Naval Academy Foreign Affairs Conference (NAFAC)

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The Naval Academy Foreign Affairs Conference (NAFAC) is the largest undergraduate foreign affairs conference in the United States. Providing a forum for addressing pressing international concerns since 1961, NAFAC seeks to explore current, demanding issues from both a civilian and military perspective. Held at the picturesque and prestigious United States Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland, NAFAC brings together future Navy and Marine Corps officers and their civilian counterparts to share ideas and concerns relating to international affairs.

One of the nation's premier forums for promising young leaders to interact and grow, NAFAC boasts an impressive list of recent high-profile speakers, to include: President George H.W. Bush, Secretary of State Madeleine Albright, Dr. Condoleezza Rice, and General Wesley Clark.

Structure

Each year a unique theme is chosen for NAFAC; noteworthy individuals with expertise in relevant fields are then invited to address the conference delegates. These scores of delegates represent colleges from across the United States and around the globe; conference attendees bring with them unique attitudes and approaches that, through discussion and interaction, come to enlighten the thinking of others.

A rich variety of lectures provides delegates access to prominent leaders and thinkers; meanwhile, small-group roundtable discussions offer students the opportunity to explore specific areas more in-depth. In this way, NAFAC fulfils its mission of creating an atmosphere open to rich discussion and intellectual thought on significant international problems.

It is worth noting that the entire conference is organized and run by United States Naval Academy students--known as "midshipmen"--in a highly professional and efficient manner. These future officers of the Navy and Marine Corps also serve as delegates and moderators during the event.

NAFAC Today

On April 10, 2006, delegates will arrive in Annapolis for the commencement of the 46th annual Naval Academy Foreign Affairs Conference. The topic to be addressed this year is "Africa: Turning Attention into Action." In addition to attending several lecture presentations, delegates will form fourteen roundtable groups to analyze the most urgent and controversial issues facing Africa today; subjects range between failed states and the AIDS crisis to natural resources and democratization.

Further information and a schedule of events can be accessed at: www.usna.edu/nafac [link].

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