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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 Keziah Clarke 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

Senator Jeff Flake (R-AZ) takes student questions in the JFK Jr. Forum

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

IOP Fellows Unpack Politics: Bipartisanship, Activism, and the Road to 2020

Mark Leibovich on Political Culture and the NFL

Upcoming Forums

How We Win: Beating Extremism Abroad and in the US

Tuesday March 26 - 6:00pm

IOP Resident Fellow, S’14 and Belfer Fellow Farah Pandith, Anti-Defamation League George Selim, Harvard Kennedy School’s Eric Rosenbach, and Juliette Kayyem '91 consider how to combat domestic and international extremism.

Is Europe Setting a New Example on Addressing Monopolies?

Wednesday March 27 - 6:00pm

European Commissioner for Competition Margrethe Vestager discusses the impact of monopolies on the EU economy with Harvard Kennedy School’s Jason Furman.

Diplomacy: What is it Good For?

Thursday March 28 - 6:00pm

A conversation with Amb. William Burns President, Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, Amb. Catherine Russell, IOP Resident Fellow S'19, and Harvard Kennedy School’s Graham Allison about the power and purpose of diplomacy in a post-primacy world.

A Public Address His Excellency Nana Akufo-Addo

Friday March 29 - 4:00pm

President of Ghana, His Excellency Nana Akufo-Addo, will give a public address in collaboration with Harvard's Center for African Studies and the Africa Development Conference, presented by students at HKS.  This Forum will require a ticket for entry.

Politics and Leadership in the Age of Disruption

Tuesday April 2 - 6:00pm

The Right Honourable Stephen J. Harper discusses politics and leadership with Ambassador Wendy R. Sherman, Director of CPL and IOP Resident Fellow, F’15.

A Conversation with Andrew Gillum and Aisha Moodie-Mills

Friday April 5 - 4:00pm

Join the Institute of Politics Spring 2019 Resident Fellows Mayor Andrew Gillum (D-FL) and Aisha Moodie-Mills, Past President & CEO of the LGBTQ Victory Fund & Institute for a conversation on what true democracy and fearless leadership look like, and the diversity and grassroots energy that are transforming American politics. This conversation is the opening keynote for “Affirming Blackness—Protest, Passion and Policy,” this year’s Black Policy Conference, presented by students at Harvard Kennedy School. This Forum will require a ticket for entry.

 

The American Presidency in the 21st Century: What Would Dick Neustadt Say?

Monday April 8 - 6:00pm

The Honorable Al Gore, author and presidential historian Doris Kearns Goodwin, President of the Moore Foundation Harvey Fineberg, and Harvard Kennedy School’s Roger Porter and Graham Allison ponder what Richard Neustadt would surmise about the state of the American presidency.This Forum will require a ticket for entry.