International Relations Council

Logo of International Relations Council
IRC logo

The International Relations Council (IRC) is a non-partisan organization which provides world affairs educational programming in Kansas City, Missouri. The IRC develops and maintains various programs to foster understanding of international affairs among the citizens of the greater Kansas City area. Programs emphasize the role of the informed and responsible citizen in the formulation, development and conduct of United States foreign policy. Since its founding, IRC has hosted many world leaders, including cabinet level officials, ambassadors,[1] and leaders from business, media, politics, government,[2] and education. Guests give lectures and presentations on international politics, economics, and social issues.[3]

History

Founded in 1954 by Dr. Eliot S. Berkley,[4] a graduate in international relations from Princeton University and advocate of citizen involvement in the foreign policy process, IRC grew from a small "kitchen table" gathering to large number of Kansas City area members. Berkley died in 2012.[5]

IRC's first speaker was Eleanor Roosevelt in January 1955. In 1975, Henry Kissinger spoke about the Middle East to a crowd of 1,100 that included representatives of the international press corps. For many years afterward, the State Department referred to Kissinger's "Kansas City Speech."[6]

Finances

The IRC is a not-for-profit 501(c)(3) organization. It is funded almost entirely by memberships, both individual and corporate, donations, program fees and some small grants.[7] Memberships can be purchased on an annual basis. IRC members receive free admission to most IRC events. IRC member universities & corporations can also attend select events for free.

Mission

The mission of the International Relations Council is to inspire, integrate, educate and represent a community of Kansas Citians engaged in international affairs and the critical global issues of our time.

Programs

Eliot S. Berkley Lectures

The Eliot S. Berkley Lecture was initiated in 1996. It is funded by the Eliot S. Berkley Endowment which was established in 1994 by the International Relations Council membership and the community to honor Dr. Berkley's 40 years of service as IRC's Founding Executive Director. The Eliot S. Berkley Endowment brings to the area persons highly knowledgeable about foreign policy and international affairs. The lecture is held in cooperation with the University of Kansas.

List of past Eliot S. Berkley Lectures

Speakers Bureau

The International Relations Council's Speakers Bureau provides volunteers, both IRC members and Kansas City area citizens, to community groups across the greater Kansas City area. Speakers have knowledge of the historical and contemporary aspects of specific countries, foreign policy, geography, and culture. The IRC Speaker’s Bureau places speakers at civic groups, governmental organizations, church groups and assisted living communities. [8]

Great Decisions

Great Decisions is a program produced by the Foreign Policy Association and offered in Kansas City through the IRC. Groups participating in Great Decisions receive and study a briefing book. The topics change annually. After becoming familiar with and developing an opinion on each topic, Great Decisions groups hold a discussion, moderated by a Discussion Group Leader. All participants' opinions have equal weight within the group, regardless of age, occupation, or education.[9]

School programs

The IRC devotes a large portion of its resources to programs for school-aged young people. IRC programs aim to break stereotypes/myths about various world cultures and inspire a passion for international studies. Speakers teach the importance of learning to compromise with people from various world cultures who may look and act differently and have a world vision unlike the American experience.

Eliot S. Berkley Award

Each year the IRC awards the Eliot S. Berkley Award to a high school junior or senior in the Kansas City metropolitan region who has shown superior interest and competence in the field of international relations. Finalists are selected by a committee of IRC members. After personal interviews with the finalists, the winner is selected and is presented an inscribed award and a $500 prize at an IRC fall event. [10]

Global Connections

Global Connections is similar to IRC's Speakers Bureau Program. Global Connections provides volunteers, both IRC members and Kansas City area citizens, who share their international experience and expertise with a wide variety of schools throughout the Kansas City metro area. Global Connections speakers are available on a wide variety of topics and connect classrooms to the world in a meaningful way.

Academic WorldQuest

Academic WorldQuest is a competition in which teams of high school students are challenged on their knowledge of world affairs, geography, history, and current events. WorldQuest is a copyrighted program of the World Affairs Councils of America and approximately 4,000 students across the country participate in competitions hosted by over 40 local World Affairs Councils in 26 states. The local first place team is given the opportunity to represent Kansas City in the national WorldQuest competition, receiving an expenses paid trip to Washington D.C. [11]

International Classroom Partnership Program (ICPP)

The ICPP is a program which sends international students from several Kansas City area colleges and universities to visit elementary schools in order to share their life and culture with school children. International college students share facts about language, dress, and etiquette of their home countries with American students. The program aims to dispel stereotypes of other nations while sparking an interest in foreign languages and cultures in elementary-aged children. The International Classroom Partnership Program ended in 2010.

Awards banquet and honors

In 1984, IRC began its annual Awards Banquet. Each year it awards the Distinguished Service Award for International Statesmanship to an individual who has made outstanding contributions in international commerce, diplomacy, education or understanding, and who has a connection to Missouri or Kansas. IRC also presents awards for Contributions to International Commerce and/or Community Service and for Academic Leadership.

Past awardees

Distinguished Service Award for International Statesmanship

Award for Academic Leadership

Award for Contributions to International Commerce and/or Community Service

Affiliations

The International Relations Council is a member of World Affairs Councils of America (WACA), an association of independent organizations that work to engage and educate Americans on international affairs and foreign policy. Ninety member councils can be found in 39 states, plus the District of Columbia. Through WACA, IRC's voice on international issues is combined with other international citizens. Decision makers visit Councils across the United States to communicate about their areas of expertise.

References

  1. ↑ Canon, Scott (2005-07-20). "French envoy pays visit to KC". The Kansas City Star.
  2. ↑ Hart, James (2005-06-17). "Iraq talk". The Kansas City Star.
  3. ↑ Nicolova, Rossitsa (1999-02-26). "Foreign Invasion". Kansas City Business Journal. Retrieved 2009-09-15.
  4. ↑ University of Missouri-Kansas City Library Western Historical Manuscript Collection Profile of Eliot S. Berkley Retrieved on Sept. 14th, 2009
  5. ↑ Kansas City Star Eliot S. Berkley Obituary Retrieved on June 13th, 2013
  6. ↑ Pittsburgh Post-Gazette May 31, 1975 Henry Kissinger: Speeches First, Then Policy? Retrieved on June 13, 2013
  7. ↑ Greater Kansas City Community Foundation International Relations Council Profile Retrieved on Sept. 14th, 2009.
  8. ↑ Greater Kansas City Community Foundation Nonprofit Profile Accessed June 12,2013.
  9. ↑ Foreign Policy Association "What is Great Decisions? Accessed September 15, 2009.
  10. ↑ Shawnee Mission School District SM South senior earns $500 award for international issues Accessed June 12,2013.
  11. ↑ Fox 4 News Academic WorldQuest champions Accessed June 12,2013.
  12. ↑ Taipei Economic & Cultural Office in Kansas City Director General Jack J.C. Yang attends the 2012 Annual Awards Banquet held by International Relations Council in Kansas City Accessed June 13, 2013.
  13. ↑ Imprint Express Bergrud MCs International Relations Council awards banquet Accessed June 12,2013.
  14. ↑ Wood, Mike. "KC Plays a Leading Role on the International Stage." The Kansas City Star July 12, 2008.
  15. ↑ Canon, Scott."Danforth envisions a crisis coalition"The Kansas City Star December 14, 2005

External links

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