The 8th International Symposium on the theme of “Forces Reshaping the World” was to be held in St. Louis in October 2020. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Symposium could not proceed in person. Despite the challenges presented by the pandemic, the McDonnell Academy continued to advance dialogue and engagement among partner institutions through a series of virtual events held throughout fall 2020 academic year.
Symposium Snapshot features international and interdisciplinary collaborations and conversations focused on Hope in a Time of Uncertainty.
![McDonnell Symposium - Executive Summary_2021](https://mcdonnell.wustl.edu/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/McDonnell-Symposium-Executive-Summary_2021-image-2020.png)
McDonnell International Scholars Academy
Highlights from the 2020 International Symposium
Hope in a Time of Uncertainty
The McDonnell Academy is committed to fostering dialogue and sharing ideas across disciplines. Founded in 2005, the McDonnell Academy organized its first International Symposium at Washington University in St. Louis in 2007. Since then, it has convened meetings in Hong Kong (2008), St. Louis (2010, 2014), Mumbai (2012), Brisbane (2016) and Beijing (2018).
Winners of the Symposium Photo Contest!
The Winner | $800 Prize
The Runner-Up | $400 Prize
![The Next Generation](https://mcdonnell.wustl.edu/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/Winner.png)
![Smile in Spite of Everything](https://mcdonnell.wustl.edu/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/Runner-UP.png)
WATCH video responses to “What gives you hope for the future?”
Andrew Martin | Chancellor, Washington University in St. Louis
VIEW submissions from our Hope and Resilience Around the World Photo Contest
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READ answers to “What gives you hope for the future?”
![John McDonnell - What gives you hope for the future?](https://global.wustl.edu/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/John-McDonnell_statement-1024x932.png)
![President Qixin - What gives you hope for the future](https://global.wustl.edu/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/CAU_.President-SUN-Qixin.Statement-725x1024.png)
![Student - What gives you hope for the future?](https://global.wustl.edu/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/SNU_Youn_Statement-1024x837.png)
What gives you hope?
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