What is CWA?
Described by The New York Times as “a week-long extravaganza of discussion and debate,” the CWA brings together an eclectic mix of intellectuals, entrepreneurs, artists, scientists, activists, journalists, philosophers, and policy makers to engage in lively dialogue on the central issues of our time.
Today, CWA strives to be the preeminent venue for open, multi-faceted, and balanced discussion of today’s challenging issues, characterized by cross-disciplinary synergy among top-tier speakers, in events collaboratively planned by CU Boulder and Boulder community members for audiences both academic and non-academic.
CWA has a distinguished tradition; you would be joining an impressive list of speakers, including 2017 Nobel Peace Prize winner Beatrice Fihn, President Joe Biden, First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt, writer Arthur Miller, television host Rachel Maddow, and poet Amanda Gorman.
Community of Learning
The CWA is unique in the commitment and enrichment afforded by its speakers and performers. Participants find reward in engaging with a fascinating and diverse group of colleagues from around the globe as well associal events throughout the three-day conference.
Open to the Public, Without Charge
Although most CWA events take place on the University of Colorado Boulder campus, conference sessions and activities
are open to the public and there is no admission fee. CWA is made possible through the many contributions of its volunteers
and financial supporters as well as its distinguished speakers who attend at their own expense.
A University/Community Partnership
University faculty, staff, and students work alongside Boulder community members on the CWA program committee
to recruit each year’s CWA speakers and performers and to plan the week's events. 鶹Ժ provide local transportation,
serve as ambassadors, and welcome speakers into their classrooms. Gracious Boulder community members open their homes
to host our speakers for the week.
Mission, Values, and Vision Statements
CWA Mission Statement.
1. The CWA strives to be the preeminent venue for open, multi-faceted, and balanced discussion of today’s challenging issues, characterized by cross-disciplinary synergy among top-tier speakers, in events collaboratively planned by CU Boulder and Boulder community members for audiences both academic and non-academic.
2. The CWA creates a forum for interdisciplinary discourse that honors intellectual diversity in the belief that robust solutions arise from them. The CWA seeks thereby to educate, engage, and inspire its attendees to become local, national, and global leaders.
a. It educates by presenting complex issues in multiple contexts, thereby creating a more informed electorate and strengthening our democracy.
b. Its speakers inspire by being examples of how to promote the public good at personal, local, national, and global levels.
c. Its interactive format encourages engagement in the civil discourse, civil liberties, and free speech that are essential to the democratic process.
Values.
Expertise. We seek renowned and/or insightful speakers from multiple disciplines and communities; we respect those whose study and experiences make them authorities.
Inclusivity and respect for diversity. We commit to inclusivity and to multicultural and intellectual diversity in assembling speakers so that discussion can include multiple voices and perspectives.
Civil discourse. We are committed to free speech and thoughtful discussion of ideas, characterized by open-mindedness, courtesy, and a willingness to understand opposing points of view. To be great leaders, we must first be great listeners.
Generosity of spirit. CWA events are created through generous collaboration—of the community and campus organizers, and of the participating speakers.
վDz.
To demonstrate that lively, inclusive, well-informed, and balanced civil discourse, emerging from campus and community collaboration, can be a training ground for engaged citizenship and a model for a more tolerant world.
Conference on World Affairs: CU Boulder
