About
The Global Studies Academy is a high school program dedicated to promoting global citizenship by the means of focusing on languages, culture, and current events. As a part of that mission, the Academy hosts an annual student-run event called the Global Issues Summit (GIS) to spread awareness about a range of global concerns to students around the community as well as inform them about measures being taken to alleviate these issues in order to "Turn Awareness into Action." The Summit features speakers ranging from Presidential appointees to NGOs operating on a global level, with past participation from institutions such as UNICEF, the US State Department, the US Trade Representative's Office, the Pangea Network, A+ Challenge, Magic Bus, the Aga Khan Foundation, United Against Human Trafficking, and many others. 2022 will mark the tenth annual Global Issues Summit, and archives of past Summits can be viewed here.
The past seven Summits have focused on the United Nations' 17 Sustainable Development Goals. The Sustainable Development Goals, or SDGs, are a universal call to action to end poverty, protect the planet and ensure that all people enjoy peace and prosperity. They provide clear guidelines and targets for all countries to adopt in accordance with their own priorities and the environmental challenges of the world at large. Further, the SDGs seek to tackle the root causes of poverty and unite us together to make a positive change for both people and the planet. The SDGs are grouped into the 5 Ps; People, Planet, Peace, Prosperity, and Partnership. This year, the Summit is organized around 2 of the P's: People and Partnership.
Adapted from the United Nations Global Goals Platform
Keynote Speaker
Ronan O'Malley

Ronan O’Malley is the director of programs for the World Affairs Council of Greater Houston. He moved to the United States from Ireland as a child. Ronan has an undergraduate degree in international studies and history, as well as an MBA in international business. Before joining the Council, he worked as a real estate broker for 10 years.
Breakout Sessions

Dr. Lan Ni
FIELD OF EXPERTISE: Communication, Intercultural Public Relations
GOALS: Reduced Inequalities, Peace Justice and Strong Institutions


Sami Sultan
FIELD OF EXPERTISE: Renewable Energy and the Evolution of Houston into the Resilient, Energy Capital of the World
GOALS: Affordable & Clean Energy, Reduced Inequalities, Climate Action

Kacey Wilkins
FIELD OF EXPERTISE: Environmental policy, Science, Research, Communications and Marketing
GOALS: Affordable & Clean Energy, Reduced Inequalities, Partnership for the goals
Amber Chestnut
FIELD OF EXPERTISE: Food Waste Diversion
GOALS: Responsible Consumption and Production, Climate Action

Lindsey Castellanos
FIELD OF EXPERTISE: Child Abuse and Neglect, Prevention of Child Abuse
GOALS: Reduced Inequalities, Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions

Christyna Lewis
FIELD OF EXPERTISE:
The southwest oldest LGBTQ+ civil rights organization, personal advocacy & activism
GOALS:
Reduced Inequalities, Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions, Partnership for the goals
Panel Speakers

Anika Shethia
FIELD OF EXPERTISE: Houston Climate Action Plan, Environmental Justice
GOALS: Climate Action

Ronan O'Malley
FIELD OF EXPERTISE: Global Affairs & US Foreign Policy
GOALS: Reduced Inequalities, Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions

Hyunseok Hwang
FIELD OF EXPERTISE: Sociology
GOALS: Climate Action, Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions, Partnership for the goals
Freshman Projects
Ryan Hedje, Michael Falcon, Antone Kelada, Omar Memon
Our project is going to focus on the need for clean energy in Saudi Arabia. We will focus on how much of
problem it is there and how they can solve the problem.
Simon O'Brien
Amid a shift towards a consumer-manufactured economy, individual manufacturing waste is increasing
exponentially, and industry-standard bioplastics, commonly viewed as the solution, are failing to live up to
the sustainability hype. It is crucial that we retrofit an ever-shifting industry through the development of
modern materials and smart waste management as we ride the wave of twenty-first century manufacturing.
Isabella Figueira, Daniel Allen
Minimal government assistance during the covid 19 crisis paired with a lack of public awareness are leading
factors in the decline of the Latin American Education system. Re-evaluation of government aid and public
funding are crucial for the development of a sustainable education system aimed at furthering social,
economic, and educational equality.
Vy Tran, Lindsey Gegogeine, Bella Salazar
China emitted 10.2 billion metric tons of CO2 in 2019, thus about 27% of global emission and gas is being
trapped in the atmosphere, causing the Earth to heat up. China has made an effort to reduce the use of their
carbon dioxide emission, but at this rate it might not be enough to repair its current situation.
Rhea Kandarapally, Dylan Barrow, Nabeel Khan, Anza Rizvi, Nevaeh Thomas
Due to continuous conflict and a failing economy in Yemen, children are trafficked for sexual exploitation,
child labor, and military recruitment. Persistent action to control, regulate, and bring attention to this
problem by other nations and organizations is required.
Monica Saba
Saudi Arabia’s Need for Clean
Sold by the Kilogram
Latin America’s Struggle for Education
China's Greenhouse Gas
Child Trafficking in Yemen: A Cry For Help
Justice for Women in the Middle East
Agenda
April 2
Registration
8:45-9:30 AM
9:45-10:01 AM
10:02-10:35 AM
10:40-11:05 AM
11:10-11:35 AM
11:35-12:10 PM
12:12-12:40 PM
Switch at 12:40 PM
1:15-1:40 PM
1:45-2:10 PM
2:20-3:20 PM
3:20-3:35 PM
Welcome
Keynote Speaker
Breakout Session 2
Breakout Session 1
Breakout Session 3
Subject to change
Agenda
April 2
Registration
8:45-9:30 AM
9:45-10:01 AM
10:02-10:35 AM
10:40-11:05 AM
11:10-11:35 AM
11:35-12:10 PM
12:12-12:40 PM
Switch at 12:40 PM
1:15-1:40 PM
1:45-2:10 PM
2:20-3:20 PM
3:20-3:35 PM
Welcome
Keynote Speaker
Group A Gyms
Breakout Session 2
Breakout Session 1
Breakout Session 3
Group A Gyms
Group B Lunch
Breakout Session 4
Breakout Session 5
Closing
Subject to change
GIS Sponsors


Register
What
When
Where
What
Global Issues Summit 2022
April 2,2022
William B. Travis High School
Contact Us
William B. Travis High School
11111 Harlem Rd, Richmond, Texas