CGS is proud to announce the inaugural Global Policy Forum, to be held April 14 & 15, 2026.
Rationale: For over twenty years, the Center for Global Studies (CGS) has served as a platform for globally oriented teaching, research, and outreach at the University of Illinois, sustained by its history of continuous support from Title VI NRC and FLAS grants. With this foundation, CGS is uniquely positioned to convene the University community around pressing issues of global governance and policy.
The Global Policy Forum, planned for April 14-15, 2026, will build on CGS’s mission and new initiatives such as the MS in Global Studies (MSGS) program, while also engaging undergraduate students in LAS Global Studies. Conceived as a student-led, faculty-guided event, the Forum will bring together voices across campus to analyze global challenges, practice policy engagement, and generate applied outputs that contribute to scholarly and public debates.
If you are interested in getting more involved in organizing and contributing to this symposium, we urge you to sign up for:
GLBL 499 - Policy Communication Practicum (CRN 55131/64185)
In GLBL 499 you will:
- Master policy research and evaluation.
- Write policy briefs for issues you care about.
- Gain hands-on leadership experience.
- Organize the inaugural Global Policy Forum.
The Policy Communication Practicum will empower students to benefit society through policy research, writing, and organizing. In this experiential learning practicum, students will learn to formulate policy issues, assess policy-relevant research, evaluate existing policies and programs, and communicate actionable recommendations. All students will gain hands-on leadership experience by organizing the Center for Global Studies’ inaugural Global Policy Forum, a student-led symposium that will bring together voices from across campus to analyze global challenges, practice policy engagement, and generate applied outputs for scholarly and public debates. Additionally, students enrolled for 3- or 4-credits will craft a compelling policy brief to be included in a CGS-hosted student journal, the CGS’s policy brief series, or another professional outlet for impactful scholarship.
Mondays 3-4pm (1-credit) or 3-6pm (3- and 4-credits)
Interdisciplinary and open to all.
https://courses.illinois.edu/schedule/2026/spring/GLBL/499
Email adrianw3@illinois.edu for more details.