A Vermont story. A global outlook.

Our story

Founded in 1952

Vermonter Warren Austin, a former U.S. Senator and the first U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations, founded VCWA to promote understanding of world affairs through education and engagement.

Meet our founder: Warren Austin

Born in Highgate and a member of UVM’s Class of 1899, Warren Austin served Vermont in the U.S. Senate before President Harry Truman nominated him to represent the United States at the United Nations.

He assumed the role of the first official U.S. Ambassador to the U.N. in January 1947. That year, he returned to UVM to deliver a commencement address titled “What it Takes to Prevent War.” He urged graduates to take responsibility for resolving disputes peacefully.

His story gives our mission a distinctly Vermont beginning and a global horizon. UVM’s Special Collections preserves his speeches, correspondence, and other papers, including a 1952 scrapbook, A Day with Warren Austin.

Explore Austin’s 1947 address and the UVM archive ↗
Watch Vermont Historical Society’s profile ↗

Our story, through the years

1959–1960 · A window on the world, in Old Mill

UVM’s 1959–60 catalog describes a World Affairs Information Center in Old Mill, staffed jointly by VCWA and the university’s Political Science Department. Its work includes a public world affairs library, speakers, statewide programs, and hospitality for international visitors.

Explore the university archive · printed page 84 ↗

2000–2009 · A Saint Michael’s chapter

VCWA’s affiliation with Saint Michael’s College marks the next chapter in its history.

2009 · Connecting with the business community

VCWA becomes an affiliate and partner of the Lake Champlain Regional Chamber of Commerce.

April 2020 · An independent chapter

VCWA becomes independent of institutional management services in April 2020. It has operated without an official institutional affiliate since then.

September 2020 · Connection carries on, online

The Engage the World virtual conference brings global conversations to participants online, with sessions on diplomacy, Asia’s emerging powers, and the climate crisis.

Explore the 2020 conference archive ↗

2022 · Seven decades. New conversations.

VCWA launches Timely Topics as part of its 70th anniversary, including a February conversation about rising tensions in Ukraine. In December, the community gathers to celebrate the anniversary alongside featured 802 Diplomats.

Revisit Timely Topics ↗

Connected to the world

Over more than seven decades, VCWA has welcomed thousands of international visitors, hosted hundreds of seminars and educational events, and generated millions of dollars in economic impact for Vermont.

Today · The story continues

Now based at Hula in Burlington, VCWA brings Vermont to the world and the world to Vermont through education, dialogue, and exchange, including opportunities to connect in the digital age.

Diplomacy, one connection at a time

From a welcome to a working relationship

Global Ties U.S. shares a Vermont story: five IVLP visitors from the Mekong region join community members for dinner and a conversation about entrepreneurship. A Cambodian visitor meets a Vermont entrepreneur in the same industry, and the two agree to stay in touch.

Read the story at Global Ties U.S. ↗

Learning that belongs to everyone

The early World Affairs Information Center served both university members and Vermont citizens. Its library, speakers, and welcome for visitors show how public learning and personal connection have long been woven into VCWA’s work.

Built through partnership

Community sponsors, hosts, and partners have helped sustain VCWA’s work across generations.

U.S. Department of State · International Visitor Leadership Program ↗
Global Ties U.S. ↗
World Affairs Councils of America ↗
Open World Program ↗

The next chapter includes you

Bring your curiosity. Share your Vermont. Make room for a new connection.

Explore events ↗ · Become a member ↗

A lasting legacy