2022 World Affairs Council of the Year
Network of Independent World Affairs Councils of America
A Note from the President
There are over 90 independent councils in the network of World Affairs Councils in America. Before 2007 there had never been one in the State of Tennessee. We launched the Tennessee World Affairs Council in Cookeville with the vision to bring programs and resources to our community, especially among students in our local schools.
In short order teachers and students from across the state wanted to participate in our programs, as they could not be found anywhere else in Tennessee. Among them are included teacher workshops and international travel like the Turkish Cultural Program, student competitions like Academic WorldQuest and partnerships to host “distinguished visiting speakers” at schools and social organizations.
The expanded interest in our programs has given the Council a statewide calling that carried with it the need to expand the membership base and the corporate sponsorship base. With those requirements in mind, the Council was extremely fortunate in forging a partnership with the Center for International Business at Belmont University in Nashville.
From this new location the Tennessee World Affairs Council is relaunching itself with a refreshed vision of its mission: to provide, on a non-partisan basis, programs and resources to our community, especially our next generation of leaders, that help them understand the world in the broadest sense – history, culture, politics, foreign affairs, regional studies, business, and the challenges America faces as it navigates the global landscape.
We hope you will find the purposes of the Council worth supporting and participating in as programs are rolled out in Nashville and statewide. We are excited at the prospects for the future as we rebuild the Council’s leadership – new Board members, an Advisory Board, a volunteer base and an expanded membership. We invite you to consider getting involved at any level that fits your interests and opportunities. We also hope that you will consider making a donation to the Council to support our work in bringing international programs to our community and our youth.
The TNWAC.org web site is being updated with program information and details on how you can get involved. Or you can call on me to learn more.
We look forward to seeing you at a program, serving with us on a committee, or on the membership list.
Sincerely,
Patrick W. Ryan
Lieutenant Commander, U.S. Navy (Retired)
President, Tennessee World Affairs Council
Email: [email protected]
Tel: (931)230-5732