World Affairs Challenge Africa Regional Competition
Step 1: Program Introduction
Timeframe: 1 week
Welcome to the World Affairs Challenge Africa Regional Competition (ARC)!
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 ARC builds skills in research, collaboration, project management, presentation, and global citizenship!
Let's get started!
Follow each step to design your own community project!
STEP 1: Program Introduction
In Step 1:
- Understand how to use the WAC resources and the aim of the program
- Explore the United Nations and the Sustainable Development Goals
- Dive into this year's Theme: PLANET
First, let's take a look at the Africa Regional Competition in a little more detail....
Next, you’ll need to understand what the UN Sustainable Development Goals are and specifically which Global Goals WAC is focusing on for 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 PLANET! We recommend that teams focus on SDGs 12, 23, 14, and 15… or any combination of those! Visit the 2025 Theme page, and click below to access the research guide for each SDG.
Climate Fast Facts from the UN – brief overviews on a variety of topics related to climate action!
Have more time or want to learn more?
Be sure to check out the Additional Resources for Step 1.