The group aimed at informing and educating the public about contemporary international affairs.

Its corporate sponsors included Aramco Service Company, AIG, Raytheon, and ExxonMobil,[1] and it relied primarily on dues from individual and corporate members.

[2] On December 31, 2018, after 38 years in the community, the World Affairs Council - Washington, DC ceased operations.

The National Press Club Journalism Institute announced in a shared press release that an agreement with WAC-DC to offer ongoing community support in 2019 and beyond.

These events included public programs featuring journalists, public officials, and foreign policy experts, seminars for educators, and outreach programs for students.