How We Began - Transition
The years following the end of the Cold War were trying times for those interested in foreign affairs. In 1994-1995
differences emerged between the directors of the various regional Committees, and the leadership of the parent
Council on Foreign Relations. The Council, under President Leslie Gelb, attached less importance to foreign policy
outreach beyond the Washington-New York-Boston corridor, while the committee directors voiced concerns about the
quality of speakers being provided by the Council.
At the 1995 annual spring meeting of the Committees in New York, President Gelb informed the committee
directors that the Council was ending the decades-long relationship.
The Committee directors discussed various options, including leaving each individual Committee to fend
for itself, closing down the Committees, or forming a new national organization. In August 1995 the Committee
directors met in Dallas, and agreed that local outreach was a vital element of foreign affairs. Determined to
preserve the system of Committees, the directors decided to form the American Committees on Foreign Relations, to be
based in Washington, D.C. This new organization would have as its sole function providing high-quality foreign
relations speakers to the member Committees. Contributions were solicited from each participating Committee, along
with the severance funds provided by the Council, and a search process was initiated for an Executive Director. A
national search resulted in hiring Dr. Kenneth Jensen as the first Executive Director of the ACFR.
Today foreign affairs has returned to center stage for both policymakers in Washington and American citizen-leaders
throughout the country. Some issues have great intrinsic clarity and broad consensus--terrorist attacks need to be
suppressed and stopped, through force if necessary. Many other issues are less simple or straightforward. They need
continuing dialogue with informed, experienced, prudent and stalwart scholars and practitioners.
These individuals, the nation’s leaders in foreign policy, also need to hear from thoughtful citizen-leaders
throughout the country so policies can be properly refined and effectively articulated. To be successful in a
democracy, any enlightened, effective policy must have broad-based understanding and support. A good policy without
public support will fail even more quickly than a bad but popular policy.
It is with this backdrop that the American Committee on Foreign Relations became the national organization for all
the committees. The central purpose of the Committees under the ACFR has not changed: it remains as informed
dialogue between interested citizens, civic leaders and policymakers. ACFR is founded on the proposition that
American foreign policy depends ultimately upon the strength of the public consensus that underlies it. As
constitutional democracies fight terrorism, this effort needs to become even more central and comprehensive. ACFR
broadens the conversation on American foreign relations through more intimate, face-to-face discussions and
conversations. All Americans need to contribute to the emerging national consensus so that policies are truly in the
enlightened national interest. They must be embraced as informed, concerned citizens, as partners in policy, and as
international citizen-actors. The LCFR, as a founding member of the ACFR, along with Denver, St. Louis and Portland
is one of the four original committees still in operation.
ACFR’s program is principally devoted to providing its affiliates with eminent foreign affairs speakers on a
monthly basis. Speakers are drawn from the policy and diplomatic communities of the United States and other
countries. In addition, ACFR regularly books foreign affairs experts from think-tanks, academia, and the media.
ACFR gathers its membership to Washington each spring for a major three-day conference engaging front-line officials
and other experts on current issues and offers social gatherings, first-class diplomatic, and foreign relations
venues. From time to time, ACFR also conducts study tours abroad for its members.
Members receive upon request the ACFR News-Group, a thrice-weekly email distribution of hard-to-get news,
analysis, and opinion on current international events. ACFR also maintains an Internet website for its members and
other interested parties. Along with complete information on ACFR, the web site contains electronic links to news,
opinion, and government resources on foreign affairs. The ACFR website can be found at www.acfr.org
While the individual membership and nomination processes are varied, all ACFR committees follow similar
guidelines in building their membership bases. Committee members bring a serious interest in U.S. foreign policy and
key issues shaping international affairs.
They have established themselves in respected careers and bring with them the broadest array of professional
experiences. They are genuinely committed to the benefits of frank exchange and substantial discussion of the
issues presented, whether by a speaker, panel, or publication.
Members of the LCFR and the other Committees include:
- executives and board members of key industries;
- senior partners in major law firms;
- editors and publishers of newspapers and other media professionals;
- leaders and influential members of the community;
- presidents, administrators, and faculty members of colleges and universities;
- members of Congress, state legislators, executive officers, and local government officials; and
- retired senior policy officials, diplomats, honorary consuls and military officers.
