On February 25, 2026, students, teachers and staff from secondary schools gathered for the 43rd annual World Affairs Conference (WAC), organized by Branksome Hall and Upper Canada College. This year’s theme, Power in Perspective, encouraged participants to think critically about the path ahead and sparked conversations about how to work together and share perspectives to shape a better future. WAC’s reach has expanded exponentially—the conference welcomed more than 1,300 in-person attendees. It garnered media coverage in major publications, including The Toronto Star, The Globe and Mail and The Manila Times.

The conference opened with a stellar keynote address by Colonel Chris Hadfield, the first Canadian to walk in space, former Commander of the International Space Station and NASA Director of Operations, and bestselling author. Colonel Hadfield spoke about the power of dreaming boldly and committing fully to one’s aspirations, no matter how ambitious they may seem. The pioneering space explorer reinforced this sentiment by sharing a personal wish: to tell his 10-year-old self that the dream of going to space was better than he ever imagined. Through personal stories and reflections from his remarkable career, he encouraged students to pursue their goals with curiosity, discipline and courage.

Branksome Co-Chair Ruhani, reflecting on her three years with WAC, stated: “The scale of the conference demonstrates that young people genuinely care about spotlighting and voicing issues that reflect the true state of the world we live in, inspiring collective understanding that goes beyond headlines.” Co-Chair Alyssa echoed these sentiments, adding: “Watching this team plan, problem-solve, and bring this conference to life has reminded me that WAC isn’t just a one-day event—it’s a community that grows stronger each year because of the people behind it.”

Throughout the day, conference delegates attended talks from remarkable leaders, including Arwa Damon, former CNN Senior International Correspondent and Founder of INARA; Joseph Lace, Managing Director of JP Morgan; Paul Goddard, President and CEO of Pizza Pizza Limited; Jack Armstrong, sportscaster, sports basketball analyst and veteran NBA broadcaster; Marci Shore, Chair of European Intellectual History at the University of Toronto, and many others.

The phenomenal conference concluded with an inspiring closing keynote by Martin Kon, President Emeritus and former COO of Cohere, the leading data security-first AI company, and former CFO of YouTube. A UCC alumnus and Branksome parent, Mr. Kon shared thoughtful reflections on the rapidly evolving landscape of artificial intelligence. He emphasized the responsibility and opportunity young leaders have to shape their future, and encouraged students to approach emerging technologies not with apprehension, but with ethical awareness and adaptability.

The 2026 World Affairs Conference left future leaders inspired and motivated to work toward building a better world. As Canada’s longest-running student-led conference, WAC is a testament to the power of youth leadership and collaboration. Under the leadership of the Conference Chairs, more than 50 driven Branksome Hall students dedicated their time and talents across a range of committees to bring the event to life.

The day concluded with a lively post-conference reception at Branksome Hall for speakers, senior leadership and community members. The evening celebrated the collective effort behind WAC 2026, with remarks from the WAC Co-Chairs, Keynote Speaker Martin Kon, Interim Deputy Principal Kimberly Carter and Principal Grace McCallum. Reflecting on her continued involvement with the conference, Principal McCallum expressed admiration for the professionalism, initiative and vision demonstrated by students from both organizing schools.

WAC 2026 left more than one thousand future leaders inspired to engage thoughtfully with the world around them—and empowered to shape it.