The World Affairs Council offers programs throughout the year featuring speakers who discuss issues of national and international significance. You can expect to hear from authors, government leaders, journalists, business leaders, professors and other experts.

Michael Beschloss Presidential historian and author Thursday, July 16, 2009 — Afternoon The Council presents one of America's most respected Presidential historians, Michael Beschloss, as he reviews the first six months of the Obama presidency and compares this honeymoon period with that of other leaders who have inhabited the White House. Michael Beschloss is the author of eight books, and is a regular commentator on PBS's The NewsHour with Jim Lehrer and a contributor to ABC News. Newsweek has called Beschloss "the nation's leading Presidential historian." This program is presented in cooperation with the Military Child Education Coalition Location: Sheraton City Center, 17th & Race Streets, Philadelphia, PA Schedule: 3 p.m. Program 4:30 p.m. Wine and hors d'oeuvre reception exclusively for World Affairs Council members 5:45 p.m. Book signing Event options: Members Wine and hors d'oeuvre reception and program: $55 Program only: $25 or lecture pass Non-members Wine and hors d'oeuvre reception and program: $65 Program only: $35 Free limited student seating available [ Back to Top ]
In the Loop A smart comedy and Sundance Film Festival hit from the acclaimed team who created the award-winning BBC TV comedy series Alan Partridge and The Thick of It Monday, July 20, 2009 — Evening The Council is offering a limited number of free movie passes to In the Loop. The acclaimed film is drawing instant comparisons to some of the great political and absurdist comedies such as Doctor Strangelove, Wag the Dog, Thank You for Smoking and Monty Python. With razor-sharp, truly laugh-out-loud dialogue, the film pokes fun at the absurdity and ineptitude of our highest leaders. With everyone looking out for number one, and the fate of the free world at stake (but apparently incidental), the hilarious ensemble cast of characters bumbles its way through Machiavellian political dealings across continents, and toward comic resolutions that are unforeseeable. Location: Bryn Mawr Film Insitute, 824 West Lancaster Avenue, Bryn Mawr, PA Click here for directions Schedule: 7:30 p.m. Special preview screening A limited number of free passes are available. Please call 215-561-4700.
Hold the date! Nicholas D. Kristof New York Times Columnist and Sheryl WuDunn Journalist and author Tuesday, October 6, 2009 The oppression of women in the developing world is one of our era's most pervasive human rights violations; in Asia and Africa the stories of millions of suffering women and girls go untold everyday. How can we help mitigate their oppression and help transform their lives? Pulitzer Prize-winning husband and wife, Nicholas Kristof and Sheryl WuDunn, share the podium to discuss their newest book, Half the Sky: Turning Oppression into Opportunity for Women Worldwide. Drawing on their impressive reporting experience over several decades, the authors give voice to the lives of women in the developing world and explore the dire circumstances under which they struggle. Asserting that the key to economic progress in the developing world lies in unleashing women's potential, Kristof and WuDunn will highlight the efforts of a growing crop of social entrepreneurs whose efforts have helped to transform societies around them. More information to come. [ Back to Top ]
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