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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 Blake Barclay 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

Headshots of event speakers, Peter Sands and Atul Gwande

Catalyzing Global Leadership to Contain the Impact of COVID-19

Wednesday October 28 - 12:00pm

On October 28 at 12pm ET join us for “Catalyzing Global Leadership to Contain the Impact of COVID-19” with featured guests Peter Sands, Executive Director of The Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria and Atul Gawande MD, MPH, surgeon, writer, and public health leader.

How do we galvanize a global response to COVID-19 that truly leaves no-one behind? So far OECD countries have mobilized over $10 trillion for their own domestic responses, but foreign aid to low and middle countries remains broadly flat. Will we succeed in making everyone safe from COVID-19, or will we replicate what we did with HIV and tuberculosis, the two most recent big pandemics affecting humanity, which are largely eliminated as a public health threat in rich countries, but still kill millions in poor, vulnerable and marginalized communities?

RSVP for the JFK Jr. Forum conversation here.

Headshots of Nancy Gibbs and Eugene Robinson. "The Challenges Facing the Media on November 3rd and Beyond" will take place on October 28th at 6pm ET.

The Challenges Facing the Media on November 3rd and Beyond

Wednesday October 28 - 6:00pm

On Wednesday, October 28th at 6:00pm ET, join us for the 30th annual Theodore H. White Lecture on Press and Politics, delivered by Eugene Robinson of the Washington Post, with Shorenstein Center Director Nancy Gibbs moderating. 

As the 2020 election quickly approaches, are there similarities to 2016 or this a continuation of an unprecedented cycle in political history? How has the press evolved during the Trump administration and what effect did it have on covering the political landscape in the primaries and general election. With the growing absence of trust in the traditional press, what can be done to restore confidence in the institutions, and how does journalism survive and thrive moving forward.  

RSVP here to the JFK Jr. Forum conversation.

Election 2020: What Just Happened?

Thursday November 5 - 6:00pm to 7:00pm

On Thursday, November 5th at 6 PM ET, the Institute of Politics hosts a panel of top political strategists to breakdown and analyze the results of the 2020 election. The conversation will be moderated by IOP Director Mark D. Gearan ’78, and feature former and current IOP Fellows Karen Finney, Senior Advisor for Communications and Political Outreach for Hillary Clinton’s 2016 presidential campaign, Scott Jennings, Senior Advisor to Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, Robby Mook, Campaign Manager for Hillary Clinton's 2016 presidential campaign, and Alice Stewart, IOP Fall 2020 Fellow and Republican Communications Strategist.

Our expert panel will consider voter turnout, election access and security, the ​control of Congress, and the outcomes of state-local races around the country. How did the pressing issues of the day including the economy, Covid-19, racial and social justice, climate change, and foreign affairs influence the electorate? ​What will be the priorities of the winning candidates and parties? And how will the U.S. political landscape change over the next four years?

RSVP here to join the JFK Jr. Forum