Institute of Current World Affairs

The Institute of Current World Affairs (ICWA) is an operating foundation established in 1925 by US industrial heir and magnate Charles Richard Crane to advance American understanding of international cultures and affairs by sending young professionals abroad to study countries, regions and globally important issues. Institute alumni include leading journalists, scholars, diplomats, activists and businesspeople.

Institute of Current World Affairs
Formation1925
TypePrivate foundation
HeadquartersWashington, D.C., U.S.
Websitewww.icwa.org

ICWA says it selects its fellows from a diverse group of young professionals for two years of cultural immersion in locations around the globe. Fellows explore their topics through self-designed and fully funded programs of study, thought and writing. They record their research and analysis in monthly dispatches.

While in the field, fellows receive support and mentoring from ICWA staff, former fellows and ICWA members with expertise in fellowship areas.

Former fellows credit the intensive immersion experience of an ICWA fellowship, free from deadlines and career pressures, with enabling them to cultivate their talent and engage with their subject in ways that have a profound impact.

The Institute of Current World Affairs is recognized as a tax-exempt organization under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code.

History

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The Institute of Current World Affairs supports fellowships for promising young people to gain in-depth understanding of global affairs from a local perspective. ICWA says it chooses candidates with the potential to make substantial contributions to public life in the United States.

The institute, which pays living expenses for fellows and their families, has sent more than 170 people abroad through its fellowship program.

In addition to publishing fellows' dispatches on its website, ICWA also offers analysis and commentary on global news and other developments.[1] It also produces two podcasts: The Cable, which addresses threats to democracy in Europe and the transatlantic relationship,[2] and From the Field, which takes listeners around the world with ICWA fellows studying cultures and societies in depth.[3] In October 2020, ICWA launched a partnership with U.S. online magazine Slate to offer select fellow dispatches for publication.[4]

Alumni

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The Institute of Current World Affairs has supported individuals who go on to notable careers that leverage the expertise learned during the fellowship, especially in the fields of journalism, academia and public service.

The work of the Institute's fellows has appeared in numerous national publications, including The New York Times, the Washington Post, Bloomberg Businessweek, The New Yorker, and elsewhere. Fellows have published dozens of books and appeared across media outlets as country experts.

The fellowships are credited with launching the careers of notable writers, leaders and foreign policy experts, including:

Current Fellows

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Current Fellows [13]
Astha Rajvanshi (India, 2020–2022)
Elizabeth Hawkins (El Salvador, 2019–2021)
Emily Schultheis (Germany, 2019–2021)
David Kenner (Saudi Arabia, 2019–2021)

Recent Past Fellows

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Recent Past Fellows [14]
Matthew Chitwood (China, 2017–2019)
Karina Piser (France, 2017–2019)
Onyinye Edeh (Nigeria, 2016–2018)
Jessica Reilly (Seafaring, 2015–2017)
Jonathan Guyer (Egypt, 2015–2017)
Scott Erich (Oman, 2015–2016)
Malia Politzer (India/Spain, 2013–2015)
Robbie Corey-Boulet (Ivory Coast/Cameroon, 2013–2015)
Chi-Chi Zhang (China, 2012–2014)
Shannon Sims (Brazil, 2012–2014, Forest and Society Fellow)
Amelia Frank-Vitale (Mexico, 2012–2014)
Hannah Armstrong (West Africa, 2012–2014)
Neri Zilber (Israel, 2010–2012)
Jori Lewis (West Africa, 2011–2013)
Eve Fairbanks (South Africa, 2009–2011)
Derek Mitchell (India, 2007–2009)
Ezra Fieser (Guatemala, 2008–2010)
Pooja Bhatia (Haiti, 2008–2010)
Elena Agarkova (Russia, 2008–2010)
Raphael Soifer (Brazil, 2007–2009)
Suzy Hansen (Turkey, 2007–2009)
Nicholas Schmidle (Pakistan, 2006–2008)
Andrew Tabler (Syria/Lebanon, 2005–2007)
Kay Dilday (France/Morocco, 2005–2007)
Richard Connerney (India, 2005–2007)
Jill Winder (Germany, 2004–2006)
Cristina Merrill (Romania, 2004–2006)
Alex Brenner (China, 2003–2005)
James Workman (Southern Africa, 2002–2004)
Matthew Wheeler (Mekong River, 2002–2004)
Andrew Rice (Uganda, 2002–2004)
Martha J. Farmelo (Argentina, 2001–2003)
Leena Khan (Pakistan, 2001–2002)
Peter Keller (Argentina, 2000–2002, Forest and Society Fellow)
Curt Gabrielson (East Timor, 2000–2002)
Gregory Feifer (Russia, 2000–2002)
Wendy L. Call (Mesoamerica, 2000–2002)

Current ICWA Board of Trustees

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Current ICWA Board of Trustees [15]
Joseph Battat (Vice Chair)
Mary Lynne Bird
Jeffrey Gedmin
Camila Gonzalez
Fabrice Houdart
Peggy Knudson
Robert A. Levinson
Michael Mathison (Treasurer)
Joel Millman
Jeffrey Race
Paul Rahe (Chair)
Mary Rusinow
Pascal Saura
Dirk Vandewalle
Chi-Chi Zhang (Secretary)
Peter Bird Martin (Honorary Trustee)
Edmund Sutton (Honorary Trustee)

References

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  1. ^ "Global Currents Archives". Institute of Current World Affairs. Retrieved 2020-10-21.
  2. ^ "The Cable: A Podcast | The Institute of Current World Affairs (ICWA)". Institute of Current World Affairs. Retrieved 2020-10-21.
  3. ^ "From the Field Podcast". Institute of Current World Affairs. Retrieved 2020-10-21.
  4. ^ "Slate | The World". Slate Magazine. Retrieved 2020-10-21.
  5. ^ "Finalist: Notes on a Foreign Country: An American Abroad in a Post-America World, by Suzy Hansen (Farrar, Straus and Giroux)". www.pulitzer.org. Retrieved 2020-10-21.
  6. ^ New York Times, Nov. 30, 2006 "Smith Hempstone, 77, Journalist Who Became a Prominent Ambassador, Is Dead"
  7. ^ "Cheng Li". Brookings. 2016-06-06. Retrieved 2018-09-20.
  8. ^ "Carol Rose". ACLU Massachusetts. 2015-06-12. Retrieved 2018-09-20.
  9. ^ Schmidle, Nicholas (6 January 2008). "Next-Gen Taliban". The New York Times.
  10. ^ Schmidle, Nicholas (February 3, 2008). "Pakistan Kicked Me Out. Others Were Less Lucky". The Washington Post.
  11. ^ "US Support for Earthquake and Tsunami Victims".
  12. ^ "An American Witness to India's Partition." SAGE Publications, August, 2007.
  13. ^ "Current Fellows". Institute of Current World Affairs. Retrieved 2020-10-21.
  14. ^ "Alumni Archive". Institute of Current World Affairs. Retrieved 2020-10-21.
  15. ^ "About ICWA". Institute of Current World Affairs. Retrieved 2020-10-21.
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