This Season's Speaker Lineup
Click on the name of each speaker to learn more...
October 25, 2020 - VIRTUAL
Robin Fields, ProPublica
“Surviving in an Age of Disinformation”
Although political and geopolitical agendas increasingly distort the truth, there is a path forward.
Robin Fields, ProPublica
“Surviving in an Age of Disinformation”
Although political and geopolitical agendas increasingly distort the truth, there is a path forward.
November 22, 2020 - VIRTUAL
Dan Schnur
“2020 Presidential Election: What Happened -- and What Happens Next?”
Political authority Dan Schnur dissects one of the most divisive elections in America’s history.
Dan Schnur
“2020 Presidential Election: What Happened -- and What Happens Next?”
Political authority Dan Schnur dissects one of the most divisive elections in America’s history.
January 17, 2021
Michael Pillsbury
“China’s Strategy to Replace America As the Global Superpower.”
Hong Kong suppression, Belt and Road, and threats to Taiwan are only the beginning.
Michael Pillsbury
“China’s Strategy to Replace America As the Global Superpower.”
Hong Kong suppression, Belt and Road, and threats to Taiwan are only the beginning.
January 28, 2021 (Luncheon event)
Ted Nordhaus
“The Election’s Over. What Now for Global Warming?”
Extreme views dominate the headlines, but practical, incremental steps can lead the way.
Ted Nordhaus
“The Election’s Over. What Now for Global Warming?”
Extreme views dominate the headlines, but practical, incremental steps can lead the way.
February 5, 2021 - SPECIAL PRESENTATION
Dan Schnur: “Politics After Trump: A Progress Report”
We are thrilled to welcome Dan back to WACD. His very popular earlier presentations guided us through the build-up to the election and the aftermath as well. Join us for this special presentation.
Dan Schnur: “Politics After Trump: A Progress Report”
We are thrilled to welcome Dan back to WACD. His very popular earlier presentations guided us through the build-up to the election and the aftermath as well. Join us for this special presentation.
February 21, 2021
Adam Davidson
“The Passion Economy: The New Rules for Thriving in the Twenty-First Century”
The brilliant creator of NPR's Planet Money podcast and award-winning New Yorker staff writer explains our current economy.
Adam Davidson
“The Passion Economy: The New Rules for Thriving in the Twenty-First Century”
The brilliant creator of NPR's Planet Money podcast and award-winning New Yorker staff writer explains our current economy.
March 14, 2021
James Boutilier
“Rising Peril in the Arctic: Russia and China Make Their Moves”
Military expansion in the Arctic Ocean ushers in a new era of U.S. economic and security threats.
James Boutilier
“Rising Peril in the Arctic: Russia and China Make Their Moves”
Military expansion in the Arctic Ocean ushers in a new era of U.S. economic and security threats.
April 18, 2021
David Rohde
“The FBI, the CIA, and the Truth about America’s ‘Deep State’”
What is it? Who controls it? And who needs it? David Rohde gives us the answers.
David Rohde
“The FBI, the CIA, and the Truth about America’s ‘Deep State’”
What is it? Who controls it? And who needs it? David Rohde gives us the answers.
Global Perspectives You Will Get Nowhere Else...Come Join Us
The World Affairs Council of the Desert uniquely brings informed perspectives from internationally recognized speakers on global and national affairs to the Coachella Valley that you will get nowhere else.
The World Affairs Council is a non-profit, non-partisan member and sponsor-supported association with more than 200 members.
Sponsors include the Anderson Children’s Foundation, the County of Riverside, California State University San Bernardino Palm Desert, UBS Financial Services, and others.
In line with the recent trend toward virtual events of all types, the World Affairs Council has been totally reimagined to provide the following expanded services:
All programming is available via streaming and on demand for members. With memberships starting at $145, you will have full access to this season’s lineup of exceptional speakers.
Please join us today. Information on memberships is available HERE.
The World Affairs Council is a non-profit, non-partisan member and sponsor-supported association with more than 200 members.
Sponsors include the Anderson Children’s Foundation, the County of Riverside, California State University San Bernardino Palm Desert, UBS Financial Services, and others.
In line with the recent trend toward virtual events of all types, the World Affairs Council has been totally reimagined to provide the following expanded services:
- Our Headliner Speaker Series this season includes internationally recognized China authority Michael Pillsbury discussing the real threat we face from China, popular NPR podcaster and author Adam Davidson on the post-pandemic US economy, the future for global warming, and much, much more. See the speaker lineup above for details on this exceptional lineup.
- Year-round speaker programs through our new streaming programming service WorldAffairs Live!, with many programs available to the Coachella Valley community free of charge and all available to our student community
- The Academic WorldQuest Competition, helping prepare our students for life in the globally-connected, rapidly transforming world of the 21st century.
All programming is available via streaming and on demand for members. With memberships starting at $145, you will have full access to this season’s lineup of exceptional speakers.
Please join us today. Information on memberships is available HERE.
