Shaping 21st century priorities and policies forms the focus of the Council's national conference. In a discussion with high-level government and corporate officials, policy makers and scholars, we will examine some of the more critical challenges and opportunities to achieving greater security in our national and international community. Special emphasis will be given to looking at national security through the prism of energy independence, climate instability, radicalism and terrorism, and an interdependent global economy. We will explore successful models of collaboration between the public and private sectors in developing sustainable solutions to some of the more enduring issues marking our global society.

Confirmed to date are The Honorable Al Gore, whose groundbreaking work in climate change helped garner him the 2008 Nobel Peace Prize, and Admiral Dennis Blair, Director of National Intelligence, who has oversight and authority over the 16 intelligence agencies that comprise the U.S. intelligence community, among many others.

Conference topics to be explored

• Energy Security
• National Security and International Terrorism
• Global Recession and Economic Uncertainty
• To close the conference, all premium full day, full day and half day (afternoon) attendees will be treated to a performance by the acclaimed musical group, Intercultural Journeys

  Intercultural Journeys presents the world premiere of "Gesher Jeser" (Bridge) for violin, cello and chamber ensemble by Kareem Roustom, commissioned by Intercultural Journeys and dedicated to Hanna Khoury — Arab-Israeli violinist, and Udi Bar-David, Jewish-Israeli cellist. The composition serves as a musical dialogue between Arab and Jewish cultures and a landmark contribution to Arab-Jewish cooperation. Intercultural Journeys' world-renowned ensemble will bring the conference its own new artistic global dynamic. Seeking to promote understanding through the arts, Intercultural Journeys is proud to collaborate with the World Affairs Council of Philadelphia as part of its 60th Anniversary Celebration.

Loews Philadelphia Hotel, 1200 Market Street

Schedule

Full day conference from 8 a.m. – 6 p.m. (tentative)
Half day options available (both morning and afternoon options include 12-1:30 luncheon and presentation by Al Gore)

Cost

Premium full day — all lectures and panel discussions with premium front section seating, complimentary parking, continental breakfast, luncheon, refreshment breaks, performance by Intercultural Journeys, exclusive photo reception with Vice President Gore and personalized copy of Mr. Gore's book, Our Choice: $625

Full day — all lectures and panel discussions with preferred seating, continental breakfast, luncheon, refreshment breaks, performance by Intercultural Journeys, general reception with conference speakers*, signed copy of Mr. Gore's book, Our Choice: $350

Half day (morning) — all lectures and panel discussions with mid-section seating, continental breakfast, refreshment breaks, lunch, and general reception with conference speakers*: $225

Half day (afternoon) — all lectures and panel discussions with mid-section seating, lunch, musical performance by Intercultural Journeys, refreshment breaks: $225

Full day program only — all lectures and panel discussions, performance by Intercultural Journeys, refreshment breaks: $195 (limited number of tickets available)

* Concurrent with photo reception

Special offers

Become a Member!

Join at or upgrade to the $250 Envoy level and receive one complimentary full day program only conference pass ($195 value), in addition to other exclusive offers and discounts available only to World Affairs Council members!

Already a Member?

Contact Joanie Blackwell, Membership coordinator, at 215-561-4700, ext. 222 or e-mail for information on additional upgrade opportunities for Council members.

Later that evening, Dr. Rice spoke to over 600 members and guests of the Council at its 60th anniversary kick-off event, held at the Park Hyatt Philadelphia at the Bellevue.

Photos of this event are available online at flickr.

Post-event media kit

Official photo release

Dr. Rice meets with student members of the Bodine High School World Affairs Club, May 4, 2009

Read and view additional media coverage of this very special event:

C-SPAN (Flash version available — additional upcoming TV airings on C-SPAN)
The Philadelphia Inquirer
Philadelphia Daily News
The Bulletin
KYW News Radio 1060
WPVI-TV Action News video
WXTF-TV Fox 29 News at 10 video

Program comments

"Thank you for the wonderful program with the Honorable Condoleezza Rice. I brought my twelve year old daughter who has admired Dr. Rice ever since reading her biography. She was so excited to meet Dr. Rice and have her picture taken that she hadn't slept the night before. It was an enjoyable and informative evening."

"...last evening's talk by Dr. Rice was one of the finest speeches I have ever heard. She made all of us there proud to be Americans — discussed the issues confronting us with insight and moderation — and did so in a way that reiterated her own beliefs while demonstrating loyalty and support to those who have now succeeded her in Washington."

"It was a great presentation...I always like to hear directly from a current or former world leader like her. She has great delivery and was nearby at many positive international events in her about twenty years of public life. I enjoyed it very much, it was great hearing her perspective..."