Anyone with an interest in international affairs is invited to join the Council. Members are invited to attend all of the year’s programs and the receptions that precede them, free of charge, and to participate as they wish in the discussions with our speakers. Most of our programs are in person and all are available via Zoom live feed.
• Notification of each program; all programs free of charge.
• Individual privileges for family members
• Individual privileges
• Individual privileges • Invitations to at least three Leadership Dinners each year • Guaranteed reservations for all programs.
• Individual privileges for family members • Invitations to at least three Leadership Dinners each year • Guaranteed reservations for all programs.
• Individual privileges • Invitations to at least six Leadership Dinners each year • Guaranteed reservations for all programs.
• Individual privileges • Invitations to at least six Leadership Dinners each year • Guaranteed reservations for all programs.
• Individual privileges (family members) • Invitations to at all Leadership Dinners each year • Guaranteed reservations for all programs.
• Individual privileges • Invitations to at least six Leadership Dinners each year • Guaranteed reservations for all programs.
• Individual privileges • Invitations to at least six Leadership Dinners each year • Guaranteed reservations for all programs.
• Individual privileges • Invitations to at least six Leadership Dinners each year • Guaranteed reservations for all programs.
• Individual privileges • Invitations to at least six Leadership Dinners each year • Guaranteed reservations for all programs.
• Individual privileges • Invitations to at least six Leadership Dinners each year • Guaranteed reservations for all programs.
• Individual privileges (family members) • Invitations to at all Leadership Dinners each year • Guaranteed reservations for all programs. • One Guest Invitation
• Individual privileges • Invitations to at least six Leadership Dinners each year • Guaranteed reservations for all programs. • One Guest Invitation
• Individual privileges • Invitations to at least six Leadership Dinners each year • Guaranteed reservations for all programs. • One Guest Invitation
• Individual privileges • Invitations to at least six Leadership Dinners each year • Guaranteed reservations for all programs. • One Guest Invitation
• Individual privileges • Invitations to at least six Leadership Dinners each year • Guaranteed reservations for all programs. • One Guest Invitation
• Individual privileges • Invitations to at least six Leadership Dinners each year • Guaranteed reservations for all programs. • One Guest Invitation
Alternatively, you are welcome to pay in person before each event, or you can mail a check ahead of time for faster entry to:
Baltimore Council on Foreign Affairs
401 E. Pratt St., Suite 1611
Baltimore, MD 21202
Please enclose the following information with your check:
Your name
Your phone number
Your mailing address
Your email address
Your membership level
A confirmation letter will be sent as soon as your renewal or new membership is received.
The Baltimore Council on Foreign Affairs intends to expand our activities, and to resume our Educational Outreach Programs in the region. We also hope to expand our outreach to members of the Baltimore community, the Baltimore region and eventually all of Maryland. Volunteers to assist in this expansion process will be heartily welcomed.
Members are entitled to attend all of the year’s programs and the receptions that precede them, free of charge.
Supporter Members are invited to at least three “Dutch Treat” Leadership Dinners with our guest speakers.
Non-members must pay a $25 entrance fee to attend, while non-members who are guests of members must pay $10 to attend. While everyone is welcome to attend any particular event, we encourage those with an interest in foreign affairs to join the Council.
We are now reviewing proposals to resume educational outreach. In the past, BCFA hosted three educational conferences throughout the academic year. One in the Fall was directed at secondary school Social Studies teachers; a winter conference was directed at secondary school students and a spring conference was directed at students and faculty of higher education institutions throughout Maryland. If you would like to help in the efforts for BCFA Educational Outreach Programs, please contact us.
The World Affairs Council of Philadelphia has been offering tours to all corners of the world for over 36 years. Tours are accompanied by experts on global political issues and Council leadership and give travelers behind-the-scenes views, briefings and meet-the-people experiences. In addition to making all arrangements, travelers are given substantive reading materials to give them a deeper understanding and grasp of the current issues related to the places they visit and to enhance the educational travel experience.
Forced displacement represents one of the most pressing humanitarian issues of our time. Individuals and families, torn from the fabric of their communities, find themselves navigating a world of uncertainty, often without basic necessities or a clear path to safety. There are currently some 110 million forced displaced, and this number is growing by 10 million each year!
At the heart of this crisis are the political triggers. Armed conflicts, ethnic or religious persecutions, and systemic human rights abuses force millions to flee their homes in terror. Many are displaced within their own national boundaries, while others seek asylum abroad. If these factors change as a result of political shifts at home or the pressures from abroad, they can return to their homes. Forced displacement is thus different from environmentally driven displacement, as victims of climate change may never be able to return to their homes.
The ramifications of any sort of displacement are profound, not just for those directly affected, but also for host communities and countries. Overburdened infrastructures, socio-economic strains, and cultural tensions can arise, necessitating comprehensive strategies to foster harmony and integration. Yet the root causes of forced displacement can be remedied with a concerted focus by local players and international diplomacy.
Organizations like Refugees International play a crucial role in this arena, advocating for the rights and needs of the displaced, conducting on-the-ground assessments, and influencing policymakers to take informed actions. Their relentless work underscores the gravity of the situation and the urgency ofinternational cooperation. But they, too, are overwhelmed by the rapid expansion of the crisis.
International Humanitarian Law (IHL), with its core principles centered on the protection of civilians during conflicts, plays a pivotal role in this discourse. Yet, despite clear legal frameworks, compliance remains
inconsistent. This initiative emphasizes the importance of upholding and reinforcing these international standards.
It’s not just about recognizing the problem; it’s about active engagement. We urge governments, organizations, and individuals to prioritize the rights and needs of the forced displaced. Through collective efforts, informed policies, and sustained advocacy, we can shift the narrative from passive acknowledgment to proactive intervention.