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ACADEMIC WORLDQUEST 2026

MARCH 2026

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STUDY GUIDE - 2025
SPONSOR AWQ

About Academic WorldQuest

BCFA is proud to host its second annual Academic WorldQuest in early March 2026. Schools can send one or more teams of 4 students to compete in 10 rounds of multiple choice questions. BCFA will provide study materials and guidance to all registered teams. The winning team will attend the National Competition in April 2026 in Washington, D.C., with lodging and transportation paid for by BCFA.

AWQ is a fun, team-based, high school competition focused on foreign affairs, global cultures, geography, economics, and other international topics. AWQ encourages students to engage in international affairs with passion and commitment, helping them develop important skills and knowledge that will enrich their lives for years to come. 

Register your school today and help your students grow their passion for foreign affairs! Registration closes November 30, 2025.

AWQ 2025 Champion: Yorktown High School

SPONSOR AWQ

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

Sponsorship Levels:

  • $1,000 – promotional booth at the event, name and logo in program, and 1-year BCFA membership
  • $500 – name and logo in program and 1-year BCFA membership
  • $250 – name in program and 1-year BCFA membership
  • $60 – 1-year BCFA membership
Become a Sponsor

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

Highlights From Last Year 

BCFA’s Inaugural Academic WorldQuest took place on April 5, 2025 with over 35 students from 5 regional schools. Participating schools came from Maryland, D.C., and Virginia and included Baltimore City College, Benjamin Banneker Academic High School, College Park Academy, Towson High School, and Yorktown High School. The 2025 winning team, Yorktown High School, proudly represented their school and our region at the National Competition in Washington, D.C. Get a look back at AWQ 2025 and a sneak peak at AWQ 2026 in the video above.

The 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.

AWQ will be back at BFCA in early March 2026! Register now to reserve your spot. Registration closes November 30, 2025. 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.