Exploring Global Perspectives: Carnegie Vanguard's World Affairs Club in Action

On the evening of September 4th, while most Carnegie students were busy with homework, 12 SWAC members attended a World Affairs Council of Houston event featuring John J. Sullivan, former U.S. Ambassador to Russia. For an hour, students were captivated by his accounts of face-to-face interactions with President Vladimir Putin and his compelling case for continued U.S. support for Ukraine in its struggle against Russia. Carnegie senior Coulson Batchelor describes the enriching experience he had:

“It was incredible learning about the ambassador’s storied career and how he navigated the complex geopolitical situation in Russia.”

SWAC, which stands for “Student World Affairs Club,” provides opportunities for high school students to attend World Affairs Council events free of cost. Carnegie’s SWAC chapter, which was created last year, has afforded countless students the opportunity to learn from distinguished politicians and diplomats. 

Carnegie sophomore Emily Garcia describes the exposure that she’s gained through the club’s activities.

“Whether it is attending the various speaker events or participating in the council’s educational programs, the activities that I have done through SWAC have definitely given me insight into the world of international relations.”

Shanti Majumder (third to right) and the rest of the Carnegie Vanguard team which secured 3rd place at this year’s national competition held in the U.S. Institute of Peace, Washington D.C. From left: Ethan Eyre, Coulson Batchelor, Brandon Strug, Shanti Majumder, Ruben Hermosillo, Justin Mineman (Photo: Shanti Majumder)

Beyond attending off-campus events, the club intends to spark curiosity about international relations at Carnegie through its weekly meetings. President Shanti Majumder, a senior, emphasizes the club's focus on creating captivating lessons for members.

“We can’t call ourselves a student-run club if not everyone is speaking up and enjoying themselves, so we try to keep our meetings as interactive and engaging as possible. This year for instance, we held a World Leaders’ Showdown in which students could roleplay world leaders such as Joe Biden and Vladimir Putin.”

In addition to attending speaker events and hosting school activities focused on global affairs, the club also participates in the World Affairs Councils of America’s annual Academic WorldQuest competition, which tests teams’ knowledge of international economics and politics and involves thousands of contestants from across the United States. Alongside WorldQuest, SWAC plans to take part in the council's Youth Diplomacy Forum, where students can engage with diplomats, experts, and industry leaders on critical global issues. 

Ultimately, Majumder believes the club's most important role is to equip Carnegie students with the knowledge needed to become better global citizens.

“All too often, students are unaware about the world around them. At its core, SWAC’s mission is to create opportunities for students to deepen their understanding of global issues, explore diverse perspectives, foster empathy, and discover common ground along the way.”