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Speaker Series

DCFR hosts many events over the course of a year. Many events fall within a September-May cycle, but there are some exceptions as opportunities arise. Check out our previous lineups to get a feel for the types of speakers we host! 

  • Any title with a star has a recording of the discussion. Click the title to watch! 
  • Click on the year of each section to learn more about each event and speaker. 
​​​​​​​2023-2024

Fall 2023

Global Speaker Series: Extraterrestrial Water Law

Professor Rhett Larson – September 13, 2023

YPC Networking: A Soft Power Happy Hour

September 20th, 2023

Global Speaker Series: A Conversation with Jim Miller

Jim Miller – October 11th, 2023

*YPC Panel: Colorado’s Climate Commitment: Leading and Learning Internationally

Jerry Tinianow, Paul Sutton, Mike Smith, and Sharon Jaye  – October 16th, 2023

Global Speaker Series: A Conversation about Gaza and Israel

Professors Micheline Ishay and Ahmed Abdrabou – November 8th, 2023

Global Speaker Series: Representative Jason Crow U.S. Congress

Rep. Jason Crow – December 20th, 2023

Spring 2024

YPC Panel: Human Stories, Global Journeys: Responding to Colorado’s New Refugees and Asylum Seekers

Melissa Burton, Andrea Loya, Wesley Brockway, and Jamie Koehler Blanchard – January 25th, 2024

*Global Speaker Series: The Promises and Challenges of Climate Diplomacy

Ambassador Robert Blake – February 15th, 2024

Global Speaker Series: U.S. Foreign Policy in Africa

Singumbe Muyeba Ph.D and Abigail Kabandula Ph.D – April 10th, 2024

Global Speaker Series: Russia vs the West

Nicolas Gorjestani – May 2nd, 2024

YPC Networking: Eurovision Watch-Party

May 11th, 2024

2024 Global Engagement Award: The Dirty Secret to Solving Many of the World’s Greatest Challenges

Richard Lackey – May 14th, 2024

​​​​​​​2022-2023

Fall 2022

Global Speaker Series: The Israeli/Palestinian Conflict
Unique Insights from the former U.S. Security Coordinator for Israel and the Palestinian Authority

Lieutenant General Mark C. Schwartz (ret) –September 07, 2022

Global Speaker Series: EU Foreign Policy in a Time of Crisis? Powerhouse or Powerless?

Professor Federiga Bindi- October 05, 2022

Global Speaker Series: Parallels from the Past in Ukraine
What Historic Grain Pathways Tell Us About Geopolitical Instability

Professor Scott Reynolds Nelson – October 20, 2022

Partner Event: Will China Invade Taiwan?
Taipei Economic and Cultural Office

Bill S.C. Huang, Professor Suisheng Zhao, Assistant Professor Alvin Camba – November 15, 2022

Spring 2023

Global Speaker Series: Russia Relations: Proxy War, Economic Transitions and Their Consequences

Professor Lewis Griffith- January 24, 2023

Global Speaker Series: Lessons for Deterrence from Ukraine to Taiwan
Understanding the U.S. Options and Implications for Peace or War

Janine Davidson – February 22, 2023

Global Speaker Series: Opportunities in the US-India Relationship

India Consul General Aseem Mahjan – March 01, 2023

*2023 Global Engagement Award

General George W. Casey (ret)– April 06, 2023

Partner Event: The New World Order, A Perspective from Japan and the USA 

Consul General MIKAMI Yoichi and Ahmed Abd Rabou – May 16, 2023

*Global Speaker Series: U.S. Russia Relations

Matthew Rojansky- July 25, 2023

​​​​​​​2021-2022

Fall 2021

Global Speaker Series: The Importance of the U.S. Brazil Partnership
Ambassador Todd Chapman– 09/08/2021
Global Speaker Series: Boots on the Ground and Information in the Sky

Bruce Valentine — 10/19/2021

*Partner Event: Natural Resource Management and Development in Botswana
In conjunction with the Denver Museum of Nature and Science 
His Excellency Onkokame Kitso Mokaila — 11/02/2021
Lunch with a Professor: China’s Belt and the Road Initiative
Alvin Camba — 11/17/2021
Lunch with a Professor: What We Miss When We Do Not Consider Women’s Participation in Political Violence
Hilary Matfess — 12/2/2021
Partner Event: Impact of War: Exploring the Devastating Impact of Yemen’s Continuing Conflict and Potential Post-Conflict Recovery
In conjunction with the Pardee Center
12/06/2021
Young Professionals Happy Hour
12/08/2021
*Global Speaker Series: Subnational Diplomacy in a Changing World
Dr. Jerrold Green — 12/14/2021

Spring 2022

Global Speaker Series: Women in the CIA

Valerie Plame — 01/13/2022

Partner Event: U.S.-China Relations
In conjunction with the Wichita Committee on Foreign Relations
Dr. Robert Sutter – 01/17/2022
*YPC Career Paths: State Department

Scott Smith: Foreign Service Officer — 02/16/2022

*Global Speaker Series: Middle East Turbulence or Stability?

Michael Rubin — 02/23/2022

Lunch with a Professor: Will China Rule the World?
Sir Christopher Hum, KCMG — 03/08/2022

Ted Scambos — 03/22/2022

*Global Speaker Series: The Last President of Europe: Emmanuel Macron’s Race to Revive France and Save the World

William Drozdiak — 04/06/2022

Lunch with a Professor: Water Access
Dr. Linda E. Mendez Barrientos — 04/12/2022
*Global Speaker Series: She Said, He Said: Contrasting Perspectives on Foreign Policy

Larry Sampler & Barbara Smith — 04/19/2022

2022 Global Engagement Award
In conjunction with the Denver Botanic Gardens
Brian Vogt — 05/31/ 2022
Young Professionals Events
2020 - 2021

Fall 2020

Can American Self-Confidence and Leadership be Restored?
Ambassador Christopher Hill — 09/02/2020
Failed Global Leadership: the U.S. China Rivalry During Covid-19
Dr. Sam Zhao — 09/24/2020
Russia and the West: Mischief, Tension and Conflict in the 21st Century
Ambassador John Beryle — 10/08/2020
The Emerging New World: Legal Challenges and Opportunities for Investment and Trade in Africa
Anthony Carroll — 10/20/2020
*The Consequences of the US Election for the Transatlantic Alliance
Constanze Stelzenmüller — 11/11/2020
Where is America Likely Headed in the Middle East
Ambassador Dennis Ross — 11/17/2020
Bosnia Wars: 25 Years Later
Dr. Michael McNeal & Dr. Kevin Archer — 12/09/2020​​​​​​​
A DCFR Discussion on US Foreign Policy

Congressman Jason Crow — 12/17/2020

Spring 2021

Critical Minerals & U.S. National Security
Dr. Morgan Baziliam – 01/19/2021
*Will US-Rusia Relations Ever Recover?

Dr. Fiona Hill – 02/09/2021

*Watching Climate Change from Space 

Dr. Waleed Abdalati – 02/23/2021

Transatlantic Renewal? A New Era for German-American Relations
In conjunction with the American Council on Germany

Ricklef Beutin – 03/11/2021

*U.S. Civilian-Military Relations Today

General George W. Casey – 04/07/2021

U.S. National Security

Dr. Lewis Griffith – 04/14/2021

2021 Global Engagement Award
George Sparks – 05/19/2021
*The U.S. Space Force

Colonel Tim Childress – 06/08/2021

Can We Save the Republic? Serious Internal Challenges to Our Basic Democratic Institutions

Tim Wirth – 06/21/2021

*Negotiating the New Start Treaty: Lessons Learned for the U.S., Russia and the World

Rose Gottemoeller – 09/29/2021

*A Discussion about U.S. Foreign Policy

U.S. Senator Michael Bennet – 08/18/2021

2019 - 2020

Fall 2019

Human Trafficking and Human Rights
Marianna Kosharovsky — 09/04/2019
The Israeli Elections: A Pivotal Moment in World Politics
Professor Ved Nanda — 09/16/2019
Is American Diplomacy Dead?
Ambassador Christopher Hill — 10/03/2019
Cyber Strategy and U.S. National Security
Dr. Emily Goldman — 10/17/2019
The Rise of Populism and Nationalism in Germany and Europe
Stefan Schlüter — 10/28/2019
The Arab Uprising, Human Rights, and the Future of the Middle East
Dr. Micheline Ishay — 11/13/2019

Spring 2020

International Trade and Business: Tomorrow…is Today!
Ms. Susan Morrice — 01/15/2020 
The Power of Narrative – At Home and Abroad
Dr. Fritz Mayer — 02/12/2020 
A DCFR Discussion on U.S. Foreign Policy
Andrew Romanoff — 05/27/2020 
From the Pentagon to the Presidency: Lessons in Leadership
Dr. Janine Davidson — 06/18/2020
What Does the Coronavirus Pandemic Teach Us about Democracy and Authoritarianism? A Response to Francis Fukuyama
Dr. Nader Hashemi — 06/30/2020
A DCFR Discussion on U.S. Foreign Policy
Senator Cory Gardner — 07/29/2020
Understanding Fast-Changing Global Supply Chains
Dr. Joseph Szyliowicz — 08/05/2020
2020 Global Engagement Award 
Dr. Doug Jackson — 08/26/2020 
2018 - 2019

Fall 2018

U.S.-Canada Relations
Honorable Stéphane Lassard — 09/27/2018
From ‘India’s Daughter’ to THINK EQUAL – Transforming Education to End Discrimination and Violence Around the World
Leslee Udwin — 10/04/2018
Water: Legal and Political Challenges
Dr. Stephen McCaffrey — 10/25/2018
European Economic & Political Security in the Age of Trump
Dr. Rachel Epstein — 11/15/2018
Why Development Matters
Barbara Smith — 12/04/2018

Spring 2019

Europe, Germany & the U.S. – What to Watch for in 2019
Ricklef Beutin — 01/22/2019 
Gender Politics in Modern Iran
Dr. Pardis Mahdavi — 02/13/2019 
Everest and Beyond: Iranian Women Facing Their Future
Sarah Safari — 02/21/2019 
A New Nuclear Revolution
Dr. Julia MacDonald — 03/06/2019 
Discussion & Breakfast
Constanze Stelzenmüller — 03/15/2019 
Discussion & Breakfast
General George Casey (ret.) — 04/04/2019 
Empowering Muslim Women for Peace
Daisy Khan — 04/10/2019 
Discussion & Lunch
Dr. Patrick Quirk — 04/16/2019 
2019 Global Engagement Award
Ms. Kim Day — 05/13/2019
2017 - 2018

Fall 2017

De-Radicalization in a U.S. Context
Christian Picciolini, Yoal Kidane Ghebremeskel & Dr. Annie Miller — 09/13/2017
Turkey: A New Ottoman Empire?
Dr. Joseph Szyliowicz — 09/26/2017
The Realities of Cuba Today
Dr. Juan Lindau — 10/19/2017
The Future of the EU After Brexit: Implications for Transatlantic Relations from a German Perspective
Dr. Jana Puglierin — 11/08/2017

Spring 2018

OSCE/European Affairs
Ambassador Daniel Baer (ret.) — 01/23/2018 
Our Current National Security Dilemmas – The Competing Futures
Harvey Rishikof — 02/15/2018 
Germany and the EU’s China Policy – Analysis, Assessment, and Areas for Competition and Cooperation with the United States
Dr. May-Britt Stumbaum — 04/18/2018
2018 Global Engagement Award
University of Denver Social Science Foundation — 05/12/2018
2016 - 2017

Fall 2016

The Current State of Militant Islam
Dr. Bard E. O’Neill — 09/26/2016
The American Hegemon in the 21st-Century: Change, Constraint and Challenge
Dr. Michael O’Hanlon — 10/13/2016
The Intersection between New Technologies and Cyber Foreign Policy
Dr. Stefan Heumann – 10/26/2016
Europe After Pax Americana – Turmoil and Order in the Old World
Jan Techau – 11/16/2016

Spring 2017

Europe in the Era of Trump
Hans Kundnani — 01/24/2017 
Doomsday Clock
Dr. Rachel Bronson — 02/09/2017 
The European Union and International Development: Challenges and Opportunities
Dr. Renate Hahlen — 03/02/2017 
What ISIS Really Wants
Ambassador Christopher Hill, General George Casey & Graeme Wood — 03/30/2017 
The Intelligence Community in the 21st Century
Steve Recca and Richard Schwein Jr — 04/06/2017 
2017 Global Engagement Award
Professor Ved Nanda — 05/10/2017
2015-2016

Fall 2015

Yemen in a Regional Context
Joanne Cummings — 09/29/2015
Realities on the Ground in the Middle East
Brent Shapiro — 10/15/2015
South Asian Politics: Climate Change and Security
Neil Bhatiya — 10/20/2015
U.S. Nuclear Policy Issues
Rose E. Gottemoeller — 10/26/2015
The Modern Middle East
Members Day Lunch, Discussion & Dinner Speakers — 11/05/2015
Buttressing the Twin Pillars: The Future of US Relations with Saudi Arabia and Iran
Toby Matthiesen — 11/19/2015

Spring 2016

The Politics of National Intelligence
Dr. Joshua Rovner — 01/12/2016 
The EU and the Iran Nuclear Deal
Cornelius Adebahr — 02/03/2016 
America’s Alliance Dilemmas: Dealing with Adversaries and Difficult Friends
Dr. Timothy Crawford — 03/02/2016 
A Discussion of the Middle East
Gerald M Feierstein — 03/30/2016 
The European Refugee and Migrant Crisis
Frances Burwell — 03/31/2016 
The Challenges of Post-Conflict Peacebuilding
Dr. Naazneen Barma — 04/14/2016 
2016 Global Engagement Award 
Daniel F. Ritchie — 05/12/2016
2014 - 2015

Fall 2014

Putting War Criminals on the Dock
Kenneth R. Scott — 09/16/2014
The Future of the U.S. Nuclear Arsenal
Col. Brantley Saltzman — 10/28/2014
Human Security in Today’s Context: An Inside Look at the Human Security Report
Dr. Lindsay Heger — 11/04/2014
Resource Extraction in the Developing World
​​​​​​​Dr. Derrick Hudson — 12/02/2014

Spring 2015

Putin’s Russia
Dr. Joseph Varuolo — 01/22/2015 
The Current State of International Law
Dr. Charlotte Ku — 03/15/2015
Global Health Threats and U.S. Readiness
Dr. Paul Biddinger — 03/31/2015 
Conflict, Crisis, and Economic Development: Opportunities and Challenges to Engaging Modern Africa
Russell Schiebel — 04/16/2015
2025 Global Engagement Award
Ambassador Christopher Hill — 05/07/2015

The mission of the Denver Council on Foreign Relations is to build awareness of international issues and to promote the understanding of American foreign policy and world affairs.

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