Citizen Diplomat Academy – Summer Session

World Affairs Council of Philadelphia
Free Virtual Exchange Program with students from Kobe, Japan
July 2 – August 6, 2025

Registration is now closed for the summer session.

Citizen Diplomat Academy (CDA) is a free virtual exchange program for Philadelphia high schoolers (ages 14-18) to meet students from our Sister City Kobe, Japan and develop cultural understanding through live sessions and activities.

World Affairs offers students two ways to get involved:

High schools can register for High School Membership to access our in-person simulations: Model Senate and Global Economic Forum. They also gain access to our public programs for faculty, students, and parents.

Students can register individually for our Individual Enrollment programs, including Citizen Diplomat Academy, Global Scholars Certificate Program, and Summer Global Leadership Seminar.

Class Schedule

Philadelphia & Kobe, Japan on Wednesdays

Class 1: Wednesday July 2nd 7:00 a.m. – 8:30 a.m. EST | 8:00 p.m. – 9:30 p.m. JST

Class 2: Wednesday, July 9th 7:00 a.m. – 8:30 a.m. EST | 8:00 p.m. – 9:30 p.m. JST

Class 3: Wednesday, 16th 7:00 a.m.- 8:30 a.m. EST | 8:00 p.m. – 9:30 p.m. JST

—Skip Week–

Class 4: Wednesday, July 30th 7:00 a.m. – 8:30 a.m. EST | 8:00 p.m. – 9:30 p.m. JST

Class 5: Wednesday, August 6th 7:00 a.m. – 8:30 a.m. EST | 8:00 p.m. – 9:30 p.m. JST

Meeting Topics

MEETING 1: SISTER CITIES

• Introduction to Sister Cities
• Cultural Orientation Mapping

MEETING 2: RELATIONSHIP BUILDING

• Conflict Resolution Style Assessment
• Perfect Day Activity

MEETING 3: CULTURAL DIPLOMACY

• Cultural Iceberg Theory

MEETING 4: GUEST SPEAKER

• Learn from a representative Citizen Diplomat

MEETING 5: YOUTH TODAY

• Youth Issues Discussion
• Spectrum Activity

For more information visit the World Affairs Council website.