What's Up at NCWA?

Don't Forget! 
Renew Your Membership For Next Season

By now, you have received emails reminding you to renew your membership for next season.* 

We hope you continue to enjoy our robust Distinguished Lecture Series, Great Decisions small discussion groups and other programs. Family and individual memberships are available. Please feel free to explore our website and then click here or reach our Call Center at 239-649-3942 to join us!

*Membership year runs July 1 through June 30 of each year.

14 Area High School Students Selected
For International and North American Summer Scholarships

Recipients of 14 summer study scholarships at prestigious programs in North America and abroad have been selected. Click here to download the remainder of our PowerPoint presentation about who they are and where they are going. 

Student Alumni Tell How NCWA Programs
Broadened Their Understanding of the World

Alumni of Model UN and other school programs will tell you by video what these experiences have meant to their personal and professional development. 

In the video at left, Arnav Sheth of Gulf Coast High School talks about what he learned in Germany, including exposure to high officials at the European Common Market headquarters. To view Arnav's video, click here.

Click here  to be inspired by other stories by students who have benefitted from NCWA programs.

Board of Directors Has Begun Plans
For Next Busy International Affairs Season 

Barely had the echoes of the last season ended before the Naples Council on World Affairs Board of
Directors began to assess the triumphs and challenges of the past year and make plans its programs in international affairs for the next one.

The Board is focusing on lessons learned during the year and what needs to be done to make next season even stronger. We offered members a very timely and in-depth lecture season as critical international events unfolded through the months. We expect very similar issues on the international scene to concern us next season as we watch tensions build in the Middle East and the ties between China, Russia, Iran and North Korea continue to strengthen. 

Great Decisions groups will continue to make sure discussion materials are current, and a new editor of the book for next season is expected to produce stronger reference material. Model UN and Academic WorldQuest competitions had successful events and are assessing next year's programs. 

NCWA grew in membership last season after turnover during the pandemic and laid a foundation for continued growth. Through the coming months, we will report on strategies for the peak season to make NCWA even stronger for the long term and even more stimulating and timely for you, our members.

NCWA International Affairs Programs Prepare Young People 
To Find Their Place in a Complex World

Model UN Awards
and Scholarships

Ralph Bunche Award

Abigail Shaw of Gulf Coast High School received the Ralph Bunche Award for a top senior and received a check for $6,500. Model UN Chair Alan Van Egmond presented the award.

Model UN Coughlin Scholarship

Alan Van Egmond, Model UN chair, presented the FGCU-NCWA Professor Richard W. Coughlin Model UN Scholarship to Palmetto Ridge High School senior Ludmie Cesar. 

The scholarship was a stipend of $2,500 from FGCU and $500 from NCWA for educational expenses. Because  of Ludmie's achievements as a Florida Bright Futures Medallion Scholar and recipient of a FGCU Silver Award, she will attend FGCU free of charge. A new Model UN judge, Jack Gulati and the Gulati Family Foundation, contributed NCWA's portion of the award.

Ludmie speaks fluent French, Creole and English. She enrolled at Palmetto Ridge High School two years ago as a sophomore when her family emigrated from Haiti. She also received the high school's World Language Award and an academic award for consistently maintaining a grade point average of 3.5 or higher.

Mark Walchak, chair of NCWA's School Outreach Committee, went to the classroom of Meghan Joyce, coach of the Aubrey Rogers High School AWQ team that won first place in local competition, to present the NCWA 2024 Educator of the Year award. 

Some Benefits of Membership in NCWA

Norway to Holland Cruise

"Fjords of Norway to the Canals of Holland" begins above the Arctic Circle, cruises to Scotland and England and ends in Holland. $10,490/double, no singles, a few cabins left. July 17-August 1.

Southern Africa

"Journey to Southern Africa" explores wildlife and wonders of South Africa, Zimbabwe and Botswana by land and train for 15 days. See exotic animals in incredible safari destinations. From $8,745 per person, August 11-26. 

NCWA members enjoy the companionship of like-minded explorers when they explore the world with the World Affairs of America (WACA) travel program. Administered by the Philadelphia Council, the program features tours led by Council members to a wide variety of destinations. 

Here are just three of the WACA travel opportunities that are available during 2024.

For more information on these and other trips, go to www.wacphila.org.

Ireland

"Exclusive World Affairs Council Tour to Ireland," September 22-28, includes Dublin and Belfast. $3,995 per person, plus airfare. Final payment  is due June 19.

A Deep Dive into Critical Foreign Policy and Diplomacy Issues

The Naples Council on World Affairs (NCWA) is a nonpartisan 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. Our mission is to educate, inspire and engage our community in international affairs and global issues. 

Member benefits: Lectures by foreign affairs experts; small nonpartisan Great Decisions discussion groups; rich student programs, including Model UN, Academic WorldQuest competitions for middle school and high school students; scholarships for North American and overseas study; support for teachers, schools and students' careers in international affairs; book club, and opportunities for members to get involved in meaningful programs!