Sarasota Institute of Lifetime Learning launched its 47th season in January 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, February 27: “Governing a Prosperous North America: Canada, Mexico, and the United States” with Jorge Dominguez. Dr. Jorge Dominguez will examine issues affecting all of North America. These include trade, migration, drug trafficking, terrorism, tourism and border waters. How should Canada, Mexico, and the United States deal with these issues? Dr. Domínguez is Antonio Madero Professor for the Study of Mexico and chair of the Harvard Academy for International and Area Studies. He is the author or editor of “Mexico’s Evolving Democracy: A Comparative Study of the 2012 Elections,” and several other books and articles on domestic and international politics in Latin America and the Caribbean. 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, February 28: “Mexico Chooses a New President” with Jorge Dominguez. Every six years, reports Dr. Jorge Dominguez, Mexicans elect their President and Senate for six-year terms and the Federal Chamber of Deputies for three-year terms. The leading candidate claims NAFTA was badly negotiated. Election fraud mars residential elections. He boasts that his rallies are the biggest. Are Mexican and U.S. elections alike? Dr. Domínguez is Antonio Madero Professor for the Study of Mexico and chair of the Harvard Academy for International and Area Studies. He is the author or editor of “Mexico’s Evolving Democracy: A Comparative Study of the 2012 Elections,” and several other books and articles on domestic and international politics in Latin America and the Caribbean. 10:30 a.m. at First Church, 104 S. Pineapple Ave., Sarasota.
Thursday, March 1: “The Heroin/Opioid Epidemic and Prescription Drug Abuse” with Peter Bensinger. Overdose deaths have skyrocketed because of higher purity and increased availability. Peter Bensinger will provide a historical perspective on drug abuse in America. He will focus on the present heroin and opioid epidemic and discuss the roles of source countries like Mexico, pharmaceutical manufacturers, drug distributors, pain clinics, hospitals, and the illegal market. Peter Bensinger is a nationally recognized expert on drugs and alcohol in the workplace. He is currently senior consultant at BDA | Morneau Shepell, a provider of employee assistance programs, problem gambling services, and drug testing management. He also served as administrator of the United States Drug Enforcement Administration from 1976 to 1981. 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.
Tuesday, March 6: “Green Card Stories” with Stephen Yale-Loehr. Immigration expert Prof. Stephen Yale-Loehr will put a human face on immigration, moving the debate beyond divisive politics and into the landscape of everyday America. He will look at individual cases to illustrate how immigrants are contributing to our nation today. Prof. Yale-Loehr has practiced immigration law for over 30 years. He teaches at Cornell Law School as professor of immigration practice. He is also a non-resident Fellow at the Migration Policy Institute and chairs the asylum committee of the American Immigration Lawyers Association. 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, March 7: “Our Broken Immigration System and How to Fix It” with Stephen Yale-Loehr. Immigration is at the forefront of U.S. politics. President Trump has called for building walls and imposing bans on Muslim immigrants. Does immigration help or hurt America? Immigration expert Prof. Stephen Yale-Loehr will explain why our current immigration system doesn’t work and what you can do to help fix it. Prof. Yale-Loehr has practiced immigration law for over 30 years. He teaches at Cornell Law School as professor of immigration practice. He is also a non-resident Fellow at the Migration Policy Institute and chairs the asylum committee of the American Immigration Lawyers Association. 10:30 a.m. at First Church, 104 S. Pineapple Ave., in 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 tickets, or learn about the program in more detail visit www.sillsarasota.org. For more information, call 941-365-6404.
See attached March release for more upcoming lectures.
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.