Join Us!
The World Affairs Council of the Mid-Hudson Valley, an all-volunteer organization, was founded in 2003 as a forum for citizen education and participation in international issues. Membership and/or donations directly support the educational programs and activities that bring nonpartisan, lively information about critical issues facing our nation and the world to our community. The Council is a member of the World Affairs Councils of America (WACA) and serves Dutchess, Ulster, and Orange Counties in New York.
Our Programs
The World Affairs Council of the Mid-Hudson Valley offers a variety of educational programs designed to engage and inform our community about global issues. Our flagship program, Academic WorldQuest, is an interscholastic competition that challenges high school students on their knowledge of international affairs. We also offer the Summer Scholars Program at Vassar College, providing high school students with a rigorous, college-level academic experience. Additionally, our Model UN Europe program allows students to participate in international simulations, fostering a deeper understanding of global diplomacy.
Great Decisions Discussions
WAC-MHV and the Poughkeepsie and Woodstock library districts collaborate to offer a series of Great Decisions Discussions. This program, from the Foreign Policy Association, provides background information and policy options for the eight most critical issues facing America each year.
Our council provides expert facilitators to lead the discussions, while the library districts offer the venue and materials to support the program.
For more information about Great Decisions topics visit the Foreign Policy Association website. Visit our Events page to find the next GD Discussion.
Youth Programs
Academic WorldQuest
The knowledge-based interscholastic competition that focuses on global issues and international affairs; Academic WorldQuest is the flagship program of the World Affairs Councils of America. Each year the World Affairs Council of the Mid-Hudson Valley creates and funds the regional AWQ involving both public and private high schools. The winning team travels to Washington, DC to participate in the national competition.
SWAC – The Student World Affairs Conference is an annual professional conference for university students in our area. It is hosted by different area universities and is open to the public.