The Chicago Council for Global Affairs

The World Needs You

The Chicago Council on Global Affairs is a nonpartisan, nonprofit organization committed to empowering you to help create a more open and promising world for all. We put you at the center of conversations on global challenges, amplify your views on critical issues, and illuminate our world and how we are all connected.
Learn more about us.
Audience member shakes hands with a speaker.

Get Informed

Video Series World Review with Ivo Daalder
Kamala Harris’s Nomination, Netanyahu’s DC Visit, Blinken Heads to Asia
Democratic nominee, Kamala Harris Democratic nominee, Kamala Harris Democratic nominee, Kamala Harris Democratic nominee, Kamala Harris Global Politics
Darron Cummings / AP
Play the video
Susan Glasser, Ken Moriyasu, and Prashant Rao join Ivo Daalder to discuss the week's top news stories.
a crowd stands for the national anthem a crowd stands for the national anthem a crowd stands for the national anthem a crowd stands for the national anthem Public Opinion
Patrick Semansky / AP
How Race, Ethnicity, and Age Impact Views on US Foreign Policy
RESEARCH Public Opinion Survey
Tall buildings in Chicago behind bike handlebars Tall buildings in Chicago behind bike handlebars Tall buildings in Chicago behind bike handlebars Tall buildings in Chicago behind bike handlebars Global Cities
Charles Rex Arbogast / AP
Chicago lags behind other global cities for bike-friendliness. Here's how it can improve.
Blog ChicagoGlobal by Laura Adamczyk
Upcoming Events
We're here to help you understand what's happening in the world no matter where you are in the world. Join us for in-person or hybrid events.

Fixing a Broken Democracy: Lessons from Poland

Hybrid EVENT

Join us for a discussion with Poland’s Minister of Justice Adam Bodnar on safeguarding democratic institutions and maintaining an independent judiciary.

Register Today
Adam Bodnar stands in front of a sign in Warsaw, Poland on October 12, 2023.
Czarek Sokolowski / AP
Aug
1

Fixing a Broken Democracy: Lessons from Poland

Hybrid EVENT

Join us for a discussion with Poland’s Minister of Justice Adam Bodnar on safeguarding democratic institutions and maintaining an independent judiciary.

Register Today
Adam Bodnar stands in front of a sign in Warsaw, Poland on October 12, 2023.
Czarek Sokolowski / AP
Aug
1

A Diversity of Opinion: Race, Age, and US Foreign Policy

Hybrid EVENT

Join us for a discussion of how factors like race and age play into Americans’ views on foreign policy.

Register Today
Voters work on their ballots in a polling place in Charleston, South Caroline on February 29, 2020.
Patrick Semansky / AP
Aug
21
Video from Past Events
PAST EVENT VIDEO
Avoiding World War III: Managing Threats from Russia, China, and AI
A conversation at the Chicago Council on Global Affairs with Ian Bremmer, Kevin Rudd, Ivo H. Daalder, and Zeenat Rahman on how the United States and its allies can respond to threats to global stability. A conversation at the Chicago Council on Global Affairs with Ian Bremmer, Kevin Rudd, Ivo H. Daalder, and Zeenat Rahman on how the United States and its allies can respond to threats to global stability.
Ana Miyares Photography
Play the video
Ian Bremmer, Kevin Rudd, Ivo H. Daalder, and Zeenat Rahman discuss how the United States and its allies can respond to threats to global stability.
The University of Chicago professor, Olga Bitel, and former governor of the Reserve Bank of India, Raghuram Rajan, discusses how India can navigate economic challenges to secure a more prosperous and sustainable future on stage at the Chicago Council on Global Affairs. The University of Chicago professor, Olga Bitel, and former governor of the Reserve Bank of India, Raghuram Rajan, discusses how India can navigate economic challenges to secure a more prosperous and sustainable future on stage at the Chicago Council on Global Affairs. The University of Chicago professor, Olga Bitel, and former governor of the Reserve Bank of India, Raghuram Rajan, discusses how India can navigate economic challenges to secure a more prosperous and sustainable future on stage at the Chicago Council on Global Affairs. The University of Chicago professor, Olga Bitel, and former governor of the Reserve Bank of India, Raghuram Rajan, discusses how India can navigate economic challenges to secure a more prosperous and sustainable future on stage at the Chicago Council on Global Affairs.
Ana Miyares Photography
Unlocking India's Economic Potential: A Conversation with Raghuram Rajan
PAST EVENT VIDEO
From left to right on the Council's stage Pia Wanek, Rebecca Wolfe, and Nathaniel Raymond. From left to right on the Council's stage Pia Wanek, Rebecca Wolfe, and Nathaniel Raymond. From left to right on the Council's stage Pia Wanek, Rebecca Wolfe, and Nathaniel Raymond. From left to right on the Council's stage Pia Wanek, Rebecca Wolfe, and Nathaniel Raymond.
Humanitarian Aid in Conflict
PAST EVENT VIDEO

Get Involved

We're building a community of globally curious people who want to deepen their understanding of the world and actively participate in it. We each have a role to play—you don't need to be an expert to join and shape the global conversation. If you seek to learn more, discuss more, do more, you belong here.
Join the conversation.
A member talks into a microphone during an event

Join Our Community

Audience with raised hands.
Members

Our members believe, as we do, that greater knowledge and engagement create a more open and promising world for all. They're part of a community that knows engaging more with the world means engaging more with each other and diverse points of view.

Graphic grid of the Emerging Leaders Class of 2024
Emerging Leaders

Emerging Leaders spend a year deepening their understanding of global issues and cultivate the skills they need to step into roles as a global leaders in Chicago. Applications for the class of 2025 are open through September 10.

Two members of the Young Professionals Network at an outdoor event.
YP Network

Young professionals in Chicago turn to the Council to deepen their understanding of the world and grow their personal and professional networks. You can help shape our global future, and we are here to connect you with opportunities to increase your impact.

Support Our Mission

Open Minds Open Possibilities

If you believe, as we do, that greater knowledge and engagement create a more open and promising world for all, you can support our mission to  make global affairs more accessible to more people. Join or donate today to expand your world view and increase your impact. Donate