Colonel Chris Hadfield and Martin Kon to Headline World Affairs Conference in Toronto
The prestigious World Affairs Conference (WAC) has revealed that Colonel Chris Hadfield and Mr. Martin Kon will deliver keynote addresses at its upcoming student-led gathering. Scheduled for Wednesday, February 25, at Upper Canada College in Toronto, this day-long event is co-hosted with Branksome Hall and centers on the theme Power in Perspective. Secondary students from across the Greater Toronto Area will attend in person, while a livestream broadcast will enable international participation for the first time in the conference's history.
Expanding Reach and Impact
As North America's longest-running student-led conference, WAC aims to foster dialogue among thousands of inquisitive high school students, motivating them to engage proactively with global affairs. The conference exposes attendees to diverse perspectives from inspiring role models, helping them recognize humanity's most pressing challenges. Past speakers have included notable figures such as Edward Snowden, Martin Luther King III, Geoffrey Hinton, and Dr. Roberta Bondar. This year's addition of an international livestream underscores WAC's commitment to broadening access and deepening discussions on critical global issues.
Student Leadership and Conference Themes
Ruhani Mainra, a WAC Co-Chair and student at Branksome Hall, emphasized that the theme Power in Perspective allows students to connect with role models who challenge the status quo in their communities and beyond. Alyssa Dhanji, another Co-Chair from Branksome Hall, expressed honor in hosting a diverse lineup of speakers, including humanitarian advocates, environmentalists, and innovators. Liyang Yin, a Co-Chair from Upper Canada College, hopes the conference will inspire students to view challenges through novel lenses, while Karan Maheswari, also from Upper Canada College, aspires for attendees to engage directly with world leaders to shape global affairs. The conference is free for grades 9–12 students from all school boards, aligning with its goal of accessibility.
Keynote Speaker Profiles
Colonel Chris Hadfield, a Canadian legend, brings extensive experience as an astronaut, leader, author, and speaker on leadership, technology, and change. As a former Commander of the International Space Station, with three space missions and two spacewalks to his credit, and as NASA's Director of Operations in Russia, Hadfield has contributed significantly to space station construction and received awards from institutions like NASA and the Order of Canada. He is also involved with the upcoming Artemis II mission to the moon, featuring CSA Astronaut Jeremy Hansen. His keynote promises to leave WAC attendees with insightful stories and lessons for personal growth.
Martin Kon, an Upper Canada College alumnus and Branksome Hall parent, serves as President Emeritus and Former COO of Cohere, a data-security-first AI company valued at over $7 billion with global offices. Prior to Cohere, he was CFO of YouTube, overseeing global strategy, finance, and operations, and held leadership roles at Boston Consulting Group and Oliver Wyman. With his deep insights into the geopolitical implications of technology and AI in a rapidly changing world, Kon's keynote is expected to have a lasting impact on conference participants.
Conference Details and Participation
In partnership with Branksome Hall and Upper Canada College, WAC features thirteen speakers presenting on the theme Power in Perspective. The event continues its mission to provide unforgettable opportunities for dialogue, encouraging students to take initiative in global affairs. With the new livestream feature, WAC expands its reach beyond Toronto, fostering a more inclusive and globally connected educational experience for high school students worldwide.
