Engage
Why Get Involved?
Each year, volunteers and campus partners work together to help identify emerging issues, recommend speakers, develop programming, and create an experience that inspires thousands of attendees. Become part of the conversation.Whether you're interested in sharing your expertise, connecting your network, mentoring students, or helping shape conference programming, there's a place for you at CWA.
Whether you're a faculty member, student, staff member, alum, or community leader, CWA offers an opportunity to make a meaningful impact. By getting involved, you can:
Help shape conversations that influence public understanding.
Share your expertise and professional network.
Connect with colleagues across disciplines.
Mentor and inspire the next generation of leaders.
Expand the impact of CU Boulder's teaching, research, and public engagement.
Help strengthen one of the nation's longest-running public forums.
What to Expect
CWA is planned throughout the academic year by a collaborative network of volunteers, campus partners, and university staff. Participants can contribute in ways that match their interests, expertise, and availability—from recommending a single speaker to serving on a committee that helps shape conference programming. Most committees meet regularly during the fall semester as programming is developed, with activity increasing as the conference approaches each spring.
Join the Conversation
The future of CWA depends on people who are curious, collaborative, and passionate about public dialogue. Whether you're interested in sharing your expertise, mentoring students, building partnerships, or helping shape conference programming, there's a place for you.
Who Can Get Involved?
Meaningful dialogue begins with diverse voices.
Whether you're a faculty member, student, staff member, alum, or community leader, CWA offers an opportunity to make a meaningful impact.
CU Faculty & Staff
Faculty and graduate student instructors have many ways to use the Conference on World Affairs in service of their spring courses. The CWA has adjusted its planning schedule, making the speaker list, core themes and conference schedule available earlier for spring semester planning.
For more information, email cwa@colorado.edu.
Community Members
Year-round and CWA week volunteer opportunities are available to Boulder community members. The CWA program committee is composed of CU students, faculty, staff and community members who volunteer their time to consider the crucial issues of the day, research candidates for CWA and create exciting panels that will challenge our audiences.
The program committee is made up of subcommittees organized by subject area.
Students
Interested in global issues? The Conference on World Affairs has been connecting CU Boulder students with the world for over 75 years. At CWA you can join your fellow Buffs and engage in dynamic discussions about international concerns that will shape the future. Return here for information on the 2026 Conference on World Affairs.
Alumni
In collaboration with CU Boulder’s Forever Buffs Network, CWA is exploring ways to create tailored opportunities for Forever Buffs to network with each other and engage with CWA speakers and attendees each spring. At CWA, you can reconnect with the Boulder campus and community, and explore the issues and topics of the day with us. Return here for information on the 2026 Conference on World Affairs.