Frequently Asked Questions
1. What is the World Affairs Council?
The World Affairs Council of Dallas/Fort Worth is a nonprofit, nonpartisan, organization with a rich 75 year history bringing the world to DFW through public speaker programs, education initiatives, international services, and international visitor programs.
2. What is Global Young Leaders (GYL)?
Global Young Leaders (GYL) is an education program designed to create an intelligent pathway for North Texas high school students to achieve ambitions in international careers. This initiative is focused on global competence, providing high-quality programming on international affairs and civic engagement for educators and students.
Mission: To provide North Texas Students with the tools and skills to make a positive change in the North Texas community, effectively interact with people from different backgrounds, and compete for jobs in the global workforce.
Vision: Students are transformed from observers into informed international participants by gaining global competency skills through education programs focused on diplomatic leadership, civic engagement, problem-solving, and cultural intelligence.
Values: GYL believes that in order to prepare the next generation of North Texas residents to compete in the global economy, they need global competence skills to solve complex problems, create opportunities for all, and advance respect for human dignity.
3. What is a Junior World Affairs Council (JWAC)?
Our free Junior World Affairs Councils (JWACs) have been linking students to the world since 2004. With 50-70 campus chapters in North Texas yearly, JWAC is a great way for high school students to learn about international issues and become more globally aware. Some clubs are small and some large, some meet weekly, and others monthly, some are teacher led and others are student led. You can be flexible with what works best for your group. Each September we host an orientation to help new clubs but welcome them to join anytime! We also honor our Top Ten JWACs in May at an awards ceremony. To create a free club, simply fully complete the agreement form found on this page.
4. What age group is JWAC programming for?
9th to 12th grade private, public, charter, and home school students. High school and middle school teachers are welcome to join teacher workshops.
5. What resources can I show school administrators to approve a club on my campus?
Please see the JWAC resource area. JWAC is also often combined with debate, Model UN, STUCO, youth and government, and other leadership clubs already established on many high school campuses around North Texas.
6. What does JWAC and GYL provide for students at no cost?
Students receive a free student level Council membership as JWAC member, a yearly International Career Day, nine JWAC student-led discussions hosted by schools around North Texas, two socials, two service projects, six leadership events, an annual summer art contest, 20 Under 20 Awards with an annual spring ceremony as well as a three-day leadership summer workshop, global gateway grants, student blog opportunities, an annual academic national competition called Academic WorldQuest, speaker programs, Global Leadership Certificates and graduation cords (if they participate in at least five events during the year and are in good standing with their JWAC), plus online student resources.
7. What does JWAC and GYL provide for teachers at no cost?
Teachers receive a free teacher level Council membership as JWAC teacher sponsor, opportunities for free teacher international travel currently offered every other year (past trips include, the United Arab Emirates, India, Morocco, Turkey, and Jordan), opportunities to be awarded the Council’s International Educator of the Year (which includes a cash prize, awards ceremony, and a trip to Washington DC), yearly sponsor stipends if their JWAC participates in at least five events, annual JWAC orientation, several free TEA accredited teacher workshops throughout the school year, an opportunity to join the teacher advisory group, and online resources.
8. When are the events?
GYL events are a combination of in-person and virtual, held during evenings, weekends, and a few during the school day. We also offer bus scholarships to offset costs for travel to in-person events. Since there are so many options, choose what works best for your group. Please see our education calendar for our upcoming events.
9. Can JWACs attend speaker events?
We offer free speaker seats-first-come, first-serve-to JWACs in groups up to ten. We can also bring speakers to your schools at no cost.
10. Which schools participate?
You can see yearly updated JWAC list on our Junior World Affairs Council page.
11. Do you comply with SB 12?
Yes. More information addressing SB 12 will be updated to this page soon.
12. What are other options for students who have graduated high school and are no longer eligible to attend GYL events?
If you have graduated high school and are 18 years and older, consider joining the Council’s Meridian: Young Professionals or starting a Collegiate World Affairs club at a North Texas college. You can also join as a Council member at the student level membership. The Council also has undergraduate and graduate level internships.
13. Who do I contact for more information or to start a North Texas club?
Please reach out to Jennifer Bowden, Director of Education, at jbowden@dfwworl.org or reach her at the office at 214-965-8415.
14. What if I’m outside North Texas?
We serve high schools as far south as Waco and up to the Oklahoma border. If you are further outside of these boundaries, reach out to a World Affairs Councils of America Council closer to you to see if they offer an education program.