2020-2021 Student Ambassador Program Application 

Americans are becoming more and more socially distant. The divide between urban and rural America is much wider than it used to be, a problem now exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic. Tribalism is on the rise, while empathy for fellow Americans is running low. 

If we are to maintain a shared sense of country, it is imperative we stop this trend. Our differences and our debates have made us great, but we’re currently too able to avoid those discussions by surrounding ourselves with only those who agree with our point of view. The more our bubbles reflect only our views, the easier it is to view other Americans as enemies instead of friends with whom we disagree.

One way to do so is to ensure that young people such as yourself have an opportunity to engage with fellow peers from other areas they might otherwise not meet. It is imperative that you are provided with the tools and skills necessary to engage in civil discourse and become ambassador of your community. 

This Fall, World Affairs is offering a unique opportunity to bridge these divides and move past the confines of geography. Building a virtual platform for diplomacy and collaboration, in partnership with Allsides and the US Institute of Peace, the 2020-21 Student Ambassador Program will provide a virtual space for global conversations and discuss among a small cohort of students from the San Francisco Bay area plus a similar number of students from "beyond the Bay", drawn from school and communities across the western U.S. (Total cohort size will be approximately 50-60 students.)

Ambassadors will be selected from a broad range of schools around the Bay Area and will be complemented by students from schools in the western US. The two cohorts will differ from each other in many aspects, especially on their political values. This will allow the kind of dynamism needed for discussion and learning.

The program starts on October 29, 2020 and runs through April 19, 2021. You will meet online every other Thursday from 3:00 PM - 5:00 PM PST to discuss a series of contemporary global issues, meet diplomats and practitioners in international affairs and develop the practical skills of civic engagement and discussion across differences.

As an Ambassador, you will be prepared to become a leader in your respective community. Upon completion of the program, you will be awarded a year-long membership to World Affairs and will be on a path toward the Global Citizen Certificate.

Personal Data















There is a $100 fee to participate in the Student Ambassador program. 

I. DEMOGRAPHIC DATA (optional) -- The collection of the following Information is for statistical reporting, general program administrative and grant reporting purposes.  



II. POLITICAL VALUES SURVEY— We are accepting students from a broad range of political values and perspectives. Please answer the following survey questions.








IV. ONE LETTER OF RECOMMENDATION
Submit one letter of recommendation from an academic or extracurricular supervisor (no parents/relatives) explaining why you would be a suitable candidate for this program. The letter should address the length of time and in what capacity the person has known you. The letters should be mailed in a sealed envelope to World Affairs or emailed directly to education@worldaffairs.org by the recommender.

Note: If a recommender has previously submitted a letter to World Affairs on your behalf, please send a note to education@worldaffairs.org to request that this letter be added to your application. 

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