Century of Global Leadership

A series reflecting on key themes and pivotal periods that have shaped the Council's first 100 years.

Century of Global Leadership graphic

The Chicago Council on Global Affairs celebrates its centennial anniversary in 2022. For 100 years the Council has guided the way Chicago thinks about its place in the world and how the world engages with Chicago. Through this Century of Global Leadership series, we reflect on key themes and pivotal periods that have shaped the Council and global affairs. Hear from leading historians and foreign policy analysts, people who were in the room, and leaders who changed the world.

Watch Videos of Series Events

Madeleine Albright and Condoleezza Rice sitting on stage together
Getty
Albright and Rice on Women in Leadership and US Foreign Policy
PAST EVENT VIDEO Century of Global Leadership
Former Secretaries of State Madeleine Albright and Condoleezza Rice discuss their experience as trailblazers in foreign policy and the critical importance of women's leadership and gender parity in foreign relations.
Reuters
The End of the Cold War and the World It Created
PAST EVENT VIDEO Century of Global Leadership
Anne Applebaum, Jim Baker, Susan Glasser, Fareed Zakaria, Robert Zoellick, and the Council’s Ivo Daalder reflect on the decisions American policymakers made at the end of the Cold War as they guided the country through a period of risk and opportunity.
The chair of the Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives sits empty
Reuters
The Evolution of American Isolationism
PAST EVENT VIDEO Century of Global Leadership
Leading historians Douglas Irwin, Charles Kupchan, and Margaret  MacMillan  explore the United States in the era of the Council’s founding.  
Buckingham Fountain in front of Chicago skyline at night
Reuters
Chicago and the World - 100 Years of the Council
PAST EVENT VIDEO Century of Global Leadership
Richard Longworth  shares stories on the Council’s century of global influence from his book on its history in conversation with Carol Marin.

Related Event

The Council's Centennial Celebration logo with Barack Obama and Yo-Yo Ma
Centennial Celebration Dinner
PAST EVENT Global Leadership Awards Dinner
President Barack Obama and cellist Yo-Yo Ma honored at gala celebrating the founding of the Chicago Council on Global Affairs 100 years ago.
Chicago and the World Learn more about Dick Longworth's new book, "Chicago and the World: 100 Years of the Chicago Council on Global Affairs" and the Council's history through archival photos, videos, and more.
Explore the book's website