History

In the aftermath of World War II, Howard Higman envisioned a forum where people could come together to discuss international cooperation and the challenges facing a rapidly changing world.

The first Conference on World Affairs, originally called “United Nations Week” took place in spring 1948. Although it was not initially intended to become an annual event, its success led CU Boulder to continue the conference year after year.

In its early years, CWA focused heavily on international affairs, diplomacy and world politics, bringing diplomats, journalists, scholars and political leaders to campus.

By the 1950s, CWA was attracting nationally recognized voices and expanding the scope of its conversations.

In 1955, Eleanor Roosevelt joined the conference. A leading advocate for human rights and former chair of the United Nations Human Rights Commission, Roosevelt brought her experience to the CU Boulder community.

Her appearance reflected CWA’s growing reputation as a place where students could engage directly with influential figures addressing some of the most consequential issues of the day.

As the world and CU Boulder changed, so did CWA.

The conference began moving beyond traditional discussions of diplomacy and foreign policy to explore a much wider range of subjects, including civil rights, the environment, science, medicine, literature, music, media, technology, business and culture.

In 1961,Henry Kissinger, then a Harvard professor and foreign-policy scholar, participated in CWA, years before serving as U.S. national security advisor and secretary of state.

Then, in 1970, film criticRoger Ebert arrived at CWA. Ebert would return to the conference for nearly four decades and become one of its most recognizable voices. He famously called CWA “the Conference on Everything Conceivable.”

In 1975, Ebert and Higman introduced Cinema Interruptus, an unconventional program in which a film is paused repeatedly so participants can discuss and analyze it together. The program became one of CWA’s core traditions and exemplified the conference’s interdisciplinary approach.

CWA’s expanding scope created space for voices that could approach complicated issues from unexpected—and sometimes provocative—perspectives.

Molly Ivins, the celebrated journalist, political commentator and humorist, first participated in CWA in 1984 and returned for 15 years. Known for her sharp wit and political satire, Ivins embodied CWA’s willingness to use humor, debate and unconventional perspectives to examine serious issues.

The 1990s continued this tradition of bringing together voices from across disciplines and perspectives, while long-standing participants such as Ebert helped cement CWA’s reputation for conversations that extended well beyond traditional “world affairs.”

Ivins’ relationship with the conference continued beyond her lifetime. Following her death in 2007, CWA established the Molly Ivins Memorial Plenary in her honor, continuing a tradition of bringing humor, commentary and critical perspectives to the conference.

As the new millennium brought new political, social and global challenges, CWA continued to create space for conversations about the issues defining the moment.

In 2007, U.S. Senator Joe Biden participated in CWA, delivering a plenary address on “America’s Interests, Iraq’s Future.” At the time, Biden chaired the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, bringing his perspective on U.S. foreign policy and the war in Iraq to the conference.

His appearance reflected CWA’s continued role as a place where members of the CU Boulder community could hear directly from prominent leaders and engage with complex issues facing the world.

Today, CWA remains true to its original purpose while reflecting an increasingly interconnected and complex world.

The conference continues to bring together people from across disciplines, professions, cultures and perspectives. Conversations might explore politics and international affairs alongside science, technology, art, journalism, social justice, the environment and popular culture.

Recent featured voices have included Cynthia Erivo (2025) and Malala Yousafzai (2026), demonstrating the breadth of perspectives that have become central to the CWA experience.