John F. Kennedy Jr. Forum

The John F. Kennedy Jr. Forum strives to engage Harvard students mentally and morally by hosting candid dialogue on politics, public service, and relevant affairs, and by introducing them to our world’s current, former, and emerging leaders. By educating students on the lessons of the past, the problems of the present, and the opportunities of the future, we hope to prepare them for a life of public leadership and imbue them with a dedication to the common good.

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Past speakers include heads of state; leaders in politics, business, arts, and the media; academics; and activists. The Forum often begins with a speech, panel discussion, or debate over a pressing topic. It then concludes with an unscripted question-and-answer session between the audience and the Forum speakers. The access to guests through Q&A provides students with an unrivaled connection to world events, issues, and leaders.

Members of the John F. Kennedy Jr. Forum Committee are responsible for assisting the Forum staff with every aspect of the production of these events. This begins with strategy and ideation, reaching out to potential guests, engaging student groups for co-sponsorship, planning, pre and post-forum receptions, publicizing Forum events on social media, and working the Forum events themselves. The Forum Committee meets on Friday afternoons from 3:00-4:00.

Click here to explore over thirty years of Forum videos in our extensive archive, including landmark appearances by Bryan Stevenson, Malala Yousafzai, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Caesar Chavez, Ban Ki-moon, and Kofi Annan, and more.

Chaired by:
Robert Fogel | robertfogel@college.harvard.edu
Ryan Tierney | rtierney@college.harvard.edu