HIGH SCHOOL PROGRAMS
World Affairs is where high school students actively participate in global engagement and cultivate leadership skills. Citizen Diplomat Academy fosters international awareness and connections, while Model Senate and Global Economic Forum contribute to developing an understanding of international legislative processes and global affairs.
Through our simulation programs, students step into the shoes of a U.S. Senator, expert witness, or journalist to address pressing global challenges. Model Senate participants follow the Senate’s process of examining issues, debating them, and formulating policy resolutions.
This free certificate program is designed to highlight any student who has exemplified cross-cultural awareness and understanding through a combination of globally focused coursework, a world language proficiency, and participation in related extracurricular activities.
Global Scholars Benefits:
- Official letter and certificate
- Capstone presentation & evaluation
- Graduation cord
- Media recognition
The Global Economic Forum (GEF) is a high school simulation program focused on the creation, presentation, and marketing of policy solutions to pressing issues facing the global community. In school-based groups, students compete with their peers for fictitious funding from the World Bank. Students create policy proposals prior to attending the program and present these solutions to a panel of judges who ultimately award the fictitious funding to the best policy solution paired with the strongest presentation from student delegates.
Citizen Diplomat Academy is a free virtual exchange program for high schoolers (ages 14-18) to meet students from Philadelphia’s Sister Cities and develop cultural understanding through live sessions and activities. Past cohorts have included meeting with Tianjin, China, Frankfurt, Germany, Kobe, Japan and more! Pre-registration for our Spring Session available soon!
2025 Spring Session with Frankfurt, Germany
Spend a summer week in the Summer Global Leadership Seminar! Rising high schoolers interested in global issues can learn through workshops, debates, and crisis simulations. Act like world leaders in a crisis, then meet real experts in D.C. Optional after-program activities let you dive deeper into global affairs, public policy, and current events.
SISTER CITIES HIGH SCHOOL YOUTH EXCHANGE PROGRAM
Administering the Sister Cities program on behalf of the City of Philadelphia, World Affairs works with Philadelphia high schools to facilitate student exchange programs. These two-way exchanges provide youth from Philadelphia and its Sister Cities the opportunity to foster their global awareness by staying in host families and engaging in the local community.
If your Philadelphia school is interested in a planning a future Sister Cities High School Youth Exchange, please reach out.
WORLD AFFAIRS RESOURCES
Discover a curated collection of external organizations, international media outlets, think tanks, and universities that we recommend for all your world affairs-related research and study needs.
WORLD AFFAIRS RESOURCES
Discover a curated collection of external organizations, international media outlets, think tanks, and universities that we recommend for all your world affairs-related research and study needs.
A WORLD AFFAIRS CENTERED EDUCATION
In 1981, World Affairs partnered with the School District of Philadelphia to establish William W. Bodine High School for International Affairs. Through a focus on humanities and foreign languages, the International Baccalaureate Diploma, and World Affairs’ enhancements on international curriculum, this magnet school offers students a truly global education for students in the Philadelphia region.
In collaboration with Bodine High School, World Affairs contributes to staffing an on-site liaison who works closely with Bodine students and faculty to enhance the school’s international curriculum. This position is made possible through the generous donations of the John Lazarich Foundation.
STUDENTS MAKING HEADLINES
- The Philadelphia Tribune