We are MERGING!

We proudly announce that the respective Boards of Directors of the World Affairs Council of Philadelphia and Citizen Diplomacy International Philadelphia have voted to approve a merger between our two organizations.

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Education Program Archive

Welcome to the Education Program Archive! Here you can find program resources, such as briefing papers and program books, from some of the Council's most recent Education programs. 

If you are having any trouble accessing a document or want access to an older program document, please reach out directly to Geoff Quinn, Director of Education at gquinn@wacphila.org or 215-561-4700 ext. 207 

For some of the Council's recommended outside resources, visit our Global Education Resources page!

Middle School Programs

Jr. Model United Nations

The Student Diplomat - Jr. Model United Nations Program is a five-month journey (January to May) that introduces over 750 middle school students to international affairs and cultural diplomacy. With an emphasis on developing students’ research, writing, cultural competency, and communication skills, the program helps meet the growing demand for global affairs curricula in local middle schools. This program offers students an exciting opportunity to examine global conflicts and trends while working together to create promising solutions to some of the world's greatest challenges. Additionally, it is designed with an emphasis on building cultural competency and diplomatic skills; expanding knowledge of world geography, cultures, and political structures; increasing understanding of how national and international institutions tackle key global issues.

Click the tabs below to access year-specific program materials such as briefing papers and program books. 

United Nations Summer Camp

The United Nations Summer Camp, offered beginning in July 2021 as the Council’s first ever middle school summer program, is a weeklong program for students interested in learning about global affairs through the work of the United Nations. This program gives student participants an opportunity to participate in interactive expert briefings, games, and activities, while honing key skills and collaborating with their peers along the way. Participants step into the shoes of diplomats as they work together to study the Sustainable Development Goals, learn public speaking tips and strategies, practice digital literacy, and explore real-life solutions to some of the world’s most pressing issues. This program is for both students who have experience with the United Nations and/or Model United Nations and those students that are engaging with these topics for the first time.

Click the tabs below to access year-specific program materials such as briefing papers and program books. 

High School Programs

Model Senate

The Council periodically hosts a Model Senate program where students simulate the legislative process by role-playing current policymakers. Students are assigned a specific subcommittee and topic, and are tasked with drafting legislation or policy resolutions in line with their assigned role. Students are assigned to a variety of roles, including, Senators, Committee Chairs, Expert Witnesses, and Journalists. Expert Witnesses are asked to provide well-researched testimonies and respond to direct questioning from the Senators, with the goal of crafting resolutions with specific policies and proposals aimed at solving the issue under consideration. Significant leadership opportunities exist for students interested in serving as Senators and Committee Co-Chairs.

Click the tabs below to access year-specific program materials such as briefing papers and program books. 

Global Economic Forum

The Council’s Global Economic Forum program simulates an international competition for funding centered on proposed solutions for critical global issues. Topics generally focus on persistent issues in the global economy and their effects on people and markets. High school students from each participating school compete in teams of four, and construct relevant policy proposals and interactive presentations. Throughout the day’s committee sessions, students present and debate their preliminary proposals, with the program culminating in final presentations to a group of judges representing a panel from the World Bank. The guest judges ultimately select a winning team who is awarded the fictitious funding for their team’s proposal.

Click the tabs below to access year-specific program materials such as briefing papers and program books. 

Summer Global Leadership Seminar

One of the Council’s most intensive student programs, the annual Summer Global Leadership Seminar is a weeklong program for high school students interested in international relations, global politics, domestic affairs, and current events. Participating students explore each year’s program topic through expert speaker briefings, various research-based and team-oriented activities, a formal debate, a crisis simulation, and customized trips to topic-relevant organizations, embassies, and establishments. After completion of the seminar, students leave with a more nuanced understanding of the program topic and world affairs, as well as increased leadership skills, improved critical research and interpersonal skills, a better understanding of diverse viewpoints, and an expanded network of peers and professionals that can be utilized for future academic and career success. 

Click the tabs below to access year-specific program materials such as briefing papers and program books. 

International Student Summit

Traditionally the Council’s largest high school Education program, the International Student Summit is an annual simulation program that provides member high school students with the opportunity to explore relevant international topics. While the specific format and topic changes for this program each year, the International Student Summit consistently gives students the opportunity to step into the role of global diplomats and utilize their research and knowledge of the program topic to propose impactful, lasting solutions to some of the world’s most pressing problems. The International Student Summit program is also designed with the intention of select students assuming leadership roles, facilitating conversations and discussions with their peers, and collaborating on key program initiatives.

Click the tabs below to access year-specific program materials such as briefing papers and program books. 

Student Debate Series

Borrowing off the Council’s Great Debates legacy podium speaker series, the Council began offering a new Student Debate Series for member high schools students in the 2020-2021 academic year. In response to a timely debate prompt, students are divided and assigned to one of two debate positions and hone their research, writing, strategic thinking, and public speaking skills in the form of a virtual debate with their peers. The Council provides accompanying general and group-specific resources for students to review prior to the debates. A panel of judges then utilize a detailed rubric to choose a winning side and students have the opportunity to earn individual awards based on their debate participation and performance.

Click the tabs below to access year-specific program materials such as briefing papers and program books. 

October 2021 Debate Preparation and Resource Guide

New Jersey Global Leadership Programs

Developed in partnership with Camden County Community College and Rutgers University - Camden, the New Jersey Global Leadership programs bring the Council’s traditionally Philadelphia based Education programs to high school students in New Jersey. As with the Council’s other large-scale high school Education programs, the New Jersey Global Leadership Programs are simulations of international governmental bodies and organizations, designed to provide students with the opportunity to examine critical global issues through an international perspective and create original solutions to these issues.

Click the tabs below to access year-specific program materials such as briefing papers and program books.