In This Section

CONNECTING YOU TO THE WORLD

The Council builds a global community by bringing the world’s top experts and leaders to engage directly with diverse audiences in Connecticut.

In the last year alone:

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GLOBAL LEADERS HOSTED

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MODEL UN DELEGATES

10,0+

INDIVIDUALS REACHED

WHO WE ARE

The World Affairs Council of Connecticut (CTWAC) is a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization that promotes greater awareness and dialogue on important global issues. With an emphasis on community engagement and collaboration, the Council creates experiences that explore critical global issues and promote a greater understanding of the world.

WHAT WE DO

The World Affairs Council of CT hosts programs and discussions on critical international issues that impact the local community and the world at large. The Council also works with Connecticut schools to provide programs for students and educators that increase awareness of our world and the challenges facing us as global citizens.

HISTORY

Founded in 1924, the Council is part of the World Affairs Councils of America, a national association of over 90 non-profit, non-partisan, locally autonomous World Affairs Councils from coast to coast. CTWAC has been engaged in a constant campaign to promote greater knowledge and understanding of international affairs among Connecticut residents. Check out some of our milestones in the timeline below:

1924

Professor Henry A. Perkins of Trinity College organized a forum for discussion of international affairs with Hartford’s leading academics and business people
1926

The group was formally recognized as a chapter of the Foreign Policy Association, a member of the World Affairs Councils of America, and from then on, was known as the World Affairs Council of Connecticut
1952

The first Model United Nations was held at Hartford Public High School in which more than 130 students participated
1963

The first series of the Executive Forum, an outlet that provided for the co-mingling of Hartford business leaders with world leaders and government decision makers.
1967

The Council broke away from FPA and became an autonomous organization under the World Affairs Councils of America
1970s-90s

The Council continued to grow, celebrating its 75th anniversary in 1999
2004

The Council entered a new era. 2004 marked the Council’s 80th anniversary, and the inauguration its signature event, The Luminary Award.
2009

The Council was the first in the country to host General David Petraeus after his taking command of USCENTCOM
2014

Current CEO, Megan Torrey becomes Executive Director after 11 years as Program Director and continues to propel the success of the Council
2017

CTWAC hosts its first Global Security Forum, New England’s premier security event featuring global security experts, military leaders and diplomats
2018

The First Annual Diplomat Reception, an event that highlights CT as a global business hub, was inaugurated and featured 15+ Consuls General from around the world
2019

CTWAC CEO Megan Torrey is a recipient of the Hartford Business Journal’s 2019 Women in Business Award
2019

General John Allen (USMC, Ret.), President of The Brookings Institution, spoke at the 2019 Global Security Forum: Power & Leadership.