World Affairs Council of Palm Beach has busy season on tap

The World Affairs Council is on a mission.

Its goal is rather broad — to enhance international understanding.

"The World Affairs Council of Palm Beach is a membership-based organization that creates forums for discussion of critical world issues. Our mission is to promote understanding of the world — the people, the politics, the economies and the cultures — and to enhance the ability of our citizens to participate in the global community and to better understand world events through people-to-people diplomacy, distinguished speakers, and educational outreach programs," it states on its website.

Its season kicked off Oct. 23 with Anthony Hilliard of Keiser University giving a talk titled ''Economic Power, Politics and Ethics in International Sports." Other talks planned for this season include security in the digital age, a discussion on China and Russia, artificial intelligence and fentanyl poisoning.

The council's education outreach efforts will include the World Affairs Council's Academic WorldQuest, a team trivia challenge for high school students that culminates with a national contest in Washington, D.C. Competitors are tested on their knowledge of international affairs, geography, history, public health policy and culture.

Membership costs $10 for high school and college students; $180 for young professionals 40 and younger; $250 for an individual; and $350 for a family (two people in the same household). Non-members can attend for $35 per lecture. Premium memberships range from $575 (patron), $825 (benefactor), $1,200 (ambassador), $2,500 (statesman) and $5,000 (diplomat).

The schedule this year:

Nov. 13

Mehmet Gurses, professor and chair of the Department of Political Science at Florida Atlantic University, will give a talk called "The Turkish Pendulum: Between East and West" at 6 p.m. at The Colony Hotel. 561-374-2858.

Dec. 4

Suzanne Spaulding, senior adviser on homeland security and director of the International Security Program at the Center for Strategic and International Studies, will present a talk titled "Rebuilding Trust and Security in the Digital Age" at 6 p.m. at The Colony Hotel. 561-374-2858.

Dec. 19

Clyde Prestowitz, president of the Economic Strategy Institute, will give a talk titled "The End of Globalization" at 6 p.m. at The Colony Hotel. 561-374-2858. The event is open only to council members.

Jan. 8

Gordon Chang, author, columnist, TV commentator and senior fellow at the Gladstone Institute, plans a talk called "China and Russia: The Most Consequential Moment in History" at 6 p.m. at The Colony Hotel. 561-374-2858.

Jan. 22

Derek Maltz, former special agent in charge of the U.S. Department of Justice's Special Operations Division, will give a talk titled “Fentanyl Poisoning in America: An Inside Perspective” at 6 p.m. at The Colony Hotel. 561-374-2858.

Feb. 12

Eduardo Massieu Paredes, former ambassador from Venezuela, will discuss “Venezuela at a Crossroads: Domestic Challenges and Global Implications’” at 6 p.m. at The Colony Hotel. 561-374-2858.

March 4

Paul Zalucky, managing director of ENKI Consulting and president of ENKI Data Authenticity, gives a talk titled "A Day in the Life of a CIA Officer" at 6 p.m. at The Colony Hotel. 561-374-2858.

March 18

Jeff M. Smith, director of the Asian Studies Center at the Heritage Foundation, will present a talk called "U.S. Strategy in a Changing South Asia" at 6 p.m. at The Colony Hotel. 561-374-2858.

April 8

Professor Rebecca L. Jensen, program lead for English at Keiser University's main campus, will give a talk called "Artificial Intelligence and the Emotional Truth" at 6 p.m. at The Colony Hotel. 561-374-2858.

This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Daily News: World Affairs Council of Palm Beach has busy season on tap