The competition rounds for both the WACMHV and National competitions will be:

Rounds are listed here in no particular order. (NOTE: For the Regional competition, WACMHV will select 8 questions in each of the following 10 topics ; the National competition will have 10 questions in each topic) Research links are provided at the end of the list.

1.    Population Issues in Developing Countries
Nine countries are expected to account for the world's rapid population growth out to 2050, with eight of these countries in the developing world. This category will consist of questions about the demographic challenges that developing countries face.

2.     Water
By 2025, half of the world's population will live in water-stressed or water-scarce regions. This category will consist of questions about the impact of water scarcity throughout the world.

3.    Alternative Fuels
Out to 2025, world energy demand is expected to increase by 55 percent, a rise driven largely by industralization trends in Asia. This category will consist of questions about energy dependence and alternate sources.

4.    Biotechnology and Genetics
The completion of the Human Genome Project several years ago marked a historic achievement in the field of genetics and has opened up numerous paths for further exploration in biotechnology. This category will consist of questions about the development of genetics research and biotechnology.

5.    Connectivity
With the growth of technological innovation has come vastly greater connectivity, which is being utilized for collaboration in business and education, as well as in international criminal activities. This category will consist of questions about technological innovation and increased connectivity.

6.    Globalization
This category will consist of questions about the achievements, developments, and challenges presented by globalization.

7.    Transnational Crime
This category will consist of questions about organized crime, global terrorism, and trafficking in humans, drugs, and arms.

8.    Foreign Policy Association: Great Decisions 2008
Questions for this round will be drawn from these Great Decisions 2008 articles as well as updates posted on www.greatdecisions.org.

Topics for 2008 are: (Topics link to more information and research tools at the Foreign Policy Association and will open new windows. It is highly recommended that you thoroughly examine these materials in preparation for the competition.) Italic text in parentheses refers to the names as they appear at the Great Decisions site

Iraq (Iraq) The EU at 50 (European Union) Blacklisting the Enemy (Diplomacy) Russia (Russia)

U.S. Defense Policy (Defense and Security ) Latin America (Latin America) U.S.-China Economic Relations (China Trade) Foreign Aid and Philanthropy (Philanthropy )

WACMHV Links Take a look at our general Resources page. and Links for Younger Scholars page. WACA Academic WorldQuest 2009 Study Guide A collection of links specifically related to this year's topics Center for Strategic and International Studies ( CSIS ) One of the nation’s and the world’s preeminent public policy institutions on U.S. and international security. Southern Center for International Studies (SCIS) The SCIS research department has compiled a list of free web site links to bring teachers and students completely up-to-date on world issues. International Financial Organizations: World Trade Organization, World Bank, International Monetary Fund. Current Events New York Times http://www.nytimes.com BBC news http://news.bbc.co.uk/ Asia Times Online http://www.atimes.com Countries State Department Country Background Notes http://www.state.gov/r/pa/ei/bgn CIA -- The World Factbook http://www.cia.gov/cia/publications/factbook/index.html BBC News Country Profiles http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/country_profiles/default.stm# National Geographic-Roper Survey of Geographic Literacy http://www.nationalgeographic.com/roper2006/index.html National Geographic's "People and Places" http://plasma.nationalgeographic.com/places/directory.html My Wonderful World http://www.mywonderfulworld.org/ United Nations http://www.un.org/english/ Peoples of the World Wikipedia list of Ethnic Groups http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_ethnic_groups People in the News A&E Biography http://www.biography.com/ Info Please Biographies http://www.infoplease.com/people.html Transnational Crime US Department of State International Information Program http://usinfo.state.gov/journals/itgic/0801/ijge/ijge0801.htm Wikipedia article and links http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Transnational_crime US Department of Justice - National Institute of Justice http://www.ojp.usdoj.gov/nij/topics/crime/transnational-organized-crime/welcome.htm