World Affairs Council - Seattle

Last week, we were delighted to host Dr. Thea Riofrancos for our monthly Fellows luncheon. She shared wide-ranging insights on the geopolitics and policy around critical minerals, supply chain vulnerabilities, industrial policy, and the global energy system. Thank you to Thea for joining us and bringing much needed depth and nuance to these highly consequential issues in today's context!

One month from now, global leaders will begin arriving for an unforgettable two weeks in Seattle and there’s still time to become part of their journey!

We’re currently welcoming a few more host families to open their homes and hearts for our summer exchange program. For many students, this experience becomes life-changing: new traditions, lifelong friendships, and a true second family far from home.

If you’ve ever considered hosting, now is a wonderful time to learn more before students arrive next month. We’d love to help you explore whether hosting could be a fit for your family.

Learn more and fill out an interest form today here: https://www.world-affairs.org/program/summer2026homestayopportunities/.

What role should global citizens play in strengthening democracy, and how can local actions connect to global challenges facing democracy? How can democracy help communities address shared challenges such as climate change, clean water, or sustainable growth, both locally and globally? This year is especially significant to consider these questions as we mark two extraordinary milestones—the 75th Anniversary of the World Affairs Council of Seattle and the 250th Anniversary of the United States.

Together, these anniversaries invite us to reflect on democracy—its promises, its challenges, and the role each of us plays in shaping its future. This year’s World Citizen Essay Contest (WCEC) invited students in grades 3–12 across Washington State to add their voices to this important global conversation. Over 300 students representing 17 schools rose to the occasion, submitting essays that were insightful, imaginative, and full of heart—demonstrating how young people are engaging with the responsibilities of citizenship and envisioning a more just and inclusive democracy. In essays of 1,000 words or less, they offered thoughtful, creative, and deeply personal reflections—highlighting the insight and leadership of the next generation.

We invite you to celebrate these powerful youth voices at the 2026 World Citizen Essay Contest Awards Ceremony, “Celebrating Democracy’s Promise: Youth Reflections at 250 Years,” on Thursday, May 21, 2026, from 6:30–8:00 PM at Lake Washington Girls’ Middle School (doors open at 6:00 PM). Together, we will honor outstanding students, educators, and the broader community that supports global learning and civic engagement.

Join us for an inspiring evening as we uplift youth perspective and explore what democracy can become over the next 75 years! Register now on our website: https://www.world-affairs.org/event/2026-world-citizen-essay-contest-awards-ceremony-celebrating-democracys-promise-youth-reflections-at-250-years/.