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Council Puts Focus on Global Issues
Plain Dealer Thursday, November 18, 2003
While it may seem that our nation’s foreign policy is largely determined by a select few in Washington, Susan Sasvari of the Cleveland Council on World Affairs says there is a strong connection between public opinion and foreign policy decision-making.
“To many people, especially those not living in Washington, the process of shaping our foreign policy can seem elite and somewhat esoteric,” says Sasvari, the council’s executive director. “But an informed citizenry can definitely have a positive impact on policy decisions.”
Established more than 80 years ago, the Cleveland Council on World Affairs has a mission of promoting greater understanding of international relations and global issues among Northeast Ohioans. “ We have a strong conviction that we need a well-informed citizenry to have a true democracy.” Sasvari says.
Each year, the council programs a series of public lectures and discussions built around an annual theme. This year’s theme, the World at Risk, was selected because “we are dealing with the aftermath of the Sept. 11 terrorist events, the war in Iraq, tensions in Southeast Asia, and other global issues that are crossing international borders,” Sasvari explains.
“World events affect all of us, whether it’s our soldiers dying in Iraq or having American jobs shift overseas,” she says. “ It’s become increasingly important that we understand the driving forces that are shaping the world. If people are more informed, they will become more involved in the process of influencing public policy decisions.” To date, the World at Risk lecture series has featured speakers Robert Gallucci, dean of Georgetown University’s School of Foreign Service, and, most recently, former U.S. Ambassador Richard Murphy, who has served as a diplomat in the Middle East and Asia. The lectures, which are open to the public, are recorded and later broadcast by WCPN/WVIZ ideastream.
Along with its lecture series, the council oversees multicultural educational programs that are geared for area teachers and students. Programs such as Global Classroom, Model United Nations and Culture Boxes are intended to enrich school curriculums and assist in both teaching and learning about international studies and world history. For more information, visit the council’s website: www.ccwa.org.