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. For more information about Great Decisions topics visit the Foreign Policy Association website.
Our Programs
The World Affairs Council of the Mid-Hudson Valley provides expert facilitators to lead the discussions, while the library districts offer the venue and materials to support the program.
Multiple times each year, Great Decisions Discussions are held on selected Mondays at the Boardman Branch Library in Poughkeepsie and on various days at the Woodstock Library.
These sessions are free and open to the public.
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.
Summer Scholars
The J.P. Rolison Jr. Summer Scholars Program, historically supported by the World Affairs Council of the Mid-Hudson Valley and Dutchess BOCES, offers a summer residential college experience for Dutchess County high school students. Hosted by Dutchess Community College, this highly selective program invites current 10th and 11th-grade students who demonstrate strong academic achievement, intellectual potential, and creativity.
The program challenges students with a rigorous college-level academic curriculum and multidisciplinary projects designed to develop critical thinking and writing skills. Past course topics have included:
- "1968"
- "The 1960s"
- "The Kennedys: An American Family"
- "Cybertalk in the 21st Century: Truth in a World of Alternative Facts"
- "Own the Media"
Through lectures, discussions, and hands-on learning, students gain a deeper understanding of the diverse and complex world we live in—past, present, and future.
For more information about the program and how to apply, visit the Dutchess BOCES website.
Student World Affairs Conference (SWAC)
The Student World Affairs Conference (SWAC) is an annual academic event in the Mid-Hudson Valley, hosted by the World Affairs Council of the Mid-Hudson Valley. This conference provides undergraduate students with the opportunity to present research on pressing international issues, such as sustainable development, global governance, and human rights while fostering connections with peers and professionals from neighboring colleges and universities.
Recent SWACs have been held on the Marist University campus, though historically the conference has rotated among area colleges and universities.
Academic Talks
Membership Dinner Keynote Addresses
Each year in November or early December, the World Affairs Council of the Mid-Hudson Valley hosts a members-only dinner at an area venue of note. These events feature not only amazing fare but also keynote addresses by experts in their fields. In 2024, Ambassador Frederic Hof spoke on “What’s Next in the Middle East” and in 2025, Dr. James Ketterer spoke on “Jazz Diplomacy.”
In addition to the Great Decisions Discussion program hosted sponsored by WAC-MHV in association with local libraries, the council offers an array of academic talks on pressing topics. These range from panel discussions to debates and individual talks by invited speakers. Talks are also nested within the Student World Affairs Conferences.
Check the upcoming events section of this website for more information.