Academic WorldQuest

The International Center of the Capital Region is an affiliate of the World Affairs Council of America (WACA). The World Affairs Councils of America represents and supports the largest national non-partisan network of local councils that are dedicated to educating, inspiring and engaging Americans in international affairs and the critical global issues of our times. Academic WorldQuest (AWQ) is the flagship youth education program of the World Affairs Councils of America. The ICCR’s AWQ competition brings together students from across the Capital Region to test their knowledge in world affairs.

AWQ is a team game testing high school students’ knowledge of international affairs. In the game, four-person teams compete by answering multiple-choice and fill-in the blank questions divided into ten unique and engaging thematic categories. Our Regional Champions then compete in the National Competition, held during the spring of each year in Washington, DC.

This experience will prepare the next generation of leaders, scholars, and decision-makers to thrive in a rapidly changing world – where our national interests are intertwined with the global community. If you are a representative of a local school interested to participate, please contact us to receive news about the program.

The second annual “Bid for Peace” Silent Auction is Open! Bid on items until March 15, 2024.
Proceeds to benefit youth programs including the AWQ.
Click the link to enter the silent auction!

Interested in becoming a sponsor for youth programs like the AWQ?

When
The ICCR’s Academic WorldQuest regional competition will be held Saturday, March, 2 from 1 pm – 5 pm at Hudson Valley Community College’s Bulmer Telecommmunications Center (BTC) Meeting Rooms, 1st floor, with the winning team moving on to the National Competition on April 19-20, 2024. Families and classmates are welcome to attend. Light snacks and refreshments will be served. In addition to our traditional Academic WorldQuest competition, we are thrilled to announce a remarkable addition to this year’s event—the College and Career Fair. This fair, held during the National Competition weekend, will provide a unique opportunity for students to explore various educational and career paths related to international affairs. It will take place on April 19.


Where
The 2024 ICCR Academic WorldQuest competition will be hosted in March
at the Hudson Valley Community College in Troy, NY. 
The National Academic WorldQuest competition will take place in Washington, D.C., at the United States Institute of Peace.

Registration
Registration for the VCWA Academic WorldQuest competition will be open in February. We require only one registration per team, and there are no restrictions on the number of teams per school. Please email: info@iccralbany.org to register and for more information.

Pricing
High Schools may register as many teams as they would like at no cost.

2024 Academic WorldQuest Topics

  1. The North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO): Alliance and Collective Defense in a Changing World
  2. Demographic Dividends – Population Shift in Africa
  3. The Global South
  4. Sports and Diplomacy
  5. Country in Focus: South Korea
  6. Promoting a Green Europe
  7. Women’s Contributions to Track II Diplomacy
  8. Navigating AI: The Global Workforce
  9. Great Decisions
  10. Current Events