{"items":["5fa2d4899f20890017ca9842","5f6caf22ee3dcf0017e19f78","5f6caf22ee3dcf0017e19f7b","5f6caf22ee3dcf0017e19f7c","5f6caf22ee3dcf0017e19f7d","5f6caf22ee3dcf0017e19f7e","5f6caf22ee3dcf0017e19f7f","5f6caf22ee3dcf0017e19f80","5f6caf22ee3dcf0017e19f81","5f6caf24c3e0720017bb56ca"],"styles":{"galleryType":"Columns","groupSize":1,"showArrows":true,"cubeImages":true,"cubeType":"max","cubeRatio":1.7777777777777777,"isVertical":true,"gallerySize":30,"collageAmount":0,"collageDensity":0,"groupTypes":"1","oneRow":false,"imageMargin":30,"galleryMargin":0,"scatter":0,"chooseBestGroup":true,"smartCrop":false,"hasThumbnails":false,"enableScroll":true,"isGrid":true,"isSlider":false,"isColumns":false,"isSlideshow":false,"cropOnlyFill":false,"fixedColumns":0,"enableInfiniteScroll":true,"isRTL":false,"minItemSize":50,"rotatingGroupTypes":"","rotatingCubeRatio":"","gallerySliderImageRatio":1.7777777777777777,"numberOfImagesPerRow":3,"numberOfImagesPerCol":1,"groupsPerStrip":0,"borderRadius":0,"boxShadow":0,"gridStyle":0,"mobilePanorama":false,"placeGroupsLtr":false,"viewMode":"preview","thumbnailSpacings":4,"galleryThumbnailsAlignment":"bottom","isMasonry":false,"isAutoSlideshow":false,"slideshowLoop":false,"autoSlideshowInterval":4,"bottomInfoHeight":0,"titlePlacement":["SHOW_ON_THE_RIGHT","SHOW_BELOW"],"galleryTextAlign":"center","scrollSnap":false,"itemClick":"nothing","fullscreen":true,"videoPlay":"hover","scrollAnimation":"NO_EFFECT","slideAnimation":"SCROLL","scrollDirection":0,"overlayAnimation":"FADE_IN","arrowsPosition":0,"arrowsSize":23,"watermarkOpacity":40,"watermarkSize":40,"useWatermark":true,"watermarkDock":{"top":"auto","left":"auto","right":0,"bottom":0,"transform":"translate3d(0,0,0)"},"loadMoreAmount":"all","defaultShowInfoExpand":1,"allowLinkExpand":true,"expandInfoPosition":0,"allowFullscreenExpand":true,"fullscreenLoop":false,"galleryAlignExpand":"left","addToCartBorderWidth":1,"addToCartButtonText":"","slideshowInfoSize":200,"playButtonForAutoSlideShow":false,"allowSlideshowCounter":false,"hoveringBehaviour":"NEVER_SHOW","thumbnailSize":120,"magicLayoutSeed":1,"imageHoverAnimation":"NO_EFFECT","imagePlacementAnimation":"NO_EFFECT","calculateTextBoxWidthMode":"PERCENT","textBoxHeight":60,"textBoxWidth":200,"textBoxWidthPercent":75,"textImageSpace":10,"textBoxBorderRadius":0,"textBoxBorderWidth":0,"loadMoreButtonText":"","loadMoreButtonBorderWidth":1,"loadMoreButtonBorderRadius":0,"imageInfoType":"ATTACHED_BACKGROUND","itemBorderWidth":0,"itemBorderRadius":0,"itemEnableShadow":false,"itemShadowBlur":20,"itemShadowDirection":135,"itemShadowSize":10,"imageLoadingMode":"BLUR","expandAnimation":"NO_EFFECT","imageQuality":90,"usmToggle":false,"usm_a":0,"usm_r":0,"usm_t":0,"videoSound":false,"videoSpeed":"1","videoLoop":true,"gallerySizeType":"px","gallerySizePx":1000,"allowTitle":true,"allowContextMenu":true,"textsHorizontalPadding":-30,"itemBorderColor":{"themeName":"color_12","value":"rgba(199,199,197,0)"},"showVideoPlayButton":true,"galleryLayout":2,"calculateTextBoxHeightMode":"MANUAL","targetItemSize":1000,"selectedLayout":"2|bottom|1|max|true|0|true","layoutsVersion":2,"selectedLayoutV2":2,"isSlideshowFont":true,"externalInfoHeight":60,"externalInfoWidth":0.75},"container":{"width":300,"galleryWidth":330,"galleryHeight":0,"scrollBase":0,"height":null}}
About Our Programs
Great Decisions Global Discussion Series
We examine eight current American foreign policy issues and learn from experts in their fields in Monday night and Tuesday noon sessions over an eight week period. This discussion series is offered in February and March.
_______
Global Executive Briefings
An exclusive corporate programming track of small-group luncheons or receptions with international business executives or global experts speaking about an aspect of global business or global issue of concern to Western Michigan companies with international interests.
_______
Anniversary Event
Our most prestigious and popular event of the year is typically held each fall. Some previous speakers include: General David Petraeus, former President of Pakistan Pervez Musharraf, former President of Mexico Vicente, author of “The World is Flat” Fox Tom Friedman, former President of Poland Lech Walesa and former Prime Minister of Israel Ehud Barak.
_______
Fall/Spring Lecture Series
Three to four sessions each fall or winter offering an in-depth focus on a singular region, country, topic or global issue. Each session includes one hour of lecture/discussion by experts in the field of study followed with 30 minutes of Q&A. Previous lecture series topics include: the Arabian Peninsula, Immigration & Refugees, and Civil Discourse.
_______
WorldQuest™
An international trivia contest held every May during World Trade Week with college, corporate and community teams competing.
_______
National Webcasts and Teleconferences
From the World Affairs Councils of America (Washington, DC) on timely issues or discussions with authors of just-published books on a global issue (the format is 20 minutes of commentary by an expert followed with 10 minutes of Q&A).
_______
More
We organize special programs and “Speakers Of Opportunity” throughout the year.
Program and Event News