This multi-day international affairs event provides students with the opportunity to engage with global experts including Ambassadors, international thought leaders, policy experts and practitioners covering a wide range of topics such as Montana’s role in the global economy, global conservation efforts, and current events. Participating students “meet” face-to-face with students from around the world in countries such as Congo, Japan, Honduras, and Egypt as each year we host a “Student to Student Global Conversation.” The event concludes with a global “trivia” team competition, which tests students’ knowledge of global issues. Participating teachers are offered continuing education credits with an array of short courses held during the event.

AWQ prepares students for the growing challenges they face in an increasingly global and interconnected world. By participating in AWQ, Montana students have the opportunity to develop a greater sense of the world around them, their critical role in it and how they can most effectively engage. AWQ is more than a knowledge competition; it is an opportunity to engage students from across Montana, in conversations and analysis of international affairs and responsible global citizenship.

The winning team in the knowledge competition travel to Washington D.C. to represent Montana at the National AWQ Competition. While in Washington, teams are exposed to a variety of unique global experiences, such as being hosted at an embassy or receiving a tour of the State Department. This exciting program is generously sponsored and supported by The Dennis and Phyllis Washington Foundation.