Chicago Council on Global Affairs history

In 1930 the Council began broadcasting discussions of foreign affairs and luncheon speeches over WGN radio.

The Council launched World Spotlight in 1955, a weekly television series airing on WTTW. The series aired for about 5 years and featured Council Director Carter Davidson and guests, who discussed world events.

Israeli foreign minister Abba Eban, a regular speaker to Council audiences, in 1972.

West German chancellor Willy Brandt, left, with Council President John Rielly in 1973.

1974 marked the first year the organization conducted and published results for its Public Opinion Survey on Foreign Policy Issues, a significant undertaking that continues to this day.

Margaret Thatcher with Council President John Rielly and his wife Irene, in 1991.

Former Soviet President Mikhail Gorbachev and his wife Raisa, with Council board chairman Bryan, 1992.

Former Secretary of State Madeleine Albright with Council President Marshall Bouton in 2003.

In September 2006, the Council changed its name from the Chicago Council on Foreign Relations to the Chicago Council on Global Affairs.

The Council was the city’s partner in organizing the 2012 NATO Summit, where the US Ambassador to NATO addressed Council members.

Former United States NATO Ambassador Ivo Daalder became president of the Council in July 2013.

The Council deepened its focus on global cities with the inaugural Chicago Forum on Global Cities (renamed the Pritzker Forum on Global Cities with a $5 million gift from the Pritzker Foundation). The three-day forum, cohosted by the Financial Times, began in 2015 and has been held every year since.

In 2016, the Council moved into a large and modern office space and a state-of-the-art conference center and studio in Chicago’s One Two Pru buildings.