Amid a year of changes and cancellations, the DCA Academic Lecture Series continues. Sponsored by the Darien Community Association, the series has been presented annually, without interruption, since 1956. While the format this year will be virtual, the series will continue to feature respected foreign policy experts at four Thursday morning lectures at 10:00am, beginning on January 7.
The 2021 series, entitled Global Issues Revisited: Old Friends Share New Insights, will explore key international locations and offer updates on domestic conditions and international policies in light of both the pandemic and the U.S. presidential transition. The outstanding speakers will be presenting on their respective areas of expertise. They have formerly participated in the series, returning now as “friends” to give their updated insights.
The first lecture will be presented by Jill Dougherty, of the Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars, who first spoke at the 2015 series. Her topic this year is Rethinking Russia. On January 14 Evan Osnos, a staff writer for The New Yorker, will participate in conversation with Darien resident Kevin Peraino, speaking on China in the Biden Era. Constanze Stelzenmüller, of the Brookings Institution, will join the series on January 21 to discuss Europe: Finding Its Place in a World of Great Power Competition. The series will conclude on January 28 with Steven Cook, of the Council on Foreign Relations, speaking on Why the Middle East Still Matters to America.
Registration for the four week virtual series (January 7, 14, 21 and 28) is available online at dariendca.org or through the DCA office at 203-655-9050 extension 10. Series tickets for the Thursday morning lectures are available until January 6 at $90/public and $60/DCA members. Single tickets for the Thursday morning series are $30/public and $20/DCA members.