By: Tiffany L. Parks
Daily Reporter

The Columbus Council on World Affairs has launched its 2010 annual campaign. The campaign, which offers a 50-percent matching donation, will end Dec. 31.

“If people think about young people being tomorrow’s leaders, supporting us could be a critical piece of investing in the community,” said Council President and CEO Patrick Terrien.

Established in 1975 by a dozen individuals, the Council is a non-partisan, non-profit organization designed to educate Central Ohioans about the people and events that shape the world.

According to the organization’s website, the reason for this three-fold: “We believe that A) as our world shrinks, the necessity to understand it grows, B) ‘world affairs’ happens not only overseas, but also here in our own neighborhoods and workplaces, and C) civic engagement in international affairs is a critical factor to building an informed global citizenry.”

David Cook, a partner at Vorys, Sater, Seymour & Pease, has been a long-time member of the organization’s board. Other attorneys who also serve on the board include Squire, Sanders & Dempsey partner Patrick Cornelius, Jones Day partner Robert Miller, Porter, Wright, Morris & Arthur partner Brett Thornton and Vinita Mehra, Kegler, Brown, Hill & Ritter associate.

In offering facts such as there being 91 languages spoken in the Columbus city schools and human trafficking comprising the fastest growing criminal industry in the world, a press release announcing the start of the campaign urged support for the Council’s programming.

“Our work is funded solely by generous individuals like you, local businesses and foundations,” the statement read, adding that the Council is working with more than 1,000 students annually to build international acumen and is partnering with the new Columbus International High School.

The release also said the organization is seeking to inspire community dialogue through a lecture series featuring global experts on economics, sustainability, world health and current international happenings.

The Council also aims to help end human trafficking through presentations to the Ohio legislature, direct aid to local victims and peer outreach.

“The Council could not survive without the support of individuals who (donate),” Terrien said. “We are indebted and extremely grateful.”

For the first time in the campaign’s history, a 50-cent gift up to $10,000, will be matched for every $1 donated. The council, which does not receive any public funding, has an annual budget of approximately $400,000.