Sarasota Institute of Lifetime Learning Announces 2020 “Global Issues” Series

Internationally renowned experts discuss a vast range of domestic and global issues as part of Sarasota Institute of Lifetime Learning’s (SILL) 2020 “Global Issues” series. The new season, which runs January 7 to March 27, features 72 programs in Sarasota, Venice, and Lakewood Ranch. SILL also offers recordings of 12 of its Thursday series lectures every Thursday at Temple Beth Israel in Longboat Key. Speakers explore dozens of topics, including the U.S. role in the world, income inequality, climate change, migration, artificial intelligence, and topical issues in Latin America, Asia, Europe, Russia and Iran.

A few of this year’s headliners include: Amb. Kathleen Stevens, former U.S. ambassador to the Republic of Korea, will explore how U.S. alliances in Asia are working in light of growing Chinese power; James Baker, a director of the Institute for National Security and Counterterrorism, will address national security in the light of artificial intelligence; Peter Georgescu, vice chairman of New York Presbyterian Hospital and director of Just Capital, will examine how to end income inequality; Dr. Ray Takeyh, who holds the Hasib J. Sabbagh Chair in Middle East Studies at the Council on Foreign Relations and previously served as a senior advisor on Iran at the State Department, will tackle the U.S.-Iran conflict; Dr. Susan A. MacManus, a University of South Florida Distinguished University Professor Emerita, will discuss changing voter demographics and the proliferation of news sources and concerns about “fake news”; and Dr. Celeste Wallander, president and CEO of the U.S. Russia Foundation, will provide an insider look at the Obama Administration’s foreign policy strategy.
Beth Cotner is SILL’s new president.

We’re delighted to launch the 49th season of SILL,” she says. “From a small startup operation years ago, SILL now offers five venues and, last year, attracted more than 45,000 attendees. SILL’s Music Monday series continues to be incredibly popular, thanks to program chair Edward Alley, and our Global Issues program committee, chaired by Bob Deutsch, has booked some impressive speakers for 2020. We’re looking forward to an outstanding mix of returning and new speakers. Ten speakers will be new to the SILL audiences, offering perspectives that have not been heard here before. Another seven are returning speakers, back by popular demand. And, for the first time, SILL will host a husband and wife speaking jointly. Jessica and Sean McFate’s topic ‘Battles of the Future: How Technology replaces Traditional Weapons of War’ will be an exciting lecture.”
Cotner adds that, in addition to programs available during the day in both Sarasota and Venice, the expanded Lakewood Ranch program, offered in the evenings, is an alternative for those who can’t get to the daytime lectures. And, for those with hearing challenges, Cotner says that SILL is offering real time captions during the Wednesday morning lectures at First Church in downtown Sarasota.

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.