SPEAKER PROGRAMS
International Dialogue for Our Local Community
Public speaker programs
Membership dialogue with policy luminaries
Annual marquee event
Foreign Policy Forums
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CCWA’s Foreign Policy Forums bring national subject matter experts, government officials, and diplomats to Cleveland to explore relevant and timely geopolitical topics. These public programs are held September to May and are open to CCWA members as well as the general public. Members receive reduced pricing on tickets; students attend for free thanks to the Dr. and Mrs. Wael and Sawssan Khoury fund.
Join us to learn about world affairs, explore key issues, and engage in dialogue with guest speakers. Our audience includes internationally curious individuals, business leaders, community leaders from around Northeast Ohio, students, and educators. Topics range from U.S. foreign policy to world economics, humanitarian crises, and current global issues of geopolitical importance. Upcoming events are listed below – for additional updates on future Foreign Policy Forums, subscribe to our e-mail newsletter.
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UPCOMING FOREIGN POLICY FORUMS
For the latest events and upcoming Foreign Policy Forums, be sure to check our Calendar section.
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2023-2024 Full Season schedule:
Margaret Wong & Associates was the Presenting Sponsor of the 2023-2024 Foreign Policy Forum Season.
September 26, 2023
The Bin Laden Papers: Exposing the U.S. Misunderstanding of Terrorism
Dr. Nelly Lahoud, Associate Professor in the Department of National Security and Strategy at the U.S. Army War College and a Senior Fellow in New America's International Security program
November 29, 2023
The Global Economic and Geopolitical Outlook for 2024: More Uncertainty Ahead?
Michael Weidokal, Founder and Executive Director of International Strategic Analysis
January 18, 2024
What's Next for Ukraine?
Ambassador Paula Dobriansky, Vice Chair of the Atlantic Council’s Scowcroft Center for Strategy and Security and a Senior Fellow at Harvard University’s Belfer Center for Science and International Affairs
March 20, 2024
India: The Emerging Geopolitical and Economic Power -- Prospects and Challenges
Dr. Ajay Chhibber, Distinguished Visiting Scholar, Institute for International Economic Policy, George Washington University, and Non-Resident Senior Fellow, South Asia Center, Atlantic Council
April 10, 2024
Global Population: Sorting Fact from Fiction
Dr. Jennifer Sciubba, author of 8 Billion and Counting: How Sex, Death, and Migration Shape Our World
April 30, 2024
Geopolitics and National Security in the World of Tomorrow
Admiral James Stavridis, Former Supreme Allied Commander at NATO; Chair, Rockefeller Foundation Board; Vice Chair, Global Affairs, The Carlyle Group
Cleveland Committee on Foreign Relations
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The Cleveland Committee on Foreign Relations, known by its acronym CCFR, has been a forum for in-depth geopolitical dialogue since 1938. Today, this members-only dinner and discussion forum offers our Diplomat and Ambassador level members access to informed conversations, candid dialogue and interaction with top experts and diplomats. This intimate, dialogue-driven circle provides unparalleled access for serious engagement and understanding of today’s most pressing international economic, political and social issues. Participation is exclusive to Diplomat and Ambassador level members and their guests.
RECENT & UPCOMING CCFR PROGRAMS
The 2024-2025 CCFR Season Schedule will be announced soon.
2023-2024 SEASON
- Martin Chorzempa: An Inside Look into the Chinese System
- Dr. Lauren Benton: Empires and International Conflict
- Danica Starks: Trade or Aid? Is There a Future for the International Development System?
- Ambassador W. Robert Pearson: Turkiye: Power Broker at Last?
- Ambassador J. Peter Pham: Instability in the Sahel: How Africa's "Coup Belt" Is Impacting the Continent
- Dr. Iulia Joja: The Ripple Effect: How the War in Ukraine Is Causing Waves Across the Black Sea
- Mark Simakovsky: A Crucial Piece of Foreign Policy: Why U.S. Aid Continues to Matter
- Dr. Ryan Berg: The Next Six Years: What to Expect from Mexico's New President
2022-2023 SEASON
- Ivan Kanapathy: An Uneasy Ambiguity: A New Path for U.S.-China Relations
- Dr. John Nagl: Why America Can't Win America's Wars: Ukraine, Afghanistan, and the Future of Conflict
- Oge Onubogu: Nigeria: What is at Stake for Africa's Largest Economy Facing Challenging 2023 Elections?
- Ambassador Liliana Ayalde: Brazil's Presidential Elections and Implications for U.S.-Brazil Bilateral Relations
- Richard Fontaine: The Evolving World Order: How Geopolitics Shape American Security
- Dr. Courtney Freer: A New Era in U.S.-Saudi Arabia Relations?
- Dr. Liana Fix: What if?...: Scenarios for the Future of Ukraine
- Chase Sova: The State of Global Food Security
2021-2022 SEASON
- Ilan Goldenberg: The U.S.-Israel Relationship After Netanyahu
- Gregory Shaffer: Emerging Powers and the World Trading System
- Kaitlyn Johnson: Space Security - Threats and Foreign Policy Implications
- Terry Roberts: Implementing Cyber Risk Management Frameworks
- Andrew Yeo: Adapting the U.S.-South Korea Alliance to the Indo-Pacific Era
- Paul Angelo: Getting U.S. Security Assistance Right: Lessons from Mexico, Central America, and Colombia
- Cameron Hudson: The Horn of Africa and Its Strategic Implications
- Pierre Morcos: The Future of Europe: A French Perspective
2020-2021 SEASON
- Randolph Bell and Anders Åslund: The Geopolitics of Energy: A Look at Russia and Saudi Arabia’s Role
- Karen Donfried: Germany and America’s Changing Relationship
- Cynthia Arnson: Security Challenges and Prospects for Peace in Colombia
- Ambassador Reuben Brigety: Emerging Powers in Sub-Saharan Africa
- Celina Realuyo: Countering Global Terrorist Funding and Illicit Networks
- Thomas Countryman: Nuclear Proliferation Risks and Concerns
- Randa Slim: Lebanon in Crisis
- Rear Admiral Paul Becker: Grand Strategy in the Asia-Pacific
2019-2020 SEASON
- Kemal Kirisci: Turkey, a U.S. Ally Adrift: Is a Reversal Possible?
- Dany Bahar: Venezuela: How We Got Here, and What’s Next?
- Richard Hoagland: The New Silk Road: U.S. Strategic Interests in the Caspian Sea Region
- Ambassador Stephen Young: Taiwan and the U.S.: What Does the Future Hold?
- Richard Rossow: India’s Rise as an Economic and Military Power
- Farah Pandith: How We Win: Defeating the Extremist Threat
- Chris Demchak: Cyber Conflict and New Global Reality: Threats and Possibilities for Democratic Survival
- Frances Burwell: The Post-Covid19 Transatlantic Relationship
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Having returned to Cleveland after living overseas, CCWA has been a wonderful resource for me to find the internationally minded folks in the Cleveland business community. I can count on CCWA to bring compelling speakers from leading institutions to discuss hot-button topics in international affairs. The organization was instrumental in helping me connect with fascinating and diverse people in the area — CCWA really does connect Cleveland to the world.
Ben Gebhardt
CCFR MEMBER
Global Impact Awards
CCWA's Global Impact Award recognizes an individual or organization whose leadership has led to greater global understanding and cooperation. This annual event includes dinner, a program, and the Brooks Emeny Distinguished Lecture, delivered by our honoree.
Details about this year's event will be available soon. For more information or general inquiries about the Global Impact Awards, please contact Jenni Carney at jcarney@ccwa.org.
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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 the support of our members and the generosity of our donors. Will you help us continue to create global connections?
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