To our valued Members, Students, and Sponsors,

The mission of the World Affairs Council of the Desert has always been to bring programs and knowledgeable thought leaders from around the world to the Coachella Valley to share their insights and expertise on global affairs.

It is an honor to serve as Chairman of the World Affairs Council of the Desert and to express my sincere gratitude for the support and commitment to our mission provided by our members and generous sponsors. Working together, we strive to broaden perspectives, challenge preconceived notions, and encourage critical thinking.

Students are an important focus of our programs. Our student Academic WorldQuest global affairs competition, now in its 19th year, is widely recognized as world-class. Your generous support has enabled nearly 1,000 local high school students to become more fully aware of the critical issues of the modern world we live in. Each year our winning local team travels on a fully paid trip to Washington D.C. for the AWQ National Competition. Our teams consistently place in the top 15 in the nation, in one year placing number 3 in the nation.

As we move into our 2024-2025 Season, we will continue to enable our members and students to become more globally aware, culturally sensitive, and better equipped to navigate the complexities of our increasingly complex world.

Your support and active involvement make all of this possible.

Cheers to all and best wishes for health, happiness, and your continued engagement in global affairs.

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James D. McFarlin
Chairman, World Affairs Council of the Desert