FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

MEDIA CONTACT
Jeff Jackson, Director of Marketing & Communications
Columbus Council on World Affairs
jjackson@columbusworldaffairs.org

Alyson Helwagen, Fahlgren Mortine
alyson.helwagen@fahlgren.com

Columbus Council on World Affairs to Celebrate 50 Years with “GlobalColumbus: The World We Want” Celebration Event

COLUMBUS, OH (July 26, 2025) — The Columbus Council on World Affairs (CCWA) proudly announces GlobalColumbus: The World We Want, a celebration event marking five decades of global engagement and impact in Central Ohio. The event will take place from 5:00 to 7:30 PM on October 16, 2025 at the Ohio Statehouse. 
Tickets and sponsorships are available online at https://columbusworldaffairs.org/event/globalcolumbus-the-world-we-want

Celebrating 50 Years of Global Connection
Since its founding in 1975 by a visionary group of community and civic leaders,  CCWA has been fostering international understanding, empowering future global citizens, and strengthening Columbus’s global footprint through programs like the Global Scholars Diploma for central Ohio high school students, Global Fluency Training for professionals and numerous other globally-focused initiatives. The 50th anniversary event honors the council’s achievements and sets a vision for the next 50 years with the theme “The World We Want.”

“For 50 years, the Columbus Council on World Affairs has been helping Central Ohio see itself as part of a much larger world,” said Patrick Terrien, President and CEO of CCWA. “The GlobalColumbus celebration is not just about looking back, but looking forward — and building the kind of globally minded, culturally competent community we want to be for generations to come.”

Highlights of the Evening:

• Global Visionary Awards
  CCWA will announce honorees in three categories of this inaugural award which honors outstanding individuals and organizations that exemplify what it means to lead with a global mindset and act with purpose. Each award recognizes unique contributions to building a more inclusive, informed, and interconnected world:
  • Global Economic Innovator Award: Recognizing innovators building bridges in the global economy
  • Global Change Agent Award: Celebrating changemakers addressing urgent global challenges
  • Champion of Culture Award: Honoring individuals/organizations fostering cross-cultural understanding
    
    
• Global Scholars Showcase
  Meet students from the immersive three‑year Global Scholars Diploma program for high school students who are demonstrating leadership and purpose by tackling real-world issues like climate resilience, refugee empowerment, and social justice. The GSD program is the signature initiative of CCWA and prepares students to succeed in a globally connected world. The program enrolls students from more than 20 high schools around central Ohio. Since its inception 11 years ago, more than 1,200 students have received the Global Scholars Diploma.

• 2025 Global Report
  The latest edition of the bi-annual report reveals insights into Columbus’s international footprint, including refugee resettlement, global trade, and cross-cultural engagement.  A few key insights revealed in the report include the finding that more than 20% of central Ohio’s recent population growth came from people moving to the region from abroad, and that $35 billion in global investments are fueling the region’s economic growth. The report also lays out solutions for the next 50 years as the Columbus region becomes more global with growth from all sectors.

• Cultural Experiences and Networking
  Engage with community leaders, global influencers, and cultural performances in a vibrant celebration of diversity.

Global Columbus: The World We Want is a celebration of CCWA’s five-decade impact through education, dialogue, and community. The evening offers a powerful opportunity to reflect on 50 years of progress and fuel the momentum for decades to come.

About the Columbus Council on World Affairs

The Columbus Council on World Affairs (CCWA) is a nonpartisan, 501(c)(3) non-profit organization founded in 1975. The Columbus Council on World Affairs aspires to create engaged global citizens, leaders, and changemakers. The Council is dedicated to transforming the Columbus Region into a globally fluent community where everyone thrives through signature programs, including the Global Scholars Diploma and Global Fluency Training. More information is at https://columbusworldaffairs.org