Speakers Program

Connecting American Communities with Expertise on Global Events

The American Committees on Foreign Relations (ACFR) National Speakers Program provides prominent speakers with cutting-edge experience and expertise in foreign policy issues and events. ACFR hosts U.S. and foreign diplomats, executive branch and legislative branch officials, representatives of the military, and policy experts from leading foreign relations organizations.

ACFR also features speakers with special expertise in foreign relations from universities and major news outlets.

Local Committee meetings are generally held each month from September through May. Meetings provide a unique format for ACFR members, giving the opportunity to meet experts, engage in discussion, and exchange knowledge and information.

The Program

The American Committees on Foreign Relations presents more than 125 speaker programs across the United States each year, engaging high-level policy experts and opinion makers deeply committed to dialogue on timely issues.

Engagements usually involve a presentation followed by a question-and-answer session. ACFR speakers’ remarks are characteristically on a “not-for-attribution” basis, which encourages the most candid exchange of information and perspectives possible.

The Audience

Individual Committees comprise anywhere from 60 to 250 full members, drawn from local civic, professional, and academic communities. Like its founder, the Council on Foreign Relations, the American Committees on Foreign Relations are non-partisan groups dedicated to encouraging serious dialogue on the priority issues of the day.

Program managed by Michèle McManus. Contact at michele.mcmanus@acfr.org.