Homestay Hosting: American Leadership Exchange for Ukraine
2023-10-26 - 2023-11-02
CCWA will host a group of 12 students (ages 18-19) from Ukraine through the American Leadership Exchange Program (ALEX) sponsored by the U.S. Department of State and American Councils for International Exchange. The program will focus on leadership development and will take place October 26 – November 2, 2023. We are seeking Homestay Hosts who can welcome 1-2 students into their home from October 26 – November 2, 2023.
For interested hosts: Each student must have their own bed, though they may share a room with a student of the same gender. (Air mattresses are not permitted.) We ask that students be provided breakfast and that they be included in family meals in the evening. On weekdays, students will engage in educational programming with transportation and lunches provided by CCWA. Students will have the weekend and most evenings free to spend time with their host families. A home visit and background check must be completed prior to hosting.
Contact Senior Program Officer Andrew Kovach at akovach@ccwa.org with interest and questions.

Cleveland LEADS: Leadership, Exchange, and Diplomacy Scholars Program
2023-10-30 17:30 - 19:30, 2023-11-06 17:30 - 19:30, 2023-11-13 17:30 - 19:30 UTC | 812 Huron Rd E. Suite 620, 812 HURON RD E, 620, CLEVELAND, OH, 44115, United States
Show the World How… Cleveland LEADS
Do you have what it takes to be a leader in an increasingly globalized world?
How do topics such as global awareness, international complexity and diversity, intercultural understanding, and global competency impact what we do everyday in Greater Cleveland?
How can young professionals shape the region of Northeast Ohio through a more global lens?
The Cleveland LEADS program seeks to answer these questions through a 8-week course that draws on subject matter experts and invites young professionals aged 20-35 to explore their own leadership style and how they can become more globally-minded leaders. This interactive and introspective course is built around three key program pillars: leadership development, global competency, and international exchange.
We know that Cleveland LEADS, and we want YOU to join us in developing the leaders of the future!
Who Should Apply
Cleveland LEADS is for early to mid-career professionals who are interested in developing their global competencies and becoming more internationally-minded leaders. Applicants should be between the ages of 20-35 at the time of the application deadline. The program is a hybrid model; some sessions will be virtual, others will be held in-person. Sessions will take place on Monday evenings, from 5:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m., once a week from September 25th through November 13th.
Program Modules

*Introduction & Who Am I As a Leader? – Week of September 25, 2023
Cleveland and the Global Economy – Week of October 2, 2023
Social & Political Change Around the Globe – Week of October 9, 2023
Diplomatic Toolkit in Action – Week of October 16, 2023
*Global Crisis Management – Week of October 23, 2023
*How Culture Affects Worldview – Week of October 30, 2023
*Strategies for a Culturally Diverse World – Week of November 6, 2023
*Reflections for Global Professionals – Week of November 13, 2023

* In-person sessions
How to Apply
Registration for the Fall 2023 Cleveland LEADS cohort has closed. For more information, please contact CCWA’s Director of Global Education, Elizabeth Colvin, at ecolvin@ccwa.org.

Young Professionals Centennial Fall Social - Evening at the Museum: Examining the City's Impact on the World
2023-11-09 17:30 - 19:30 | Cleveland History Center, 10825 East Blvd, Cleveland, OH, 44106, United States
The Cleveland Council on World Affairs’ Young Professionals Advisory Committee (YPAC) invites you to connect with other globally-minded young professionals at our Centennial Fall Social! Join us for a fun evening of exploring the Cleveland History Center and reflect on the CCWA’s 100 years in Cleveland. Attendees are invited to join a docent guided tour of the museum and a networking reception with refreshments.
YPAC is a body of young professionals who support the work of CCWA in its efforts to engage young professionals and students in our programming. YPAC members do this by providing program feedback and insight to the board and staff of CCWA, leading coordination of young professional events, and serving as community ambassadors for CCWA and its programs.
To learn more about YPAC and meet current members, click here.
Location: Cleveland History Center, 10825 East Blvd, Cleveland, OH 44106
Registration: Registration fee is $25 per person. This includes a guided docent tour of the Cleveland History Center, a networking reception with light appetizers and an open bar, and parking. This event is sold out and registration has closed; walk-ins will not be accepted.

The Global Economic and Geopolitical Outlook for 2024: More Uncertainty Ahead?
2023-11-29 17:30 - 19:30 | The Union Club, 1211 Euclid Ave., Cleveland, OH, 44115, United States
Registration for this event has closed. Please contact Jacob Connell at jconnell@ccwa.org with questions.
The global economy has been battered by a series of crises in recent years, and 2024 appears likely to be another year of economic and geopolitical instability. This outlook is due to a confluence of factors: financial sector turmoil, high inflation, ongoing effects of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, and the lingering impacts of three years of COVID. Moreover, the extreme weather events of this summer – extreme heat, violent storms, wildfires in some parts of the globe and flooding in others – have all come with a cost to the global economy. As a result, the International Monetary Fund forecasts that global growth will continue to decline in 2024, particularly in advanced economies.
To provide greater insights into the data and the underlying trends, join us to hear from Michael Weidokal, Founder and Executive Director of International Strategic Analysis (ISA). ISA provides country intelligence, economic forecasting, and international market studies for many of the world’s leading companies, including Amazon, Lockheed Martin, Ford, Siemens and FedEx. Mr. Weidokal will provide his thoughts on how the global economy is shaping up for 2024, and how you can prepare for the changes that lie in store for the coming year.

What's Next for Ukraine?
2024-01-18 17:00 - 19:00 | The Union Club, 1211 Euclid Ave., Cleveland, OH, 44115, United States
Registration for this event is closed.
After nearly two years of war, Russia’s invasion of Ukraine has reached a stalemate on the frontlines. Beyond the battlefield, deliberations also continue over issues that will greatly impact the course of the war and Ukraine as a nation. Western countries are faltering in their military support; Ukrainians question whether to hold their presidential election as scheduled in March 2024; and economic experts are rethinking how to effectively leverage sanctions on Russia. All while evidence of Russian military war crimes continues to mount. At this critical juncture in the war, Ambassador Paula Dobriansky joins the Cleveland Council on World Affairs to discuss what the near future holds for Ukraine and what role the U.S. should play in shaping that future.
Ambassador Paula J. Dobriansky, a foreign policy expert and diplomat specializing in national security affairs, is a Senior Fellow at Harvard University’s Belfer Center for Science and International Affairs and Vice Chair of the Atlantic Council’s Scowcroft Center for Strategy and Security. She brings over thirty years of government and international experience across senior levels of diplomacy, business, and defense. Her high-level government positions include Under Secretary of State for Global Affairs, President’s Envoy to Northern Ireland, National Security Council Director of European and Soviet Affairs, and Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for Human Rights and Humanitarian Affairs. After leaving government, she was Senior Vice President and Global Head of Government and Regulatory Affairs at Thomson Reuters and serves on Rubicon Technologies Board. As a member of the Council on Foreign Relations, Trilateral Commission, and the American Academy of Diplomacy. Dobriansky also served on the Defense Policy Board, the Secretary of State’s Foreign Policy Board and as Chair of ExIm Bank’s Council on China Competition. She received a BSFS summa cum laude from Georgetown University School of Foreign Service and an MA and Ph.D. in Soviet political/military affairs from Harvard University. She has received high-level international recognition from the governments of Poland, Ukraine, Hungary, Romania, Lithuania and Colombia and has five honorary doctorate degrees.
Please note that this event has a slightly different schedule than usual. Remarks will begin promptly at 5:30pm, rather than 6:00pm.

Global Gauntlet 2024: CCWA’s World Trivia Challenge
2024-02-22 18:00 - 20:30 | Market Garden Brewery, 1947 West 25th St., Cleveland, 1947 West 25th Street, Cleveland, OH, 44113, United States
Mark your calendars for an evening of world trivia, food, and prizes!
Join us on Thursday, February 22nd for our annual Global Gauntlet World Trivia Challenge! Teams of up to four compete to answer questions that test your knowledge of international affairs, current events, and foreign policy, while competing for great prizes from local businesses.
Participants will enjoy a selection of small plates from Market Garden Brewery’s kitchen and there will be a private cash bar with fresh craft beer, cocktails, wine, and non-alcoholic beverages.
The proceeds from this event will go directly to CCWA’s Carter E. Strang Young Professionals Advisory Committee to organize events that support our mission to engage young, diverse Clevelanders in international affairs.
Date: Thursday, February 22, 2024
Time: 6:00PM – 8:30PM
Location: Market Garden Brewery, 1947 West 25th St., Cleveland
Admission:Individuals: $45, Teams up to 4: $160; Individual Students: $30, Student Teams up to 4: $110. Advance registration is required. Walk-ins will not be accepted.
Registration: Registration for this event has closed.
Thank you to our Global Gauntlet Sponsors:

With questions, contact Elizabeth Colvin, Director of Global Education, at ecolvin@ccwa.org or 216.255.9002.

Dinner Hosting: Education in the Digital Age
2024-03-12 17:30 - 20:00
CCWA is looking for internationally minded individuals and families to host international exchange participants for dinner on Tuesday, March 12.
Participants are in Cleveland on an exchange project called Education in the Digital Age. Participants are from Bulgaria, Burma, Israel, Jamaica, Kuwait, Nepal, Republic of Türkiye, and Slovenia. This project is part of the U.S. Department of State’s Interantional Visitors Leadership Program.
Dinner Hosting FAQ
No need for an elaborate multi-course meal. Dinner does not need to be expensive and can be done as easily as you’d like. A potluck or a catered meal are also possibilities. Schedule pending, a weekend brunch or lunch may also be arranged.
The more the merrier. You’re welcome to invite family members or friends to help welcome your international guests.
Who’s coming to dinner? Groups range from 2 – 5 visitors—an interpreter may be included, too. Background information will be provided typically one week in advance. This includes visitor name, profession, and dietary restrictions.
Sign me up! To host this group, please contact Maria Garcia-Olalla at mgarciaolalla@ccwa.org. We ask first time hosts to fill out a Citizen Diplomat profile form here. A CCWA staff member will also briefly meet you in person at your home prior to hosting.

Dinner Hosting: NGO Management
2024-03-16 17:30 - 20:00
CCWA is looking for internationally minded individuals and families to host international exchange participants for dinner on Saturday, March 16.
Participants are in Cleveland on an exchange project called NGO Management. Participants are Albania, South Africa, Angola, Ukraine, Egypt, Bosnia, Liberia, Latvia, Botswana, Paraguay, and Poland. This project is part of the U.S. Department of State’s Interantional Visitors Leadership Program.
Dinner Hosting FAQ
No need for an elaborate multi-course meal. Dinner does not need to be expensive and can be done as easily as you’d like. A potluck or a catered meal are also possibilities. Schedule pending, a weekend brunch or lunch may also be arranged.
The more the merrier. You’re welcome to invite family members or friends to help welcome your international guests.
Who’s coming to dinner? Groups range from 2 – 5 visitors—an interpreter may be included, too. Background information will be provided typically one week in advance. This includes visitor name, profession, and dietary restrictions.
Sign me up! To host this group, please contact Maria Garcia-Olalla at mgarciaolalla@ccwa.org. We ask first time hosts to fill out a Citizen Diplomat profile form here. A CCWA staff member will also briefly meet you in person at your home prior to hosting.

India: The Emerging Geopolitical and Economic Power -- Prospects and Challenges
2024-03-20 17:30 - 19:30 | The Union Club, 1211 Euclid Ave., Cleveland, OH, 44115, United States
Join us for the Dr. Raj and Karen Aggarwal Forum on India for a discussion on the future of India as a global power.
As the global geopolitical order continues to evolve, India, soon to be the world’s third largest economy, has emerged as a critical player on the world stage. Many questions surround what India’s prominence means for the nation, the region, and the world. Western nations see India as a strategic partner well-positioned to contain the rise of China, and yet India is clearly shaping its own sense of its future. Among other ambitions, the Narendra Modi government, who referred to India with the Sanskrit name “Bharat” when hosting the G20 in September 2023, is aiming to make India an advanced economy by 2047 to mark 100 years of independence. With so much potential for internal economic growth, how does India want to project itself as a global power? Long hailed as the world’s largest democracy, in what ways will India’s domestic policies shape its geopolitical trajectory? Dr. Ajay Chhibber, a leading expert on Indian economic development, joins the Cleveland Council on World Affairs to tackle these complex questions and discuss why India is poised to reshape the world.
Dr. Ajay Chhibber is a Distinguished Visiting Scholar at the Institute of International Economic Policy, George Washington University, and a Non-Resident Senior Fellow at the Atlantic Council. He was India’s first Director General of Independent Evaluation with the status of Minister of State in 2013-2014 and Distinguished Visiting Professor at the National Institute for Public Finance and Policy. From 2008-2013 he served as United Nations Assistant Secretary-General and Assistant Administrator at the United Nations Development Programme. He served as the World Bank’s Country Director in Turkey and Vietnam and led the 1997 World Development Report on the role of the state. He has published six books on economic development and many articles in international journals and major newspapers. His latest book, co-authored with Salman Soz, Unshackling India: Hard Truths and Clear Choices for Economic Revival (Harper-Collins) was declared the Best New Book in Economics for 2022 in the Financial Times and won the India Economic Forum Literary Award for 2022. He has a PhD from Stanford University, a master’s degree from the Delhi School of Economics, and has completed advanced management programs at Harvard University and INSEAD, France. He has also taught economics at Georgetown University and the University of Delhi.
Registration for this event has closed. Please contact Jacob Connell at jconnell@ccwa.org with questions.

Academic WorldQuest 2024
2024-03-21 16:30 - 19:00
Academic WorldQuest is a national competition in which teams of high school students test their knowledge about international affairs, U.S. foreign policy, and current events.
Teams compete over 10 rounds of trivia during this fun and competitive event. The winning team will have the option to participate in the national conference April 20, 2024 to represent Cleveland. Our Competition will be held on March 21, location to be announced.
Who Can Play?
Teams consist of 4 high school students from the same school with an optional alternate. Schools may register more than one team. There is a registration fee of $40 per team.
2024 Academic WorldQuest Topics Include:

The North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO): Alliance and Collective Defense in a Changing World
Demographic Dividends – Population Shift in Africa
The Global South
Sports and Diplomacy
Country in Focus: South Korea
Promoting a Green Europe
Women’s Contributions to Track II Diplomacy
Navigating AI: The Global Workforce
Great Decisions
Current Events

A study guide is also provided to help teams prepare for the competition! Click here to access the Study Guide.
Registration and Questions
To register for CCWA’s Eighth Annual Academic WorldQuest Competition, please click HERE.

Global Population: Sorting Fact from Fiction
2024-04-10 17:30 - 19:15 | The Union Club, 1211 Euclid Ave., Cleveland, OH, 44115, United States
Registration for this event is closed, but walk-ups are welcome!
Our global population of 8 billion is radically different than at any other time in human history — and it’s headed in an unprecedented direction. As we move deeper into the 21st century, demographic shifts and migration crises increasingly dominate the headlines. Countries around the world are starting to face difficult questions related to their aging populations. Should governments enact policy designed to raise fertility rates? What role does migration play in balancing a work force? How will the world’s politics and the balance of geopolitical power change as the world’s population changes? Jennifer D. Sciubba, Ph.D., will join CCWA to discuss common misconceptions about global population trends in births, deaths, and migration and why there is cause for optimism.
Dr. Sciubba is one of the foremost experts in the field of political demography. Her latest book, 8 billion and Counting: How Sex, Death, and Migration Shape Our World (W.W. Norton 2022) argues that a deeper understanding of fertility, mortality, and migration trends points us toward the investments we need to make today to shape the future we want tomorrow. Dr. Sciubba works to educate the broader public about the importance of population trends by translating research for readers of The Atlantic, Harvard Business Review, The Washington Post, and on the TED stage, among other places, in addition to publishing policy-relevant research in numerous scholarly articles and edited books.
Dr. Sciubba is affiliated with the Wilson Center and the Hess Center for New Frontiers at the Center for Strategic and International Studies. She is formerly a tenured professor at Rhodes College in Memphis, Tennessee. Dr. Sciubba has studied at the Max Planck Institute for Demographic Research in Rostock, Germany, and served as a demographics consultant to the US Office of the Secretary of Defense. Dr. Sciubba is Vice-Chair of the board of the Population Reference Bureau, and a member of the Council on Foreign Relations and Phi Beta Kappa. She received her Ph.D. and M.A. from the University of Maryland and her B.A. from Agnes Scott College.

Dinner Hosting: Sports for People with Disabilities
2024-04-20 17:30 - 20:00
CCWA is looking for internationally minded individuals and families to host international exchange participants for dinner on Saturday, April 16.
Participants are in Cleveland on an exchange project called Sports for people with Disabilities. Participants are from Saudi Arabia. This project is part of the U.S. Department of State’s Interantional Visitors Leadership Program.
Dinner Hosting FAQ
No need for an elaborate multi-course meal. Dinner does not need to be expensive and can be done as easily as you’d like. A potluck or a catered meal are also possibilities. Schedule pending, a weekend brunch or lunch may also be arranged.
The more the merrier. You’re welcome to invite family members or friends to help welcome your international guests.
Who’s coming to dinner? Groups range from 2 – 5 visitors—an interpreter may be included, too. Background information will be provided typically one week in advance. This includes visitor name, profession, and dietary restrictions.
Sign me up! To host this group, please contact Maria Garcia-Olalla at mgarciaolalla@ccwa.org. We ask first time hosts to fill out a Citizen Diplomat profile form here. A CCWA staff member will also briefly meet you in person at your home prior to hosting.

Geopolitics and National Security in the World of Tomorrow
2024-04-30 17:30 - 19:30 | The Union Club, 1211 Euclid Ave., Cleveland, OH, 44115, United States
The Cleveland Council on World Affairs (CCWA) is honored to host Admiral James Stavridis for the John A. Hellman Foreign Policy Forum.
As we move deeper into the 21st century, technological advancement has left government regulation lagging and militaries scrambling to keep apace of rapid evolutions. Amidst the whirlwind of change, Admiral Stavridis draws upon his wealth of experience as the Supreme Allied Commander at NATO and Commander of U.S. Southern Command to assess the world, its risks, and its opportunities. As the Chief International Security Analyst for NBC News, Admiral Stavridis is a trusted national expert on global affairs. Now, he joins CCWA to share his assessments of the current geopolitical trends and how they will shape the future of U.S. national security.
All event attendees will receive a free copy of Admiral Stavridis’ latest book, 2054, a thrilling novel that encourages readers to consider the trajectory of our society and its possible destinations on the global stage.
Admiral James Stavridis is Partner and Vice Chair of Global Affairs of The Carlyle Group and Chair of the Board of Trustees of the Rockefeller Foundation, following five years as the 12th Dean of The Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy at Tufts University. A retired 4-star officer in the U.S. Navy, he led the NATO Alliance in global operations from 2009 to 2013 as Supreme Allied Commander with responsibility for Afghanistan, Libya, the Balkans, Syria, counter-piracy, and cyber security. He also served as Commander of U.S. Southern Command, with responsibility for all military operations in Latin America from 2006-2009. He won the Battenberg Cup for commanding the top ship in the Atlantic Fleet and the Navy League John Paul Jones Award for Inspirational Leadership, along with more than 50 U.S. and international medals and decorations, including 28 from foreign nations. He also commanded a Destroyer Squadron and a Carrier Strike Group, both in combat.
Of note, in 2016, he was vetted for Vice President by Secretary Hillary Clinton, and was subsequently invited to discuss a cabinet position with President-elect Donald Trump.
Admiral Stavridis has published twelve books on leadership, the oceans, maritime affairs, and Latin America, as well as hundreds of articles in leading journals. While a Navy commander in 1995, he was named “U.S. Naval Institute Proceedings Author of the Year.” In 2010, he was named U.S. Naval Institute Press Author of the Year.” In July 2022, he was proud to be a “writer-in-residence” at the Hemingway House in Ketchum, Idaho. His books have sold over 500,000 copies worldwide and have been published in more than twenty different languages.
Registration for this event has closed.

Dinner Hosting: Supporting Women Entrepreneurs
2024-05-11 17:30 - 20:00
CCWA is looking for internationally minded individuals and families to host international exchange participants for dinner on Saturday, May 11th.
Participants are in Cleveland on an exchange project called WeAmericas: Supporting Women Entrepreneurs. Participants are from Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Costa Rica, Cuba, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, Honduras, Mexico, and Nicaragua. This project is part of the U.S. Department of State’s Interantional Visitors Leadership Program.
Dinner Hosting FAQ
No need for an elaborate multi-course meal. Dinner does not need to be expensive and can be done as easily as you’d like. A potluck or a catered meal are also possibilities. Schedule pending, a weekend brunch or lunch may also be arranged.
The more the merrier. You’re welcome to invite family members or friends to help welcome your international guests.
Who’s coming to dinner? Groups range from 2 – 5 visitors—an interpreter may be included, too. Background information will be provided typically one week in advance. This includes visitor name, profession, and dietary restrictions.
Sign me up! To host this group, please contact Maria Garcia-Olalla at mgarciaolalla@ccwa.org. We ask first time hosts to fill out a Citizen Diplomat profile form here. A CCWA staff member will also briefly meet you in person at your home prior to hosting.

Climate Change: When Water Bankruptcy and Human Security Collide
2024-05-15 17:30 - 19:15 | The Union Club, 1211 Euclid Ave., Cleveland, OH, 44115, United States
Unfortunately, this event is canceled. Dr. Madani has been unexpectedly called to a meeting of the United Nations Environment Programme. We apologize for any inconvenience.
As we learn more about the impacts of climate change, water is a key human resource threatened by our evolving climate. Water shortage is the major environmental problem of the 21st century. We are experiencing water bankruptcy at the global level – water resources are currently insufficient to meet demand – and water is intimately linked to food security, energy production, urbanization, and development more broadly. As a result, pressures from water shortages are underpinning social and political challenges around the globe. Conflict over water has increased significantly in the past decades. And the poor of the world suffer the most from water bankruptcy, another stark reminder of global environmental injustice.
The question is how to understand these complex, interlinked challenges so that we may land on the right solutions to ensure the sustainability of humans and their environments, and safeguard life on our planet. How much is climate change contributing to water bankruptcy? How much are water shortages due to reversible human decisions? It is important to distinguish the factors contributing to water shortages and to develop a narrative that invites positive action to mitigate the problems.
Join us as Dr. Kaveh Madani addresses these questions. Dr. Madani is the Director of the United Nations University Institute for Water, Environment and Health. He is a globally recognized environmental scientist, educator, and activist, working on complex human-natural systems at the interface of science, policy, and society. He has over 200 publications worldwide on issues such as water management, environmental policy, energy systems, food security, climate change impacts, and environmental security, diplomacy, and justice. He is also a Fellow of the American Geophysical Union (AGU) and Environmental & Water Resources Institute (EWRI) of the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE).

Young Professionals Networking Event
2024-05-16 17:30 - 20:00 | Clandestina Mezcalería & Tequila, 1865 W. 25 Street, Cleveland, OH, 44113, United States
Pre-registration for this event has closed, but walk-ins are welcome!
The Cleveland Council on World Affairs’ Young Professionals Advisory Committee (YPAC) invites you to join us for an evening of networking with globally-minded young professionals. Complimentary appetizers will be served, and a cash bar will be available.
YPAC is a body of young professionals who support the work of CCWA in its efforts to engage young professionals and students in our programming. YPAC members do this by providing program feedback and insight to the board and staff of CCWA, leading coordination of young professional events, and serving as community ambassadors for CCWA and its programs.
To learn more about YPAC and meet current members, click here.
Location: Clandestina Mezcalería & Tequila, 1865 W. 25 Street, Cleveland, OH 44113

Dinner Hosting: Professional Fellows Program
2024-05-18
CCWA is looking for internationally minded individuals and families to host international exchange fellows for dinner on May, May 18. The fellows are from India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, and Nepal, and will be in Cleveland for month-long fellowships with local nonprofits and government agencies.
Dinner Hosting FAQ
No need for an elaborate multi-course meal. Dinner does not need to be expensive and can be done as easily as you’d like. A potluck or a catered meal are also possibilities. Schedule pending, a weekend brunch or lunch may also be arranged.
The more the merrier. You’re welcome to invite family members or friends to help welcome your international guests.
Who’s coming to dinner? Groups range from 2 – 4 visitors—an interpreter may be included, too. Background information will be provided typically one week in advance. This includes visitor name, profession, and dietary restrictions.
Sign me up! To host this group, please contact Andrew Kovach at akovach@ccwa.org. We ask first time hosts to fill out a Citizen Diplomat profile form here. A CCWA staff member will also briefly meet you in person at your home prior to hosting.

Dinner Hosting: Advancing an Open, Reliable, and Secure Digital Economy
2024-05-18 17:30 - 20:00
CCWA is looking for internationally minded individuals and families to host international exchange participants for dinner on Saturday, May 18.
Participants are in Cleveland on an exchange project called Advancing an Open, Reliable, and Secure Digital Economy. Participants are from Israel, Lesotho, Malawi, The Republic of Türkiye, Samoa, and Spain. This project is part of the U.S. Department of State’s Interantional Visitors Leadership Program.
Dinner Hosting FAQ
No need for an elaborate multi-course meal. Dinner does not need to be expensive and can be done as easily as you’d like. A potluck or a catered meal are also possibilities. Schedule pending, a weekend brunch or lunch may also be arranged.
The more the merrier. You’re welcome to invite family members or friends to help welcome your international guests.
Who’s coming to dinner? Groups range from 2 – 5 visitors—an interpreter may be included, too. Background information will be provided typically one week in advance. This includes visitor name, profession, and dietary restrictions.
Sign me up! To host this group, please contact Maria Garcia-Olalla at mgarciaolalla@ccwa.org. We ask first time hosts to fill out a Citizen Diplomat profile form here. A CCWA staff member will also briefly meet you in person at your home prior to hosting.

Dinner Hosting: Dismantling Racial and Social Injustice
2024-06-15 17:30 - 20:00
CCWA is looking for internationally minded individuals and families to host international exchange participants for dinner on Saturday, June 15.
Participants are in Cleveland on an exchange project called The Problem We All Live With: Dismantling Racial and Social Injustice. Participants are from Brazil, Czech Republic, Finland, Switzerland, India, Iraq, Nepal, Netherlands, Portugal, and South Africa. This project is part of the U.S. Department of State’s Interantional Visitors Leadership Program.
Dinner Hosting FAQ
No need for an elaborate multi-course meal. Dinner does not need to be expensive and can be done as easily as you’d like. A potluck or a catered meal are also possibilities. Schedule pending, a weekend brunch or lunch may also be arranged.
The more the merrier. You’re welcome to invite family members or friends to help welcome your international guests.
Who’s coming to dinner? Groups range from 2 – 5 visitors—an interpreter may be included, too. Background information will be provided typically one week in advance. This includes visitor name, profession, and dietary restrictions.
Sign me up! To host this group, please contact Maria Garcia-Olalla at mgarciaolalla@ccwa.org. We ask first time hosts to fill out a Citizen Diplomat profile form here. A CCWA staff member will also briefly meet you in person at your home prior to hosting.

Jóvenes en Acción: Mexico Youth Exchange Program
2024-07-10 - 2024-07-22
This summer CCWA is hosting a cohort of high school students from Mexico on a program called Jóvenes en Acción. Each weekday the students are engaged in workshops and programming on leadership and social entrepreneurship. We are in need of home stay hosts to accommodate one or two students from July 10 – 22, 2024. For more information, please contact Senior Program Officer Andrew Kovach at akovach@ccwa.org.
For interested hosts: Each student must have their own bed, though they may share a room with a student of the same gender. (Air mattresses are not permitted.) We ask that students be provided breakfast and that they be included in family meals in the evening. During the day on weekdays, students will be engaged in educational programming, and transportation and lunches will be provided by CCWA. Students have weekends and most evenings free to spend time with their host families. A home visit and background check must be completed prior to hosting.

Dinner Hosting: U.S. Trade Policy
2024-07-13 17:30 - 20:00
CCWA is looking for internationally minded individuals and families to host international exchange participants for dinner on Saturday, July 13.
Participants are in Cleveland on an exchange project called U.S. Trade Policy. Participants are from multiple regions around the world. This project is part of the U.S. Department of State’s International Visitors Leadership Program.
Dinner Hosting FAQ
No need for an elaborate multi-course meal. Dinner does not need to be expensive and can be done as easily as you’d like. A potluck or a catered meal are also possibilities. Schedule pending, a weekend brunch or lunch may also be arranged.
The more the merrier. You’re welcome to invite family members or friends to help welcome your international guests.
Who’s coming to dinner? Groups range from 2 – 5 visitors—an interpreter may be included, too. Background information will be provided typically one week in advance. This includes visitor name, profession, and dietary restrictions.
Sign me up! To host this group, please contact Maria Garcia-Olalla at mgarciaolalla@ccwa.org. We ask first time hosts to fill out a Citizen Diplomat profile form here. A CCWA staff member will also briefly meet you in person at your home prior to hosting.

Dinner Hosting: Ending Gender-Based Violence
2024-07-20 17:30 - 20:00
CCWA is looking for internationally minded individuals and families to host international exchange participants for dinner on Saturday, July 20.
Participants are in Cleveland on an exchange project called Ending Gender-Based Violence. Participants are from Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Costa Rica, Ecuador, Paraguay, Peru, and Uruguay. This project is part of the U.S. Department of State’s Interantional Visitors Leadership Program.
Dinner Hosting FAQ
No need for an elaborate multi-course meal. Dinner does not need to be expensive and can be done as easily as you’d like. A potluck or a catered meal are also possibilities. Schedule pending, a weekend brunch or lunch may also be arranged.
The more the merrier. You’re welcome to invite family members or friends to help welcome your international guests.
Who’s coming to dinner? Groups range from 2 – 5 visitors—an interpreter may be included, too. Background information will be provided typically one week in advance. This includes visitor name, profession, and dietary restrictions.
Sign me up! To host this group, please contact Maria Garcia-Olalla at mgarciaolalla@ccwa.org. We ask first time hosts to fill out a Citizen Diplomat profile form here. A CCWA staff member will also briefly meet you in person at your home prior to hosting.

Hosting Opportunity: Fulbright Welcome Weekend Brazil
2024-07-26 - 2024-07-28
CCWA is looking for internationally-minded host families for Fulbright scholars from Brazil on July 26-28, 2024.
CCWA will be partnering with Ohio University to host Brazilian Fulbright English language instructors in Cleveland for the weekend. All Fulbright scholars speak English. They are here in Ohio for an orientation program and will come to Cleveland to spend a fun “weekend in the city” with host families. Hosts will pick up their Fulbright scholar on Friday, July 26, from the pavilions at Lakewood Park, spend a free day exploring the city and engaging in fun cultural activities, and drop their Fulbright scholar back off at Lakewood Park on Sunday, July 28.
The program will begin with a welcome reception at Lakewood Park at 4:00 pm on July 26.

Dinner Hosting: Soft Targets Against Terrorist Attacks
2024-09-14 17:30 - 20:00
CCWA is looking for internationally minded individuals and families to host international exchange participants for dinner on Saturday, September 14.
Participants are in Cleveland on an exchange project called Soft Targets Against Terrorist Attacks. Participants are from Kasachstan. This project is part of the U.S. Department of State’s Interantional Visitors Leadership Program.
Dinner Hosting FAQ
No need for an elaborate multi-course meal. Dinner does not need to be expensive and can be done as easily as you’d like. A potluck or a catered meal are also possibilities. Schedule pending, a weekend brunch or lunch may also be arranged.
The more the merrier. You’re welcome to invite family members or friends to help welcome your international guests.
Who’s coming to dinner? Groups range from 2 – 5 visitors—an interpreter may be included, too. Background information will be provided typically one week in advance. This includes visitor name, profession, and dietary restrictions.
Sign me up! To host this group, please contact Maria Garcia-Olalla at mgarciaolalla@ccwa.org. We ask first time hosts to fill out a Citizen Diplomat profile form here. A CCWA staff member will also briefly meet you in person at your home prior to hosting.

Urgent Needs and Unique Challenges: An Inside Look at Humanitarian Aid in the Middle East
2024-09-19 17:30 - 19:30 | The Union Club, 1211 Euclid Ave., Cleveland, OH, 44115, United States
As the Israel-Gaza conflict drags on, the world’s attention remains fixed on the humanitarian crisis ignited by the conflict. CCWA is honored to host Ambassador David M. Satterfield, U.S. Special Envoy for Middle East Humanitarian Issues from October 2023 to April 2024, to shed light on such a complex situation. Ambassador Satterfield will discuss the United States’ response to the humanitarian crisis in Gaza and touch on the many hurdles that obstruct humanitarian relief, as well as how governments, organizations, and individuals problem-solve to overcome those hurdles.
Ambassador David M. Satterfield has over four decades of diplomatic service and policy and management leadership experience in the United States and overseas in the Near East and Europe. He has served as assistant secretary of state, National Security Council staff director, ambassador to Lebanon and Turkey, and chargé d’affaires in Iraq and Egypt. In October, 2023 President Biden appointed him White House Special Envoy for Middle East Humanitarian Issues to lead US diplomacy in addressing the humanitarian crisis in Gaza.
Currently, Ambassador Satterfield serves as Director of Rice University’s Baker Institute for Public Policy. The Baker Institute’s more than 100 expert fellows and research associates focus on a range of public policy issues of importance to Texas, the nation and the world. The Institute’s Center for Energy Studies is widely regarded as the premier such global analysis and policy recommendation group, and the Baker Institute itself is ranked as one of only two Centers of Excellence among all academically affiliated institutions in the United States.
Registration for this event has closed.

Dinner Hosting: Young Southeast Asian Leaders Program
2024-09-21
CCWA is looking for internationally minded individuals and families to host international exchange fellows for dinner on Saturday, September 21. The fellows are from Cambodia and Singapore and will be in Cleveland for month-long fellowships with local nonprofits and academic institutions.
Dinner Hosting FAQ
No need for an elaborate multi-course meal. Dinner does not need to be expensive and can be done as easily as you’d like. A potluck or a catered meal are also possibilities. Schedule pending, a weekend brunch or lunch may also be arranged.
The more the merrier. You’re welcome to invite family members or friends to help welcome your international guests.
Who’s coming to dinner? Groups range from 2 – 5 visitors—an interpreter may be included, too. Background information will be provided typically one week in advance. This includes visitor name, profession, and dietary restrictions.
Sign me up! To host this group, please contact Andrew Kovach at akovach@ccwa.org. We ask first time hosts to fill out a Citizen Diplomat profile form here. A CCWA staff member will also briefly meet you in person at your home prior to hosting.

Dinner Hosting: Young Transatlantic Innovation Leaders for Europe
2024-09-28
CCWA is looking for internationally minded individuals and families to host international exchange fellows for dinner on Saturday, September 28. The fellows are from Croatia, Malta, Serbia, and Slovenia and will be in Cleveland for month-long fellowships with local tech startups and government institutions.
Dinner Hosting FAQ
No need for an elaborate multi-course meal. Dinner does not need to be expensive and can be done as easily as you’d like. A potluck or a catered meal are also possibilities. Schedule pending, a weekend brunch or lunch may also be arranged.
The more the merrier. You’re welcome to invite family members or friends to help welcome your international guests.
Who’s coming to dinner? Groups range from 2 – 5 visitors—an interpreter may be included, too. Background information will be provided typically one week in advance. This includes visitor name, profession, and dietary restrictions.
Sign me up! To host this group, please contact Andrew Kovach at akovach@ccwa.org. We ask first time hosts to fill out a Citizen Diplomat profile form here. A CCWA staff member will also briefly meet you in person at your home prior to hosting.

2024 Global Impact Award Event
2024-10-16 17:30 - 20:30 | Cleveland Marriott Downtown at Key Tower, 1360 W Mall Dr, Cleveland, OH, 44114, United States
2024 GLOBAL IMPACT AWARD EVENT – THIS EVENT IS SOLD OUT!
Wednesday, October 16, 2024 at the Cleveland Marriott Downtown at Key Tower
The Cleveland Council on World Affairs’ 2024 Global Impact Award event will celebrate CCWA’s mission. We invite you to join us for this special evening of celebrating global engagement in our community!
This celebration of CCWA’s mission and program impact in the Greater Cleveland community will include the presentation of two awards:
GLOBAL IMPACT AWARD
Honoring Senator Rob Portman for his commitment to principled U.S. engagement on the world stage, and, in particular, for his advocacy and strong support for Ukraine.
WAEL KHOURY AWARD FOR EMERGING GLOBAL LEADER
Honoring Mayor Justin Bibb for his commitment to making Cleveland a globally engaged city, and for his support for the international community in Cleveland.
The event will be held on Wednesday, October 16, 2024 at the Cleveland Marriott Downtown at Key Tower

5:30 pm Special Private Reception (for Impact Tickets and Sponsors at $5,000 and above)
5:30 pm Cocktail Reception
6:30 pm Program and Dinner

Thank you to our sponsors! Proceeds from this event will directly support the Cleveland Council on World Affairs’ new Global Ambassadors program.
Global Leader Sponsor — $25,000

Designation as a Global Leader Sponsor
10 tickets with premier seating at the event
10 tickets to the special private reception
Valet parking at the event for all guests
Premier recognition on all event materials*

Global Advocate Sponsor — $10,000

Designation as a Global Advocate Sponsor
10 tickets with preferred seating at the event
10 tickets to the special private reception
Valet parking at the event for all guests
Recognition on event materials*

Ambassador Sponsor — $5,000

Designation as an Ambassador Sponsor
8 tickets with preferred seating at the event
8 tickets to the special private reception
Valet parking at the event for all guests
Listing in printed program*

Diplomat Sponsor — $3,000

Designation as a Diplomat Sponsor
8 tickets to the cocktail reception and event
Valet parking at the event for all guests
Listing in printed program*

Impact Ticket — $600

One ticket with preferred seating at the event
One ticket to the special private reception
Valet parking at the event is included

Individual Ticket — $250

One ticket to the cocktail reception and event
Valet parking at the event is included

This event is SOLD OUT! For more information, please contact Jenni Carney at (216) 255-9005 or jcarney@ccwa.org.
