Designed by and created for youth, the World Affairs Institute will feature in-depth sessions and interactive workshops with experts and activists. The Institute engages student leaders in discussions of key issues in international affairs so that they can understand and think critically about their world.

Each year the Institute explores a different topic. This year’s topic: Afghanistan & Current Affairs in the Middle East. Students will learn about current affairs in the Middle East through exploring foreign policy, human rights, media coverage, and daily life.

The World Affairs Institute is FREE and open to all high school students (grades 9-12) and educators.

The Institute is sponsored by Rotary International and the World Affairs Council of Pittsburgh. This year’s Institute marks the 51st year of collaboration between the Council and Rotary International.

Featured speakers include:

Dr. Lina Abirafeh, Executive Director at the Arab Institute for Women (AiW)

Dr. Madiha Afzal, Foreign Policy Fellow at The Brookings Institution's Center for Middle East Policy

Ted Anthony, Global Director of New Storytelling and Newsroom Innovation at The Associated Press

Jo Becker, Children's Rights Advocacy Director at Human Rights Watch

Bahar Ghandehari, Executive Director at Middle East Matters

Senior Military Officers from the U.S. Army War College

Save the Children Action Network

And more!

TENTATIVE AGENDA

⭐ 7:30 AM Optional Morning Session (Getting the Conversation Started)

⭐ 8:00 AM Welcoming Remarks

⭐ 8:15 AM Mainstage Session: Foreign Policy in the Middle East

⭐ 8:45 AM Transition to Breakout Sessions

⭐ 8:50 AM Foreign Policy Breakout Sessions

⭐ 9:35 AM Break/Transition to Mainstage Session

⭐ 9:50 AM Mainstage Session: Life as a Young Person in Afghanistan Today

⭐ 10:05 AM Mainstage Session: Human Rights in the Middle East

⭐ 10:35 AM Transition to Breakout Sessions

⭐ 10:40 AM Human Rights Breakout Sessions

⭐ 11:25 AM Interactive Lunch Break

⭐ 11:55 AM Mainstage Session: What does it mean to be Muslim? Islam Around the World

⭐ 12:10 PM Mainstage Session: Media Coverage of Afghanistan and Middle Eastern Affairs

⭐ 12:40 PM Transition to Breakout Sessions

⭐ 12:45 PM Media & Journalism Breakout Sessions

⭐ 1:30 PM Transition to Mainstage Session

⭐ 1:35 PM Mainstage Session: Student-Moderated Career Panel

⭐ 2:05 PM Closing Remarks

⭐ 2:15 PM Taking Action to Protect Afghan Women & Children

⭐ 3:00 PM End