SPRINGFIELD — Since 1926, the World Affairs Council of Western Massachusetts has had one main goal: to connect the region with the rest of the world.

Through informational talks, events, visitation programs, partnerships with local educators and more, the World Affairs Council of Western Massachusetts seeks to increase public awareness of global affairs and offer local citizens the chance to engage in informed discourse and diplomacy. Though the organization is a member of the larger World Affairs Council of America and Global Ties U.S., it is still a little known institution locally.

“We are one of the best-kept secrets of western Massachusetts despite our best efforts,” joked Executive Director Cyd Melcher.

The organization was founded in Springfield in 1926 by the presidents of Mount Holyoke and Smith Colleges in response to trends toward isolationism and xenophobia throughout the American public following World War I. For decades, the group has been dedicated to connecting people, businesses, educators and leaders in the region to the world by fostering learning events, supporting classroom enrichment, and participating in the U.S. State Department’s International Visitor Leadership Program, through which future leaders from around the world visit the area to connect and collaborate with their American peers.

According to Melcher, western Massachusetts gets 25 to 50 of these visitors each year.

“They stay in our community,” Melcher said, explaining that visitors stay in local hotels and are often hosted in local homes for dinner. “We share what’s going on in western Mass. with these people … they come to network and share best practices.”

While the World Affairs Council of Western Massachusetts is a nonprofit, nonpartisan group, Melcher said its visitors and speakers “have a point of view often,” but that the council fosters informed, civil discourse. Melcher said these visits have often resulted in long-term relationships across borders.

“We’ve had a number of people who have sort of walked away and said, ‘I was able to talk to this person about this with an informed opinion,’” Melcher said. She added that the group has found it important “to foster civil discourse at a time when it is so hard to do that.”

“People are impacted by international affairs whether they realize it or not. Globalization is here,” Melcher said.

Melcher recalled a time years ago when the organization hosted former NPR president and Washington Post journalist Kevin Klosefor a talk at a local school. During the talk, Klose asked the students which of them thought they weren’t impacted by global affairs. Almost all of them raised their hands. Then, he asked which of them knew someone who had been deployed to Iraq. Again, almost all of them raised their hands.

“It benefits us to be engaged globally,” Melcher said, emphasizing that, despite widespread individualist sentiments, the world is more interconnected than we realize.

The group also hosts an Instant Issues talk series, where speakers come to talk about pertinent global affairs. On Dec. 11 at noon in the ninth floor Gallery at 1350 Main St. in downtown Springfield, the group will host an Instant Issues lunchtime discussion with Mexican Consul General Alberto Fierro Garza. During the talk, Garza will speak about challenges for the bilateral relationship between the U.S. and Mexico with their two new administrations.

“This is exactly the kind of voice we need in the environment we’re in now about what our Mexican-U.S. relations are like,” said Melcher.

The event is open to members of the public. Information about registration, lunch and entry fees for this event can be found on the organization’s website or by calling (413) 733-0110.

Throughout the year, the council hosts a number of other educational events and social gatherings, including watch parties, international dining events and informal gatherings.

Those interested in getting involved in the World Affairs Council of Western Massachusetts can contact Cyd Melcher at cmelcher@wacwestma.org or visit the organization’s website at wacwestma.org for more information.

Alexa Lewis can be reached at alewis@gazettenet.com.