Some 50 World Affairs Councils hold local AWQ competitions for high school students in their communities. Since 2003, winning teams have traveled to Washington, DC every April to vie for the national championship.
The Carlos and Malú Alvarez Academic WorldQuest National Competition is made possible by sponsors and sustained by our AWQ Endowment. To become a sponsor, please contact WACA by phone at 202-833-4557 or email waca@worldaffairscouncils.org.
2021 Academic WorldQuest National Competition
The Carlos and Malú Alvarez 2021 Academic WorldQuest National Competition is scheduled for April 16-17. Please check back regularly for announcements, updates, and resources as the 2020-2021 AWQ season launches Fall 2020.
**COVID-19 Update: WACA is carefully monitoring the ongoing pandemic situation along with local and national safety guidelines. Guidance is forthcoming about whether local competition and the 2021 National Competition will be held virtually or in-person.
Stay tuned for a list of all participating Councils with information such as local competition dates, winning teams, and links for more details. Please see the 2021 AWQ Operations Paper, Teachers Guide, and Flyer for useful information about launching an Academic WorldQuest program for the 2020-2021 AWQ season.
2020-2021 AWQ Topics
- Global Protests
- Shifting Sands: The Arab Spring 10 Years On
- International Labour Organization (ILO)
- The U.S. Foreign Service in the 21st Century
- Great DecisionsCountry in Focus: Uzbekistan Exploring Peace in a World of Conflict
- Climate Change and the Global Order
- India and Pakistan
- Rea Sea Security
- Modern Slavery and Human Trafficking
- U.S. Relations with the Northern Triangle
- China’s Road into Latin America
- The Philippines and the U.S.
- Artificial Intelligence and Data
- Country in Focus: Uzbekistan
- Exploring Peace in a World of Conflict
- Fraying Alliances
- Looking to a Post-Pandemic Economy
- Current Events
2019 AWQ National Competition Photo Highlights
WACA President and CEO Bill Clifford, Fatema Al-Baker, and the First Place team, and the Friday Welcome Reception at the Qatar-America Institute
Academic WorldQuest Sponsors
Key Dates
AWQ Topics Announced
September 17, 2020
AWQ Official Study Guide Released
TBA
AWQ Pledge Form Due
November 30, 2020
Local Competition Questions Released
TBA
National Competition
Registration Opens
TBA
National Competition
Registration Closes
TBA
Hotel Block Deadline
March 29, 2021
National Competition in DC
Reception
April 16, 2021
Location TBA
2021 AWQ Championship at USIP
April 17, 2021
HOTEL BLOCK
The Westin D.C. City Center
April 15-18, 2021
1400 M Street NW
Washington, DC 20005