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ACADEMIC WORLDQUEST

Announcing the Inaugural Baltimore-Washington Regional Academic WorldQuest Competition in Foreign Affairs!

Join us for a dynamic event designed to ignite passion, sharpen minds, and celebrate global knowledge.

Event Details

Date: Saturday, April 5, 2025
Time: 10:00am – 3:00pm 
Venue: World Trade Center (WTC), Baltimore
Parking: There are multiple parking options available near the WTC

  • iParkit, 300 E Pratt St. Baltimore, MD 21202 – closest to the WTC

  • LAZ Inner Harbor Parking Garage, 100 S Gay St, Baltimore, MD 21202

  • Arrow Parking Garage, 204 E Lombard St, Baltimore, MD 21202

Register Now

Reserve your spot by April 1st to secure your place at this limited-capacity event.

Click here to register for the event.

Enjoy a complimentary lunch and coffee as you connect with peers and experience the excitement of a fast-paced competition among our high schools.

Help Sponsor Our Event

Available sponsorship levels:

$1000 – Includes name and logo in the program and promotional booth at event
  $500 – Includes name and logo listed in the program
  $250 – Includes name listed in the program
    $60 – Includes individual BCFA membership

Click here to sponsor the event.

Keynote Speaker

Steven R. David
Professor of Political Science, Johns Hopkins University

Topic: Will The US and China Go To War? Answers from International Relations Theory

Speaker Bio:
Steven R. David is Professor of Political Science at Johns Hopkins University where he focuses on international relations with an emphasis on East Asia and the Middle East. David has published three books and numerous articles that have appeared in such journals as FOREIGN AFFAIRS, INTERNATIONAL SECURITY and WORLD POLITICS. He has a Masters in East Asian Studies from Stanford University and a PhD from Harvard University. At Hopkins he has been Chair of the Department of Political Science and Vice Dean for Academic Affairs.

Keynote Speaker Steven R. David

Participating High Schools for the 2025 BCFA Competition

Baltimore City College, Baltimore, MD

College Park Academy, Riverdale Park, MD

Towson High School, Towson, MD

Yorktown High School, Arlington, VA

Benjamin Banneker Academic High School, Washington, DC

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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.