World Affairs Council records

Collection

Identifier: Collection 004

Staff Only

Scope and Contents

The focus of the World Affairs Council Records Collection is unique in that it brings the international community to the local people of Western Michigan. Though the majority of the documents deal with politics, economics, and policies from the entire world, they do so by bringing these issues to the locals. This collection is important to the scope of the Grand Rapids History and Special Collections Center because it involves the local community in issues of international concern and provides documentation on how the area has reacted to these issues.

The World Affairs Council Records Collection is strong in specific information on lectures and programs. There are many people of international importance who have spoken in Grand Rapids and the folders on these issues have a wide variety of documentation, from correspondences and fliers to biographies and photographs. The earliest records (1949-1960s) lack this type of specific data, as we only have general organizational documents from this time period. Program subject files make up the bulk of the collection, specifically those that address the different programs the WAC hosted. The photographs, though plentiful, are limited in subject matter. They are mostly restricted to formal stills used in publicity, and there are very few which offer a look at local people interacting with the guests. In addition, the bulk of the guest speakers come from Washington D.C. and Europe. This Western focus does limit the information geographically; however, there are resources from Russia, South Africa, and Japan, to name a few, that show a grander picture of the world.

Dates

1949-1986

Creator

World Affairs Council of Grand Rapids (Organization)
World Affairs Council of Western Michigan (Organization)

Biographical / Historical

This collection documents the World Affairs Council of Western Michigan with sources from the creation of the organization till 1986. On November 1, 1949, the World Affairs Council (formerly known as the Grand Rapids Council on World Affairs) held the first meeting of the Board of Directors.

Founding members, including Mr. A. H. Kollenberg (President) and Mr. Edgar Orr (Executive Vice-President), in their capacity as community leaders, sought to help educate the Grand Rapids population on the important international policy issues that directly affected the United States' foreign policy. Before and during World War II, the United States practiced is.solationalism which resulted in an American public who lacked true knowledge of global events.

By creating an organization whose goal it was to bring information to the people, the founders of the World Affairs Council believed that they would be helping to inform the American citizens, at the local level, of political, economic, and social issues that faced the world. The original By-Laws read, “The Grand Rapids Council on World Affairs shall be a non-profit, educational organization to stimulate interest in and better the understanding of world affairs.” This continues to be their mission today. As an “independent, voluntary, non-profit, non-partisan educational organization,” the council brings in experts and engages the community in dialogs about international issues (WAC Membership form, ca. 1983). The guest lectures, luncheons, newsletter publications, Great Decisions program, travel opportunities, debates, and other forms of community engagement provide a means to the goal of education.

In the past, important movers-and-shakers of the United States government, such as William Porter (U.S. Ambassador to Canada), spoke at World Affairs Council events. In addition, important people in the international arena have also participated, including lectures given by Nikolai Setounski (Chief of the Soviet Union's TASS News Agency, New York) and M. Peter McPherson (Chairman of OPIC). It is not solely an international venture, but one that looks closely at the community at hand by hosting debates and lectures from people in the community – Professor Robert DeVries for example.

The Board of Directors governs the Council and it is administered by officers and a small voluntary staff. Over the years this organization has gone through many different stages of development, but they continue to provide lectures and other programs which further the global awareness of the people of Western Michigan.

For more information please refer to the World Affairs Council of Western Michigan's website at www.worldaffairsmichigan.org.

Extent

6 Linear Feet (20 boxes)

Language of Materials

English

Additional Description

Abstract

The collection documents the activities of the World Affairs Council of Grand Rapids (later named the World Affairs Council of Western Michigan) from its inception in 1949 through 1986. This non-profit, non-partisan organization was designed to educate the local citizenry concerning world issues, as well as stimulate interest and understanding of world affairs.

Activities documented include guest speakers and programs, Michigan International Week events, World Trade Week events and community ambassadors. Included are correspondence, newsletters, meeting minutes, biographies, photos, news releases, fliers and posters and subject files. The bulk of the material dates to after the mid-1960s. Many of the speakers come from outside of the Michigan community, making this a collection with an international scope, seated in the Western Michigan community.