COUNCIL NEWS

Our Mission
The World Affairs Council of Montana, founded in 2000, enables Montanans to appreciate the relationship of foreign policy and international issues to their lives in the Rockies. The council offers opportunities to better understand world events through people-to-people diplomacy, distinguished speakers, overseas visits, and educational outreach programs. As globalization reaches into all corners of the Big Sky, the Council seeks to help educate citizens about their increased political, economic, and cultural integration into the world community.

Statement From the Executive Director
Ambassador Mark Johnson (ret.)

The World Affairs Council of Montana has begun its eighth year thanks to the support and interest of our members throughout the community. The national World Affairs Councils of America (WACA) recognized our efforts by naming us the "Outstanding All-Volunteer Council" in the nation for 2004/2005. WACA is the largest international affairs non-profit organization in the country with 88 councils across the country.

Since our beginning, we have provided over 150 community events, lectures, briefings, and classroom visits across the state of Montana. The Executiver Director has also addressed audiences from Alaska to Florida, and has provided media commentary on Middle East issues. This past spring, he was named WACA's national Vice Chair. The mission of the Montana World Affairs Council is to help inform Montana audiences about global issues on a non-partisan basis. We have been privleged to hear from such distinguished visitors as the Ambassador to Afghanistan, Said Jawad, who gave an overview on developments in Afghanistan. Other programs examined topics like global energy, trafficking in persons, Darfur, the Middle East, and China.

One of our prodest achievements has been working with our community high school teachers and students to promote international awareness. For the past several years the Council has organized and sponsored a contest, Academic World Quest, which challenges teams on international events, personalitites, and geography. The winning Montana team is selected to participate in a national AWQ competition in Washington DC. This year the team from Hellgate High School in Missoula finished 2nd in the nation against some very stiff competition.

The World Affairs Council of Montana depends on the generous support of our members and teh community. We would be grateful for whatever generous support you could provide. We are a tax exempt, non-profit entity registered with the state of Montana.
-Mark Johnson

Who We Are...
Ambassador Mark Johnson (ret.)
Executive Director

 Ambassador Mark Johnson (ret.) is the Executive Director of the World Affairs Council of Montana and the national Vice Chair of the World Affairs Councils of America in Washington, D.C. He is a Mansfield Adjunct Professor at the Maureen and Mike Mansfield Center of the University of Montana.

Mr. Johnson retired from the U.S. State Department after serving 30 years in a variety of foreign policy positions, in the Middle East and Africa. He was United States Ambassador to Senegal from 1993-1996. At the time of his retirement, he was Deputy Inspector General of the State Department. His service includes postings in Kuwait, Egypt, Iran, and the Persian Gulf.

He is a fourth generation Montanan from Great Falls and is married to Sally J. Cummins who is an Attorney-Adviser with the State Department. They live in Lolo.

Aubrie Lyons
Education Coordinator
Aubrie finished her B.A. in Political Science/History with a Secondary Teaching Certificate from the University of Montana in 2006. She began working with the Council in 2002 developing the Council's Flagship education programs.