Public Affairs Conference
The Public Affairs Conference (PAC) is the oldest student-led conference in the United States. With a few exceptions, the conference has occurred annually since its inception in 1939. Principia students take responsibility for all aspects of planning and running the conference, from choosing the topic to inviting the speakers and coordinating logistics.
“By working on the Public Affairs Conference, I got to interact with ambassadors, leading authors, and thought leaders while addressing global issues. It also developed my confidence for job interviews and interactions with senior executives.”
—Kenny D'Evelyn (C'10), Consultant at Deloitte
Throughout the three-day conference, students and other attendees from a wide range of colleges and universities hear talks by experts and meet with them in workshops to discuss current topics such as cybercrime, globalization, terrorism, and genetics. Recent conferences have focused on peacebuilding, youth empowerment, sustainability, social entrepreneurship, innovation, and media as a tool for social change.
The conference in April 2021 was titled "Engage With Perspectives Develop a New Lens."