social media CONTEST. Winners will receive a FREE ticket to the event of their choosing! To win you must: 1) Like and Follow our page 2) Share our posts The person who shares the most Colorado Springs World Affairs Council posts in the month of September WINS! Happy sharing! Follow us on the following three platforms. Fac...
Congrats to the first in-person IVLP project since March 2020! We look forward to hosting soon. A Nigerian delegation visited the United States via the International Visitor Leadership Program in early August. The group toured D.C., South Carolina, and Georgia to learn from their U.S. peers during a project titled "Human Rights and Civic Engagement...
The Colorado Springs World Affairs Council holds regular speaker programs with renowned experts at the forefront of policy making and scholarship. Our regular events feature distinguished authors, international thought leaders, and policymakers with expertise and experience on the most pressing global issues. You will have the opportunity to get "b...
Meet Elise Sappington, our International Visitor Leadership Program Intern. She moved from Alabama to Colorado upon her graduation from Auburn University, where she earned her B.A. in Anthropology with a minor in Sustainability. Her love of cultures and the environment grew out of her experiences living abroad in South America, Europe, an...
https://mailchi.mp/csworldaffairs.org/colorado-springs-world-affairs-council-june-newsletter-5233574?fbclid=IwAR1T128pjK9okmYp-Luqj80pEdEjLSOVLVXqqP81zwLbwDxrR50qq5gs2rY
We are planning the return of monthly luncheons for the World Affairs Council Colleagues starting Wednesday, September 15!As before we will meet at La Bella Vita Restaurant at 11:30. No reservations will be required. It will be Dutch treat from a limited menu. We are pleased that Sky Foerster has agreed to kick off the programs for the fall. We als...
The resolution emphasizes involving young people, as future leaders, in community activities that include different cultures and promote international understanding and respect for diversity. To mark the International Day of Friendship CSWAC encourages governments, international organizations and civil society groups to hold events, activities and ...
Our hosts Sky Foerster and Ray Raymond chat with Trita Parsi in Part 1 of "US-Iranian Relations - After the Election, Will There be War or Peace?"
In the coming weeks, we want to highlight a few of our many contributors. This week, we want to say thank you to the Tiemens Foundation! The Tiemens Foundation is funded by members of the Tiemens family. The foundation wholeheartedly believes that arts, culture, and education have an impactful way of inspiriting people to think differently, unleash...
WAC Colleagues is a members-only group that meets monthly and exists to participate in discussion of international relations issues. Under the leadership of Larry Barrett, WAC Colleagues will begin meeting again IN PERSON this fall. The location will be La Bella Vita Ristorante on the third Wednesday of each month. Join us Sept...
Larry Barrett and Jim Allen have led our WAC Colleagues member program for several years. They have served our board, our membership, and our staff faithfully and we are so thankful for them! Read a little more about these two gentlemen below, and check out how to become a member and find out more about what we can offer you!
The Pikes Peak Regional Office of Emergency Management (PPROEM) virtually met with International Visitor Leadership Program (IVLP) participants to talk about Community Emergency Response Teams (CERT). The group was impressed that over 32% of the local population is involved with Pikes Peak CERT and had many questions on how to recruit, train, and r...
Interested in internationals affairs? Want to connect with emerging world leaders? Do you have a knack for writing and are highly organized? If so, you might be a good fit for our Fall 2021 International Visitor Program Specialist Internship. Find the position details here.
Did you know there are 7.9 billion people in the world today?World Population Day is all about raising awareness of controlling the population, and the risks and consequences of a disproportionate population-to-resources ratio.Here are a few reasons why World Population Day MATTERS:* POPULATION AFFECTS EVERYONE.If you live in a first world country ...
Our Executive Director Karen Burghart was recently elected Secretary to WACA’s National Board! Karen is a dedicated member of our council, and we are so proud to have her represent us at The World Affairs Councils of America Enter your text here ...
Understanding Global Warming and Policy Options to Combat It: With Hosts Sky Foerster and Ray Raymond
Budding and professional filmmakers from Kazakhstan, Kyrgyz Republic, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan met with leaders of the Pikes Peak Region's film scene. Directors of the Rocky Mountain Women's Film and the Youth Documentary Academy shared their efforts and long history creating a community for filmmakers in Southern Colorado. The #IVLP delegation e...
Read the latest International Visitor Newsletter HERE. Highlights: IVLP alum appointed to Supreme Court, IVLP resource recounts participation in Romanian cybersecurity online conference, recent exchange project snapshots, and more!
In this, our inaugural podcast entitled "The World: Ideas and Practice" our hosts Sky Foerster and Ray Raymond discuss global warming and policy options.
Virtual IVLP projects continue and one of our very own IVLP resources was honored in India on International Women's Day! Read about it here.
Read our newest e-newsletter to see how Colorado Springs World Affairs Council is staying connected with the world during a pandemic, and read tips and tricks
Download here: https://csworldaffairs.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/2020-Fall-Events-flyer-9.8.pdf
In the aftermath of George Floyd's tragic death, the Black Lives Matter protests have become a global movement. Demonstrations in solidarity with the U.S. marches are occurring throughout Europe, Asia, and Australia. As a nonpartisan organization, the Colorado Springs World Affairs Council is dedicated to free expression and equality. We supp...
Dear Colorado Springs World Affairs Council Colleague – As we continue to navigate the uncharted waters of the COVID-19 pandemic, I would like to reach out to you, personally, to update you on how the Colorado Springs World Affairs Council (CSWAC) is adapting to serve our members during this unprecedented and very unsettling time.Since 1979, ...
