The World Affairs Council of Philadelphia is excited to partner with the University of Rutgers-Camden, Camden County College, and select South Jersey high schools to provide students with outstanding, culturally relevant, resume-boosting, global affairs programming. The Council has a long history of coordinating large-scale, educational simulation programs that allow students to tackle globally relevant issues, and experience the complexities of policy-making, negotiation, and debate. Students often assume the role of an international statesman or negotiator and work in peer-led sessions to negotiate workable solutions to international crises. Through these programs, students gain an understanding of world affairs, while developing crucial 21st-century skills like public speaking, written and verbal communication, and leadership. Through the generous support of Rutgers University-Camden and Camden County College, these programs will be made available to you and your students free of charge.  More information is also available on our website:

https://wacphila.org/education/high-school-programs/new-jersey-global-leadership-programs

This year, the Council is coordinating two programs, covering a variety of relevant global issues. The 2020 International Student Summit, taking place on Thursday, March 19th, 2020, and will tackle a number of timely issues surrounding journalism, free speech, and disinformation in the modern age. Students will explore the complex interactions between information/disinformation, democracy, civil society, and international institutions. The ultimate goal of the program is to create an International Pledge that renews commitment towards the right to exercise freedom of opinion and expression, and defines a set of objectives to be pursued in order to achieve the full realization of these freedoms in the technological and political context of the 21st century.

Our second program in the 2019-2020 academic year is our Model UN program, which will take place on June 4th, 2020. The Model UN program allows students to assume the role of chief diplomat for a UN country, and propose, debate and amend policy resolutions aimed at solving one of the world's most pressing crises. More information regarding program dates, topics and resources will become available in the coming weeks and months. The Model UN program includes a Preparatory Conference at Camden County College.

The World Affairs Council provides a number of resources for students to prepare for each program including briefing papers, country-specific resources, videos, articles, and other suggested reading materials. Faculty advisers are asked to help prepare students for the program, ensuring that they have completed the required reading and preparation materials. Interested students are also given significant leadership opportunities as many of our programs utilize Student Leaders to facilitate discussions, lead negotiations and complete required programmatic activities.  Faculty advisers are offered a $100 stipend for the academic year to use at their discretion for facilitating their school's participation.

This Google Form is intended to capture faculty and administrator interest in our 2019-2020 education programs. Please complete the document thoroughly, and if you have any questions or comments, please do not hesitate to reach out to Kristin Hutchinson, Vice President of Education, khutchinson@wacphila.org 215-561-4700 x229.