Indiana Council on World Affairs 

Academic WorldQuest February 20, 2027

for High School Students to:

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● Build global competence.

● Enhance career potential for college.

● Understand matters of global significance.

 

Lead Sponsor: Indiana University's Hamilton Lugar School of Global and International Studies.

Venue Host: University of Indianapolis.

 

With the World Affairs Council of America's 25th year, and the Indiana Council on World Affairs' 23rd year, Academic WorldQuest continues to be a trusted, nonpartisan study program and competition. More than 3,000 high students around the country participate in competitions organized by 30 local world affairs councils, including the Indiana Council on World Affairs.

 

All High School Students are Eligible to Participate: In Indiana, the competition is open to all high schools without charge. The easily accessed on-line study guide and the competition are free-of-charge. Organized by the Indiana Council on World Affairs, Indiana University's Hamilton Lugar School of Global and International Studies is the Lead Sponsor; and it's held at the University of Indianapolis' Schwitzer Center.  

 

The fast-paced game-style quiz tests knowledge about world affairs, current international politics, geography, global economics, history and world cultures. Teams of four students, along with their teacher, compete among other Indiana high schools for a chance to win an expense-paid trip to the national competition of the World Affairs Councils of America in Washington, D.C.

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On-line Study Guide is FREE and Accessible:

1. Current Events: Sourced from GlobalPost and daily news sources 

2. Region in Focus: EU Delegation & Lithuania: Focus on Lithuania holding the EU Presidency

3. Great Decisions 2027: American Foreign Policy and the Future of Multilateralism & American Options in the Middle East

4. The Impact of AI on International Relations: Global power, technology, cybersecurity, and cyber governance

5. The Tug-of-War Over Natural Resources: Water scarcity, critical minerals, mining operations, etc.

6. Global Health & Pandemic Preparedness: Avenues for international cooperation and awareness-raising beyond federal organizations

7. Gen Z Political Paradigms: Politics via new media platforms and the concerns of global youth

8. International Relations at the Movies: Soft power, global appeal, and censorship at the international box office

9. Powering Up Energy Security: Issues in energy consumption and national security

10. Global Debt and Assistance: The economic decision-making behind global debt and assistance programs

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Cash Awards and Scholarships: 

 There are cash awards for the winning team's school's global studies and scholarships for the four students of the winning team. This year, the Hamilton Lugar School is offering guaranteed scholarships to each of the winning team's four students, as long as they are admitted to IU Bloomington and the Hamilton Lugar School for the Fall 2027 term or future terms. Each scholarship recipient will receive $20,000 - $5,000 a year over 4 years. Current seniors: application to IU’s Hamilton Lugar School should be submitted by the November 1, 2026, early action (non-binding) deadline for highest consideration. Students who apply by the standard February 1, 2027, deadline will also be considered. Only admitted students to the Hamilton Lugar School are guaranteed a scholarship.​

For more information about the Hamilton Lugar Scholarships: hlsadmit@iu.edu.

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Participation Strengthens Career Opportunities: Now, after nearly a quarter of a century, the Academic WorldQuest initiative can claim a generation of accomplished, well-informed leaders in the workplace! AWQ is foundational preparation for careers in our globally connected world, such as:

● Intergovernmental diplomacy and global peace.
● Global languages and international travel.
● International business and global prosperity. 

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When teachers register their school's students to learn about world affairs, they are among the leaders for world peace and prosperity, and some teachers report career enhancements!

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STUDY GUIDE: 2027 Academic WorldQuest™ Study Guide – World Affairs Councils of America

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DATES FOR 2027:

STATE: February 20, 2027, by the Indiana Council on World Affairs, University of Indianapolis.

NATIONAL: April 12-13, 2027, World Affairs Councils of America, Washington, D.C.