The World Affairs Council provides a variety of speaker programs for Junior World Affairs Council chapters and their guests on high school campuses. JWACs can request a local expert to speak on campus through the Speakers to Schools Program.

Speakers to Schools Programs

Speakers to Schools enhance classroom studies and expose students to international cultures, religions, issues and careers.

JWAC members and educational associates may request a topic and the World Affairs Council will find a local speaker that meets the request. Speakers will visit the high school classroom, speak to students and answer their questions as a complimentary membership benefit. This program is incredibly useful to educators in need of relevant resources for their classrooms.

Teachers can choose from 130+ topics that cover subject areas including: the arts, business, conflicts/social issues, countries/regions, education, environment, economy, health/science, history, media, non-governmental efforts, politics/government and religion.

Browse our complete list of topics.

Requirements:

1. Schools must have a JWAC on campus
2. At least 50 high school students in the audience
3. Students must be prepared to ask the speaker questions
4. No maximum audience size
5. At least one teacher per 50 students must be present to supervise

Please note: We will not ask our speakers to complete background checks. If this is a requirement for your school, please do not request a speaker.

Students to World Affairs Council Programs

Students from local high school Junior WAC groups are invited to attend our events at no cost to the school. We have a limited number of seats for each event, which are provided on a first-come, first-served basis. Schools should requests groups of 9 students and one educator. Please see the Guidelines for Attending Council Events for details.

How to Request Seats

Upcoming events can be found here. To attend, contact the Director of Education, Jennifer Bowden at jbowden@dfwworld.org. Please note that student seating is not available for programs listed as Meridian, Contributors’ Circle or Global Forum.

Cost of Programs

• Students and teachers who are JWAC members may attend these programs at no additional cost to the student, teacher or school.
• Schools with active JWAC chapters may purchase seats or additional seats at for the member ticket price.
• Parents who wish to attend will need to purchase their tickets before the event or at the door, if seats are available.

Student Preparation for the Event

• Review the information provided for the speaker – available through this calendar.
• Research the speaker prior to the event.
• Students should prepare a LEGIBLE question on an index card to ask the speaker.
• LABEL EACH CARD with the student’s name, grade and school.
• Select the best student questions and turn them in at the registration table before the program begins.
• Each student is to complete the photo release form, get it signed by a parent, and turn in at registration.

Dress Code

Preferred student dress for events is business. However, students will be admitted in business casual or their school uniform. Jeans are not desirable.