Theme: Power in Perspective
World Affairs Conference
North America's largest and Canada's oldest annual student-run current events conference.
WAC has reached
10k+ students ・ 80+ schools ・ 35+ countriesSince 1983, WAC has been a place for high school students to listen, learn, and discuss a variety of topics ranging from STEM, education, social justice, sustainability and diversity & inclusion. Through keynote speakers, plenary panels, as well as interactive sessions such as networking with the speakers themselves, students have the opportunity to hear directly from world renowned leaders as well as discuss ideas with their peers.
Led by a team of students from Upper Canada College and Branksome Hall, through many months of hard work WAC each year brings together an extraordinary roster of speakers to share their perspective on current topics affecting our society.
In the end WAC is more than just a conference, it's a space where innovative thinkers get to come together and engage in discussions with like minded individuals.
WAC 2025 Speakers
Dr. Sebastian Maurice
Global AI/ML Leader
Bill Weir
CNN Chief Climate Correspondent
Keith Pelley
Former CEO of PGA European Tour, Current President & CEO of MLSE
Dr. James Orbinski
Former President of Doctors Without Borders & Nobel Prize Winner
Dr. Justina Ray
President and Senior Scientist at Wildlife Conservation Society Canada
Dr. Jeremy Wang
Aerospace engineer and COO of Ribbit
Emma Lozhkin
2012-17 Junior Olympian & Member of the Canadian National Gymnastics Team, Branksome 2017 Graduate, Software Engineer
Sylvia Torres-Guillen
General Counsel of the California ALRB, Executive director of Disability Rights Legal Center, social justice advocate
Curtis VanWalleghem
Founder and CEO of Hydrostor
Shirley Blumberg
Founding partner of KPMB Architects and activist for social transformation and change through architecture
John Smol
Canadian ecologist, limnologist and paleolimnologist
James Suh
CFO of Florida Panthers
Michael Kaufman
Co-Founder: White Ribbon Campaign, Author: The Guy’s Guide to Feminism
Wolfgang Schwan
Ukraine War Journalist & Photographer
Yan Boechat
Conflict Journalist & War Correspondent
John Sitilides
Geopolitical Strategist & Diplomacy Consultant for Bush, Obama and Trump
Dr. Andrew Healey
Medical Director/Chief, Chief of Critical care at St. Joseph's Hamilton
