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ACADEMIC WORLDQUEST

MARCH 7, 2026

REGISTER YOUR SCHOOL FOR 2027 NOW
2026 STUDY GUIDE
SPONSOR AWQ

Academic WorldQuest 2026

Congratulations to the 2026 BCFA AWQ Champion, Dulaney High School! Dulaney High School will proudly represent this region at the National Academic WorldQuest on April 27, 2026.

BCFA was proud to host its second annual Academic WorldQuest on March 7, 2026. Nine teams from six schools competed in trivia on foreign affairs topics including tariffs, the FIFA World Cup, global trade, immigration, the Belt and Road Initiative, nuclear policy, and international current events. Participating schools included College Park Academy (MD), Dulaney High School (MD), Friends School of Baltimore (MD), National Cathedral School (DC), Towson High School (MD) and Yorktown High School (VA). 

Interested in joining Academic WorldQuest 2027?

AWQ is a fun, team-based, high school competition focused on foreign affairs. Teams of 4 students compete in 10 rounds of 10 multiple choice questions. BCFA provides study materials and guidance to all registered teams. The winning team attends the National Competition in Washington, D.C., with lodging and transportation paid for by BCFA.

Register your school today and help your students grow their passion for foreign affairs and develop important skills and knowledge that will enrich their lives for years to come! Participation is guaranteed to the first 10 schools to register; additional schools will be placed on our waitlist. Registration closes November 30, 2026.

AWQ 2026 Champion: Dulaney High School

SPONSOR AWQ

Become a sponsor to support students growing their passion for foreign affairs and engage with tomorrow’s leaders!
Sponsorship Levels:

  • $7,500 – Announce one section of questions, provide one judge, name and logo in program and BCFA website

  • $5,000 – Provide one judge, promotional booth at the event, name and logo in program and BCFA website

  • $1,000 – Promotional booth at the event, name and logo in program

  • $500 – Name and logo in program

  • $250 – Name in program
Become a Sponsor

Our Generous 2026 Sponsors

Thank you to our 2026 AWQ sponsors and your support for youth education in foreign affairs!
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Highlights From Previous Years 

This year, Academic WorldQuest competition was on March 7, 2026 and included 9 teams from 6 schools throughout Maryland, D.C., and Virginia. The winning team, Dulaney High School, will represent the region at the National Academic WorldQuest competition on April 27, 2026. BCFA’s Inaugural Academic WorldQuest took place on April 5, 2025 with over 35 students from 5 regional schools; Yorktown High School was the 2025 Champion and proudly represented the region at the national competition. Participating schools from 2025 and 2026 include:

  • Baltimore City College (MD)
  • Benjamin Banneker Academic High School (MD)
  • College Park Academy (MD)
  • Dulaney High School (MD)
  • Friends School of Baltimore (MD)
  • National Cathedral School (DC)
  • Towson High School (MD)
  • Yorktown High School (VA)

 

The 2026 Key Note Speaker, Dr. Renee Marlin-Bennett, presented on international relations in fiction, sharing how commentary on the world order, global trade, and human rights can be found in many novels, movies, and TV shows. Stay tuned for our upcoming video of Dr. Marlin-Bennett’s presentation!

The 2025 Key Note Speaker, Steven David, led an insightful discussion with the students on the potential for conflict with China. It provided the students an opportunity to gain expert insight into conversations they encounter daily through social media, friends, and family. His recorded presentation can be found here.

OUR GENEROUS 2025 SPONSORS

We want to extend a heartfelt thank you to last year’s sponsors, who made AWQ possible.

  • Silverman Foundation
  • Nabit Foundation
 
AWQ will be back at BFCA in 2027! Register your school now to reserve your spot. Registration closes November 30, 2026. If you have any questions, please contact programs@bcfausa.org.
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Wilson Center

Forced displacement represents one of the most pressing humanitarian issues of our time. Individuals and families, torn from the fabric of their communities, find themselves navigating a world of uncertainty, often without basic necessities or a clear path to safety. There are currently some 110 million forced displaced, and this number is growing by 10 million each year!

At the heart of this crisis are the political triggers. Armed conflicts, ethnic or religious persecutions, and systemic human rights abuses force millions to flee their homes in terror. Many are displaced within their own national boundaries, while others seek asylum abroad. If these factors change as a result of political shifts at home or the pressures from abroad, they can return to their homes. Forced displacement is thus different from environmentally driven displacement, as victims of climate change may never be able to return to their homes.

The ramifications of any sort of displacement are profound, not just for those directly affected, but also for host communities and countries. Overburdened infrastructures, socio-economic strains, and cultural tensions can arise, necessitating comprehensive strategies to foster harmony and integration. Yet the root causes of forced displacement can be remedied with a concerted focus by local players and international diplomacy.

Organizations like Refugees International play a crucial role in this arena, advocating for the rights and needs of the displaced, conducting on-the-ground assessments, and influencing policymakers to take informed actions. Their relentless work underscores the gravity of the situation and the urgency ofinternational cooperation. But they, too, are overwhelmed by the rapid expansion of the crisis.

International Humanitarian Law (IHL), with its core principles centered on the protection of civilians during conflicts, plays a pivotal role in this discourse. Yet, despite clear legal frameworks, compliance remains
inconsistent. This initiative emphasizes the importance of upholding and reinforcing these international standards.

It’s not just about recognizing the problem; it’s about active engagement. We urge governments, organizations, and individuals to prioritize the rights and needs of the forced displaced. Through collective efforts, informed policies, and sustained advocacy, we can shift the narrative from passive acknowledgment to proactive intervention.