2005-2006 Speaker Programs

Speaker Programs are open to the public. They are held on Sunday evenings at The Lodge in Rancho Mirage with a reception for the speaker beginning at 5:00 p.m.; dinner at 6:00 p.m. The speaker's presentation begins after dinner, followed by a short period of question & answers. Tickets for the Reception (no-host bar), Dinner, and Speaker Program are $45.00 for members; $55.00 for non-members.

In selecting topics and speakers for presentation to its members, the officers of the World Affairs Council of the Desert have relied on the following criteria:

Topics must be timely national or international issues, which have significance to the foreign policy of the United States.

Speakers must be expert on their subjects and have an engaging presentation, which motivates audiences to ask questions, voice opinions and develop candid discussions.

October 16, 2005

Morris Beschloss, Commentator and Journalist

The Changing Global Economic Landscape < Its Effect on America's Future

(Special Guests ---Members and Friends of the Illini Club of the Desert and Northwestern Alumni)

November 13, 2005

Dr. Peng S. Chan, Professor of Management, CSU Fullerton

China's New Form of Capitalism
(Special Guests --- Alumni, Friends and Faculty of Cal State University)

December 11, 2005

Dr. James L. Sweeney, Professor of Management Science and Engineering, Senior Fellow of the Stanford Institute for Economic Policy Research

Energy Policy and Our Energy Future

(Special Guests --- Alumni and Friends of Stanford University

January 22, 2006

Dr. John E. Rielly, Past President, Chicago Council on Foreign Relations

US and Europe -- Partners or Competitors

Register Online For The January 22, 2006 Program

February 19, 2006

Dr. Amy B. Zegart, Assistant Professor, Department of Public Policy,University of California, Los Angeles

Through the Looking Glass: September 11th and the Failure of American Intelligence Agencies

(Special Guests --- Members and Friends of the UCLA Club of the Desert)

March 12 2006

Dr. Steve Hanson, Jackson School of International Studies,University of Washington

Russia ­ Strategic Partner or Evil Empire?

(Special guests ­ Alumni and Friends of the University of Washington)

April 9, 2006

Hon Abderahman Salaheldin, Consul General of Egypt

The Middle East --- Egypt ­ The Largest Country in the Arab World

May 7, 2006

Dennis A. Britton
Business Editor
The Desert Sun

China: Can it Turn the Corner?