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ACADEMIC WORLDQUEST

About Academic WorldQuest

Academic WorldQuest (AWQ)  is a fast-paced, exciting team competition for  high school students. AWQ tests students’ knowledge of world affairs,  geography, history, and culture. Every year, world affairs councils from around  the country host local competitions for schools in their community, and send  winning teams to compete for the national championship in Washington, D.C

How it Works

Teams of 4 students with 1 alternate, sponsored by a faculty advisor, work  together to answer 100 multiple choice questions. The competition consists of  10 sections and each section covers 10 questions. The topic and questions for  each section are determined by the World Affairs Councils of America and  shared with councils and schools prior to the local competitions. 

The Baltimore Council on Foreign Affairs will host high schools from Baltimore  and surrounding areas in March, 2025 for the regional competition. The  winning team will represent the State of Maryland at the AWQ National  Competition, in April 2025. As this is the inaugural offering of
this high school program,
participation will be limited to first ten
schools who register.

Participating Schools for the 2025 BCFA Competition

  • College Park Academy, Riverdale Park, MD
  • DeMatha Catholic High School, Hyattsville, MD
  • Yorktown High School, Arlington, VA
  • Benjamin Banneker Academic High School, Washington, DC

Register Below to Join!

CLICK HERE FOR:
A Youtube video of a National
Competition

Competition Timeline

October - November

  • Teachers at each high school will register through the BCFA online portal to
    participate in the regional competition.
  • The 2025 AWQ study guide will be the source of the questions for the
    competitions.

January - March

  • Each teacher will organize after-school interactive study sessions with their
    students to prepare them for the competition.

End of March

  • Teachers will nominate teams of four students (and one or two alternates)
    to send to an in-person, one-day competition held in March 2025 in
    Baltimore City and hosted by the BCFA.
  • The competition will consist of a 10-round competition comprised of 10
    questions per round.
  • The winning team will advance to the national competition in Washington
    D.C with hotel and
    ground transportation expenses covered by BCFA.
  • The second-place team will receive $500 prize money.
  • Members of all teams will receive a one-year membership to the BCFA.

Contact us for questions at: programs@bcfausa.org

Click here to view the
2025 AWQ Study Guide

CLICK HERE TO
REGISTER YOUR SCHOOL
CLICK HERE IF
YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS
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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.