Sarasota Institute of Lifetime Learning launches its 47th season on January 9 with its hard-hitting Global Issues series in Sarasota, Venice and Lakewood Ranch. Internationally acclaimed experts explore the challenges and dilemmas we face at home and around the world in this engaging series of lectures and lively conversations.
(Sarasota, Florida) Internationally renowned experts discuss a vast range of domestic and global issues as part of Sarasota Institute of Lifetime Learning’s (SILL) 2018 “Global Issues” series. The new season features 72 programs in Sarasota, Venice and Lakewood Ranch, and runs from January through March. Speakers will explore dozens of topics, including the opioid crisis, artificial intelligence, America’s volatile politics, and topical issues in China, Korea, Russia and the Middle East.
Upcoming lectures include:
Tuesday, January 9: “Delivering on the Constitution’s Aspirations: Aligning Security and Privacy” with Chris Inglis. Prof. Chris Inglis will describe the mission, capabilities and procedures which ensure the National Security Agency (NSA) conducts its foreign intelligence mission while protecting privacy. He will describe the constitutional framing, legal precedents and operational controls in place at NSA before and after Snowden, along with lessons learned on all sides. 10:30 a.m. at First Church, 104 S. Pineapple Ave., in Sarasota; and 2:30 p.m. at the Venice Community Center, 326 S. Nokomis Ave., Venice
Wednesday, January 10: “The Snowden Controversy: A View from a Real Insider on the Snowden Leaks and Their Aftermath” with Chris Inglis. The 2013 Snowden leaks had a major impact on the National Security Agency (NSA) leadership and its mission. Prof. Chris Inglis, one of those NSA leaders, will explain NSA’s purpose, means, and the controls in place to oversee the NSA’s foreign intelligence mission, and the import, impact, and aftermath of Snowden’s allegations. 10:30 a.m. at First Church, 104 S. Pineapple Ave., Sarasota.
Thursday, January 11: “Providing for National Security in the Second Nuclear Age” with Robert Gallucci. The first nuclear age began with Hiroshima and saw five more countries acquire nuclear weapons. The second nuclear age, dating from the collapse of the Soviet Union, saw three more countries acquire these weapons. Dr. Robert Gallucci will identify the implications for Americans in a world of terrorist organizations and hostile states. 10:30 a.m. at First Church, 104 S. Pineapple Ave., in Sarasota, and 7 p.m. at Cornerstone Church, 14306 Covenant Way, Lakewood Ranch.
Friday, January 12: “Providing for National Security in the Second Nuclear Age” with Robert Gallucci. The first nuclear age began with Hiroshima and saw five more countries acquire nuclear weapons. The second nuclear age, dating from the collapse of the Soviet Union, saw three more countries acquire these weapons. Dr. Robert Gallucci will identify the implications for Americans in a world of terrorist organizations and hostile states. 10 a.m. at the Venice Community Center, 326 S Nokomis Ave., Venice.
Tuesday, January 16: “U.S. Foreign Policy after One Year of President Donald Trump’s Leadership” with Christopher Hill. NATO and the European Union, Russia and Ukraine, North Korea, the Middle East, and other hotspots form a virtual cauldron which cannot be relegated to the back-burner. Amb. Christopher Hill will review how these hotspots will be addressed/resolved through Trump’s unconventional approach. 10:30 a.m. at First Church, 104 S. Pineapple Ave., Sarasota, and 2:30 p.m. at the Venice Community Center, 326 S Nokomis Ave., Venice.
Wednesday, January 17: “How Policy Is Made in Washington, D.C.” with Christopher Hill. Amb. Christopher Hill will review the foreign policy process in the Trump Administration. He will address questions such as: Who is seated at the table? Who are the stakeholders and power brokers? Does the U.S. Department of State have a future? 10:30 a.m. at First Church, 104 S. Pineapple Ave., in Sarasota.
Thursday, January 18: “Africa’s Challenges and Opportunities and Why Should the United States Care?” with Linda Thomas-Greenfield. Africa is a complex continent of 54 countries, over 2000 languages, some of the world’s most abundant natural resources, and the world’s fastest growing and most youthful population. Amb. Linda Thomas-Greenfield will assess the role that Africa will play on the International stage and the policy implications for the U.S. 10:30 a.m., at First Church, 104 S. Pineapple Ave., Sarasota, and 7 p.m. at Cornerstone Church, 14306 Covenant Way in Lakewood Ranch.
Friday, January 19: “Africa’s Challenges and Opportunities and Why Should the United States Care?” with Linda Thomas-Greenfield. Africa is a complex continent of 54 countries, over 2000 languages, some of the world’s most abundant natural resources, and the world’s fastest growing and most youthful population. Amb. Linda Thomas-Greenfield will assess the role that Africa will play on the International stage and the policy implications for the U.S. 10 a.m. at the Venice Community Center, 326 S Nokomis Ave., Venice.
Tuesday, January 23: “Robot Nation: Synergy between Man and Machine” with Sasha Hoffman. Robots are no longer science fiction. Robots have arrived. Sasha Hoffman will discuss how robots and autonomous systems are impacting our lives at home and work. She will walk through multiple industry examples from surveillance to construction and discuss what lies ahead on the cutting edge of robotic technology. 10:30 a.m. at First Church, 104 S. Pineapple Ave., Sarasota, and 2:30 p.m. at the Venice Community Center, 326 S Nokomis Ave., Venice.
Wednesday, January 24: “Intelligent Transportation Systems Redefined” with Sasha Hoffman. Autonomous. Integrated. Shared. Data. Security. Connected. Infrastructure. Where is technology driving transportation and what’s in store for moving people and goods? Sasha Hoffman will examine global trends in urban mobility, smart cities, and life beyond the personal automobile and self-driving cars. 10:30 a.m., at First Church, 104 S. Pineapple Ave., Sarasota.
Thursday, January 25: “Britain and Europe: Another Chapter of Accidents” with Margaret Jay. After Britain voted to leave the EU an unexpected General Election produced an even more unexpected result. Now Britain is left with a weak government unable to guarantee that it can deliver anything. Prime Minister May promised “strength and stability” but the opposite is now true. Baroness Margaret Jay will elaborate. 10:30 a.m. at First Church, 104 S. Pineapple Ave., Sarasota, and at 7 p.m. at Cornerstone Church, 14306 Covenant Way, Lakewood Ranch.
Friday, January 26: “Britain and Europe: Another Chapter of Accidents” with Margaret Jay. After Britain voted to leave the EU an unexpected General Election produced an even more unexpected result. Now Britain is left with a weak government unable to guarantee that it can deliver anything. Prime Minister May promised “strength and stability” but the opposite is now true. Baroness Margaret Jay will elaborate. 10 a.m. at the Venice Community Center, 326 S Nokomis Ave., Venice.
Tuesday, January 30: “U.S. – Russia Relations: Major Power Relations in a New World Order” with James Collins. A quarter century after the end of the Cold War, the world order fashioned largely by U.S. leadership is challenged on many fronts. Amb. James Collins explains how Russia’s role in this process remains significant and essential, but limited by real constraints. Getting the thinking about Russia right continues to challenge American policy makers.10:30 a.m. at First Church, 104 S. Pineapple Ave., Sarasota, and 2:30 p.m. at the Venice Community Center, 326 S Nokomis Ave., Venice.
Wednesday, January 31: “Russia and its Neighbors: The Search for Stability Twenty-Five Years after Empire” with James Collins. Russia’s relations with its neighbors remain uncertain and Moscow’s quest for a sphere of influence remains a source of instability for the broader Euro-Atlantic and global order. Amb. James Collins will describe how this issue has bedeviled U.S. Russian relations as Russia acts in ways that challenge fundamental principles of the Euro-Atlantic order. 10:30 a.m. at First Church, 104 S. Pineapple Ave., Sarasota.
SILL’s Global Issues lectures are 40 to 50 minutes, followed by 30 minutes of audience questions. The lectures are Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays, 10:30 a.m., at First Church, 104 S. Pineapple Ave., in Sarasota; Tuesdays, 2:30 p.m., and Fridays, 10 a.m., at the Venice Community Center, 326 S Nokomis Ave., in Venice; and Thursdays at 7 p.m. at Cornerstone Church, 14306 Covenant Way in Lakewood Ranch. Doors open 40 minutes prior to the start of the lecture. Season subscriptions are $85 for a 12-lecture series. If seating is available, single lecture tickets are $10. To purchase subscriptions, or learn about the program in more detail visit www.sillsarasota.org. For more information, call 941-365-6404.
About the Sarasota Institute of Lifetime Learning
The Sarasota Institute of Lifetime Learning (SILL) is a non-profit organization that offers an expert lecture series to provide information on and discussion of the arts and contemporary global issues. SILL is guided by an all-volunteer board committed to modest pricing and enhanced outreach. Visit www.sillsarasota.org.