Southeast Connecticut World Affairs Council (SECWAC), a member of the World Affairs Councils of America (WACA), fulfills its mission “to foster an understanding of issues of foreign policy and international affairs through study, debate, and educational programming” through a series of speakers throughout the region. The line up for fall 2019-20 includes conversations on China, the Middle East, and WWII.
The Chamber partners with SECWAC and supports the valuable global perspective their programing brings to the region. Broadening our understanding of the world helps us navigate changing forces in politics and policy and deepens our connections to other people.
SECWAC provides a nonpartisan, non-advocacy dialogue between members and speakers, who can be U.S. policy makers, educators, authors, and other experts on foreign relations. The speakers events are free for SECWAC members and open to the public for a $20 fee. Select events are followed by an optional dinner for $35, held at the Old Lyme Country Club. Annual membership in SECWAC for individuals is $85, young professionals under 35 may enroll with a $25 membership, and area students and educators are free. Corporate memberships are also available. There five complimentary registrations available for Chamber members at each speaker event through ChamberECT/events.
SECWAC 2019 Fall Schedule of Events
September 12, Essex Meadow, 3pm – Sydney Williams, Local author, “Dear Mary: Letters Home from the 10th Mountain Division, 1944-1945”
Gordan Chang
September 17, Connecticut College – Gordon Chang, Journalist, Author, “America’s Grandest Wager: China”
September 26, Essex Meadows – Will Kneerim, IRIS, New haven & Mohammed Hamou, Syrian Refugee & Old Lyme resident, “Coming to America: A Refugee Story”
October 10, First Congregational Church of Old Lyme – Emma Sky, Jackson Institute Yale University, “In a Time of Monsters – a Middle East in Revolt”
Stephen Flynn
October 24, First Congregational Church of Old Lyme – Stephen Flynn, Global Resilience Institute, Northeastern U, “Neutralizing the Politics of Fear: The Case for Bolstering Societal Resilience”
Katherine Brown
November 12, Connecticut College – Katherine Brown, Global Ties USA, “Public Diplomacy”
Sarah Wiliarty
December 12, Connecticut College – Sarah Wiliarty, Wesleyan University, “The Rise of Populism/Nationalism in Europe”
For more information, to learn about SECWAC membership, or to register for an event, visit secwac.org, or call 860-912-5718.