GLOBAL EDUCATION
Global education is at the heart of our mission and we love working with learners of all ages. Our global education programs range from school-based student programs to continuing education and professional development. Our global education programs are housed within the Maura O’Donnell-McCarthy Center for Global Understanding.
CCWA also offers an assessment tool, the Global Competence Aptitude Assessment® (GCAA). The GCAA measures all the researched dimensions of global competence and triangulates participants’ attitudes, people skills and existing knowledge of other cultures to provide a basis for thinking about their readiness to engage cross-culturally.
The GCAA is an online assessment, which takes approximately 45 minutes to complete and provides immediate individual feedback reports directly to participants, which contains individualized direction and resources for improving global competence.
To schedule a customized workshop for your organization or for more information, please contact Elizabeth Colvin, Director of Global Education, at ecolvin@ccwa.org or (216) 255-9002.
Global Ambassadors
This global leadership program for emerging leaders sparks global connections during an unforgettable global study trip and leadership development program.
This year-long program for emerging leaders aged 25-40 explores opportunities and challenges for global cities. Participants learn about sustainability, economic development, and community building from a global perspective during interactive workshops, roundtable sessions, and a study trip to Europe.
Applications for the 2026-2027 Global Ambassadors cohort are now open. To learn more and apply, click here. The application deadline is July 31, 2026. With any questions, please contact Elizabeth Colvin, Director of Global Education, at ecolvin@ccwa.org.
Global Ambassadors
PROGRAM OUTLINE
LEADS leadership course
(Monday evenings, September 28-November 16, 2026)
Pre-departure orientation
Sessions focused on culture, history, and opportunities & challenges facing European cities and travel logistics (Winter 2027, dates TBD)
International study trip
Travel to Europe (April 9-17, 2027)
Thematic roundtables
A series of three thematic roundtables to discuss economic development, sustainability, and community building issues and lessons learned & best practices to bring back to Cleveland (May 2027, dates TBD)
Cleveland LEADS
This leadership development program for young professionals explores what it takes to be a leader in an increasingly globalized world and how young professionals can help shape Northeast Ohio through a more global lens.
This 8-week course is designed for young professionals aged 20-35 to explore their leadership styles, strengthen their global knowledge and competencies, and expand their understanding of the global economy, geopolitical trends, and management of global crises. LEADS explores Cleveland’s place in a global context, and how young professionals can become globally-minded leaders to help shape its future.
Applications for the 2026 LEADS cohort are now open. To learn more and apply, click here. The application deadline is September 21, 2026. With any questions, please contact Elizabeth Colvin, Director of Global Education, at ecolvin@ccwa.org.
Cleveland LEADS
SAMPLE MODULES
Who Am I As a Leader?
Cleveland and the Global Economy
Social & Political Change Around the Globe
Diplomatic Toolkit in Action
Global Crisis Management
How Culture Affects Worldview
Strategies for a Culturally Diverse World
Reflections for Global Professionals
Bridges to the World
Our Bridges to the World program brings the world to local classrooms. Through educator professional development workshops and curriculum materials, we empower educators to integrate current events to the curriculum, and inspire students to engage with global issues. Bridges to the World is comprised of three sub-programs:
Professional Development Workshops for Educators
Our professional development workshops train and support educators in teaching globally-oriented concepts and current events in their classrooms, including climate change, immigration and global migration, global health, U.S. foreign policy, and racial justice.
The interactive workshops can be tailored to specific needs of the district/school.
The workshops lead participants through the four stages of global competency, using the Asia Society framework. Participants learn how to engage students in current events and international issues through investigating the world, recognizing the perspectives of others, communicating their ideas and taking action.
The program will provide opportunities to:
- Build personal relationships with colleagues from across Northeast Ohio;
- Explore the Choices Program’s resources and approach to teaching controversial international issues
- Receive other resources that support global education; and
- Reflect and discuss with peers how to best utilize these resources.
Participants will acquire:
- The Choices Program Teacher’s set, lesson plans, and resources for engaging students in discussion and project-based learning;
- Contact hours to be used toward Continuing Education Units (CEUs); and
- Opportunity to earn graduate credits through Cleveland State University.
The program will provide opportunities to:
- Exchange information and ideas and build personal relationships with teachers across the region;
- Form learning communities within and among districts to share knowledge that fosters 21st century learning skills and success within a global context;
- Develop a comprehensive plan based on a selected global issue or region of the world that requires teachers to utilize resources from the program; and
- Engage in programming aligned with the Ohio Department of Education’s focus on preparing our students for success in the 21st century.
GLOBAL GUIDES
EXPERIENTIAL LEARNING UNITS
We offer CCWA-facilitated experiential learning workshops that bring world affairs to life for local students.
The CCWA Diplomacy Simulation is an interactive experience for students to practice negotiations in a diplomatic context, and to examine their leadership, negotiation, and consensus-building styles.
CCWA’s How to Build a Refugee Camp experience is a hands-on learning activity that teaches students about global migration, the status of refugees, and the local impact of the global refugee crisis through an interactive workshop. This eye-opening experience allows students to reflect on the life of a refugee from a new, deeper perspective.
GLOBAL GUIDES
CURRICULUM GUIDES
The Global Guides curriculum resources engage students in discussions on global topics of international importance. CCWA offers thoughtfully curated materials, resources, and activities, which can be experienced as a student-led initiative or in a classroom setting.
- U.S.-China Relations
- Turkey and the European Union
- Refugees Around the World
- Taiwan Identity Politics
- Why Peacekeeping Fails
- Haiti and the Failures of Foreign Aid
- Israel and Palestine: Let’s Talk Borders
- South Africa Apartheid and the Transition to Democracy
- Women, Peace, and Security
- Climate Change as an International Crisis
- Saudi Arabia’s Role in the Middle East
- The History of Hong Kong and Its Pro-Democracy Movement
- Global Protests and Black Lives Matter
For more information on Global Guides experiences and curriculum materials, please contact Elizabeth Colvin at ecolvin@ccwa.org.
Contribute to Global Connections
SUPPORT THE CLEVELAND COUNCIL ON WORLD AFFAIRS
For a century, the CCWA has brought diverse perspectives on issues of international import to Cleveland. Much of our programming is made possible by the support of our members and the generosity of our donors. Will you help us continue to create global connections?