Columbia nonprofits join forces for international engagement

Two Columbia nonprofits have merged in an effort to strengthen global connections and expand resources. 

The Columbia World Affairs Council has merged with the Columbia Council for Internationals, taking over its programs and staff and retaining the “World Affairs Council” name. The move will strengthen operations while preserving programs that connect international visitors and students in the Midlands, said World Affairs Council executive director Dickson Monk.  

The CCFI has welcomed international visitors and students to Columbia since 1965. The CWAC will continue to promote global awareness and collaboration through programs that connect international communities with the Midlands.  

“The merger has been years in the making,” Monk said. “We’ve worked closely with CCFI on the International Visitor Leadership Programs, and this was the right moment to bring our networks together and join forces.” 

The International Visitor Leadership Program is a professional exchange program led by the United States Department of State. Foreign leaders have the opportunity to experience the country and participate during in-person policy meetings. 

“In terms of the International Visitors Leadership Program and other similar programs, my goal is to not only increase them, but I’d like to start doing more programs in the Upstate,” said Sewell Gelberd, who will continue to be the international visitor program director.

The expansion also should strengthen the impact of the council.  

“The Columbia World Affairs Council that’s been around for over 30 years now has been very intentional and dedicated to building out a large global network,” Monk said. “It just really kind of opens up the field to all the resources that already exist but bringing them all together makes it greater.” 

The merger is part of a growing national trend. World affairs councils and international visitor organizations have increasingly joined forces across the United States.  

They’ve been merging “regularly for the last three or four or five years around the country because it makes sense,” said Jim Byrum, former chair of the International Visitor Committee of CCFI. “We’re working with international visitors, and the World Affairs Council was interested in international activities, and very similar kinds of activities.” 

Stronger local initiatives and larger global objectives should result. 

“The long-term goal is global peace building,” Monk said. “Then for both sides, the visitors and for our communities, the long-term goal is professional development. These programs have a significant economic impact on our communities.” 

As the organization aims for expansion, it remains open to welcoming new members who are eager to get involved. 

“If anybody’s interested in learning more or maybe learning about programs that might related to their business or interest, please reach out to me and say ‘hello,’” Monk said. “I’m always happy to tell more people about this.”