2023-24 Distinguished Speaker Lecture Series

The Naples Council on World Affairs is pleased to present its "crown jewel," the 2023-24 Distinguished Speaker Lecture Series. 

The theme of this year's program of speakers who are experts in their respective fields of international affairs and diplomacy is "The Treacherous Road Ahead." The distinguished lecturers will help us understand the complexity of geopolitics, how it affects our lives, and how we can make more informed decisions as citizens as we navigate a world of constant upheaval and change. They speak from a foundation of deep research and experience -- and often provide insight on global developments that are days, or even hours, old. Is there optimism that a semblance of global stability can be found? Enroll as a member and learn the latest views.

The 2023-24 season lectures again will be in person at Moss Hall in Moorings Presbyterian Church, 791 Harbour Drive, Naples FL. Click here for map

As in prior seasons, the lectures will be live-streamed via Zoom at the time of the lecture, as well as made available as archived recordings accessed through our website soon after the event. Emailed announcements will provide details for each lecture.

The afternoon lecture begins at 3:45 pm and the evening lecture at 7:30 pm. Please check your membership card for the lecture time that you signed up for. 

You may access prior recordings and videos, as well as those to date in 2023-24, by clicking Lecture Archive.

Naples Council on World Affairs 2023-24 Lecture Series

“The Treacherous Road Ahead”

November 6: Securing the Black Sea Region 
Iulia-Sabina Joja, Ph.D., Fellow, Foreign Policy Institute, Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies (SAIS)

November 20: The New Germany
Hope Harrison, Ph.D. Professor,The Cold War Group, Elliott School, George Washington University

December 19: [Tuesday] 500+Days of Battle with Volodymyr and Vladimir 
Speaker [To be confirmed]

January 10: [Wednesday] Climate Extremes, Risks & Adaptation 
Professor Radley Horton, Columbia University, Principal Investigator and Climate Scientist.

January 22: “All Eyes on China”
Robert Daly, Director, Kissinger Institute, Wilson Center. Leading authority on Sino-U.S. Relations, former U.S. diplomat in Beijing; fluent Chinese Speaker and interpreter for Chinese and U.S. leaders.

February 5: “South Korea at the Crossroads”
Scott A. Snyder, Senior Fellow, Korea Studies, Council on Foreign Relations, South Korea’s as a middle power in East Asia; and global implications of North Korean instability.

February 20: [Tuesday] “The Rise of Irregular Warfare: The Threat to the U.S. Homeland from China, Russia, and Iran.” 
Seth G. Jones, SVP, Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) International Security Program, will focus on defense strategy, military operations, force posture, and irregular warfare.

March 4: “Afghanistan Today”
Ambassador James B. Cunningham, [U.S. retired], Senior Fellow, Atlantic Council, Career Minister, former Ambassador to Afghanistan.

March 18: “ Game Changer in the Middle East: New Friends: Saudi Arabia and Israel and Breakthrough with Iran”? 
Brian Katulis, VP and Senior Fellow, Middle East Institute

April 1: “Starvation as an Instrument of Genocide and War” 
Expert on humanitarian crises and response. Famine as an ancient tool of war is appearing again on the world stage. (To be confirmed).

Note: Speakers and/or topics may be adjusted to reflect the most current international developments as the season unfolds. Any changes will be announced via email, the NCWA newsletter and/or via the website.

We hope you enjoy our 2023-24 Distinguished Speaker Lecture Series!

~ Mimi Gregory, Vice President for Programs