Water Security: Local, National, & Global Perspectives
Storer Ballroom, Shepherd University
Thursday, October 24
8:00 a.m. – 1:30 p.m.
For the past 36 years, the Rotary Club of Shepherdstown and the Rotary Club of Martinsburg, West Virginia have hosted the World Affairs Seminar to inspire critical thinking and informed dialogue among high school students on topics of pressing global and local significance. This annual seminar provides students with the opportunity to explore interconnected challenges, equipping them to engage as active citizens and future problem-solvers.
Water security is a critical issue of the 21st century as communities worldwide face the impacts of climate change, population growth, industrial development, and pollution. These challenges appear in many forms—too little water during droughts, too much in floods, and unsafe water for consumption or ecosystems. They affect not only distant regions but also local communities, including West Virginia.
This year’s seminar, Water Security: Local, National, and Global Perspectives, explores how water challenges cross borders and demand collaborative solutions. From addressing the climate-water connection to examining contaminants like PFAS, the seminar helps students grasp the importance of water security while identifying ways to foster solutions within their communities.
For details on the program agenda and our guest presenters, please visit the World Affairs Webpage.
