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Our Mission

Founded in 1922, the Chicago Council on Global Affairs is a nonpartisan, nonprofit organization dedicated to increasing knowledge and engagement in global affairs. Our in-depth analysis and expert-led public opinion research influence policy conversations and inform the insights we share with our growing community. Through accessible content and open dialogue of diverse, fact-based perspectives, we empower more people to help shape our global future.  Learn more about who we are and what drives us.

As an independent, nonpartisan organization, the Council takes no institutional positions.

Council founders
Our History Founded in 1922 as a forum to engage Chicagoans in public discussions of world affairs at a time of increasing isolationism in the United States, the Council’s mission has evolved, and its reach has expanded nationally and globally in the digital era.
Council expert Flavia Carbonari poses a question during a workshop at the Pritzker Forum on Global Cities.
Our Community The Council is first and foremost a community where people who care about global affairs can connect — in person or virtually — with each other and with global leaders, influencers, and experts to explore ways they can help shape our global future.
Audience member greets Alaa Murabit, the UN High-Level Commissioner on Health Employment and Economic Growth.
Our Commitment to DE&I We are committed to weaving DE&I throughout the fabric of the Council, and we believe people — their identities, experiences, beliefs, knowledge, and ideas — are critical to our success and to global affairs. We still have a long way to go, and our commitment to the journey is real and resolute.

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Funding

The Chicago Council on Global Affairs is an independent, nonpartisan nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization. Diverse funding sources enable the Council to maintain its independence. We are committed to being transparent about the sources of support for our operations, programs, research, and projects, and we retain complete editorial control of our work regardless of funding sources.
A group of people attending a workshop at the Robert R. McCormick Foundation Hall.

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