Let’s Talk About Global Issues!
SAT Score Range
•
3 sessions
•
YA
SA
BM
+2
This series was cancelled on December 18, 2025. We're very sorry–you can explore more Enrichment series here. All 1:1 and group chats related to this series are disabled 7 days after the last session.
About
This discussion session is designed to create an open and respectful space for students to explore important global issues such as gender bias, world hunger, inequality, climate change, and human rights. The goal is not only to stay informed about current world issues, but also to encourage participants to think from different perspectives and engage in meaningful dialogue.
Discussing global issues helps students develop critical thinking, empathy, and the ability to analyze real-world problems. As scientist Carl Sagan emphasized, critical thinking is essential for navigating any generation, whether in the past, present, or future. Through guided discussions, students will be encouraged to question assumptions, listen actively, and express their ideas thoughtfully.
This session aims to help students become more aware, open-minded, and confident in discussing complex global challenges in a respectful and collaborative environment.
Tutored by
Sessions
✋ ATTENDANCE POLICY
Regular attendance is expected from all registered participants. This discussion series is meant for students who are genuinely interested and actively involved. If a participant repeatedly misses sessions or shows a lack of consistent attendance without a valid reason, they may be withdrawn from the program to allow space for students who are committed to participating.
SESSION 1
16
Dec
SESSION 1
Speech and Debate
Speech and Debate
Tue 10:00 AM - 11:00 AM UTCDec 16, 10:00 AM - 11:00 AM UTC
Do All People in the World Have the Same Opportunities as You?
This session will explore whether everyone around the world truly has equal access to opportunities such as education, healthcare, safety, and economic stability. Participants will reflect on their own experiences and compare them with the realities faced by people in different countries and communities. The discussion will focus on understanding privilege, inequality, and the factors that influence opportunity, while encouraging empathy, open-mindedness, and critical thinking.
What does “opportunity” mean to you?
What opportunities do we often take for granted?
What factors affect a person’s opportunities (e.g., location, gender, income, education)?
Can effort alone guarantee success for everyone?
What can individuals or societies do to reduce inequality?
SESSION 2
16
Dec
SESSION 2
Speech and Debate
Speech and Debate
Tue 5:00 PM - 6:00 PM UTCDec 16, 5:00 PM - 6:00 PM UTC
This session explores the ways gender shapes opportunities, rights, and treatment around the world. Participants will examine how social norms, stereotypes, laws, and cultural expectations influence access to education, healthcare, careers, and personal freedom. Through guided discussion, students will reflect on both global and local perspectives, consider the challenges faced by different genders, and discuss practical ways individuals can promote fairness and equality in their communities. The session encourages critical thinking, empathy, and respectful dialogue while empowering participants to recognize and challenge gender-based inequality.
SESSION 3
17
Dec
SESSION 3
Speech and Debate
Speech and Debate
Wed 4:00 PM - 5:00 PM UTCDec 17, 4:00 PM - 5:00 PM UTC
Is Mental Health as Important as Physical Health?
This session will explore the importance of mental health and whether it is valued equally to physical health in society. Participants will discuss common stigmas and stereotypes surrounding mental health, such as the idea that mental struggles are a sign of weakness or that they can simply be “ignored” or “fixed quickly.”
The discussion will focus on how these misconceptions affect individuals, prevent people from speaking openly, and influence the way mental health is treated in schools, families, and communities. Students will be encouraged to think critically about why mental health is often overlooked, how attitudes are changing, and what can be done to create a more understanding and supportive environment.
The goal of this session is to promote awareness, empathy, and open conversation, while reinforcing that mental health is a vital part of overall well-being.