Our History

ACFR’s History

In 1938, the Council on Foreign Relations, possibly the most prestigious “think tank” in America believed it was time to create a number of non-partisan, non-profit Committees across the country for the purpose of bringing business and professional local leaders together to discuss world events due to isolationist attitudes and emerging international conflicts. The original committees hosted respected experts on foreign policy issues that were considered timely and informative for the committees as well as providing insights for the speakers on what Americans across the country were thinking about world affairs.

In 1995, through mutual agreement, the Committees separated to form ACFR, maintaining headquarters in Washington D.C. Comprised of a network of affiliated Member Committees, with over 1,200 individual members around the country, AFCR promotes rigorous and informed foreign relations discussions–out of the beltway–across the U.S. We believe this is an important element for successful foreign policy, increased national security and understanding of the world around us.

We continue to be as vibrant and relevant today as we ever were. The Committees from coast to coast convene community leaders, educators and members of the general public in off-the-record discussions with international affairs experts. The Washington D.C. team provides speakers for over 100 local committee meetings per year, hosts the annual conference drawing together eminent high-level policymakers and other experts around a compelling foreign relations theme, and plans and hosts the Young Leadership Initiative and other key activities on behalf of the members. The Committees continue to grow in membership and purpose.

ACFR Past Presidents

Past Presidents of the American Committees on Foreign Relations are meaningful contributors to the organization’s mission of promoting interest and conversation about U.S. foreign policy. ACFR, governed by the President and Executive Committee of our Board of Directors, which represents Member Committees across the country, provides projects, programs, and events that reach well beyond the Washington D.C. beltway.