Sarasota Institute of Lifetime Learning continues its 48th season 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) 2019 “Global Issues” series. The new season, which runs January 8 to March 29, features 72 programs in Sarasota, Venice and Lakewood Ranch. Speakers will explore dozens of topics, including the U.S. role in the world, changing patterns of violence against women and girls, America’s volatile politics, the future of democracy around the world, the aging brain, and topical issues in China, Korea, Russia and the Middle East. Programs run during the day in both Sarasota and Venice. An evening series, in Lakewood Ranch, is also available.
Upcoming lectures include:
Tuesday, February 5: The Trump Administration and America’s Asia-Pacific Strategy with Jonathan Pollack. Since entering office, the Trump Administration has sharply altered America’s long-standing diplomatic, economic, and security policies in Asia and the Pacific. Dr. Jonathan Pollack will discuss what is the President trying to achieve? What are the potential consequences and risks for America’s relations with this vitally important region? 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, February 6: How Does Asia and the Pacific View the Future Role of the United States? With Jonathan Pollack. States across the Asia and the Pacific are intensively debating their long-term futures. Dr. Jonathan Pollack will discuss what are their expectations of the United States? How do they plan to realize prosperity, stability, and security if American policy is less predictable? 10:30 a.m. at First Church, 104 S. Pineapple Ave., Sarasota.
Thursday, February 7: The Impossible Presidency with Jeremi Suri. Dr. Jeremi Suri notes the American presidency changed from the limited role envisaged by the founding fathers to the most powerful job in the world. In recent years the presidency became a victim of its own success. Now it is almost impossible to fulfill the expectations placed upon it. 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, February 8: The Impossible Presidency with Jeremi Suri. Dr. Jeremi Suri notes the American presidency changed from the limited role envisaged by the founding fathers to the most powerful job in the world. In recent years the presidency became a victim of its own success. Now it is almost impossible to fulfill the expectations placed upon it.10 a.m. at the Venice Community Center, 326 S Nokomis Ave., Venice.
Tuesday, February 12: Smart Power: Diplomacy on the Front Line of American Security with Marc Grossman: American security depends upon American diplomacy. Amb. Marc Grossman will describe how diplomats work with the military to practice “smart power” to maintain U.S. global leadership. Tools include promoting rules-based interactions between nations, fair and expanding global commerce, embracing values such as tolerance and pluralism, and working to have more allies. 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, February 13: How Wars End: Resolving Conflicts Through Diplomacy with Marc Grossman. Ending wars and conflicts are among the most important challenges facing 21st-century diplomats. Amb. Marc Grossman will draw on lessons from his career, including his service as the Special Representative for Afghanistan and Pakistan (SRAP), to consider what to do about contemporary challenges, including Syria. 10:30 a.m., at First Church, 104 S. Pineapple Ave., Sarasota.
Thursday, February 14: The Divided Kingdom of Britain with Margaret Jay. Britain is going through an identity crisis. With Brexit, Britain will detach from Europe and focus on internal affairs. Alternatively, the marriage of Prince Harry to a divorced, mixed race American has generated enthusiasm, with citizens embracing a more multi-cultural, multinational life. Baroness Margaret Jay will discuss what happens when normal conventions have been shattered. What does this imply for the future? 10:30 a.m. at First Church, 104 S. Pineapple Ave., Sarasota.
NEW!! Thursday, February 14: Florida’s Changing Demographics: Impact on the 2018 and 2020 Elections with Susan MacManus, Distinguished Professor Emeritus at the University of South Florida’s School of Interdisciplinary Services. 7 p.m. at Cornerstone Church, 14306 Covenant Way, Lakewood Ranch. Lakewood Ranch season subscribers are welcome to use their Thursday evening subscription ticket to attend one of Margaret Jay’s lectures, either in Sarasota or Venice.
Friday, February 15: The Divided Kingdom of Britain with Margaret Jay. Britain is going through an identity crisis. With Brexit, Britain will detach from Europe and focus on internal affairs. Alternatively, the marriage of Prince Harry to a divorced, mixed race American has generated enthusiasm, with citizens embracing a more multi-cultural, multinational life. Baroness Margaret Jay will discuss what happens when normal conventions have been shattered. What does this imply for the future? 10 a.m. at the Venice Community Center, 326 S Nokomis Ave., Venice.
Tuesday, February 19: Memory Matters in the Aging Brain with Aron Troen. Understanding memory and why it fades has concerned humanity since time immemorial. Dr. Aron Troen will discuss modern insights into the brain’s basic workings to explain normal changes to memory, how they differ from the cognitive impairment of dementia, and how this knowledge can be harnessed to prevent the disease. 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, February 20: Finding Hope and Avoiding Hype in Dementia-Prevention Research with Aron Troen. There is good reason to hope that we may reduce our risk of dementia by adopting healthy behaviors, and by promoting public health. Dr. Aron Troen will review recent research findings regarding prevention and their limitations to explain why the messages from the health community and popular press so frequently conflict. 10:30 a.m. at First Church, 104 S. Pineapple Ave., Sarasota.
Thursday, February 21: The Future of War with Sean McFate. The future of war is not what most think. The 21st century is maturing into a world mired in perpetual conflict. The weak defeat the strong, and battlefield victory achieves little. Forget what you know about war — it’s obsolete. Dr. McFate will explain the new rules of war, and how to win. 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, February 22: The Future of War with Sean McFate. The future of war is not what most think. The 21st century is maturing into a world mired in perpetual conflict. The weak defeat the strong, and battlefield victory achieves little. Forget what you know about war — it’s obsolete. Dr. McFate will explain the new rules of war, and how to win. 10 a.m. at the Venice Community Center, 326 S Nokomis Ave., Venice.
Tuesday, February 26: Trump’s Iranian Policy with Mohsen Milani. In its 40-year history, the Islamic Republic has survived extended wars, sanctions and boycotts and become a regional power with growing nuclear potential. The Trump administration has returned to a confrontational approach after Obama’s negotiations, imposing new sanctions. Dr. Mohsen Milani will analyze the state of US-Iranian relations and discuss future prospects. 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, February 27: Islamic Republic of Iran’s 40th Anniversary with Mohsen Milani. The Islamic Republic’s 1979 revolution has reached middle age. Some Western commentators treat every protest as proof the Iranian people want radical change. Others argue that most Iranians want reform not revolution. Dr. Mohsen Milani will discuss how Iranians view themselves, assess and respond to prospects for continuity and change in Iran. 10:30 a.m. at First Church, 104 S. Pineapple Ave., Sarasota.
Thursday, February 28: Tensions in the Ukraine and Why It Matters with Nolan Peterson. Several years ago, Russia-backed forces and Ukrainian nationalists came face to face. Today Ukraine is increasingly at the intersection of Russian, American, European and even Chinese interests. Foreign correspondent Nolan Peterson, the first U.S. journalist to be embedded with the Ukrainian army, will discuss the current situation and why it matters to the United States. Mr. Peterson will explain why the U.S. needs to strengthen its diplomatic presence in the Ukraine or risk losing influence to its adversaries in Eastern Europe. 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.
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.