Our Universities:

Global21 targets top universities around the globe. Students at each of the chapters come from diverse backgrounds and hold strikingly different viewpoints, but all share a passion for intellectual pursuits and journalism.

The following universities are part of Global21:

Bogaziçi University, Turkey - One of Turkey's most prestigious educational institutions, Boğaziçi was established in 1863 as Robert College, the first American school outside of the United States. On September 10, 1971, Bogaziçi University was officially established on what had been the Robert College campus for over one hundred years. Today, Boğaziçi University has 8,574 undergraduates and 2,453 graduate students. In addition to providing an exceptional education, the university also emphasizes student participation in social and cultural activities. Boğaziçi students have the opportunity to choose from vast variety of activites that cater to diverse talents and interests, international affairs being one of the most prominent of them. Bogazici is a well-connected institution with regard to global resources, and participates in many student exchange programs, including ERASMUS.

Cambridge University, United Kingdom - Although the U.S. and the UK have much in common, American and British students have divergent opinions on many issues related to international politics. British students have a unique perspective on European and world politics, which can be explored through Global21's developing global network. Founded in 1209, Cambridge University has educated many outstanding leaders and scholars, from scientists like Newton and Darwin to politicians like the current head of the Conservative Party, Michael Howard. Indeed, Cambridge has produced more Nobel Prize laureates than any other university in the world (80 in all) and The Times Higher Education Supplement recently ranked Cambridge sixth in the world.

University of Cape Town, South Africa - The University of Cape Town (UCT) is South Africa's oldest university. Since its founding in 1829 it has become one of Africa's premier universities attracting students and staff from around the globe. Its mission is to be an outstanding teaching and research university, which educates for life and addresses the challenges facing our society.

Situated on the slopes of Table Mountain UCT looks out over a city and a country with a troubled past. Its sustained opposition to apartheid, especially in higher education from 1960 to 1990, saw UCT become a hotbed of student activism. During this time it was not uncommon for government security police to raid the campus and arrest students involved in protest marches and other banned gatherings.

UCT continues to be at the forefront of social change in South Africa, educating the leaders of tomorrow and maintaining a standard of academic excellence. It strives to promote equal opportunity, to transcend the legacy of apartheid and to overcome all forms of gender and other oppressive discrimination.

Hebrew University, Israel - Israel is in a pivotal and contentious position in world politics. Clashing opinions on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict are frequently spotlighted in newspapers and other publications, including The Yale Globalist. Global21 would therefore value exchange with Israeli students on this subject as well as on other international affairs issues. Hebrew University in Jerusalem is Israel's premier university. Founded in 1925 by a group of distinguished Jewish academics, the University's original board of governors included Albert Einstein and Sigmund Freud. Despite setbacks caused by Israel's troubled history, it is now a major center for science and technology, conducting 40 percent of all civilian research in Israel. The Hebrew University maintains exchange programs with universities around the world. One of its schools, the Rothberg International School, has the explicit purpose of serving international students who are unable to take classes in Hebrew. These students are from all around the world, with home countries that range from the United States, to Russia, to New Zealand.

Sciences Po, France - As one of Europe’s top universities, the Institut d'Études Politiques de Paris (or Sciences Po for short) has trained the best young minds for positions of public leadership for over one hundred years. Specializing in international business, foreign affairs, and politics, Science Po is committed to understanding the contemporary world through the social sciences. The university’s mission highly values students’ well-grounded, diverse opinions. This is especially reflected by Sciences Po’s global student involvement: one-third of the student body is comprised of international students. With over 70 extracurricular clubs and organizations, political student activism in Sciences Po is both celebrated and encouraged. Its well-rounded, multidisciplinary approach to tackling the global challenges of the 21st Century make it an integral part of the Global21 network. The Sciences Po chapter, called the Paris Globalist, is the university’s premier journal of international relations, directed by a team of highly motivated students with a passion for international issues and problems.

Peking University, China - Due to China's rapid economic growth and increasing involvement in the international community, the exchange of ideas between Chinese and American students is increasingly relevant in both countries. As China seeks greater power in terms of knowledge and industry, the globalization of its universities has become a necessity. At the same time, American students are increasingly interested in their Chinese counterparts, a fact made apparent by the popularity of Chinese language and history classes at Yale. The interest in exchange is not limited to Chinese and American students: administrators at American academic institutions, particularly Yale and Peking Universities, are also developing collaborative projects.

Students at Peking University have been active in national affairs frequently during the institution's long history. It was here that students planned the biggest student movement in Chinese history, the May 4th Movement, a protest against the incompetence of the Qing government after World War I. Today, Peking University is one of the most renowned colleges in China and aspires to be one of the top colleges in the world. Under President Xu Zhihong, there has been a marked increase of international exchange and communication programs, part of a greater effort towards general international engagement. As Peking University seeks opportunities to connect with the world, there is great demand for a student-run magazine on foreign affairs.

University of Sydney, Australia - The University of Sydney was established in 1850 to encourage the residents of New South Wales to pursue a liberal arts education. Sydney University has produced four Australian Prime Ministers, one of the first presidents of the United Nations, and the current Chief Justice of the High Court of Australia. Today there are approximately 47,000 students enrolled at the university, including about 9,000 international students. Sydney University has a global network of partner institutions, enabling research collaboration, joint teaching projects, and staff and student exchanges in 37 countries in Europe, North America, and Asia. The university's mission is consistent with Global21's vision and its students will be valuable members of our network.

Toronto University, Canada - Situated in the heart of Toronto, a city well-known for its multiculturalism, the University of Toronto is comprised of diverse and globally conscious students. The international bent of the university can be found in campus life. With over three hundred and forty student clubs, the University of Toronto represents broad interests within the student population. Clubs such as the Cambodian Genocide Group, the Amnesty International Club, and the Coalition on War and Racism reflect students' global interests. Such interests make Global21 a great network for University of Toronto students. The University of Toronto has over six thousand international students from all over the world including the United Kingdom, China, Japan and the United States. International students comprise about nine percent of the student population. Founded in 1827, the University of Toronto is Canada's largest university. It is one of the highest ranked educational institutions nationally for undergraduate studies, graduate studies and professional schools. Notable alumni include four of Canada's Prime Ministers including the current Prime Minister Paul Martin and Lester B. Pearson, winner of the Nobel Peace Prize.

Yale University, USA - Yale students are proud to be part of a tradition of public activism. Founded in 1701 as The Collegiate School, Yale's undergraduate, graduate and professional schools have, over three centuries, produced leaders: everyone from presidents past and present to leaders in business and the arts. In a global era, Yale is making a concentrated effort both to bring international scholars to Yale and to encourage it's American students to look abroad. In response to President Levin's call to "increase our focus on international concerns and having strong international representation among our student population," Yale is establishing a study abroad program in China to complement its London program. Meanwhile, the undergraduate career center organizes internship programs for undergraduates throughout Europe and Asia. The Yale Globalist, founded in 2000, represents a critical, student led component of the new international spirit at Yale. Helping bring this spirit to a new level through the Global21 network, represents an exciting opportunity for all of us.