World Affairs Council of Maine

Last Friday, I was honored to join in celebrating the 30th anniversary of the World Affairs Council of Maine. I spoke and answered questions on a wide range of issues including Iraq, Iran, and our intelligence agencies at an event that was open not only to the members of the Council but also to the general public.

A remarkable aspect of our state is the interest and involvement of our residents in foreign policy. Wherever I travel in Maine, from our biggest cities to our smallest villages, I am consistently impressed by the interest the people of Maine have in better understanding the world and our place in it.

Perhaps this interest can be traced back to our origins as a seafaring state, when our mariners helped our young nation build global trading networks. It continues today and is enhanced by the work of the World Affairs Council and similar organizations throughout Maine.

As our state’s oldest and largest organization dedicated to international affairs, the World Affairs Council of Maine is a powerful force to increase understanding of world events, foreign policy, international trade, and other countries and cultures. Its diverse membership, from education, business, public policy, the arts and so many other fields, demonstrates the deep interest the people of Maine have in the world and our role in it.

In addition to the Council's many invaluable forums and conferences, the WAC has an impressive commitment to education. From its support of international exchange students and the Model United Nations to its contributions to the ongoing education of our teachers, the Council helps ensure that Maine’s historic interest in the world continues for generations to come. I congratulate the WAC on 30 years of service to the people of Maine and wish the organization all the best in the years to come.