Sponsored by the International Affairs Association at the University of Pennsylvania, PIRC was created to encourage a interest in international relations and foster an awareness of global politics among high school students in Pennsylvania and New Jersey. This conference is provided free of charge for all students and there is no limit to the amount of students a school can bring.  We provide students with the opportunity to interact with distinguished Penn professors and participate in simulations rooted in globally significant current events.  The only costs associated with the conference are those incurred by your students traveling to and from Penn’s campus on both days of the conference.

 

This year, we are pleased to announce Latin America as our region of choice, given its long history of interactions with North America coupled with its growing presence on the world stage. PIRC 2014 allows us a multifaceted look into the cultural and political diversity of the region, the current struggles and successes, and the dynamic relations that Latin America holds with the United States and  rest of the world. Our presenters will introduce a varied overview of the enveloping academic discussions of Latin America, as a model for the future, as a historical enigma, and a surging economic power challenged by violence and corruption. We hope that this regional focus will serve as a framework to better understand international affairs. To aid in processing such information, students will participate in hands-on discussions integrating what the students have learned from the speakers with their own creative problem-solving skills regarding the current situation in Latin America.