A Conversation with our North American Diplomats
2024-09-25 12:00 - 13:30 (America/Detroit) | Frederik Meijer Gardens, 1000 E Beltline Ave NE, Grand Rapids, MI, 49425, United States
Join us for a moderated conversation with representatives from our international neighbors, Canada, and Mexico, as we look to an eventful time period: a new Mexican president who begins her term on October 1; the coming American election in November; and a 2025 Canadian election. What is on the top of the agendas for our North American global partners and how might that impact us in West Michigan?

Read more about Consul General Bird

Read more about Consul Nicolas Vazquez

Networking from 11:30-12:00, with lunch and program starting promptly at noon.

Note on Parking
Parking is free at the venue.

Tickets
Tickets are $50 for an individual ticket or $500 for a sponsored table. The deadline to register/cancel is Monday, September 16th and you may purchase tickets below.

Special thanks to the sponsor of this event, Warner Norcross + Judd LLP.

Authentic Chinese Dinner at Wei Wei Palace
2024-09-26 18:00 - 19:30 | Wei Wei Palace, 4242 Division Avenue S, Grand Rapids, MI, 49458, United States
Enjoy an authentic Chinese dinner with Chef Zhang and his wife Jessica, owners of Wei Wei Palace. The evening will be hosted by long times friends of WACAM, Tim and Ping Liang. The exquisite menu will feature Hong Kong Style Roast Duck, Kung Bao Chicken, Baked Pork Chop Peking Style, Shrimp with Cashew Nuts, Singapore Mai Fun and much more.

The Radical Middle(s): Reconnecting the Frustrated Majority and Reviving our Democratic Republic with Doug Koopman
2024-10-01 18:30 - 19:30 | Kentwood Branch (Richard L. Root), Kent District Library, 4950 Breton Rd SE,, Kentwood, MI, 49508, United States
Hear from Dr. Doug Koopman, senior research fellow and Calvin University professor emeritus, as he presents and analyzes the variety within the nearly 85 percent of Americans who are dissatisfied with government and politics today.  Drawing on local examples from past and present, he will suggest strategies to improve trust in and functioning of government and criteria by which to evaluate candidates and campaigns.

More on Doug Koopman

This program is the first in a series titled: Bridging Political Divides: Exploring the Radical Middle

As our world faces rising political extremism, some citizens have focused on transcending left–right political divides. They advocate for evidence-based policies and solution-focused political discourse that seeks common ground. Through this lens of the “Radical Middle,” we can understand the current challenges facing our community and world, paving the way for more united and resilient societies.

With thanks to our sponsoring partners at Kent District Library

RSVPs and Tickets
This program is free and open to the public. If you wish to view the livestream or its archive, register below to receive a link.

Parking
Free parking is available at the library.

Digital Risks to Democracy: Countering Misinformation Online with Paul M. Barrett
2024-10-08 18:30 - 19:30 | Kentwood Branch (Richard L. Root), Kent District Library, 4950 Breton Rd SE,, Kentwood, MI, 49508, United States
Consider the digital risks confronting U.S. elections in 2024 from Paul M. Barrett, deputy director and senior research scholar at the Center for Business and Human Rights at New York University’s Stern School of Business. While generative artificial intelligence can facilitate the spread of misinformation, the main risk is social media, as platforms fail to take steps to protect election integrity.

More on Paul M. Barrett

This program is the second in a series titled Bridging Political Divides: Exploring the Radical Middle

As our world faces rising political extremism, some citizens have focused on transcending left–right political divides. They advocate for evidence-based policies and solution-focused political discourse that seeks common ground. Through this lens of the “Radical Middle,” we can understand the current challenges facing our community and world, paving the way for more united and resilient societies.

With thanks to our sponsoring partners at Kent District Library

RSVPs and Tickets
This program is free and open to the public. If you wish to view the livestream or its archive, register below to receive a link.

Parking
Free parking is available at the library.

Vandenberg Prize with Ambassador Bridget A. Brink
2024-10-15 12:00 - 13:45 | Frederik Meijer Gardens, 1000 E Beltline Ave NE, Grand Rapids, MI, 49425, United States
Vandenberg Prize with Bridget A. Brink,
Ambassador of the United States to Ukraine
OCTOBER 15 @ 12 NOON-1:45 P.M.
75th Anniversary Year of the World Affairs Council of Western Michigan

Vandenberg Award Recipient:
Bridget A. Brink, current U.S. Ambassador to Ukraine (and native of East Grand Rapids)

Hillman/Orr Award Recipient:
A surprise! (Yet to be announced)

The World Affairs Council of Western Michigan (WACWM), in its 75th year of “bringing the world to West Michigan, announces the recipient of its fifth Vandenberg Prize—which goes to a national or international leader who has been influential in developing global understanding and collaboration on the world stage. The first four prizes were awarded to Ambassador (ret.) Jon M. Huntsman, Jr. (2020); General (ret.) James N. Mattis (2021); Ambassador (ret.) Marie Yovanovitch (2022); and U.N. World Food Programme Director David M. Beasley (2023).

The recipient of the 2024 Vandenberg Prize is Bridget A. Brink, the current U.S. Ambassador to Ukraine. Ambassador Brink is a native of East Grand Rapids, and a graduate of East Grand Rapids High School, Kenyon College, and the London School of Economics.

Ambassador Brink has served with distinction in the Foreign Service for 25 years, specializing in Europe and Eurasia. Her appointment was confirmed unanimously by the U.S. Senate in 2022, and she arrived in Kyiv on May 22, 2022. Prior to the appointment to Ukraine, Ambassador Brink served as the U.S. Ambassador to the Slovak Republic. She was also the Deputy Assistant Secretary in the Bureau of Eurasian Affairs at the Department of State and the Deputy Chief of Mission at the U.S. Embassies in Tashkent, Uzbekistan and Tbilisi, Georgia. She began her career in Belgrade, Serbia.

She will receive the Vandenberg Prize on Tuesday, October 15, at 12 noon, at the Frederik Meijer Gardens and Sculpture Park. The Vandenberg Prize is named after Michigan Senator Arthur Vandenberg (1881-1951) who was the inspiration for founding the Council in 1949 by Grand Rapids attorney (and later Federal Judge) Douglas Hillman and businessman Edgar Orr.

In addition, the Council will present the annual Hillman-Orr Award to a West Michigan individual or institution that mirrors the intent of the Council’s founding leaders to bring global awareness and international understanding to the West Michigan community.

Hillman and Orr were inspired by the life and work of Senator Vandenberg, an isolationist who became a strong advocate of internationalism in the wake of World War II. Vandenberg forged bipartisan support for the Marshall Plan and NATO and was appointed one of the first U.S. delegates to the brand-new United Nations. Senator Vandenberg has always been considered the “patron saint” of the Council.

The Council is grateful for a formational gift by The Meijer Foundation to launch this special recognition of the importance of global connectedness to West Michigan. Longtime World Affairs Council corporate supporters Amway and Bank of America are also major sponsors.

Note on Parking
The event will take place at the Frederik Meijer Gardens and Sculpture Park. Guest parking is free and plentiful next to the visitor’s entrance.

Tickets
Tickets are $175 for an individual ticket or $2500 for a sponsored table of 8 with acknowledgement at the event. Many of our corporate, educational, and senator members receive free or discounted tickets for this event. Please contact our office to receive a discount code before registering. The deadline to register/cancel is Friday, October 4 by end of day and you may purchase tickets below.

Restoring Faith in Democracy: Election Integrity and Civic Resilience with the Michiganders for Civic Resilience
2024-10-15 18:30 - 19:30 | Kentwood Branch (Richard L. Root), Kent District Library, 4950 Breton Rd SE,, Kentwood, MI, 49508, United States
In this time of extreme political polarization, how might we restore civil discourse, mitigate political violence and assure more accountability from our government and elections? Join the Michiganders for Civic Resilience with Republican Tonya Schuitmaker and Democrat Christine Greig as they discuss practical strategies for political engagement in the lead up to the 2024 U.S. elections and beyond. .

More on Tonya Schuitmaker and Christine Greig, Senior Advisors, Michiganders for Civic Resilience

This program is the last in a series titled Bridging Political Divides: Exploring the Radical Middle

As our world faces rising political extremism, some citizens have focused on transcending left–right political divides. They advocate for evidence-based policies and solution-focused political discourse that seeks common ground. Through this lens of the “Radical Middle,” we can understand the current challenges facing our community and world, paving the way for more united and resilient societies.

With thanks to our sponsoring partners at Kent District Library

RSVPs and Tickets
This program is free and open to the public. If you wish to view the livestream or its archive, register below to receive a link.

Parking
Free parking is available at the library.

African Drumming Lessons with Leah Ivory
2024-10-23 18:00 - 19:30 | Front Studio at CMC Wealthy, 1110 Wealthy St SE, Grand Rapids, MI, 49506, United States
Local musician Leah Ivory went on a tour to Ghana, West Africa, in 2006, with her choir and came home with a djembe. That trip transformed her life in more ways than one. Learning about the djembe was one of the ways. Committed to becoming proficient, she had the good fortune of studying with world famous master drummer Mamady Keïta, beginning in 2009 with a workshop in Chicago and continuing through yearly international workshops until his passing in 2021. Leah was certified through the Tam Tam Mandingue Djembe Academy, Mamady’s international school of djembe, in 2017 and remains committed to sharing the language and love of djembe as taught to her by Mamady. In this workshop, participants will play djembes (West African drums) and learn a bit about the cultural and historical context. Leah will teach a traditional rhythm from village life as we build community together. Come and drum!

Lebanese Wine Tasting Global Mixer
2024-12-05 18:00 - 19:30 | Mother Victor Flannery Hall, Aquinas College, 1905 Robinson Road SE, Grand Rapids, MI, 49506, United States
Lebanon is among the oldest sites of wine production in the world. Mike DeVivo, Professor of Geography from Grand Rapids Community College will explain the Lebanese wine regions and the variety of terrains which makes Lebanese wines so exclusive. Join us on December 5 to sample a few unique Lebanese wines and enjoy sweets from Detroit Lebanese Bakery while mingling and networking with globally minded individuals.

WorldQuest
2025-01-21 18:00 - 20:00 | Saugatuck Brewing Company (Creston Brewery), 1504 Plainfield NE, Grand Rapids, MI, 49505, United States
Join us on January 21 for dinner and a fun and entertaining international trivia contest held every year with college, corporate and community teams competing. Prizes will be given to the top three teams along with door prizes.
Moving the annual WorldQuest global trivia competition from May to January was an attempt by the World Affairs Council of Western Michigan (WACWM) to liven up this cloudy and cold winter month with some good food and drink, networking, and fun global knowledge competition. This event is also part of our new “Global Mixer” series, which features global programming that aims to educate in a fun and informal manner.
Parking Map
This event is sold out and tickets are no longer available.

Strengthening Democracies’ Hand: Rebuilding Economy at Home & Allyshoring Abroad with John Austin
2025-02-04 18:00 - 19:30 | Gerald R. Ford Presidential Mueum, 303 Pearl St. NW, Grand Rapids, MI, 49504, United States
We welcome John Austin, senior fellow, Eisenhower Institute at Gettysburg College.
To effectively counter economic competition, global security threats, and assaults on the rules-based global order from authoritarian nations, democratic allies must work together as never before and push the adoption and integration of two core strategies: building stronger domestic economies — through investments in people, innovation and infrastructure; and doing so through allyshoring (expanded trade, co-production and supply chain relations with countries that share our values and interest in strengthening the rules based international order). Mr. Austin will discuss how the US and allied nations—with President Trump back in office– can check authoritarians and continue to forge allied economic strength and collective security.
A reception for this event will take place from 5:15 – 6pm. Join us and meet other community members interested in the world.
Location and Parking
The program will take place at the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Museum (303 Pearl St NW, Grand Rapids, MI 49504).
Free parking is available.
Tickets
The event is free and open to the public and registration and/or tickets are not required to attend in person.
However, if you wish to receive a link to watch the program live or as an archive, you must register below to receive a link.
Our Supporters
More information on the Foreign Policy Association
Special thanks to the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Foundation
Special thanks to Livestream sponsor Grand Rapids Community College
Special thanks to Media sponsors, WGVU and Grand Rapids Community Media Center

Power and Climate Change: How Inequality Impedes Effective International Collaboration with Miriam Gay-Antaki
2025-02-11 18:00 - 19:30 | Gerald R. Ford Presidential Mueum, 303 Pearl St. NW, Grand Rapids, MI, 49504, United States
We welcome Miriam Gay-Antaki, Geographer, University of New Mexico. While the Conference of the Parties (COP) of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) is the most important international meeting surrounding climate change, it can perpetuate or contest socio-environmental narratives responsible for social and environmental inequalities. This program will examine the intersections of power in climate change policy, focusing on how power relations shape policy outcomes at the COPs. Dr. Gay-Antaki will reveal how long-standing power dynamics hinder international collaboration and effective climate action despite efforts to increase participation from underrepresented groups including: women, indigenous peoples, and the global South. This program will advocate for an approach that centers the experiences and voices of those directly affected by climate change to cultivate social and environmental justice.
A reception for this event will take place from 5 – 6pm. Join us and meet other community members interested in the world.
Location and Parking
The program will take place at the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Museum (303 Pearl St NW, Grand Rapids, MI 49504).
Free parking is available.
Tickets
The event is free and open to the public and registration and/or tickets are not required to attend in person.
However, if you wish to receive a link to watch the program live or as an archive, you must register below to receive a link.
Our Supporters
More information on the Foreign Policy Association
Special thanks to the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Foundation
Special thanks to Livestream sponsor and Topic Sponsor Grand Rapids Community College

Across the Atlantic: NATO from a European Perspective with Gert-Jan Segers
2025-02-18 18:00 - 19:30 | Gerald R. Ford Presidential Mueum, 303 Pearl St. NW, Grand Rapids, MI, 49504, United States
We welcome Gert-Jan Segers, former Dutch Member of Parliament (2012-2023), former leader of the Christian Union Party and two-time member of a coalition government of the Netherlands.
With the re-election of President Trump, the future of NATO and our relations with European allies will continue to evolve. From a European perspective, NATO plays a critical role in ensuring regional security, political stability, and cooperation. While NATO is widely supported across Europe, there are some criticisms and concerns, including debates on NATO’s openness to future expansion—particularly Ukraine and Georgia and the potential for Russian antagonism. Join us for a conversation with Dutch politician Gert-Jan Segers as he discusses NATO, transatlantic relations and the future security of Europe.
A reception for this event will take place from 5 – 6pm. Join us and meet other community members interested in the world.
Location and Parking
The program will take place at the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Museum (303 Pearl St NW, Grand Rapids, MI 49504).
Free parking is available.
Tickets
The event is free and open to the public and registration and/or tickets are not required to attend in person.
However, if you wish to receive a link to watch the program live or as an archive, you must register below to receive a link.
Our Supporters
More information on the Foreign Policy Association
Special thanks to the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Foundation
Special thanks to Livestream sponsor Grand Rapids Community College
Special thanks to Media sponsors, WGVU and Grand Rapids Community Media Center
Special thanks to Topic sponsors Eenhoorn LLC and Calvin University’s Departments of Politics and Economics and Dutch and German Languages

Evolving U.S.-China Relations: Early Clues to the Next Chapter with Ali Wyne
2025-02-25 18:00 - 19:30 | Gerald R. Ford Presidential Mueum, 303 Pearl St. NW, Grand Rapids, MI, 49504, United States
We welcome Ali Wyne, senior research and advocacy advisor, China, International Crisis Group.
Based on the record of the first Trump administration, statements that President Donald Trump has made in recent months, and appointments that he has made thus far to senior foreign policy positions, Mr. Wyne will deliver a keynote address that considers how the second Trump administration might approach China policy and how Beijing might be strategizing in response.
A reception for this event will take place from 5 – 6pm. Join us and meet other community members interested in the world.
Location and Parking
The program will take place at the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Museum (303 Pearl St NW, Grand Rapids, MI 49504).
Free parking is available.
Tickets
The event is free and open to the public and registration and/or tickets are not required to attend in person.
However, if you wish to receive a link to watch the program live or as an archive, you must register below to receive a link.
Our Supporters
More information on the Foreign Policy Association
Special thanks to the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Foundation
Special thanks to Livestream sponsor Grand Rapids Community College
Special thanks to Media sponsors, WGVU and Grand Rapids Community Media Center

The Middle East in Transition with Ghaith al-Omari
2025-03-04 18:00 - 19:30 | Gerald R. Ford Presidential Mueum, 303 Pearl St. NW, Grand Rapids, MI, 49504, United States
We welcome Ghaith al-Omari, Rosalinde and Arthur Gilbert Foundation senior fellow, Washington Institute for Near East Policy.
The Middle East is a region of profound historical, political, and cultural complexity and currently faces many challenges to future stability. Several key issues dominate the region, including the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas, the fall of the Assad regime in Syria, ongoing civil wars in Yemen and Libya, and continuing regional antagonism from Iran. While these issues remain complex, and ongoing violence heartbreaking, Mr. al-Omari will offer insights on potential ways forward, framed by his deep experience in the region.
A reception for this event will take place from 5 – 6pm. Join us and meet other community members interested in the world.
Location and Parking
The program will take place at the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Museum (303 Pearl St NW, Grand Rapids, MI 49504).
Free parking is available.
Tickets
The event is free and open to the public and registration and/or tickets are not required to attend in person.
However, if you wish to receive a link to watch the program live or as an archive, you must register below to receive a link.
Our Supporters
More information on the Foreign Policy Association
Special thanks to the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Foundation
Special thanks to Livestream sponsor Grand Rapids Community College
Special thanks to topic sponsors City of Holland and Ferris State University
Special thanks to Media sponsors, WGVU and Grand Rapids Community Media Center

U.S.-India Relations: New Phase, Same Drivers with Richard M. Rossow
2025-03-11 18:00 - 19:30 | Gerald R. Ford Presidential Mueum, 303 Pearl St. NW, Grand Rapids, MI, 49504, United States
We welcome Richard Rossow, senior advisor, CSIS.
Building relations with India has found support by both Republican and Democratic presidents for over 20 years. However, each leader has put their unique emphasis on different parts of the relationship. As both countries continue to deepen their ties, India is likely to play an even more significant role in shaping global security, trade, and political dynamics in the coming decades. The U.S. views India not only as a regional partner but also as a key global player in addressing many of the 21st century’s most pressing challenges. Mr. Rossow will lay out some of the key policy drivers of the leaders of both nations, where these drivers overlap, and where they diverge.
A reception for this event will take place from 5 – 6pm. Join us and meet other community members interested in the world.
Location and Parking
The program will take place at the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Museum (303 Pearl St NW, Grand Rapids, MI 49504).
Free parking is available.
Tickets
The event is free and open to the public and registration and/or tickets are not required to attend in person.
However, if you wish to receive a link to watch the program live or as an archive, you must register below to receive a link.
Our Supporters
More information on the Foreign Policy Association
Special thanks to the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Foundation
Special thanks to Livestream sponsor Grand Rapids Community College
Special thanks to Topic sponsors City of Holland and Grand Valley State University
Special thanks to Media sponsors, WGVU and Grand Rapids Community Media Center

American Foreign Policy at a Crossroads with Emma Ashford
2025-03-18 18:00 - 19:30 | Gerald R. Ford Presidential Mueum, 303 Pearl St. NW, Grand Rapids, MI, 49504, United States
We welcome Emma Ashford, senior fellow, Stimson Center.
American foreign policy under President Donald Trump’s first term was characterized by a dramatic shift in rhetoric, but was not nearly so distinct in practice, as his administration found itself stymied by a lack of experience and widespread opposition to change in foreign policy in Washington. Yet Trump’s rhetoric from his first term – emphasizing national interests, economic security, and the importance of burden-shifting to allies – has remained remarkably consistent since that time. New appointees and even congressional Republicans appear far more aligned with his “America First” vision, suggesting the potential for significant change in U.S. foreign policy towards both allies and adversaries during Trump’s second term. Emma Ashford will share insights on what to expect during the new administration and the development of a new, more nationalistic Republican foreign policy consensus.
A reception for this event will take place from 5 – 6pm. Join us and meet other community members interested in the world.
Location and Parking
The program will take place at the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Museum (303 Pearl St NW, Grand Rapids, MI 49504).
Free parking is available.
Tickets
The event is free and open to the public and registration and/or tickets are not required to attend in person.
However, if you wish to receive a link to watch the program live or as an archive, you must register below to receive a link.
Our Supporters
More information on the Foreign Policy Association
Special thanks to the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Foundation
Special thanks to Livestream sponsor Grand Rapids Community College
Special thanks to Media sponsors, WGVU and Grand Rapids Community Media Center

Global Mixer at Pind: A Flavorful Evening of Indian Cuisine & Connection
2025-03-19 18:00 - 19:30 | Pind, 241 Fulton St W, Grand Rapids, MI, 49603
Join us for our next Global Mixer at 6 p.m. on March 19th at Pind Restaurant, where you’ll enjoy an authentic Indian dining experience! For $40, your meal will include delicious appetizers, four main courses—two of which are vegetarian—and a featured mocktail. Plus, the Pind team will share insights into the cultural and regional influences behind each dish. Don’t miss this flavorful evening of great food and global connections—we hope to see you there!

True stories about the people making and breaking our digital and cyber world with Dina Temple-Raston
2025-03-25 18:00 - 19:30 | Gerald R. Ford Presidential Mueum, 303 Pearl St. NW, Grand Rapids, MI, 49504, United States
We welcome Dina Temple-Raston, host and managing editor of the Click Here podcast from Recorded Future News and PRX.
Dina Temple-Raston is an investigative journalist perhaps best known for her work at NPR, where she covered topics such as terrorism, intelligence, and cybersecurity. Now at Recorded Future News, she continues her deep interest in cybersecurity, technology, and the implications of the digital world on global security and politics. Her writing often delves into the lives and stories of people in the world of hacking, digital espionage, and the broader digital world. Join us as she shares the latest from her work.
A reception for this event will take place from 5 – 6pm. Join us and meet other community members interested in the world.
Location and Parking
The program will take place at the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Museum (303 Pearl St NW, Grand Rapids, MI 49504).
Free parking is available.
Tickets
The event is free and open to the public and registration and/or tickets are not required to attend in person.
However, if you wish to receive a link to watch the program live or as an archive, you must register below to receive a link.
Our Supporters
More information on the Foreign Policy Association
Special thanks to the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Foundation
Special thanks to Livestream sponsor Grand Rapids Community College
Special thanks to Media sponsors, WGVU and Grand Rapids Community Media Center
Special thanks to Topic sponsors, Grand Valley State University

Global Mixer: South African Wine Tasting
2025-04-22 18:00 - 19:30 | Mother Victor Flannery Hall, Aquinas College, 1905 Robinson Road SE, Grand Rapids, MI, 49506, United States
South Africa is home to some of the most dynamic and diverse wine regions in the world, blending centuries of tradition with innovative winemaking. Mike DeVivo, Professor of Geography at Grand Rapids Community College, will guide us through the unique terroirs and grape varieties that define South African wines. Join us on April 22nd to sample a selection of exceptional South African wines and enjoy a curated charcuterie spread while connecting with fellow globally minded individuals.

CHINA Town Hall National Webcast with Moderator
2025-04-24 17:30 - 20:00 | Barnes and Thornburg, 171 Monroe Ave. NW #1000, Grand Rapids, MI, 49503, United States
Hosted by the National Committee on U.S.-China Relations, CHINA Town Hall connects leading China experts with Americans around the country for a national conversation on the implications of China’s rise on U.S.-China relations and its impact on our towns, states, and nation.  The National Committee is proud to partner with a range of institutions and community groups, colleges and universities, trade and business associations, and world affairs councils to bring this important national conversation to local communities around America for nearly two decades. For more on the NCUSCR and the work they do, click here.
We’re honored to welcome Shirley Martey Hargis as the moderator for our CHINA Town Hall community discussion. She is a nonresident fellow at the Atlantic Council’s Digital Forensic Research Lab and a consultant for CRDF Global, with over a decade of experience in Chinese domestic politics, cross-Strait relations, and U.S. foreign policy. She has advised the State Department and U.S. intelligence communities, and her commentary has appeared in Politico, China Watcher, and American Purpose. We look forward to Shirley’s nuanced global perspective for this complex conversation.
Tickets for the community viewing are $25. Our event will be preceded by a networking and cocktail hour, hosted at the offices of Barnes and Thornburg, followed by the national livestream and community discussion with our moderator, Shirley Martey Hargis. Parking details can be found on your ticket and will be validated at the event.

Those who wish to view this event from home for free can find individual livestream registration here.

Consul Luncheon featuring Former Indian Ambassador to the U.S. Arun K. Singh
2025-05-06 12:00 - 13:30 | Frederik Meijer Gardens, 1000 E Beltline Ave NE, Grand Rapids, MI, 49425, United States
Please join us for a dialogue with Arun K. Singh, former Indian ambassador to the United States.
Ambassador Arun Singh has extensive experience across the globe, including as India’s Ambassador to the United States, Israel, and France. Throughout his distinguished 37-year career in the Indian Foreign Service, Ambassador Singh has served during pivotal periods in key global capitals, and was instrumental in shaping India’s policies, notably the continued progress in the US-India relationship; India’s closer ties to Israel; and the formulation and implementation of India’s policies related to Afghanistan, Pakistan, and Iran, including in the period following 9/11.
In addition to his ambassadorial postings, Ambassador Singh’s previous assignments include: Embassy of India, Moscow from 1981 to 1982; the Indian Mission in Addis Ababa as Second Secretary from 1982 to 1985; Tokyo as First Secretary from 1985 to 1988; Deputy Secretary/Director dealing with East Asia and Pakistan Divisions from 1988 to 1991; Offices of the Foreign Secretary and the External Affairs Minister of India from 1991 to 1993; Counsellor at the Permanent Mission of India to the United Nations Office, New York from 1993 to 1997; Counsellor/Minister at the Indian Mission at Moscow from 1997 to 2000; and as Joint Secretary dealing first with the United Nations Policy, and then Pakistan, Afghanistan and Iran Divisions at the Ministry of External Affairs from 2000 to 2005.
Along with his position as a Senior Counselor at The Cohen Group, Ambassador Singh is a Halle Institute Distinguished Fellow at Emory University, and a Distinguished Non-Resident Senior Fellow in the Asia Program at The German Marshall Fund. In the spring of 2017, Ambassador Singh taught courses on US Foreign Policy in South Asia and Current Global Trends and
Challenges at both American University and the School of Advanced International Studies at Johns Hopkins University. He was also a Distinguished Visiting Professor at Emory University and Center for Advanced Study of India at the University of Pennsylvania.
Ambassador Singh holds a Masters Degree in Economics from Delhi University, where he specialized in econometrics, development policy, macroeconomics, and Indian economic history. Ambassador Singh is based in New Delhi.
This event is part of Michigan World Trade Week, a celebration of international trade and business growth for Michigan.
In addition to our keynote speaker, members of the Consular Corps of Michigan will be in attendance.
Networking from 11:30-12:00, with lunch and program starting promptly at noon.
Special thanks to Amway.

Annual Meeting of Members, June 11th
2025-06-11 17:30 - 18:30 | Varnum, 333 Bridge Street NW, Grand Rapids, MI, 49501, United States
Notice is hereby given that the Annual Meeting of Members of the World Affairs Council of Western Michigan (the “Council”) will be held on Wednesday, June 11, 2025, at 5:30 p.m. at Varnum. Social time immediately precedes (5:00) and follows the meeting.
There is no cost to attend. RSVPS are requested for attendance. RSVP to ek@worldmichigan.org
The following matters will be presented for approval:
The election of the following directors and/or nominees:

The election of the following nominee to the Board as a Class 2 Director for a full three-year term. Such term to commence on July 1, 2025 (with the possibility of election for a full three-year second term in 2028):
Darin Blocker, Middle Market Commercial and Investment Bank, Multinationals, JP Morgan Chase
Madison Bush-Elsayed, Low Carbon Energy Supply Chain Manager, Offshore Wind, BP
Jason Reyes, Director, Global Business Conduct and Rules, Legal Division, Amway

The re-election of the following members of the Board of Directors, who have agreed to serve a second term as Class 3 Directors, for a three-year term commencing on July 1, 2025:

Michael McNinch, Senior Vice President, Fifth Third Private Bank
Eric Post, Partner Varnum LLP

The Board strongly recommends the approval of the Members of each matter being put up for vote at the meeting.

There will also be a short presentation on the Council and its 2024-2025 fiscal year, including information on its current situation and some financial information, at the Annual Meeting,

Each member of the Council as of the close of business on May 27, 2025, has one vote on all matters coming before the meeting. There are no proxies and people must attend in person to vote on the matters presented.

Each matter to be presented for approval has been unanimously approved by the Board of Directors of the Council. The new nominees for Board members have been chosen initially by a duly constituted Nominations Committee of the Board, prior to approval by the full Board. If a member has any questions about the Annual Meeting, or wants additional information on any matter, including copies of the Articles of Incorporation and By-Laws, or further information on the new nominees to the Board, he or she should contact the staff of the Council by email to ek@worldmichigan.org.
Additional nominations may be made by a petition bearing the signatures of at least twenty five (25) members in good standing. The name(s) of such additional nominee(s) shall then be included on the ballot. Only persons nominated by either the Board of Directors or through the aforementioned petition procedure shall be eligible for election at the Annual Meeting of Members.
Varnum LLP
Bridgewater Place, 17th floor
333 Bridge Street NW Grand Rapids, MI 49501
Park in the Bridgewater Place garage off Bridge Street NW. Parking vouchers will be provided.

Vandenburg Prize with Ambassador Nicholas Burns
2025-06-18 12:00 - 13:45 | Frederik Meijer Gardens, 1000 E Beltline Ave NE, Grand Rapids, MI, 49425, United States
Vandenberg Prize with Nicholas Burns,
Ambassador of the United States to China
June 18 @ 12:00-1:45 P.M.

Vandenberg Award Recipient:
Nicholas Burns, U.S. ambassador to China (2021-2025)

Hillman/Orr Award Recipient:
Mike DeVivo, professor of Geography at GRCC
Polly Diven, professor of Political Science at GVSU

The World Affairs Council of Western Michigan (WACWM) announces the recipient of its fifth Vandenberg Prize—which goes to a national or international leader who has been influential in developing global understanding and collaboration on the world stage. The first five prizes were awarded to Ambassador (ret.) Jon M. Huntsman, Jr. (2020); General (ret.) James N. Mattis (2021); Ambassador (ret.) Marie Yovanovitch (2022); U.N. World Food Programme Director David M. Beasley (2023); and Ambassador Bridget Brink (2024).

The recipient of the 2025 Vandenberg Prize is Nicholas Burns, former U.S. Ambassador to China (2021-2025). Ambassador Burns served as U.S. Ambassador to China (2021-2025), Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs (2005-2008), U.S. Ambassador to NATO (2001-2005), and U.S. Ambassador to Greece (1997-2001). He is a graduate of Boston College and the Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies.
Ambassador Nicholas Burns served as U.S. Ambassador to China from 2021 to 2025, helping to shape the increasingly important and complex bilateral relationship with China. Prior to his work in China, Ambassador Burns was a Senior Counselor at The Cohen Group for 12 years following an extraordinary career in the U.S. Foreign Service. His expertise in diplomacy and national security extends to every region of the world.
Among the many other highlights of his three-decade diplomatic career, Ambassador Burns served as Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs from 2005–2008, US Ambassador to NATO from 2001–2005, and U.S. Ambassador to Greece from 1997–2001. He was the Department of State Spokesperson from 1995–1997 and served on the National Security Council from 1990–1995, including as Special Assistant to President Clinton and Senior Director for Russia, Ukraine, and Eurasia Affairs, as well as Director for Soviet Affairs in the administration of President George H.W. Bush. Additionally, he served in the American Consulate General in Jerusalem from 1985–1987 and at the U.S. Embassy in Egypt from 1983–1985.
Ambassador Burns will also resume his role as the Roy and Barbara Goodman Family Professor of Diplomacy and International Relations at Harvard University’s John F. Kennedy School of Government. He is also Director of the Aspen Strategy Group and serves on the board of several non-profit organizations, including the Council on Foreign Relations, Special Olympics, the Rockefeller Brothers Fund, and the Atlantic Council.
Raised in Wellesley, Massachusetts, Ambassador Burns has a BA in History from Boston College, from which he graduated Summa Cum Laude and Phi Beta Kappa in 1978. He earned his MA in International Relations from the Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies in 1980.
Thanks to longtime World Affairs Council corporate supporters Amway and Bank of America for sponsoring this event.
He will receive the Vandenberg Prize on Tuesday, June 18th, from 12:00-1:45, at the Frederik Meijer Gardens and Sculpture Park. The Vandenberg Prize is named after Michigan Senator Arthur Vandenberg (1881-1951) who was the inspiration for founding the Council in 1949 by Grand Rapids attorney (and later Federal Judge) Douglas Hillman and businessman Edgar Orr.
In addition, the Council will present the annual Hillman-Orr Award to a West Michigan individual or institution that mirrors the intent of the Council’s founding leaders to bring global awareness and international understanding to the West Michigan community.
Hillman and Orr were inspired by the life and work of Senator Vandenberg, an isolationist who became a strong advocate of internationalism in the wake of World War II. Vandenberg forged bipartisan support for the Marshall Plan and NATO and was appointed one of the first U.S. delegates to the brand-new United Nations. Senator Vandenberg has always been considered the “patron saint” of the Council.
Note on Parking
The event will take place at the Frederik Meijer Gardens and Sculpture Park. Guest parking is free and plentiful next to the visitor’s entrance.

Tickets
Tickets available below. Individual tickets cost $175 and sponsored tables of 8 cost $2,500.

Perspective on the Greatest Generation with Sir Antony Beevor - Virtual Event
2025-09-04 12:00 - 13:00 | https://worldmichigan.org/event/beevor/
On February 9, 1933, the Oxford Union debating society of Oxford University passed a motion stating, “That this House will in no circumstances fight for its King and Country.” The motion passed by a vote of 275 to 153. This debate is often referred to as the “King and Country debate,” and became a significant news story in Britain as well as internationally, sparking discussions about patriotism, pacifism and isolationism. But by the war’s end in 1945, many of them would in fact do the exact opposite and die for King and Country. Join Sir Antony Beevor as he discusses this event as well as other crucial events as he compares and contrasts the Greatest Generations of the United Kingdom and the United States.

This virtual event is free and open to the public, but attendees must register below to receive the link to join.

Special thanks to the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Museum for hosting this event as part of the Greatest Generation Celebration.

Speaker Biography
Antony Beevor was educated at Winchester and Sandhurst, where he studied military history under John Keegan. A regular officer with the 11th Hussars, he left the Army after five years to write. He has published four novels, and thirteen books of non-fiction. His work has appeared in 37 foreign languages and sold nine million copies.
His books include Inside the British Army (1990); Crete — The Battle and the Resistance, (1991) which was awarded a Runciman Prize, and Paris After the Liberation, 1944-1949 (written with his wife Artemis Cooper and published in 1994). He has also contributed to several books including The British Army, Manpower and Society into the Twenty-First Century, edited by Hew Strachan; to Russia – War, Peace & Diplomacy in honour of the late John Erickson; to Kokoda – Beyond the Legend (2017) edited by Karl James; and The End of 1942 – A turning point in World War II and in the Comprehension of the Final Solution? (Yad Vashem, 2018) edited by Dina Porat and Dan Michman.
Stalingrad, first published in 1998, won the first Samuel Johnson Prize, the Wolfson Prize for History and the Hawthornden Prize for Literature in 1999. Berlin – The Downfall 1945, published in 2002, was accompanied by a BBC Timewatch programme on his research into the subject. It was a No. 1 Bestseller in seven countries apart from Britain, and in the top five in another nine countries. The book received the first Longman-History Today Trustees’ Award.
In May 2004, he published The Mystery of Olga Chekhova, which describes the experiences of the Chekhov and Knipper families from before the Russian revolution until after the Second World War. His Russian research assistant Dr Lyubov Vinogradova and he then edited and translated the war time papers of the novelist Vasily Grossman, published in 2005 as A Writer at War – Vasily Grossman with the Red Army 1941-1945.
He has also published a completely revised edition of his 1982 history of the Spanish Civil War, with a great deal of new material from Spanish sources and foreign archives. This came out in Spain in September 2005 as La guerra civil española where it became the No.1 Bestseller and received the La Vanguardia prize for non-fiction. It appeared in English in spring, 2006, as The Battle for Spain – The Spanish Civil War 1936-1939.
D-Day – The Battle for Normandy, published in June 2009, was a No 1 Bestseller in seven countries, including the UK and France, and in the top ten in another eight countries. It received the Prix Henry Malherbe in France and the Westminster Medal from the Royal United Services Institute. His next book, The Second World War, published in June 2012, was a No 1 bestseller in Britain and four other countries, and a bestseller in another five. Ardennes 1944 – Hitler’s Last Gamble (published 2015) became another international bestseller and was shortlisted for the Prix Médicis. His next book, Arnhem – The Battle for the Bridges (2018) is another international bestseller.
Antony Beevor was made a Chevalier de l’Ordre des Arts et des Lettres by the French government in 1997 and in 2008 was awarded the Order of the Cross of Terra Mariana by the President of Estonia. In 2016 he was made Commandeur de l’Ordre de la Couronne in Belgium for his book on the Ardennes.
He was elected a Fellow of the Royal Society of Literature in 1999 and the Royal Historical Society in 2017. He was the 2002-2003 Lees-Knowles lecturer at Cambridge. He has been a Visiting Professor at Birkbeck College, University of London and at the University of Kent. He is an honorary Fellow of King’s College London and has also received honorary degrees of Doctor of Letters from the University of Kent, the University of Bath, the University of East Anglia and the University of York. He was a trustee of the London Library from 2002-2004 and a judge of the British Academy Book Prize and the David Cohen Prize in 2004. He is a member of the Council of the Society of Authors (having been Chair from 2003-2005). From 2018 to 2021 he was a member of the academic advisory committee for the European Centre for Tolerance and Reconciliation.
In 2014 he received the Pritzker Literature Award for Lifetime Achievement in Military Writing, and in 2016 the Norton Medlicott Medal for Service to History. He was awarded a knighthood in the 2017 New Year’s Honours List. He is married to the writer and biographer Artemis Cooper and they have a daughter Nella and a son Adam.

Global Mixer: Dinner at RAK Thai
2025-09-24 18:00 - 19:30 | RAK Thai at the Downton Market, 435 Ionia Ave, SW, Grand Rapids, MI, 49503, United States
Join us and RAK Proprietors Blon and Christine Hang for a unique educational and culinary experience, where we will learn and taste elevated Thai cuisine surrounded by an international ambiance. Dinner will include Jasmine Thai hot tea, Papaya Salad with hand-made shareables, one off the menu featured Thai dish along with two favorites from the menu.
Also learn about Thai culture and Blon and Christine’s inspiration to open RAK in Grand Rapids.
Cost to attend is $40 and you must register in advance. Deadline to register/cancel is September 17.

Bridges Across the Pacific: South Korea and the U.S. Today
2025-10-01 19:00 - 20:15 | Recital Hall, Covenant Fine Arts Center, 1795 Knollcrest Circle Southeast, Grand Rapids, MI, 49546
As the world changes and the Indo-Pacific region becomes more important than ever, the partnership between the United States and the Republic of Korea (ROK) remains a key ingredient for stability, innovation, and progress.
Join us for a special event that brings together top experts to talk about the future of U.S.–Korea relations, covering everything from trade and security to shared economic goals.
Don’t miss this opportunity to be part of a forward-thinking conversation about how the U.S. and Korea can work together to build a strong, successful future.

This program is made possible through a grant from the World Affairs Councils of America and the Korea Economic Institute (KEI). KEI’s Future of Korea is an outreach program that strengthens interest in U.S.-Korea relations with community members, scholars, and students outside of the DC metropolitan area. Through the grant, we’ll be visited by a delegation of Korean experts from the U.S. State Department, the Embassy of the Republic of Korea, and a member of KEI.

More on the delegation:
Jesse K. Finkel, Republic of Korea and Mongolia Unit Chief for the Office of Korean and Mongolian Affairs, U.S. State Department
Seungtae (Sante) Hong, Head of the Economic Section and Counselor, Embassy of Korea
Ellen Kim, director of academic affairs, KEI

With thanks to our local partners: Calvin University’s January Series

RSVPs and Tickets
This program is free and open to the public. No registration is needed to attend the event.

Parking
Free parking is available on campus.

Global Mixer: Japanese Movies
2025-10-06 20:00 - 21:30 | Wealthy Theatre, 1130 Wealthy St. SE, Grand Rapids, MI, 49506
For the month of October, we invite you to explore the world of Japanese genre movies with two upcoming films:
Join us at the Wealthy Theatre on Monday, October 6 at 8pm for the 1977 Japanese comedy horror film House. Directed and produced by Nobuhiko Obayashi, House is about a schoolgirl traveling with her six friends to her ailing aunt’s country home, where they come face to face with supernatural events as the girls are, one by one, devoured by the home. Purchase your tickets online or at the door.
Wealthy Theatre is located at 1130 Wealthy St. SE, Grand Rapids, MI 49506, with parking behind the theatre or on the street.
Afterwards we will have a quick cocktail at the Meanwhile to chat about the movie.
Tickets and information on the Wealthy Theatre website
Continuing our Japanese movie month, we will head to Celebration Cinema North on Sunday, October 19 at 3:20pm for the animated fantasy film Spirited Away written and directed by Hayao Miyazaki. Spirited Away follows a young girl named Chihiro “Sen” Ogino, who moves to a new neighborhood and inadvertently enters the world of kami (spirits of Japanese Shinto folklore). Purchase your tickets at the door or online.
Celebration Cinema North is located at 2121 Celebration Dr NE, Grand Rapids, MI 49525
Afterwards we will enjoy a refreshing cold or hot tea at Jade Tea.
Tickets and information on the Celebration Cinema North website

Covering Global Health: A Journalist’s Perspective with NPR's Fatma Tanis
2025-10-07 18:30 - 19:30 | Kentwood Branch (Richard L. Root), Kent District Library, 4950 Breton Rd SE,, Kentwood, MI, 49508, United States
Join us for an engaging evening with NPR international correspondent Fatma Tanis as she shares powerful stories from the front lines of global health. Drawing from her reporting around the world, Tanis will explore how health challenges and solution cross borders, impact communities, and reveal our shared humanity.

More on Fatma Tanis, Global Health Correspondent, NPR

This program is the first in a series titled:
Living Better in West Michigan: A Global Health Perspective
Health, longevity and quality of life vary depending on where you live, but do they have to? In this series, explore the factors that lead to people living longer lives here and in other parts of the world and how increased knowledge of healthcare systems can help us address the real health needs in our communities.

With thanks to our sponsoring partners at Kent District Library
and Calvin University’s January Series
RSVPs and Tickets
This program is free and open to the public. If you wish to view a recording of the program, register below to receive a link.

Parking
Free parking is available at the library.

Behind the Breakthroughs: Changing Communities with Dr. Peter Jones, Van Andel Institute
2025-10-14 18:30 - 19:30 | Kentwood Branch (Richard L. Root), Kent District Library, 4950 Breton Rd SE,, Kentwood, MI, 49508, United States
From lifesaving vaccines to groundbreaking cancer treatments, medical research institutions are at the heart of health innovation, with benefits that extend well beyond the medical breakthroughs. Focusing on Grand Rapids’ own Van Andel Institute, join us for a conversation with VAI’s President and Chief Scientific Officer, Dr. Peter Jones, as he shares how centers of discovery like Van Andel not only shape global health but also improve the lives of people right here in our communities.

More on Dr. Peter Jones, President and Chief Scientific Officer, Van Andel Institute

This program is the second in a series titled:
Living Better in West Michigan: A Global Health Perspective
Health, longevity and quality of life vary depending on where you live, but do they have to? In this series, explore the factors that lead to people living longer lives here and in other parts of the world and how increased knowledge of healthcare systems can help us address the real health needs in our communities.

With thanks to our sponsoring partners at Kent District Library
and Calvin University’s January Series
RSVPs and Tickets
This program is free and open to the public. If you wish to view a recording of the program, register below to receive a link.

Parking
Free parking is available at the library.

Training for Impact: How Medical Schools Shape Community and Global Health with Dr. Charles Hong, MSU
2025-10-21 18:30 - 19:30 | Kentwood Branch (Richard L. Root), Kent District Library, 4950 Breton Rd SE,, Kentwood, MI, 49508, United States
Medical schools do more than educate future doctors. They are also engines of innovation and research and are on the front lines of community care. This program explores how medical schools, including Michigan State University, contribute to solving some of the world’s most pressing health challenges, from combating pandemics to advancing health equity. Join us for a look at how these institutions train the next generation of health leaders and improve lives both locally and worldwide.

More on Dr. Charles Hong, Chair of Medicine, Michigan State University School of Medicine

This program is the last in a series titled:
Living Better in West Michigan: A Global Health Perspective
Health, longevity and quality of life vary depending on where you live, but do they have to? In this series, explore the factors that lead to people living longer lives here and in other parts of the world and how increased knowledge of healthcare systems can help us address the real health needs in our communities.

With thanks to our sponsoring partners at Kent District Library
and Calvin University’s January Series
RSVPs and Tickets
This program is free and open to the public. If you wish to view a recording of the program, register below to receive a link.

Parking
Free parking is available at the library.
