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The John F. Kennedy Jr. Forum at the Institute of Politics is Harvard's premier arena for political speech, discussion and debate.

The forum regularly hosts heads of state, leaders in politics, government, business, labor and the media. A living memorial to President John F. Kennedy, the Institute's mission is to unite and engage students, particularly undergraduates, with academics, politicians, activists, and policy makers on a non-partisan basis to inspire them to consider careers in politics.

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Students seeking information about the IOP Forum Program should contact the Student Chair Anan Hafez or IOP Forum Coordinator Cathey Park. If you're interested in attending a JFK Jr. Forum or watching online, make sure to sign up for our newsletter. 

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TheJFK Jr Forum

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Upcoming Forums

Check back in September for our fall programming

Strengthening Democratic Institutions

Race, Media and Politics

A Conversation with Malala Yousafzai

America and the World: A Conversation with Ambassador Caroline Kennedy & Senator Ed Markey

Goldsmith Awards Ceremony 2019 with Marty Baron

Free Speech, Open Minds and the Pursuit of Truth

Robotland: The Future of Labor Policy and Work in an AI World

A Conversation with John Kerry

Brexit: What’s Next?

Moral Resistance: When Faith & Activism Meet in the Streets

Big Tech and Democracy

Recent Forums

Students holding 'I Voted' stickers

Election 2020: Youth in Power

Thursday December 3 - 6:00pm

On Thursday, December 3rd, 2020 at 6:00pm EST, join the Institute of Politics for a discussion on the unprecedented turnout and impact from young voters 18-to-29 years old. Ashley Allison, former National Coalitions Director for Biden for President, Peter Hamby, host of Snapchat’s Good Luck America and contributing writer for Vanity Fair, and Nsé Ufot, Chief Executive Officer of the New Georgia Project (NGP) and its affiliate New Georgia Project Action Fund (NGP AF), will join in a conversation moderated by John Della Volpe, Director of Polling at the Institute of Politics who was on leave in the fall semester from the Harvard Youth Poll to advise the Biden-Harris campaign. They will examine Biden’s communications and organizing strategy from the end of the primary season through Election Day that led to Obama-level margins of youth support.

RSVP to join the JFK Jr. Forum conversation.

headshot of New Zealand prime minister Jacinda Ardern, winner of the 2020 Gleitsman International Activist Award

A Conversation with Jacinda Ardern

Tuesday December 1 - 5:00pm

On Tuesday, December 1st at 5:00pm EST, join the Institute of Politics and the Center for Public Leadership for the 2020 Gleitsman International Activist Award featuring the Rt Hon Jacinda Ardern, Prime Minister of New Zealand. The conversation will be moderated by Amb. Wendy R. Sherman, Professor of the Practice of Public Leadership and Director of the Center for Public Leadership at Harvard Kennedy School.

RSVP here to join the JFK Jr. Forum conversation.