Naples Council
on
World Affairs
NCWA
Our mission is to educate, inspire and engage our community in international affairs and critical global issues
 
    


Serving Florida’s Southwest Coast

With nearly 1,500 members, NCWA is one of the largest members of the World Affairs Councils of America.

Founded in 1980

MAY 17, 2023 NEWSLETTER                                    PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE 

Member Directory   Apply for Membership  Donate to NCWA  Join the President's Club  

We thank our donors for their generous contributions. Their names can be seen by clicking here (log-in required).     

Welcome to the Naples Council on World Affairs!


Hal Brands of the Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies discusses "Forging a New World Order: All Eyes on China" at NCWA's annual dinner.

The Naples Council on World Affairs (NCWA), Southwest Florida's pre-eminent nonprofit membership organization in its field, educates, inspires and engages our community in international affairs and critical global issues confronting us today.

Our programs are non-partisan and policy focused and provide in-depth information to help members better understand significant international developments -- and the role of the U.S. in those events -- as they unfold.

NCWA brings a series of experts in foreign affairs and diplomacy to Naples from October through April to deliver lectures on major global issues. Lectures are offered in person at Moorings Presbyterian Church or live-streamed in real time.

NCWA also offers Great Decisions, a small-group discussion program serving members in Collier and Lee Counties and focusing on vital foreign-affairs issues facing America. The Great Decisions discussions are made even more relevant by the current information provided by the lecture program.

Finally, NCWA offers programs and scholarships for students in Southwest Florida area high schools to encourage interest and potential careers in global affairs, including a regional Model UN competition each spring in partnership with Florida Gulf Coast University.

Membership enrollment is open (see below).



Become a Full Member now--no waiting list!*

Enrollment in NCWA Full Individual and Family Memberships
is open for the 2023-2024 season**

Click the "Apply for Membership" tab above for information
and to renew or apply for NCWA membership online.
You may also enroll in Great Decisions. 

(You also may call 239-649-3942 to join or renew)

If you are renewing your membership,
please log on to our website and check your profile.

Please make sure that you provide your current primary and secondary email addresses. 

* Associate Memberships are not currently available.

** The membership year is on a fiscal year basis, from July 1 through June 30.



Travel With WACA

The Philadelphia chapter of the World Affairs Councils of America (WACA) operates a travel service for members of affiliated councils. Here are some opportunities for trips with members of the WACA network:

Italy’s Magnificent Lakes Region 
September 12-20, 2023

https://wacphila.org/travel/italy-s-magnificent-lake-district


Cuba: The African Diaspora
October 27-November 3, 2023

This is a second trip to Cuba for only 12 people, and space is limited. A discount of $250 is available if booked by June 1.

https://wacphila.org/travel/cuba-and-its-people-featuring-the-african-diaspora


Grand Danube Passage: Czech Republic, Hungary, Croatia, Bulgaria 
October 4-19, 2023 (Wait List Only) 

https://wacphila.org/travel/grand-danube-passage


Madagascar to Mauritius,
Islands of the Indian Ocean
December 5-20, 2023

https://wacphila.org/travel/madagascar-to-mauritius-islands-of-the-indian-ocean




Cindy Brewer

Cindy Brewer Named
NCWA Educator of the Year

Cindy Brewer, a teacher at St. John Neumann High School, has been named 2023 Educator of the Year by NCWA's School Outreach Committee.

Cindy's students won two third place awards at the National High School Model UN competition in New York last year and first place award this year and won a vocal recognition at Gator Model UN, also this year.

She arranged multiple Zoom conversations for her students with students in Ukraine through the Move Ukraine effort supported by NCWA, and her students prepared podcasts to share with Ukrainian students. One of her students was selected for a NCWA summer scholarship to Oxford University in England, and she has brought her students to NCWA lectures and other events. She was granted NCWA's award during the recent annual dinner.

Cindy's background singing in an a cappella group that traveled to North Korea, the Soviet Union and Yugoslavia and other locations during the 1980s led to personal experiences that laid the foundation for her intent in world affairs.



Special Recognition for Special Work

Honored at the 2023 Annual Dinner were, from left, Jim Schmotter, outgoing NCWA President; Ulla Doose, Mo Winograd, Carla Grieve and John Kovach, four Volunteers of the Year; and Gunther Winkler, outgoing Vice President of Operations and webmaster for the Board of Directors.

Ulla and Carla welcome members as they arrive for lectures (Nancy Wallace, who also greets members at lectures has been previously honored). Mo is Vice Chair of Model UN and has helped organize operations for that program for many years. John led the international scholarship selections for the School Outreach Committee. Jim will remain on the Board of Directors for another year, and Gunther has left the Board to become president of Greater Naples Leadership.



Our Members and Donors Make It Possible!


NCWA deeply appreciates
all of our members
and 
our many donors 
who bring engaging speakers, 
stimulating discussions, 
and important school programs 
that prepare SWFL students 
for exciting careers 
and good citizenship!



Click below to view
our 2022-2023 Member Handbook
Honoring Our Many Contributors!


Click Here



Students from 15 Schools Compete in 30th Annual Model UN

Another energizing and rewarding SWFL Model UN competition has drawn to a close, with about 250 high-achieving students participating in teams and as individuals in presentations replicating the discussions about critical global issues that occur in sessions of the United Nations. 

NCWA's Model UN Committee organizes and leads the annual event, which is held at the Florida Gulf Coast University campus over two days. This year, the program celebrated its 30th anniversary.

Many students won awards and cash prizes totaling approximately $40,000 donated by NCWA members dedicated to the impact that a strong Model UN program can have on students' lives and careers. For a complete list and dollar awards, as well as other information about participants, teachers and NCWA volunteer organizers, please Click Here. ​

Among the top winners were (Click Here for information on dollar awards and donors):

  • Top School: Gulf Coast High School
  • Most Improved School: Immokalee High School
  • Educating Child Refugees Special Competition: North Fort Myers High School
  • Performance awards: Colin Briggs, Gulf Coast High School, best single year performance; Ravelska Lafalaise, Fort Myers High School, outstanding delegate; Colin Briggs, Gulf Coast High School, best single year - junior; Nathan Rubin, Gulf Coast High School, best single year - sophomore; and Catie Saadeh of Gulf Coast High School, best single year - freshman

For SWFL Model UN awards
and NCWA donors,
please click here.


Model UN Draws Local News Coverage!


Students connect to youth in Ukraine,
retirees add gravitas to the competition,
serious subjects lead to serious debates
 in a United Nations structure, and
cash prizes aid college careers!

To read about it, please click here.



SPECIAL COMPETITION


Each year, NCWA sponsors a special competition at SWFL Model UN in which we pose a global question and allow schools to compete as teams for a cash prize for their Model UN team. 

A description of the 2023 problem can be found at This Link.

Winners were North Fort Myers High School, first place and $500 provided by Howard and Nancy Cohen; Gulf Coast High School, second place and $350 provided by Mickey and Mo Winograd; and Lely High School, third place and $200 provided by Steve and Carol Vesce.




All NCWA Members:

Be sure to sign up for your FREE subscription to DailyChatter!


This informative daily newsletter on international events
is a quick and non-partisan way to stay current and enhance
your understanding of our lectures and Great Decisions discussions!


Click here
to sub
scribe.



Twelve outstanding
high school students have been selected for NCWA's domestic and international summer scholarships!

Five will go to international programs, five to Georgetown University, and two to American University.

Click Here to learn who won!


To view videos 
from four students who attended
last summer's programs, Click here!



General Information

Programs for Members

Lectures

Lectures from October through April, featuring distinguished scholars and statesmen.

Great Decisions

Weekly discussion groups from January to March, using material from the Foreign Policy Association.

Special Programs

Lectures with book authors, special extra presentations, the biennial War College and more. Events will be announced.

Book Club, Annual Dinner & More

Monthly book discussions, an annual NCWA dinner, luncheons with speakers, newsletter.

NCWA is a member of the World Affairs Councils of America


https://www.worldaffairscouncils.org

Programs for Students


Model United Nations

Simulating the United Nations, includes 300 + high school students.

Georgetown & American Univeerer\Scholarships

One week immersion in International Relations or National Security at Georgetown University or American University in Washington DC. 

International Scholarships

Summer study and service programs in countries all over the world.


Click on the picture below to view
the 2022-2023 Handbook for Members






Naples Council on World Affairs
2316 Pine Ridge Road #361, Naples, Florida 34109-2006
Contact Email: ncwaorg@gmail.com
  | Phone: 239-649-3942

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