local events and convenings

Make sense of the world, in good company.

Our public and invitation-based programs are where Bostonians come to think out loud about global affairs — with experts, with each other, and over the occasional bowl of chowder.

See what's coming upBrowse the archive →
Bostonians gathered for a public program
Voices on our stage
Recognition

Pulitzer
Winners

Distinction

Nobel
Laureates

Diplomacy

International
Ambassadors

Excellence

Professional Athletes
and Olympians

What our events are for

We intentionally curate our programs to help Boston-area residents:

/ 01

Make sense of the world

Briefings and discussions that turn the news cycle into context — with the people who actually study it.

/ 02

Meet across difference

Each event puts diplomats, scholars, practitioners, and curious neighbors in the same room.

/ 03

Practice citizen diplomacy

Conversations are unscripted to create honest exchange, not talking points.

our recurring programs

Two series, one mission.

Most of what we host year-round falls into one of two recurring programs, open to the curious public.

Chat &
Chowder

Author talks on international affairs over actual chowder, with Q&A and networking.

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Great
Decisions

Eight expert-led sessions a year on the Foreign Policy Association's annual briefing-book topics.

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flagship & invitation-only

One-of-a-kind, and off the record.

Beyond the recurring series, two programs stand on their own — our annual flagship convening, and the closed-door roundtables we host for visiting leaders.

Diplomacy
Now

Our annual flagship — a high-level conversation about America's place on the global stage with a leading diplomat.

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Private
Roundtables

Off-the-record, invitation-based briefings that put visiting foreign officials in a room with Boston's practitioners.

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"I came for one Great Decisions session in 2014. Twelve years later I'm still here — same chairs, sharper questions."

— worldboston event participant

current calendar

Our next three public events:

All events →
Securing, planning, and scheduling in progress.

Stay tuned for our Summer and Fall 2026 programming, coming soon.

From the archive

What you missed — and why it mattered.

Watch clips and full recordings from past programs live on YouTube and the GBH Forum Network.

On GBH Forum Network · Latest lecture

Great Decisions · WorldBoston × GBH

Great Decisions with Kelly Sims Gallagher: International Cooperation on Climate Change

Watch on GBH ↗
Full YouTube channel →WorldBoston on GBH Forum Network →
Get involved

Want to make your mark on our influential city?

Sponsorship

Help fund an event series, or cohost a WorldBoston council program in your office or venue.

Partnership

Co-design public or private programs with your institution or department.

Individual support

Pitch-in to keep Boston and Eastern MA at the forefront of global conversations.

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We'll send you a heads-up before registration opens for each series.