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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

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

Upcoming Forums

Sí, Se Puede: A Celebration of Heritage with Labor Rights Activist Dolores Huerta

Tuesday September 28 - 6:00pm

The JFK Jr. Forum proudly welcomes activist Dolores Huerta, Founder of the Dolores Huerta Foundation and co-founder of the United Farm Workers Association alongside Cesar Chavez, who has been a leading labor and civil rights advocate for the past 50 years. Dolores began her career as a teacher and saw the injustices that workers faced in the agricultural community in the 1960s and started to organize the community, registering voters and teaching workers how to negotiate powerful forces. Her decades-long work for civil rights and the power of political organizing to make change is summed up in the important slogan she coined for the movement: “Sí, se puede” (yes, we can). 

This unique conversation will be moderated by Paola Ramos, Correspondent, VICE and VICE News; Contributor, MSNBC and Telemundo and Hauser Leader, Center for Public Leadership.

This is a virtual event.​ Registration is required. Click here to RSVP.

Co-Sponsored with the Center for Public Leadership.

Reckoning with the Past, Rebuilding The Future

Thursday October 14 - 6:00pm

The Institutional Antiracism and Accountability (IARA) Project at the Ash Center in conjunction with the IOP wants to critically exam a year of promises of institutional antiracist change and how a more truthful teaching of American history can lead to social transformation. What has been done? What is the real impact and what work should we be doing? How do we, as individuals, institutions, and policy makers leverage new awareness and commitments around racial equity in order to dismantle structural racism in the United States.

Speakers:

  • Dr. Ibram Kendi: Director, Center for Antiracist Research at Boston University
  • Ms. Heather McGhee: Political Commentator & Strategist
  • Dr. Khalil Muhammad: Ford Foundation Professor of History, Race and Public Policy at Harvard Kennedy School

This is a virtual event. Registration is required. Please click here to RSVP.

This Forum is the first in a series of events in partnership with the IARA Project at Harvard Kennedy School's Ash Center. It is also the opening event of the IARA Project's annual Truth and Transformation Conference, convened by Professor Khalil Gibran Muhammad. For more information and to register for the entire free, virtual conference, please click here.

Co-Sponsor: Institutional Antiracism and Accountability (IARA) Project, Ash Center for Democratic Governance and Innovation