Your passport to global affairs

Our Vision, Mission and Core Values

Vision

(Where are we going?)

We envision a community that thinks critically, engages thoughtfully, and fosters respectful dialogue on international affairs to build a more informed and actively engaged society.

Mission:

(How are we going to get to where we want to go?) 

The mission of NCWA is to educate, inspire and engage our community in international affairs and critical global issues.

Core Values:

(What do we believe in to offer us guidance?)

• Lifelong Learning, Optimistically Pursued

We believe learning about international affairs should be as inspiring as it is enlightening. Our educational programs spark curiosity, encourage discovery, and make the serious work of understanding global affairs engaging and enjoyable.

• Global Issues, Local Impact

We connect the greater Naples area with the wider world—bringing clarity to complex events and showing how global changes shape our community, our choices, and our future.

• Firsthand Access to World-Class Thinkers

Our members don’t just hear from leading thinkers—they meet them. Through luncheons, small-group briefings, and candid Q&A, we create personal experiences by offering rare opportunities to connect personally with experts who shape world affairs.

• Many Views, One Respectful Room

We celebrate dialogue, not division. By welcoming diverse, nonpartisan perspectives in a civil and open space, we strengthen understanding and sharpen insight together.

• Youth Pathways to Leadership

We invest in tomorrow’s leaders today. Through scholarships, Model UN, Academic WorldQuest, and mentoring, we open doors for young people with the curiosity and courage to shape the future.

• A Caring Community of Friends

The Council is more than lectures—it’s friendships, shared experiences, and a welcoming circle where members learn together, laugh together, and look out for one another. Belonging is part of the curriculum.

• Equity & Access

We believe everyone deserves the chance to engage with the world. That’s why we expand opportunities for students and adults across Southwest Florida, lowering barriers to high-quality global education.

• Integrity & Trust

We hold ourselves to the highest standards—stewarding resources responsibly, honoring facts, and keeping our promises to members, partners, and the next generation.