IRC (International Relations Council) School Programs
 
Educators in the Kansas City metropolitan area may access these resources:

• International Classroom Partnership Program is a program which sends international students from selected Kansas City area colleges and universities to visit nearby elementary schools in order to share their life and culture with the students.
• Portrait of Turkey Program in conjunction with the Turkish Cultural Foundation, sponsors local teachers on a journey to Turkey in an effort towards bridging East and West.  Teachers become immersed in the cultural heritage of this nation at a pivotal geographical and cultural crossroads.
• Global Connections provides volunteers, both IRC members and Kansas City area citizens, who share their international experience and expertise with a wide variety of schools throughout the Kansas City metro area. Global Connections speakers are available on a wide variety of topics and connect classrooms to the world in a meaningful way.

• Great Decisions is sponsored by the Foreign Policy Association and is a great way to teach high school students about international affairs.  Booklets on current international issues and study guide are available for a fee.

• Eliot S. Berkley Essay Contest - an essay contest for high school juniors and seniors - new international topic announced each Sept. - winner gets $500.

2.  Students and educators within a 4-hour driving distance of Kansas City may join the Academic WorldQuest Competition

High school teams of four students compete to see who can correctly answer the most questions on international topics.  The IRC pays for the winning team and their teacher to travel to Washington DC for the national competition in April.  Any school within a 4 hour drive of Kansas City could bring a team to compete in AWQ and return home in one day.  It is always held on a Saturday afternoon in late February.

Contact the IRC Director of School Programs about these resources at:

THE INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS COUNCIL
911 MAIN STREET, SUITE 2226,
KANSAS CITY, MO 64105
(Phone) 816-221-4204  
(Fax) 816-221-4206