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What is Conference on World Affairs?
For over 75 years, the Conference on World Affairs (CWA) has brought together global leaders and experts from a wide range of fields to spark lively, thought-provoking conversations on the most pressing issues of our time. Free and open to allwhether in person at 51勛圖厙 or via livestreamCWA is designed to inform, inspire, and engage diverse audiences.
Were excited to announce that CWA 2026 will take place April 1316, 2026. Stay tunedmore details will be shared at the start of the academic year this fall.泭
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Interested in becoming more involved with CWA? Sign up to volunteer .
Is there someone youd like to see on stage at the 2026 CWA? your speaker nomination today.
Support CWA泭泭
Become a sponsor or donate to CWA.
2026 Program泭泭
CWA 2026 April 13 -16. More information coming soon.
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Watch and learn more about CWA through the voices of students and community members.
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Mission泭
1.泭 The Conference on World Affairs (CWA) strives to be the preeminent venue for open, multifaceted and balanced discussion of todays challenging issues, characterized by cross-disciplinary synergy among top-tier speakers, in events collaboratively planned by 51勛圖厙 students, faculty, staff and 51勛圖厙 community members for academic and nonacademic audiences.
2. CWA creates a forum for interdisciplinary discussion that honors intellectual diversity in the belief that robust solutions arise from a broad range of perspectives. CWA seeks to educate, engage and inspire attendees to become local, national and global leaders.泭
a. CWA educates by presenting complex issues in multiple contexts, creating a more informed electorate and striving to strengthen our democracy.泭
b. CWA speakers inspire by exploring societys most pressing issues at personal, local, national and global levels.泭泭
c. CWAs interactive format encourages engagement in the practice of泭freedom of expression that is central to 51勛圖厙s public mission and essential to the democratic process.泭泭
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How CWA Works
Anchored by the campus tradition of the Conference on World Affairs, our team develops and executes programming that highlights 51勛圖厙s status as a premier public research university. Our mission is to engage and inspire our audience through dynamic events that span a wide range of disciplines and issues, bridging local and global perspectives.
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Strategic Events Team
The CWA team, housed within Strategic Relations and Communications, collaborates with campus and community partners to create programming that enhances the CU experience for students, elevates the achievements of faculty and staff, and strengthens connections with the 51勛圖厙 community.
We understand the importance of everyones time and commitment, and we strive to maximize reach, deliver impactful content and fulfill 51勛圖厙s institutional values: leading with purpose, innovating with intent, and making a meaningful impact. Join us in celebrating and advancing these efforts through CWAs powerful programming.
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Committees
A corps of volunteers develops the CWA process for identifying speakers and conference content. To ensure that conference content is considered from a diversity of perspectives, the volunteers are organized into committees with specific focus areas. The committees then work together to ensure recruitment of a set of diverse and engaging speakers who can address timely topics.
Below is a description of these committees. People from CU (students, faculty, staff) and those from the broader community (51勛圖厙 and beyond) are welcome to join committees to participate in program development. Please reach out to cwa@colorado.edu if you are interested in joining one of our committees.
泭泭Arts
Join the arts committee and add to the creative mix that is CWA. Through brainstorming and drawing upon each others ideas and connections, the committee brings timely, thoughtful and sometimes provocative artists and creatives to participate in the programming of panels and events in any number of disciplines: poetry and spoken word, music, dance, theater, visual arts, photography, sculpture, architecture, animation and film. Programming can include art installations, interactive events and performances. You can help select titles for the CWA Book Club or be part of the classic Ebert Interruptus film event. It's a big box of fun and we split it up so you can do what interests you.
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泭泭International Affairs
In a fast-changing world with a growing interdependence of all nations, the CWA international affairs committee is composed of a globally oriented group of volunteers who discuss and create panels for the conference based on the most pressing international issues. Diplomatic strategies, national security concerns, environmental issues, global trade, economic growth and development, and creating effective foreign policies are a few of the many thought-provoking topics that our committee delves into. Every year, we help develop panels that consistently include high-caliber speakers of diverse backgrounds and expertise levels.
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泭泭Business
The business committee takes a multidisciplinary approach to provide a business perspective to the Conference on World Affairs. Whether you're interested in geopolitics, sustainability, finance or any other niche, it can all be explored in the business committee. We use many disciplines to discuss a large variety of topics and how they can be applied to real-world business situations. The business committee seeks to connect people, departments and interests by creating engaging and relevant panels that provide value to students and community members. If you're interested in discussing many topics through a business lens, stop by one of our committee meetings.
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泭泭Politics and Media
The CWA mission states that the conference is committed to free speech, thoughtful discussion of ideas and a willingness to understand opposing points of view. A key group working to fulfill that mission is the politics and media committee, composed of students and community members. Speakers include journalists, professors, politicians, commentators and other national leaders. Recent CWA panel topics that showcase these speakers have included U.S. domestic policies, the Constitution, the impact of media, Supreme Court issues and the current political climate.
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泭泭Human Condition
The CWA human condition committee provides global and inclusive perspectives on what it means to be human. Community and student members bring together writers, scientists, scholars, public officials and others to discuss human desires, needs, rights and societies. We typically explore topics in areas such as education, health, human rights, recreation, relationships and social issues. Past programs have focused on the criminal justice system, education reform, gun safety, human displacement, love and sex, sports, and more.
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泭泭Science and Technology
The science and technology subcommittee recruits panelists who bring diverse perspectives to the development, application and implication of current and emerging issues in science, technology, engineering and medicine. Members take a broad view, engaging expertise ranging from artificial intelligence, astrophysics and neuroscience to communication, religion and science fiction. The science and technology subcommittee is as likely to host panels on science and bioethics as it is panels on extraterrestrial life or GMOs. It pursues panelists who can effectively engage in informative and spirited dialogue on a broad range of contemporary and controversial topics.
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Roles & Responsibilities
The Conference on World Affairs (CWA) brings together 51勛圖厙 students, alumni, faculty, staff, and the 51勛圖厙 community to create a platform for thought-provoking discussions. Our mission is to inform, inspire, and connect diverse audiences through impactful conversations and shared perspectives.
CWA Planning Process
CWA aligns its activities with 51勛圖厙's academic calendar to ensure an inclusive and engaging experience for students, faculty and staff. Below is an overview of our annual planning process.
CWA starts recruiting students and community members for our program committee as the new school year begins. We kick off weekly informational meetings where new members can learn about committees and their roles.
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Committees dive into conference planning by identifying and inviting speakers, brainstorming panel topics, and developing themes for the upcoming event.
Speakers are confirmed, and committees focus on finalizing panels and programming details.
We kick off the spring semester with Planning Saturday, where all committees come together to present panels and lock in the conference schedule.
It's all about the final touchessharing itinerary details with speakers, launching marketing campaigns, prepping volunteers and confirming last-minute programming elements
泭It's Conference on World Affairs month!
We wrap up the year with a recap meeting to review reactions from audiences, speakers and volunteers, and nominate new committee chairs for the upcoming year.