WorldLink Program Overview

WorldLink - Connecting Youth to Global Affairs is a unique program that provides opportunities for high school youth from the greater San Diego region to meet world leaders and experts. WorldLink provides the chance for students to explore and articulate their points of view on historical, contemporary, and emerging global issues. Through WorldLink’s innovative and experiential focus on global education, students learn about issues facing us locally and internationally, and engage in thoughtful discussions about solutions in a forum where their voices are heard and valued.

Mission Statement

WorldLink's mission is to:

Promote international awareness and understanding among students
Encourage critical thinking about international dynamics shaping global policies and economies, as well as local cultures and communities
Stimulate discussion among young people, leaders and activists about challenges in our multi-faceted and interconnected world
Provide a forum for curious and informed youth to add their voice to a civil atmosphere of problem solving.
Inspire youth to consider and model responsible global citizenship.

History

Initiated in 1997 as a youth education program of the World Affairs Council of San Diego, WorldLink undertook to bring students and teachers unique, first hand learning opportunities. It connected them to people in the public eye so they could consider, evaluate, and question their ideas and the directions these spokespersons were advocating. From ambassadors and presidents to former spies and United Nations peace keepers, from the US Attorney General to an international criminal court negotiator, the array of voices heard and what they had to say was important to understanding the issues of the day, according to middle and high school students who heard then. The exchange was powerful for presenters, too.

WorldLink moved to the University of San Diego in late 1998, the site of the annual WorldLink Youth Town Meeting. In January each year, high school students from Tijuana and San Diego and exchange students from around the world gather in a free conference to consider local concerns from a global perspective. Global leaders representative of the United States Department of State and other public and private organizations bring their experiences to student delegates. Diplomats in residence and leading activists address topics that have ranged from global migration to human rights and share this event with student moderators and attendees. Student journalists from a number of participating high schools produce their own newspaper on the Youth Town Meeting, covering the topics and stories from their perspectives.

Read more about the 2008 Youth Town Meeting (New)

Read the 2007 Youth Town Meeting highlights

Meet our 2007 WorldLink interns

WorldLink

Contact Information:

Karla Alvarez, WorldLink Program
Joan B. Kroc Institute for Peace & Justice
University of San Diego
5998 Alcala Park
San Diego, CA 92110-2492
Phone: 619-260-7509