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 (full release attached):
Tuesday, March 5: “The Kremlin Playbook and the Future of the International System” with Heather Conley. Russia has successfully cultivated its “New Generation Warfare,” a strategy of influence which intends to break the internal coherence of the enemy system. Heather Conley will discuss how Russia has continued to play the role of “global spoiler” to revitalize its great power spheres of influence and reduce U.S. global credibility. 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, March 6: “A European House Divided: Europe’s Future Considered” with Heather Conley. Economic stagnation, a migration crisis, Putin’s revanchist Russia, Brexit, and the rise of populism and nationalism are but a few challenges facing European cohesion. Heather Conley will discuss these issues and how Europe and the United States can foster stronger cohesion to counter rising transatlantic challenges. 10:30 a.m. at First Church, 104 S. Pineapple Ave., Sarasota.
Thursday, March 7: “India: Rise on the World Stage” with Alyssa Ayres. Dr. Alyssa Ayres will look at India’s emergence into the global economy and world stage. After decades of looking inward, India’s leaders want the country to be featured in the ranks of the world’s great powers. India’s vastness, history, and diversity render it incomparable to any other democratic power. 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, March 8: “India: Rise on the World Stage” with Alyssa Ayres. Dr. Alyssa Ayres will look at India’s emergence into the global economy and world stage. After decades of looking inward, India’s leaders want it to feature in the ranks of the world’s great powers. India’s vastness, history, and diversity render it incomparable to any other democratic power. 10 a.m. at the Venice Community Center, 326 S Nokomis Ave., Venice.
Tuesday, March 12: “Saudi Perspectives on the Middle East” with HRH Prince Turki Al-Faisal. HRH Prince Turki Al-Faisal will discuss the Saudi perspective as it relates to neighboring countries such as Syria, Iraq, Yemen, and Iraq. The relationship between Saudi Arabia and Iran has been strained over issues such as the interpretations of Islam, aspirations for leadership of the Islamic world, and oil export policies. How will new leadership in Saudi Arabia reshape some of these relationships? 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, March 13: “Vision 2030” with HRH Prince Turki Al-Faisal. Saudi Vision 2030 is a plan to reduce Saudi Arabia’s dependence on oil, diversify its economy, and develop public service sectors such as health, education, infrastructure, recreation, and tourism. Goals include increasing non-oil industry trade between countries through goods and consumer products, and increasing government spending on the military, manufacturing equipment, and ammunition. HRH Prince Turki Al-Faisal will discuss how Saudi Arabia will achieve these goals. 10:30 a.m., at First Church, 104 S. Pineapple Ave., Sarasota.
Thursday, March 14: “Understanding World Leaders” with Margaret Hermann. What do we know about the backgrounds, experiences, world views, leadership styles, and policymaking predispositions of current world leaders like Vladimir Putin, Xi Jinping, Kim Jong-un, Angela Merkel, Bashar al-Assad, Emmanuel Macron, and Aung San Suu Kyi? Margaret Hermann takes us on a tour to learn more about current world leaders. 10:30 a.m. at First Church, 104 S. Pineapple Ave., Sarasota.
Friday, March 15: “Understanding World Leaders” with Margaret Hermann. What do we know about the backgrounds, experiences, world views, leadership styles, and policymaking predispositions of current world leaders like Vladimir Putin, Xi Jinping, Kim Jong-un, Angela Merkel, Bashar al-Assad, Emmanuel Macron, and Aung San Suu Kyi? Margaret Hermann takes us on a tour to learn more about current world leaders. 10 a.m. at the Venice Community Center, 326 S Nokomis Ave., Venice.
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.