OUR programs
Do you enjoy broadening your knowledge of world affairs? Are you curious about how global events impact your local community?
Join one of our programs to expand your knowledge about international affairs, geography, history and culture, while broadening your knowledge and networking with other globally-minded people.
Check out some of our great programs.
Distinguished Speaker Series
Indiana Council on World Affairs invites experts from different parts of our world to share their insight and knowledge on engaging global topics.
Presenters include persons of national and international sensibilities and prominence, such as: scholars, book authors, diplomats, political leaders, and business executives.
Meetings are open to both members and the public.
Our Distinguished Speakers Series are currently open to anyone living anywhere in the world as they are all being held via online webinar.
The talk starts at 7:00 PM ET with interactive Q & A following the presentation.
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Carl Gahwiler
Great Decisions Series
Gain a better understanding of the complex world in which we live by participating in the Great Decisions program.
The series focuses on current events and topics covered by the Foreign Policy Association's Great Decisions Briefing Book.
For each event, experts present information as well as insight, from various perspectives, on current international events.
Purchase your own copy of the Great Decisions Briefing Book from the Indiana Council on World Affairs so you can read ahead and more closely follow the key themes covered by each presenter.
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Carl Gahwiler
1943-2020
He was always recruiting members. He loved history and maps and travel. It was important to know about the world, and after a successful career as an international executive, Carl Gahwiler knew firsthand the importance of that knowledge. He found the best way to be informed was to be a member of the Indiana Council on World Affairs ……. so he was always recruiting. Carl served on the ICWA Board including several terms as president. During that time, Carl developed sponsorships as well as partnerships with other local internationally-focused groups. In honor of Carl’s leadership and dedication, the Indiana Council on World Affairs is naming the Great Decisions series the “Carl Gahwiler Great Decisions Series”.
A special thank you to Cynny and Bob Robinson for their generous donation in Carl’s name to ICWA.
Academic WorldQuest
Academic WorldQuest (AWQ) is a nationwide World Affairs Councils of America (WACA) youth education program. Thousands of high school students across the US compete in AWQ contests organized by more than 50 local World Affairs Councils.
This fast-paced, interactive, quizzo-style competition that tests global knowledge! Find out just how much you know about international affairs, geography, history and culture, while broadening your knowledge and networking with other globally-minded people.
Everyone is welcome! Members of the general public, including friends, family and teachers, are encouraged to attend our engaging academic competition. You can attend the lunch or simply watch the academic competition portion.
Teams of four students along with an academic coach, compete among other Indiana high schools for a chance to win an expense-paid trip to the national AWQ competition hosted in Washington, DC.
International Adventures
International Adventures is a social program where ICWA members and guests visit ethnic restaurants, attend festivals, movies or some other cultural program.
For dinners, the proprietor often discusses the menu to give us a cultural background of the food served.
It is a way to support Indianapolis' diverse international community as well as to learn about various traditions in an authentic environment.
Together we celebrate the unique, different areas around the world. With lively conversations, we enjoy dining and other experiences.
Join us!