The Student World Assembly engages students from around the world in critical reflection and innovative thinking. Students deliberate on significant global issues that are pertinent to their school, their community, and the world at large. Modeled as a representative democracy, SWA’s philosophy is “Promoting Global Democracy, One Student at a Time,” making it a unique member-based global organization, dedicated to global democracy, human rights, and preparing students to be the leaders of the next generation.

In accordance with its philosophy, SWA provides a venue for students to address many vital social and political issues affecting our global future. It is a way for students to express themselves as effective global citizens. Consistent with its purpose, SWA has formulated the following goals for its members:

• Promoting global democracy
• Supporting human rights
• Encouraging grassroots learning, action and participation forums
• Developing leadership skills through hands-on organizing and advocacy for pressing global issues
• Voting, deliberation and action on current pressing issues-locally and globally
• Bridging the digital divide by connecting students around the world and through subsidizing access to technology
• Networking through local and international meetings
• To unite all students and encourage them to become agents of change on important global issues
• To foster leadership skills by introducing or reinforcing democracy through practical experience
• Maintaining member participation after graduation, thus allowing the SWA to grow into an elected World Assembly that derives its moral power from its representation of all people individually

SWA is one of many active student and youth-run organizations in existence today. Though many of these groups focus on similar issues of democracy, human rights, environmental preservation and world peace, SWA stands out as a unique force amongst them with its encompassing and open-ended qualities.

Everything is run democratically here at SWA. Students may raise any issue to be discussed, in the same way that they may propose ways for a problem to be solved. There is no specific agenda involved with SWA. Every student gets a chance to express their opinion, and all views are accepted. To help students establish an informed opinion, SWA tries to educate members as thoroughly and unbiased as possible. An extensive list of suggested readings, educational links, and downloads is available to assist SWA members on their path to spreading global democracy.

The online discussion forum is a unique aspect of SWA. Free speech, an essential part of democracy, is practiced in full. Students can discuss pressing global issues at length without fear of censorship and propaganda. Every voice is heard and informed dialogue commences. Through the discussion forums, every member is provided the opportunity to speak his or her opinion, thus helping to educate one another from any part of the world.

SWA elections allow for global representation and provide leadership skills as well. Students are given the opportunity to represent SWA as Chapter Officers (on a local level), International Officers, and Committee Chairs. Students learn exactly how the democratic election process works, how to campaign for elected positions, as well as how to run a governing body. These steps provide SWA youth with the necessary skills they need to succeed as effective leaders in the future.

The annual International Convention provides another medium through which students can take part in a worldwide pure democratic voting process. A proxy voting system has been put into place so that every single SWA member has the chance to cast a vote, regardless of whether or not they can attend the annual International Convention. Members select a delegate whose views they agree with the most, and choose them to cast their vote while at the Convention. Voting is based on beliefs and ideas, rather than geographic location, nationality, fear or any other factors that inhibit a democratic vote.

The annual International Convention is the high-point of SWA activities throughout the year. It is a time where all three themes of the Student World Assembly are put into place at one time. Students will educate (and be educated), participate and take action on a pressing global issue chosen by the entire student-member base throughout the year. The Student World Assembly encourages its members to approach and combat pressing global issues, as well as important issues that arise on a local level. Our belief is that “together, we can make a difference, one student at a time.”