www.worldsavvy.org

The nonprofit World Savvy Mission Statement: To educate and engage youth in community and world affairs, so youth are prepared to live, work, and learn as responsible citizens of the 21rst century.

The World Affairs Challenge (WAC) is an innovative program and academic competition on international affairs for middle and high school students developed in 1991 at the University of Denver’s Center for Teaching International Relations (CTIR). The WAC is rooted in academics, emphasizing creativity and solution-oriented critical thinking. An annual theme confronting the international community is chosen by CTIR to help focus student research.

Working in teams, students cooperate with one another to research, analyze, and propose solutions to real world problems. There are separate divisions for middle and high school. This student-centered program harnesses the creative energies of young people and brings them to bear on the issues that hold relevance for our global society in the 21rst century.

 A student team is formed at the school site. Up to 10 students from grades 7-8 may be on a team. Mrs. Mary Jo Sullivan-Worley will be coaching the St. Justin Team, has been trained by World Savvy, and coached the 2010 team. She will mentor another coach if we have enough students to form a second team.

 Students participate in four events involving a poster presentation, an oral presentation, a collaborative decision making discussion, and a content knowledge quiz on Challenge Day at San Francisco State University.

Challenge Day provides the opportunity to interact and discuss global issues, related to food, with approximately 500 students from schools across the Bay Area.

 The process facilitates integration of real-world social awareness with Catholic Social Teaching.

 Students with diverse skills are needed for the team.  Students must commit to keep current with schoolwork.