The Sarasota World Affairs Council hosts high-profile foreign affairs lectures covering current international issues ranging from foreign intelligence to peace negotiations to immigration and trade. https://www.sarasotawac.org/

Each lecture is followed by a wine and light-bites reception for SWAC members. We hope that members will take advantage of such opportunities to speak face-to-face to with those working directly in the field of international affairs.

​Except for the March event, all programs will be held at the Sainer Pavilion on the campus of New College of Florida and begin at 6:30 pm.  Regular programs are free for the general public, but reservations are suggested.  Each lecture is followed by a members-only reception with the speaker in a historic building on Sarasota Bay.

 

Oct. 23, 2019 – Venezuela: A Real Threat in Our Backyard

Diego Arria 

Former Venezuelan Ambassador to the United Nations and President of the Security Council – now a political and human rights activist living in exile in the US. 

Nov. 11, 2019 – Migration across a Common Border: 

A Challenge for Mexico and the U.S.

Gustavo Mohar

Founder and Director of Grupo Atalaya, a private Mexican consultancy that specializes in nontechnical risk and strategic intelligence.

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Dec. 3, 2019 – Global Health: Why You Really Must Care

Richard Skolnik

Former Director for Health in the South Asia Region of the World Bank. 

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Jan. 14, 2020 – The Politics of Hate Have Driven the U.S. and Iran to the Brink

Jamal Abdi

President of the National Iranian American Council. 

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Feb. 11, 2020 – Not with a Bang: 

Moving toward the Endgame with a Nuclear North Korea

Evans Revere

Senior Director at the Albright-Stonebridge Group.

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Mar. 23, 2020 – SPECIAL EVENT AT SELBY GARDENS  

The Rising Tide:  Increasing Demand for Climate Action

Loren Blackford

President of the national Sierra Club. Pricing yet to be determined.  Tickets will include an invitation to tour the beautiful gardens beginning at 5:30 p.m., an appetizer buffet, one complimentary drink ticket, cash bar, a silent auction, and the feature presentation.

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April 21, 2020 – Changing the Face of Modern Ballet: The Sarasota Cuban Ballet School

Ariel Serrano and Wilmian Hernandez

Directors of the Sarasota Cuban Ballet School.  Dancers from the school will demonstrate the unique aspects of the SCBS style.

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Except for the March event, all programs will be held at the Sainer Pavilion on the campus of New College of Florida and begin at 6:30 pm.  Regular programs are free for the general public, but reservations are suggested.  Each lecture is followed by a members-only reception with the speaker in a historic building on Sarasota Bay.

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