The mission of WorldBoston is to educate, inspire and engage the people of Greater Boston in international affairs and the critical global issues of our time.

We invite you to attend our popular distinguished speakers programs. We also arrange meetings with emerging leaders from around the world
who are visiting Boston and the region as part of the U.S. Department of State's International Visitor Leadership Program.
Become a citizen diplomat!  By sharing knowledge, ideas and your culture, you can develop lasting connections through professional and cultural exchanges with these visitors.

WorldBoston is an independent, nonpartisan, 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization.  Join WorldBoston today!  Know - and grow - your world!

Upcoming events

February 18
Non-Proliferation and Armed Violence

H.E. Ambassador Peter Maurer, Permanent Representative of Switzerland to the United Nations, was named Secretary of State of the Swiss Foreign Affairs Office in January. Join this luncheon discussion on key challenges facing the UN, including non-proliferation, climate change, and peacekeeping operations. Event details.

This event is cosponsored by the United Nations Association of
Greater Boston and Swissnex.

February 24
Egypt, the U.S. and the Middle East

WorldBoston is privileged to arrange the itinerary for H.E. Sameh Shoukry, Ambassador of Egypt to the U.S., during his three-day visit to Boston.  Join us for a welcome dinner on Feb. 24, at which Ambassador Shoukry will speak about Egyptian-U.S. relations and his country's role in Middle East diplomacy. Event details will be posted soon!

Recent events

February 4
Film Screening and Panel Discussion:
"Garbage Dreams: Raised in the Trash Trade"

Welcome to the world's largest garbage village, on the outskirts of Cairo. This award-winning documentary explores the lives of three teenage Egyptian Zaballeen (Arabic for garbage people), who recycle 80 percent of the trash they collect When a multi-national corporation threatens their livelihood, the youth are forced to make choices that will impact the survival of their community. PANELISTS: Lydia Khalil, International Affairs Fellow, Council on Foreign Relations Tarek Masoud, Asst. Professor of Public Policy, Harvard Kennedy School

EVENT DETAILS

WorldBoston is grateful to event cosponsors American Islamic Congress
and Hult International Business School.

January 28
A Conversation on Evolving
U.S. Policy Toward Russia

The American Academy of Arts & Sciences hosted an evening forum featuring Robert Legvold, Marshall D. Shulman Professor Emeritus at Columbia University, and Thomas Graham, former Senior Director for Russia, U.S. National Security Council.  WorldBoston members enjoyed complimentary admission.

January 14
The New Energy Challenge

The British-American Business Council of New England presented an evening forum with David Brewster, president and co-founder of EnerNOC, a Boston-based provider of clean and intelligent energy services. The event was held at the law offices of Bingham McCutchen at One Federal Street, with complimentary admission for WorldBoston members.

Click to see 2009 events

Upcoming international visitors

February 13-18
U.S. Trade Policy

A delegation of senior economists, government officials and and private-sector trade and industry experts from 20 countries (and five continents) will visit Boston for professional meetings under the auspices of the U.S. State Department's International Visitor Leadership Program (IVLP).

February 13-17
Women and Entrepreneurship

WorldBoston will welcome women from 22 countries who are founders, chief executives, and senior managers of a range of businesses. From Afghanistan to Venezuela, and Lithuania to Mozambique, they will meet Boston-area women entrepreneurs to discuss best practices for innovation, business development and venture finance.

Education corner

Braintree High wins 3rd Annual Academic WorldQuest! Congratulations to all the high school teams and coaches for making our global knowledge competition a great success!  Your smarts, spirit, and sportsmanship made for a very exciting day!  Special thanks also to the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston for providing a wonderful venue. Learn more!

A flagship program of the World Affairs Councils of America

Travel the World in 2010
with the World Affairs Councils of America

March 10-14 Conference includes 4-night stay at the Westin St. Francis Hotel Price: $1,950 plus airfare View draft agenda

Northern California Symposium: World Affairs 2010              From the global economic crisis to climate change, from international security dilemmas to development challenges, new U.S. policy prescriptions abound. For an in-depth analysis of the Obama administration's foreign policies, attend a two-day conference, organized by our sister World Affairs Council of Northern California, and small-group meetings including luncheon briefing at the Hoover Institute, Stanford University with former Secretary of State George P. Shultz. Enjoy the de Young Museum's King Tut exhibit, the Asian Art Museum and more.

May 3-15 From $4,395 plus airfare A post-trip option in Guilin and Hong Kong is offered

Inside Beijing:                Our sister council in Philadelphia has been offering tours to China for three decades — it was one of the first institutions to visit in 1977. This comprehensive deluxe tour includes  sightseeing in Beijing, Xian, and Shanghai as well as a three-night cruise through the breathtaking Yangtze River Gorges aboard the deluxe M.V. Victoria Jenna, the most elegant river ship in China. Substantive briefings from diplomats and trade experts, a visit to a traditional hospital, and classes on Chinese cooking and martial arts Tai Chi round out your discoveries.