The World Stage is GAP's flagship event series featuring distinguished global leaders and policymakers. Our team engages with key issues across regions—from governance and security to development and human rights.
Through moderated conversations, Q&A sessions, and intimate discussions, The World Stage brings the most pressing global issues to the Harvard community.
Past World Stage programs, listed from newest to oldest. Poster and event images use placeholder filenames—add matching files to the site folder or update the image paths in this page.
Past Event
This World Stage discussion brought together Peyman Asadzade of the Harvard Kennedy School and Ali Banuazizi of Boston College to examine everyday life in Iran since 1979, the constraints fueling protest, and prospects for meaningful change.
Regional team: Middle East & North Africa Team
Past Event
This World Stage discussion featured Harvard Kennedy School scholars examining how rapid urbanization and economic growth are reshaping domestic policy, security priorities, and Asia’s global role.
Regional team: East Asia Team
Past Event
The Europe World Stage convened a wide-ranging conversation on European security with Tormod Heier, a distinguished guest of the Global Affairs Program. Professor Heier—who teaches Military Strategy and Operations at the Norwegian Defence University College in Oslo and serves as Associate Professor at the Swedish Defence University in Stockholm—examined NATO’s posture, Russian threats, and whether allies risk preparing for the wrong kind of conflict. The discussion gave the Harvard community a grounded look at strategic and operational debates shaping the transatlantic security agenda.
Regional team: Europe Team
Past Event
At this World Stage event, Dr. Gomez Agou, Senior Economist and IMF Resident Representative in Gabon, led a timely discussion on The Future of African Development: Africa in a Multi-Polar World. Drawing on his expertise in fiscal policy and sustainable development, he examined how sub-Saharan Africa can navigate declining U.S. engagement, shifting global power dynamics, and reduced aid flows. The conversation explored new partnerships and pathways toward resilient, autonomous, and inclusive growth.
Regional team: Sub-Saharan Africa Team
Past Event
This World Stage conversation examined Nepal, exploring how recent Gen Z–led uprisings contributed to state collapse amid deeper economic and societal challenges. Moderated by Aidhin Kaleem, the discussion explored parallels with unrest across South Asia and the structural vulnerabilities behind these crises. Featuring Rudabeh Shahid, Nonresident Senior Fellow at the Atlantic Council, the event highlighted key drivers shaping Nepal’s political instability.
Regional team: Central & South Asia Team
Past Event
We hosted a conversation on Syria’s governance shift and prospects for reconstruction featuring Ibrahim Al-Assil. The discussion examined pathways toward a post-Assad Syria, including the challenges of building a democratic and inclusive political future. Panel insights highlighted the regional and international dynamics shaping Syria’s political transition and long-term reconstruction efforts.
Regional team: Middle East & North Africa Team
Past Event
We welcomed Mark L. Wolf for a focused discussion on the need for an International Anti-Corruption Court to strengthen global accountability. The conversation explored how such a court could address grand corruption, protect human rights, and reinforce the rule of law. Judge Wolf shared insights on current enforcement challenges and emphasized the importance of international cooperation in combating kleptocracy.
Regional team: Europe Team
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