In September over 100 people dined on Polish cuisine and then heard a fascinating presentation from former Polish ambassador Daniel Fried. In October another large group gathered, this time dining on selections from China, Afghanistan and Austria, and then listening to engaging stories and watching videos about music as a form of diplomacy. The program was presented by Springfield’s own Jake Woollen, assistant conductor for the Illinois Symphony Orchestra, and conductor of the Illinois Symphony Youth Orchestra.
Since 1986 the World Affairs Council of Central Illinois (WACCI) has been hosting programs with speakers who are national and international experts, ambassadors and diplomats to share perspectives of global issues and policies.
It was in that year that several men convened for lunch at the Sangamo Club: Roy Wehrle and John McQuown – teachers at Sangamon State University (SSU, now UIS-Springfield), Dick Grummond, attorney, Bill Blaser, director of the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency, and Tom Stringer, Administrative Office of the Courts. The group decided Springfield would benefit from learning about foreign policy, international relations and global perspectives.
Wehrle had come to SSU from foreign service as an economic counselor to ambassadors in Laos and Vietnam during the Vietnam War. He felt there was nothing in Springfield that helped citizens know about U.S. foreign policy.
Along with Robert Lanphier and Corrine Stocker, who helped with financing, and a student at SSU who had found out about a World Affairs Council in Peoria, the group launched the World Affairs Council of Central Illinois. They made a commitment that the group would avoid political positions.
Monthly meetings with dinners offering food from the various geographical regions of a presentation were held at Maldaner’s restaurant or at the Sangamon State University restaurant. A year later the group began Great Decisions, eight weekly discussions on various topics in which participants could delve into issues and share views. Thirty-eight years later, dinners with speakers and the Great Decisions sessions are still going strong.
Roy Wehrle, one of the founders, says, “We didn’t know if our idea would work, but three things really made it successful. We had good speakers, great meals that related to the speaker’s topic, and social interaction at the dinners. Springfield welcomed us quickly, and I am pleased and impressed with the people who are now involved. I’m happy the group has become one of the largest councils for a city of our size.”
Current president Joyce Nardulli, says, “There’s no better place in Springfield to hear from world leaders about the major issues of the day that affect all of us in one way or the other. WACCI offers that. It absolutely blows my mind that we are bringing such excellent speakers to our city, and I still find people who know little about us.”
The chapter in Springfield is one of over 90 across the U.S. In Illinois there are two chapters – in Springfield and Peoria.
Great Decisions will convene in the spring of 2025. Participants read a topic book in advance. Meetings occur on Wednesdays, with a video briefing followed by a discussion led by a moderator. Dates and details will be announced.
The Young Diplomats component started in 2021 to bring global issues to young adults. Area high school and college students meet with the speaker prior to the dinner and then join the WACCI attendees for dinner and the presentation. Students from Lanphier, Southeast and UIS have been frequent attendees.
The World Affairs Councils of America (WACA) holds a yearly conference. In 2010 WACA implemented the Student Scholars Program, which offers scholarships to 25 undergraduate students to attend the national conference. This year the Springfield chapter nominated Jacob Laurenzana, a senior at UIS, and he was awarded a $1,000 scholarship to attend the conference in Washington, D.C., in November. Laurenzana is majoring in political science, with a minor in political studies and music. He writes his own music, plays the piano, and sings in the UIS chamber ensemble.
On Nov. 13, WACCI’s program will be “Building Global Agricultural and Rural Capacity: Experiences from Brazil and Surrounding Countries.” Dr. Colby Silvert is the assistant professor and co-director of the University of Maryland Agricultural and Extension Education, and a former Fulbright scholar. He will speak about policies in Brazil and the surrounding area that engage farmers, policymakers and agricultural markets to achieve global development. (Illini Country Club, $40 for dinner 5:30-7 p.m. Presentation at 7 p.m. is free.)
Past programs have presented wide-ranging topics: Ukraine and Russia, Korea, the Arctic, SIU’s Medical Brigade trip to Panama, Cyber Warfare, Fashion, Unraveling a Rule-Based World Order, are a few topics from the past year.
“We welcome new members,” Nardulli says. “Come to a program, either for the dinner or just for the presentation. See what amazing topics and speakers we offer.”
Be watching for details about upcoming programs. Two programs have already been planned for 2025, on global health and Iran. Visit www.mywacci.org for more information or to become a member.
Cinda Ackerman Klickna of Rochester finds the WACCI programs insightful, interesting and educational.
This article appears in This I believe Illinois.
