What is the World Affairs Challenge?
The World Affairs Challenge (WAC) is an issue- and creativity-based academic program for middle and high school students, which culminates in a day-long tournament at the University of Denver. The WAC’s broad thematic structure encompasses a variety of global topics, allowing all students and teachers to find a topic they feel passionate about.
Hosted by the Center for Teaching International Relations (CTIR), the WAC poses essential questions that help students discover the issues that are most important to them, select a topic of study, and then prepare for tournament day.
2011 World Affairs Challenge
Honoring the Good Work of Georgia Imhoff
Beyond 2015: Sustaining the Millennium Development Goals
There are eight UN Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) to be achieved by 2015 that respond to the world's main development challenges. Few organizations are talking yet about what will happen after 2015. This year, the World Affairs Challenge is built around sustaining those goals beyond their 2015 deadline.
The MDGs are drawn from the actions and targets contained in the Millennium Declaration that was adopted by 189 nations—and signed by 147 heads of state and governments—during the UN Millennium Summit in September 2000. The MDGs break down into 21 quantifiable targets and include:
The Process
This year, teachers and teams will study a global problem that falls within one of the UN Millenium Development Goals.
First, teachers and students work together to determine a goal (“MDG”) they would like to focus their research (for example, “Provide primary education to every boy and girl”).
Next, participants will discuss specific global issues or problems that fall under their goal, and select one issue on which to prepare a presentation (for example, “Challenges to young girls obtaining an education in Chad”). As part of their presentation, students must propose concrete next steps, or solutions which address the issue directly and consider issues of sustainability beyond 2015. The 2011 grading rubrics will reflect increased weight on a well-developed action plan which directly addresses the team’s topic and provides solutions which are sustainable beyond 2015.
Teams can explore the the 2010 MDG Summit Report, downloadable at our resource tab which will be fully updated and ready for use on or around February 1st. For more information on the world’s progress on the MDGs to date, go to http://www.un.org/millenniumgoals/. Below are some ideas to get you thinking. Put your own spin on the issues and choose a topic you really care about.
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End Poverty and Hunger What are the causes of global poverty and hunger? Students may wish to explore: · Environmental factors in food production · Government roles in economic development (developing infrastructure, etc.) · Food prices · Effects of conflict on food production and availability · Distribution of food (or wealth) within a country or region · International trade practices · How regional relationships between countries effect development · Role of natural resources in determining a country’s wealth · Transfer of technology across countries |
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Create a Global Partnership for Development This goal outlines steps developed countries should take to contribute to global development—including practicies and policies toward poorer countries. Students may wish to consider: · Pros and cons of foreign development aid, including the effects of “conditions” placed on development aid. · Effects of trade practices of developed countries on citizens in poorer countries (for example, tarriffs, trade barriers, etc.) · Pros and cons of ‘relieving’ debt owed by developing countries to others · Factors that influence or discourage people from investing in developing countries · Role of developing country governments in attracting or discouraging aid and investment |
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Improve Global Health (3 goals) The 3 MDGs related to health will be judged as part of one category. What are the causes and different effects of global disease? Students may wish to consider:
· Maternal health issues, including a mother’s health during and after pregnancy · Healthcare as a human right · Cultural views of medical care & indigenous medical practices · Preventive healthcare · Economic effects of disease · Government policies related to healthcare · Child mortality · Water- or sanitation-related diseases · Healthcare access |
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Ensure Environmental Sustainability What are the greatest global threats to our environment? How do our business and social practices impact the environment in which we live? Students may wish to think about:
· Causes of pollution (man-made and natural) · E-waste · Global warming · Taxes imposed on companies that pollute · Cost and benefits of establishing environmentally friendly business practices · Threatened species and eco-systems · Health hazards related to pollution · Pollution whose effects are felt by someone other than the polluter. |
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Provide Primary Education for every boy and girl What kinds of challenges prevent children around the world from receiving a basic education? Students may wish to explore issues related to:
· The role of limited government resources and schools (“infrastructure”) in specific countries · The value placed on education by certain cultures · How views about gender impact who attends school · Effects of family roles and duties on the ability of children to attend school · The impact of poverty on a family’s ability to send children to school · How accessibility of schools and school materials impact children’s ability to attend school · The challenges to ensuring quality education across all schools for students who do attend |
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Promote Gender Equality and Empower Women What challenges do women around the world face in achieving equal opportunities or rights as men? What are some barriers to women achieving equality or success in their home, work or social lives? Students may wish to consider:
· Links between access to education and professional success · Cultural or religious views of gender · Laws or traditions that treat men and women differently (for ex, land ownership rights; inheritance rules; etc.) · Informal structures that may lead to inequality (for ex., the ‘glass ceiling’) · How traditional family roles (for ex., child-raising) effect women’s opportunities in other areas · Cultural marriage practices and rights of spouses · Issues related to having children |
Now What?
Get your team signed up for the World Affairs Challenge before March 16!
We are exploring exciting issues, and we hope you will be interested in learning more. Contact us at [email protected] for more information. We look forward to hearing your point of view and exploring your vision of change for the world.