Around the World in 30 Minutes: Insights from the Executive Director of Grand Rapids’ 75+ Year-Old World Affairs Council

This week we talk with Michael Van Denend, Executive Director of the World Affairs Council of Western Michigan. He discusses how the World Affairs Council is dedicated to educating people in western Michigan about other countries, cultures, and regions of the world and provides a forum for discussing critical foreign policy issues facing the country. The Council is best known for sponsoring its award-winning Great Decisions Global Discussion Series.

Michael came to the World Affairs Council after 33 years as the executive director of the Calvin College Alumni Association, where he interviewed and wrote stories about alumni all over the globe. In addition, he’s an on-air radio programmer at WYCE 88.1 FM where he presents folk, blues, jazz, rock and a lot of world music.