The IRC hosts three annual signature programs, and we invite you to join us for this year’s events!
Berkley Lecture
The Berkley Lecture was founded in 1996 and brings an expert in foreign policy and global affairs to the Kansas City area. The lecture was established through the Berkley Endowment to honor the IRC’s founder and his decades of service, and to provide a platform for engaging community members in understanding critical global issues.
The IRC held the 2026 Berkley Lecture on February 11, 2026, inviting Amb. Christopher Hill into Kansas City for a program titled “Lessons From The Front Line Of Diplomacy”.
Click here to learn more about the Berkley Lecture.
WorldQuest
Each year, teams of eight representing area businesses, universities, nonprofit organizations, community groups, ambitious students, and globetrotters put their global knowledge to the test. Six rounds of ten questions cover topics like global affairs, geography, world languages and cultures, history, and more in this fun and interactive competition.
The 2026 WorldQuest competition took place on April 30, 2026 at the Johnson County Arts & Heritage Center. Congratulations to our winning team – Global Ties KC!
Click here to learn more about the WorldQuest competition.
Global Honors Evening
Each year since the early 1980s, the IRC has recognized individuals and organizations for contributions to foreign policy and global affairs, international commerce, or the Kansas City community. View past IRC award recipients.
The IRC will be holding Global Honors Evening 2026 on September 24, 2026 at the Kansas City Art Institute’s Epperson Auditorium.