World Affairs Challenge
Step 1: Program Introduction
Timeframe: 1 week
Welcome to the World Affairs Challenge!
Through this program, your team can design and implement your own solution to a global issue! You will research, talk with community members, and plan an action-based project to complete by the end of the competition season. Participation in WAC builds skills in research, collaboration, project management, presentation, and global citizenship!
Let's get started!
Follow Steps 1-6 to design your own community project!
STEP 1: Program Introduction
In Step 1:
- Understand the World Affairs Challenge and how to access the resources provided
- Explore the United Nations and the Sustainable Development Goals
- Dive into the 2026 WAC Theme: PROSPERITY
First, let's take a look at the World Affairs Challenge in a little more detail....
Next, you’ll need to understand what the UN Sustainable Development Goals are and specifically which Global Goals are relevant to this year's theme.
What is the United Nations?
The United Nations is an international diplomatic and political organization founded in 1945. Currently made up of 193 Member States, the UN and its work are guided by the purposes and principles contained in its founding Charter – to maintain international peace and security, develop friendly relations among nations, and coordinate actions among members.
According to their website: “The UN remains the one place on Earth where all the world’s nations can gather together, discuss common problems, and find shared solutions that benefit all of humanity.”
What are the Sustainable Development Goals?
The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, adopted by all United Nations Member States in 2015, provides a shared blueprint for peace and prosperity. The “SDGs” outlined in the agenda represent a shared effort among all countries – developed and developing – to take action on behalf of all people and the planet we inhabit. A key feature of the SDGs is a focus on the interconnectedness of the goals: for example, ending poverty must go hand-in-hand with strategies that improve health and education, reduce inequality, and spur economic growth. Work on one goal necessarily supports the achievement of the other goals!
- Watch the Worlds Largest Lesson video first ⇒
- Next, explore all 17 goals on the UN Global Goals website
Your voice matters!
The World Affairs Challenge exists to support young people in taking action to support the achievement of the SDGs! Your voices matter, and by taking part in WAC, you are contributing to a worldwide effort to improve our planet, made up of important stakeholders like governments, corporations, local organizations, and the everyday actions of people like YOU!
WAC Theme
This year’s WAC Theme is PROSPERITY! We recommend that teams focus on SDGs 8, 9, and 11… or any combination of those! Visit the 2026 Theme page to access this year’s research guide.
