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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

James Comey in room standing in front of FBI logo

James Comey

Monday February 24 - 6:00pm

A conversation with James Comey, former Director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, on his career in law and public service moderated by Eric Rosenbach, Co-Director of the Belfer Center for Science and International Affairs at Harvard Kennedy School.

***This Event is Open to Harvard ID Holders***

Headshots of event speakers

Racism in Urban Housing Policy

Tuesday February 25 - 6:00pm

A discussion of the history and continuing challenges of racism in urban housing policy with Professor Lizabeth Cohen, Howard Mumford Jones Professor of American Studies, Harvard University; Keeanga-Yamahtta Taylor, Princeton University Department of African American Studies; and David Williams, Policy Director, Opportunity Insights. The conversation will be moderated by Professor Khalil Gibran Muhammad, Professor of History, Race, and Public Policy at Harvard Kennedy School.

state flag of South Carolina

South Carolina Debate Watch Event

Tuesday February 25 - 8:00pm

Join us in the JFK Jr. Forum for a live screening of the final Democratic Debate before the South Carolina primary. Watch the candidates live from the Gaillard Center in Charleston, SC. 

Tarana Burke headshot

A Conversation with Tarana Burke

Wednesday February 26 - 6:00pm

The 2019 Gleitsman Activist Award recipient Tarana Burke, founder of the ‘me too.’ movement,  will join Ambassador Wendy Sherman, Director of the Center for Public Leadership, in a conversation on the impact of her global fight for survivor justice and her decades-long campaign to heal individuals and communities affected by sexual violence.

Nuclear Energy: Climate and the Bomb

Nuclear Energy: Climate and the Bomb

Monday March 2 - 6:00pm

Join Professor Ernest Moniz, former Secretary of Energy, Dan Poneman, Former Deputy Secretary of Energy, and Professor Meghan O’Sullivan, Jeane Kirkpatrick Professor of the Practice of International Affairs, Harvard Kennedy School for a discussion on whether it is possible to expand the use of carbon-free nuclear power to combat global warming without unleashing the terrors of nuclear weapons proliferation.

How to Stop America From Being Rigged Against Workers

How to Stop America From Being Rigged Against Workers

Wednesday March 4 - 6:00pm

A discussion on the past, present, and future of America's labor unions and workers with author and journalist Steven Greenhouse, President of the Association of Flight Attendants-CWA Sara Nelson, and moderator Katie Johnston of the Boston Globe.