Peoria Area World Affairs Council (PAWAC)

09/11/2026

Knives are drawn. The competition only heats up from here. 🔪🌎🔥 Only 6️⃣ weeks to go until Global Top Chef! ⏰ Get your tickets today! 🎟️

09/04/2026

Couldn’t make it Wednesday night? Check out this great interview with 25News WEEK highlighting the mission work connecting Central Illinois and Ternopil, Ukraine. 💙🇺🇦🕊️ Thank you to Sasha Volyanyk, Mark Rein, and Dr. Steve Hamon for being friends of the Peoria Area World Affairs Council (PAWAC) and sharing your stories with our members! 👏🏻🌎🎙️

Central Illinois humanitarian team helps build foster village, renovate school in Ukraine
https://www.25newsnow.com/2026/09/04/central-illinois-humanitarian-group-recalls-trip-ukraine-helps-build-foster-homes-school/

09/04/2026

Central Illinois cares 💙🇺🇦🕊️ On Wednesday night PAWAC members heard an update on local humanitarian efforts in Ukraine from Sasha Volyanyk, Mark Rein, and Dr. Steve Hamon. The Peoria Area World Affairs Council (PAWAC) is grateful for these great ambassadors of Central Illinois for their work sharing their time & expertise with the children & families of Ternopil, Ukraine.

09/02/2026

2️⃣ weeks from tonight!! The Peoria Area World Affairs Council (PAWAC) is coming to Bloomington-Normal with a great program you won’t want to miss!! 🇰🇷🇺🇸🌎 Get your tickets today at: https://peoria-area-world-affairs-council.square.site/product/from-kor-us-to-k-pop-trade-culture-and-challenges/4BDE55CKNJLD2MYQIVOFC4NW 🎟️⏰

08/31/2026

Please join us in welcoming PAWAC’s new Executive Director - Erin Franken! 🌎👏🏻

Erin brings extensive experience in international engagement and cross-cultural communication, from her time working in higher education and abroad.

We are so excited to welcome Erin as we look ahead to a busy Fall season and kick off this new chapter of the Peoria Area World Affairs Council (PAWAC)! 🌎🍁

08/28/2026

Next up in our Board shoutout series we have our very own Don Samford! 🌎🎙️✏️ You probably be hard pressed to find someone in either Peoria or Washington, D.C. that hasn’t met Don. We are incredibly grateful for ALL that Don does at the Peoria Area World Affairs Council (PAWAC). From moderating programs, recruiting speakers, serving with The World Affairs Councils of America, to right here at home advising PAWAC’s next generation, we certainly couldn’t do it without Don! 👏🏻🌎🎉

08/27/2026

We are just 3️⃣ weeks away from an exciting evening with Korea Economic Institute, the Embassy of South Korea, & the US State Department in Bloomington-Normal featuring the food of Seoul Mama. Special thanks to Business ISU, AsiaConnect, and The World Affairs Councils of America for making this event possible! This is a program you won’t want to miss! 🌎🇺🇸🇰🇷

08/26/2026

Our second Board member spotlight is Edith Barnard! 👏🏻🎉🌎 Edie is no stranger to many in the Peoria area as she isn’t shy to share her musical talents and recruit co-stars along the way. 🎶 One of Edie’s most memorable events with PAWAC was her show “Flood of Creatures” back in 2024. Her husband Wes has also generously played guitar for several years at our Annual Meeting. Thank you Edie & Wes for being great friends of PAWAC!

08/25/2026

It’s a great morning for the Bradley University Activities Fair! ☀️🌎 Come find us between Bradley Hall and the Student Center! 🔎

08/24/2026

Join us in celebrating the 45th anniversary of the International Business program at Illinois State! ISU Alum Greg Turner, CFA will share insights from an exceptional 40-year career in global finance and instruction.

From Freshman to Global Citizen
Monday, August 31st
Caterpillar Auditorium
9:30-10:30 am – Session A
12:45-1:45PM – Session B