Office of Global and Community Engagement

Academic WorldQuest (AWQ) is WACA's flagship youth education program. This fun, fast-paced team competition for high school students tests players' knowledge of current international politics, geography, global economics, history, and world cultures. Nationwide, more than 30 local World Affairs Councils host annual AWQ competitions engaging over 3,000 students contending for the possibility to represent their communities at the spring Carlos and Malú Alvarez Academic WorldQuest National Competition held in Washington, D.C.

Eligibility & Team Composition

• Academic WorldQuest (AWQ) is designed for high school students.
• Teams consist of four students (plus an alternate is often allowed).
• A faculty member or parent typically serves as the team sponsor.

Competition Structure

• AWQ is a team-based competition testing knowledge of global affairs, covering international politics, geography, global economics, history, and world cultures.
• The format includes 10 rounds of 10 questions each. Points are awarded for correct answers only; there is no penalty for incorrect answers.
• No technology or reference materials are allowed during competition.

Study & Preparation Resources

• The official 2026 AWQ Study Guide.
  • Teams will use the guide as their primary study tool, and additional practice sessions may be organized by schools or councils.
• AWQ 2026 Timeline

Sponsorship & School Support

• A teacher or school sponsor is required to help coordinate team activities and provide guidance.
• The World Affairs Council will provide ongoing support, resources, and updates for sponsors and students.

Costs & Advancement

• Participation in the local competition is free.
• The winning team will advance to the National Competition

The National Competition: April 27-28, 2026

Winning teams are invited to represent their high school, city, and local Council during the national AWQ “DC Experience” each April. Two days of programming include the competition, unique DC-based opportunities to enhance the global education experience, and engaging with some 250 like-minded peers from across the nation.

Watch the livestream of the National Competition held on April 28, 2025 here.

This complimentary program brings expert speakers—including TAMIU faculty, local trade professionals, and diplomatic leaders—directly into Laredo high school classrooms. The goal is to connect local classroom learning with real-world global issues across five core themes.

Key Speaker Topic Themes:

1. People: Focuses on Human Development and Culture. Topics include cross-cultural understanding, community dynamics, global public health challenges, and education initiatives like Literacy Initiatives and Lifelong Learning.
2. Planet: Focuses on Environment and Sustainability. Topics include the impact of international trade on border ecology, water and natural resource management, and regional climate change mitigation strategies.
3. Prosperity: Focuses on Global Economy and Trade. Topics emphasize Laredo as a major Port of Entry, USMCA dynamics, global supply chain management, and international business careers.
4. Public Safety: Focuses on Security and Cooperation. Topics cover border security challenges, countering transnational crime, and the role of international law enforcement and defense cooperation.
5. Partnership: Focuses on Diplomacy and Engagement. Topics include the role of consulates and diplomatic services, sister city initiatives, U.S. foreign policy, and building binational collaboration through programs like the Fulbright Program and Intra-University Agreements.

Requirements for Hosting a Speaker:

• Schools must have an active Junior World Affairs Council (JWAC) chapter.
• Students must be prepared with thoughtful questions to ensure an engaging dialogue.
• At least one teacher or faculty advisor must be present for supervision.

WAC-Laredo invites students and educators from local high school and community college JWAC chapters to attend the Council's signature public events, typically hosted on the TAMIU campus. This provides direct exposure to world-class diplomats, academics, and thought leaders addressing the five core themes.

Cost & Access:

For students and educators affiliated with active Junior World Affairs Council (JWAC) chapters, attendance at most WAC-Laredo public events is complimentary or offered at a special member price, supporting our goal of expanding Global and Community Engagement.

Student Preparation:

Students attending WAC-Laredo events are expected to represent their school and the University by:

• Conducting brief research on the speaker and topic beforehand.
• Preparing a thoughtful question on an index card.
• Adhering to a professional dress code (business or business casual/school uniform)

Great Decisions is America's largest discussion program on world affairs. Participants read the Great Decisions Briefing Book, watch the videos, and meet with members of their community to discuss the most critical global issues facing America today. There are eight foreign policy topics that will be used for this series, commencing Fall 2026:

1. America and the World: Trump 2.0 Foreign Policy
   Trump’s return has marked a break from 80 years of U.S. foreign policy leadership, embracing an “America First” approach. This chapter explores the risks of isolation and diminished influence in relation to Trump 2.0 foreign policy.
   By G. John Ikenberry
2. Trump Tariffs and the Future of the World Economy
   Trump’s aggressive trade and tariff policies have shaken global economic norms. What’s the rationale behind this radical shift in economic policy, and what are the implications for multilateral trade and geopolitics?
   By Michael Mastanduno
3. U.S.-China Relations
   Relations with China remain tense, with tariffs, military modernization, and pressure on Taiwan. Does Trump have a coherent China policy, and will his tariffs on Rare Earth minerals be effective? What are America’s strategic options?
   By Oriana Mastro
4. Ruptured Alliances and the Risk of Nuclear Proliferation
   U.S. alliance skepticism may drive countries like Japan and South Korea to reconsider nuclear options. What are the implications of the Trump administration’s rethinking of the U.S. alliance system for regional and global security? Will this new uncertainty alter the way allies and rivals in various regions make decisions about security and nuclear weapons?
   By Gideon Rose
5. Ukraine and the Future of European Security
   With reduced U.S. support for NATO and Ukraine, Europe faces strategic uncertainty. The Trump administration has signaled an intention to reduce its security role in Europe. What are America’s stakes in NATO and Europe’s strategic dilemmas, and how might Europe respond?
   By Thomas Wright
6. Multilateral Institutions in a Changing World Order
   Can multilateralism survive amid shifting global power and rising nationalism? This chapter examines the future of global cooperation across trade, health, and finance.
   By Scott Bessent
7. U.S. Engagement of Africa
   Africa’s geopolitical role is growing. What lessons can the U.S. learn from China’s presence there, and how might it strengthen ties, especially with leading nations like Nigeria? What tools of statecraft might the U.S. bring to its engagement with Africa?
   By Jendayi E. Frazer
8. The Future of Human Rights and International Law
   As democracy and human rights retreat globally—and the U.S. pulls back—how can civil society and legal norms remain effective in a divided world? What is the role and force of international law in this era of impunity?
   By Jose Enrique Alvarez