San Diego World Affairs Council (SDWAC)

This past Saturday, the San Diego World Affairs Council was honored to partner with OneSD and the Burnham Center for Community Advancement to host "After Extremism: Building Bridges and Strengthening Community" as part of our Engage San Diego Speaker Series.

At a time when division, polarization, and mistrust often dominate the headlines, this conversation offered something different: hope.

Moderated by Andrew Blum, we were privileged to hear from Arno Michaelis, a former white supremacist who transformed his life and now works to prevent radicalization, and Tasreen Khamisa, whose extraordinary response to personal tragedy has inspired countless people to choose forgiveness, compassion, and healing over hatred.

Their stories reminded us that extremism is ultimately a human challenge not just a political or social one. And if hate can be learned, then so can understanding, empathy, and connection.

Thank you to our speakers, partners, board members, volunteers, interns and everyone who showed up with curiosity and a willingness to listen, engage, and recognize our shared humanity even when we disagree.

The challenges facing our communities are real, but so is our capacity to build bridges across differences. Programs like this are a powerful reminder of why civic dialogue matters and why creating spaces for understanding is more important than ever.

Free event for our SDWAC community! Join award-winning journalist and author Jeanne Carstensen in conversation with immigration reporter Kate Morrissey and host Marco Werman for a discussion on “A Greek Tragedy: Immigration and the Refugee Crisis from the U.S. Border to the Sea.”

📍Verbatim Books, San Diego
📅 Monday, June 15, 2026
🕚 6:30-8:00 PM | Doors open at 6:15 PM

This conversation will be open to all, exploring displacement, asylum, migration, and the human stories behind the global refugee crisis.

Learn more here: https://verbatimbooks.com/events/ =a-greek-tragedy-immigration-and-the-refugee-crisis-from-the-u-s-border-to-the-sea;instance=20260615183000?popup=1&lang=en-US

Secure your seat before June 27th! 🌎

Your ticket or sponsorship goes directly toward Academic WorldQuest — our program empowering San Diego high school students to explore global affairs, international politics, and world cultures.

Join us for a conversation on the future of the U.S.-Mexico border, regional connectivity, and cross-border collaboration!

📍 The Heights Country Club, Rancho Bernardo
🕛 12–2 PM
📅 Saturday, June 27th

Featuring keynote speaker Eduardo Schutte of Cross Border Xpress and KPBS journalist Gustavo Solis.

Register: http://sdwac.org/event-6623534

Global headlines often highlight the Middle East and South Asia, but understanding these regions requires more than just headlines alone.

Join the North County Chapter of the San Diego World Affairs Council for a conversation exploring real perspectives from the Middle East and South Asia as well as how understanding, education, and dialogue can help bridge global divides.

Drawing on recent travel and field exposure across the region, this discussion will examine human security, regional challenges, and the importance of engaging with global issues through a more informed and human-centered lens.

📅 Thursday, June 4, 2026
🕛 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM
📍 Zoom & Limited In-Person

Register here: https://sdwac.org/event-6700297

Our hearts are with the community of the Islamic Center of San Diego following today’s tragic violence.

Places of worship, learning, and community gathering should always be spaces of peace, safety, and belonging — never fear. We are deeply saddened by the loss of life and the trauma experienced by worshippers, families, students, educators, and the broader community across our region.

At moments like this, San Diego must stand united against hatred, violence, and division in all forms. We extend our gratitude to the first responders who acted quickly to protect lives and support the community during an incredibly difficult and frightening situation.

We are holding the victims, their loved ones, and the entire community in our thoughts as more information becomes available. In times of tragedy, our shared humanity, compassion, and solidarity matter more than ever.

No one should ever fear for their safety while praying, learning, or gathering in community.

Former State Department diplomat, Ben Moore, now Advisor to the San Diego Mayor's Office on Subnational Diplomacy, laid out the impressive strategy to better connect & build on San Diego's competitive advantages globally, through Subnational Diplomacy. I'm all in with my international-focused networks to support & strengthen our San Diego results.

Cities are no longer just local actors—they are shaping global outcomes.

From economic development to climate resilience, migration, and cross-border collaboration, subnational diplomacy is becoming one of the most important forces in international affairs today.

Join the San Diego World Affairs Council for an important conversation:

🎙 “Subnational Diplomacy in this Global Moment”
Featuring Ben Moore, Chief Global Affairs Officer for the City of San Diego

San Diego sits at the intersection of global and local—particularly within the Cali–Baja region—and offers a powerful case study in how cities can lead on the world stage.

📅 Saturday, May 9, 2026
🕙 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM
📍 UC San Diego Extension (La Jolla)

This is part of our Distinguished Speaker Series, bringing together civic leaders, professionals, and engaged community members for thoughtful, globally relevant dialogue.

👉 Register here: https://sdwac.org/event-6542929

Cities are no longer just local actors—they are shaping global outcomes.

From economic development to climate resilience, migration, and cross-border collaboration, subnational diplomacy is becoming one of the most important forces in international affairs today.

Join the San Diego World Affairs Council for an important conversation:

🎙 “Subnational Diplomacy in this Global Moment”
Featuring Ben Moore, Chief Global Affairs Officer for the City of San Diego

San Diego sits at the intersection of global and local—particularly within the Cali–Baja region—and offers a powerful case study in how cities can lead on the world stage.

📅 Saturday, May 9, 2026
🕙 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM
📍 UC San Diego Extension (La Jolla)

This is part of our Distinguished Speaker Series, bringing together civic leaders, professionals, and engaged community members for thoughtful, globally relevant dialogue.

👉 Register here: https://sdwac.org/event-6542929

From our friends at the SDSU Charles W. Hostler Institute on World Affairs at SDSU:

Join an important and timely conversation on the future of U.S. global leadership.

🎙 At 250, America in the World: What Comes Next?

Featuring Marco Werman, longtime host of The World (GBH & PRX)

As the United States approaches its 250th year, this discussion will explore how America is redefining its role on the global stage—its alliances, influence, and identity in an increasingly complex world.

📅 Thursday, April 30

🕒 3:00–5:00 PM (remarks + reception)

📍 KPBS Shiley Studio A, SDSU

Moderated by Eliah Aronoff-Spencer, MD, PhD (UCSD)

This should be a fantastic conversation—we encourage our SDWAC community to attend and engage.

👉 RSVP: https://forms.gle/QVZ3i7rokbRWujy26