Wilson Center facts for kids
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Ronald Reagan Building and International Trade Center in Washington, D.C., where the Wilson Center is headquartered
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| Abbreviation | Wilson Center |
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| Established | 1968 |
| Type | Nonprofit organization (501(c)(3)) |
| Legal status | United States Presidential Memorial |
| Headquarters | Ronald Reagan Building and International Trade Center |
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President emerita and distinguished fellow
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Jane Harman |
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Key people
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Joe Asher (board chairman) |
| Affiliations | Smithsonian Institution |
The Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars, also known as the Wilson Center, is a special research center in Washington, D.C.. It's like a "think tank," which means it's a group of experts who study important global issues. They then share their ideas to help leaders make better decisions.
The Wilson Center was created by the U.S. Congress in 1968. It serves two main purposes: it's a memorial to former U.S. President Woodrow Wilson, and it's also part of the famous Smithsonian Institution. The center aims to be fair and unbiased, providing a place for scholars and leaders to discuss big challenges facing the world.
The Wilson Center is known as one of the top think tanks globally. In 2020, it was ranked as the 10th most influential think tank worldwide. It researches topics like how countries get along, safety, money matters, and how governments work. The center publishes reports and hosts discussions that help shape important policy debates.
On March 15, 2025, President Donald Trump signed an executive order. An executive order is a rule or command given by the President. This order called for the closing of several government-related groups, including the Wilson Center. It aimed to reduce their activities and staff. On April 1, 2025, Mark Green resigned as the president and CEO of the center. This happened a day after a government efficiency department visited the center.
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How the Wilson Center Works
The Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars is part of the Smithsonian Institution. However, it has its own special group of leaders called a board of trustees. This board includes both government officials and private citizens. The president of the United States chooses these members.
The center publishes an online magazine called the Wilson Quarterly. This magazine shares research and ideas from the center's experts.
Funding and Location
The Wilson Center is a "public-private partnership." This means it gets money from both the government and private sources. About one-third of its yearly operating money comes from the U.S. government.
The center is located in the Ronald Reagan Building and International Trade Center. This is a large government building in Washington, D.C. The Wilson Center has a special agreement that lets it use its space there for 30 years without paying rent. The rest of the center's money comes from various groups, donations, and other income.
Recent Challenges
The Wilson Center has faced some difficulties in recent years. In March 2017, President Trump suggested a budget that would stop federal funding for the center. This idea came from another research group called the Heritage Foundation.
In November 2022, the Russian government called the center an "undesirable organization." This label means that the center's activities are not allowed in Russia. The Heritage Foundation again suggested stopping government money for the center in 2023. They estimated this would save the government between $16 million and $21 million each year.
Leadership and Board
The board of trustees guides the Wilson Center. Bill Haslam is currently the chairman of this board. The U.S. president appoints the board members for six-year terms.
The board of directors includes Bill Haslam and vice chair Drew Maloney. It also has private citizens like Nick Adams, Thelma Duggin, Brian Hook, David Jacobson, Timothy Pataki, Alan N. Rechtschaffen, and Louis Susman. Government officials on the board include Antony Blinken, Lonnie Bunch, Miguel Cardona, David Ferriero, Carla Hayden, Shelly Lowe, and Xavier Becerra.
On January 28, 2021, Mark Andrew Green was announced as the Wilson Center's new president, director, and CEO. He started his role on March 15, 2021. On January 20, 2025, Donald Trump announced that Brian Hook was no longer working there.
Research Programs
Most of the Wilson Center's staff work in specialized programs. These programs focus on different areas of study. Some of the key programs include:
- The Cold War International History Project: This project studies the history of the Cold War.
- The Environmental Change and Security Program: This program looks at how changes in the environment affect safety and security.
- The History and Public Policy Program: This program connects historical research with current policy issues.
- The Kennan Institute: This institute focuses on research about Russia and other countries in that region.
- The Kissinger Institute: This institute studies the relationship between China and the United States.
- The North Korea International Documentation Project: This project collects and shares documents about North Korea.
See also
In Spanish: Centro International Woodrow Wilson para Académicos para niños
- A National Strategic Narrative, a report published by the center in 2011
- Presidential memorials in the United States
