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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.

Contact & Follow

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

A Conversation with Assistant Speaker Katherine Clark

A Conversation with Assistant Speaker Katherine Clark

Thursday September 16 - 6:00pm

As the fourth ranking member in the House Democratic Leadership, Assistant Speaker Katherine Clark (MA-5) has focused on affordable child care, safer schools, women’s health care, and other priorities for children and families. A graduate of HKS, Clark will return to campus and join the Forum to discuss her career in public service, her work on the Democrats’ Build Back Better agenda, and the challenges facing our democracy today.

The discussion will be moderated by IOP student leaders Alexis Elliot ‘22, Chair of the Women’s Initiative in Leadership (WIL) and Alex Park ’23, Co-Chair of the Harvard Votes Challenge.

Please RSVP by 12:00 PM ET on Thursday, September 16th if you’d like the possibility of attending in person. We will notify you via email if you will be joining us in person or online. We will be strictly observing the HKS health and safety protocols that include a maximum venue capacity of 100 attendees.

From 9/11 To A Global Pandemic - 20 Years of Navigating National Crises

From 9/11 To A Global Pandemic - 20 Years of Navigating National Crises

Wednesday September 15 - 6:00pm

With the 20th anniversary of the attacks of September 11th and the uncertainty we have witnessed in the current pandemic, the John F. Kennedy Jr. Forum welcomes Leon Panetta, former Chief of Staff under President Clinton, and CIA Director and Secretary of Defense under President Obama, and Andrew Card, Former Chief of Staff under President George W. Bush and Secretary of Transportation under President George H.W. Bush. The conversation moderated by Anne Gearan, White House correspondent for the Washington Post, will draw on the first-hand experiences and unique perspectives of public servants advising both Republican and Democratic presidents during unprecedented crises. Mr. Panetta will be joining the event virtually and Mr. Card will be joining us in-person. 

Please RSVP by 12:00 PM ET on Wednesday, September 15th if you’d like the possibility of attending in person. We will notify you via email if you will be joining us in person or online. We will be strictly observing the HKS health and safety protocols that include a maximum venue capacity of 100 attendees.