World Affairs Council to hold Global World Trivia Pub Challenge

Amish Jindal's interest in world affairs was furthered by programs and a scholarship offered by the World Affairs Council of Greater Reading.

Jindal, one of three Berks County students to received scholarships from the council last year, said he frequently attended the council's educational luncheon lectures while a student at Wilson High School.

"It just exposed me to so many new ideas that I could continue to build upon in my classes in high school and now in my classes and discussions at college."

Now in his second year as an economics major at Brown University in Providence, R.I., Jindal of Spring Township said the study of world affairs crosses into many fields.

"I'm not directly majoring in international affairs," he said, "but I still take a lot of classes in public science and public policy."

The fields are related, he noted, adding that his recent interests are geared toward real estate development, another field that can have connections to world affairs.

"It's super fascinating to see how I can approach something that's really local, like real estate development, but kind of take it to an international level in the future," he said.

Jindal received a $2,000 scholarship, the largest of the total of $4,500 awarded in 2023 by World Affairs Council in memory of Alan Miller, a longtime council board member.

Other awards that year went to Lauren Goldman, Twin Valley, who won a $1,500 scholarship and Zachary Kleinfelter, Exeter, who received $1,000.

The nonprofit, nonpartisan World Affairs Council aims to promote awareness and understanding of international issues.

Its scholarship program, established in 2019, has provided $23,000 in scholarships to 19 Berks students interested in international relations, political science, public administration and global studies, said Nevin Holliger, a board member and an organizer of the council's annual Pub Global Trivia Challenge.

The challenge is the principal fundraiser for the annual scholarship program. This year's trivia event will be held Oct. 25 at the Sly Fox Taphouse, Wyomissing.

Teams of four will compete in seven contest categories with prizes awarded to the top three teams.

This year's event includes a pick-a-prize raffle and silent art auction.

"The intent is to make it a fun activity and to involve as many community members as we can," Hollinger said.

Teams can be made up of business groups, organizations, good friends or neighbors, he said. Individuals wishing to participate will be assigned to a team.

The deadline for team registration is Oct. 1.

Being a teammate is not the only way to participate, Hollinger said, noting sponsors and spectators, known as cheerleaders, also are needed.