CCWA’s speaker programming brings leading experts from around the country right here to Cleveland to share their insights and expertise on topics of pressing international importance. Our Council has promoted international public dialogue in our community for over 97 years.

From Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, to Ambassador Bill Burns, and journalist Robin Wright, we’ve hosted ambassadors, economists, journalists, generals, and thought leaders with wide-ranging perspectives to address our Cleveland audience.

Speaker programming is at the very heart of what the Cleveland Council of World Affairs does. We are passionate about engaging our local community with speakers that are equally passionate about sharing their message and analysis of the world we live in.

The following photo essay will showcase some of our speakers from the past year and the reasons why they come to Cleveland. The guests and programs highlighted are a small handful of the speakers that have made their mark in Northeast Ohio for almost a century.