Our inaugural event videos are live and ready for you to watch and share with others.  You can view them by visiting our video gallery and also on the SBIWA Vimeo Page.

For those of you able to attend, please enjoy revisiting the outstanding and diverse speakers that joined us for our Inaugural Event “A Forum on World Issues” on February 26th, at the Lobero Theater in Santa Barbara. For those who were unable to attend, we hope these videos provide a deeper understanding of global and national issues affecting humanity and you can join us for future forums.

More than 300 people attended on the day and opinion surveys were completed by at least half that number.  We are honored and deeply appreciative of all the responses we received through comment cards, personal emails, letters, blog posts and phone calls.  So many of you provided great ideas and offers to help.  It is clear that there is a true interest and want for forums like this, so please keep in touch and let us know what issues or speakers you are interested in hearing more about so we can continue to raise awareness and secure funding for future events.

To keep the dialogue alive, please comment on this post or on the videos hosted on our Vimeo Page.

You can also help us spread the word by sharing these videos, and information about our organization, with friends around the globe so SBIWA can continue to grow and provide you with a platform for civil discourse.

Thank you for your continued interest in the Santa Barbara Institute on World Affairs and we hope to see you for out next event in September 2011!

If you have any questions or comments, please email our team at info@sbiwa.org

- Ted Tedesco, Founder

Below is a brief overview of what our outstanding speakers covered on the day. We are grateful for their involvement in helping us launch the Institute and bring such diverse and defining issues to the stage for discussion. We will also post the Podcasts and Resource Lists in the coming weeks so community members can review the sessions from the day and also follow up on issues that were of interest to them. Stay Tuned!

SBIWA INAUGURAL EVENT – A FORUM ON WORLD ISSUES
February 26, 2010

TED TEDESCO, SBIWA FOUNDER: INTRODUCTION

Tedesco opened the forum with an explanation of how he came to conceive the organization’s vision. When he thought about the events of the previous turbulent decade he wondered how much or how little of it we could have foreseen at the beginning of the millennium. He wanted to create a forum where thoughtful people can consider how we can prepare for the coming decade. What should we know? What questions should we be asking? In pursuing such big issues, Tedesco urged civil discourse among participants.

MARK JUERGENSMEYER: KEYNOTE ADDRESS

Juergensmeyer reflected on how the immense world events of the last 20 years – including the fall of the Berlin Wall and 911 – have brought about new ways of thinking including the purpose and identities of nation states. In thinking about the problems of globalization from the perspectives of sovereignty, accountability, and identity, we should ask if and for whom the new global economy is working.

RICHARD APPELBAUM: THE CHINESE CENTURY?

With the world’s population being now one-quarter Chinese and one-fifth Asian, Appelbaum considers if we are coming into the Asian Century. He identifies two roads to development in China: The first is labor (China as the world’s factory). Second is its high tech scientific culture (the “world’s largest technocracy”). Appelbaum explores China’s plans for “indigenous innovation” by creating as well as making its own brands. He asks if U.S.-China cooperation rather than competition is a possible and beneficial relationship.

MICHAEL CURTIN: AFTER HOLLYWOOD
Hollywood became the dominant force in the international film industry in the years 1910-1920. In later years, national systems of entertainment increasingly acquired global perspectives.  The forces of globalization have tamed many countries who want to control media. Curtin introduces his concept of “media capitals,” locations that produce films and other forms of entertainment that reach out to defined international geographic locations.

CYNTHIA STOHL: PARADOXICAL REFLECTIONS ON GLOBAL CONNECTIONS

Stohl looks at how the intersection of organizations and technology creates tension and contradiction that lead to paradox. She looks at the implications of the need for both organization and disorganization and what it means for solving current and future problems. The hierarchy of organizations may not be the best structure for dealing with the future. Organizations must consider how they have to adjust to the way in which technology has empowered the end user and how a socio-technical infrastructure has become embedded in our lives.

BENJAMIN JERRY COHEN: THE GLOBAL FUTURE OF MONEY

Cohen opens his presentation with a definition and history of money. While the developing world economic system suggests a movement toward a single world currency, he does not foresee it coming about due to being counter to the interests of countries.

MICHAEL STOHL: GLOBAL POWER SHIFTS?

Stohl asks if there is a shift of power from the U.S. to China occurring. If so, how much is within our power to control and what are the implications? Geographic considerations, as in West to East, and the movement of state powers to other forms of organizations were discussed. Stohl defined and explored the consequences of hard power vs. soft power.

EVE DARIAN-SMITH: THE FUTURE OF HUMAN RIGHTS AND AMERICAN EXCEPTIONALISM

Darian-Smith stresses the importance of human rights for so many people around the world. That a person is entitled to certain inalienable rights by virtue of being human is a universal understanding. Darian-Smith describes the long history of human rights in the world despite the attention given to the concept by nation states being relatively recent. Although the Universal Declaration of Human Rights was signed in 1948, implementation of it has had considerable difficulties and challenges. She went on to describe the implied superiority of “American exceptionalism” along with that of manifest destiny. Darian-Smith closed with a look at the posture of the Obama administration toward human rights and the poor record of the U.S. in supporting UN declarations connected with human rights.

For those of you who were able to join us on Saturday for our Inaugural Event, A Forum On World Issues – THANK YOU! What a success and an incredible morning of thoughtful discussion with more than 350 people in attendance. SBIWA has been honored by the feedback from the community and more than 150 survey report cards turned in on the day. The consensus was that the program was valuable, innovative and honorable.

We knew this would be an experiment as far as format went – and what we learned is what we expected. That the program, while showcasing outstanding topics and speakers, was too long – in short as one attendee put it, his head “was buzzing with information overload” which he said was fantastic, but too much. A compliment to the speakers on their content, but well noted for the future. In our post-event discussions we have decided that the next forum will be from 9am-12noon only, with a 15 minute break midway and the opportunity to get up a stretch your legs during the event a few times. This is YOUR event. YOUR forum for discussion so please stay involved and let us know your thoughts so we can make this something valuable and ongoing for our community.

Our next forum is scheduled for the Fall 2011 and we already have people requesting the date and sponsors pledging to stand behind us. We welcome your comments on the Inaugural Event and your suggestions on speakers and topics for future events.

So please let us get your feedback by making comments below and “together” we can continue the discussion online too!

Please note – The Podcasts and Speaker Resource Lists will be posted in the next 10 days so please check back.

If you or your organization is interested in sponsoring or becoming an affiliate of SBIWA, please complete the form on the home page. Thank you!

February 25, 2011

http://www.newspress.com/Top/Article/article.jsp?Section=LOCAL&ID=566095343461204026&Archive=false

The Santa Barbara Institute on World Affairs, a new nonprofit organization, will host its inaugural event, “A Forum on World Issues” 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday at the Lobero Theatre, 33 E. Canon Perdido St.

Speakers will look at current world issues and the coming decade.

Mark Juergensmeyer, director of the Orfalea Global Center at UCSB, will present the keynote address, “Critical Issues in the Global Future.”

Other topics include the global media, foreign policy implications of China’s technological innovations, global power shifts, the future of money, climate change diplomacy, global cybernetworks, the future of human rights and more.

The institute aims to provide a series of expert-led public presentations, discussions and forums about national and global issues affecting humanity, according to president and founder Ted Tedesco. Its goal is to establish a national center in Santa Barbara for civil discourse on issues of the day.

Admission is free, though a $10 donation is suggested.

For a complete list of speakers and to reserve tickets, visit http://sbiwa.org/ or http://lobero.com.

February 25, 2011

http://www.dailynexus.com/2011-02-25/institute-world-affairs-examines-issues/

Robin Gautschi

The Santa Barbara Institute on World Affairs will host its first panel discussion on various global issues at the Lobero Theatre tomorrow.

Forum topics include global labor, nanotechnology, human rights and the future of international commerce. A panel of notable UCSB faculty — including global studies professors Mark Juergensmeyer and Richard Appelbaum — will offer their insight at the event.

SBIWA President Ted Tedesco said the panel will showcase the academic prowess of the university’s faculty.

“I have an interest in featuring some of the incredible people that we have here within the community and UCSB,” Tedesco said. “UCSB especially has some of the world-class experts on these areas and so there was no need or reason to go beyond who I was able to contact at the university.”

According to Juergensmeyer, the Orfalea Center for Global & International Studies helped organize the selection of professors who will discuss topics ranging from terrorism to China’s emergence as a leading world power.

“[Our involvement in the event] is an attempt to reach out beyond the boundaries of UCSB and provide an intellectual exchange within the Santa Barbara community on important global issues,” Juergensmeyer said.

Tedesco said the “UCSB global experts” will speak for about 15 minutes each before opening the floor to audience input.

“So, the whole program is literally set to be half given by the presenters and half of the time to be reserved for audience participation and engagements with the presenters,” Tedesco said.

Tedesco founded the nonprofit organization last year as a nexus for dialogue about and solutions to both global and national issues. The group plans to have at least three similar annual forums with predetermined discussion topics.

Tedesco said he hopes the events will encourage participants to develop their own solutions to global issues.

“I am not just trying to run a speakers’ bureau,” Tedesco said. “I am trying to get people to engage and be willing to or consider taking some involvement or action after that.”

Tomorrow’s forum will last from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. For more information on this event and the Santa Barbara Institute of World Affairs, visit sbiwa.org.

S.B. Institute on World Affairs to Offer Series of Speakers on Global Topics

February 21, 2011

http://www.independent.com/news/2011/feb/21/return-civil-discourse/

MATT KETTMANN

If all goes as Ted Tedesco plans, Santa Barbara will soon become known as a center for global thought, and the former American Airlines executive just might save democracy along the way. That’s the hope for the Santa Barbara Institute on World Affairs, which Tedesco founded last year in order to bring prominent speakers to town, promote civil discourse from divergent standpoints, and engage the audience to ask questions and get involved in issues that matter. The Institute’s inaugural event will be on Saturday, February 26, at the Lobero Theatre, where experts from UCSB will present their views on a variety of relevant topics.

“Issues that need to be discussed and debated and decided have been so polarized that there’s very little room, if any, for civil discourse,” said Tedesco, who retired to Santa Barbara in 1995 and quickly became involved in civic affairs and charity work, “so I’m trying to structure this institute with a prime interest in developing that civil discourse.”

To ensure that the speaking engagements have impact, Tedesco—who may be best known around town for being the chair of the governor-appointed group that investigated the Santa Barbara County split—will inform the audience about each speaker in the days leading up to the event, plan for plenty of dialogue between the speakers and the audience, and then provide ways that attendees can follow up on the ideas or projects that inspired them. In addition, Tedesco will film, edit, and present the speeches as video clips and podcasts available for free download online via sbiwa.org.

The February 26 event will feature Mark Juergensmeyer on the planet’s next 10 years; Richard Falk and Hilal Elver on climate change; Richard Appelbaum on the rise of China and the implications for American foreign policy; Benjamin Jerry Cohen on the future of money; Eve Darian-Smith on human rights; Michael Curtin on media sources; Michael Stohl on shifts in political power; and Cynthia Stohl on cyber networks and the Internet’s impact on the world. Each speaker will have about 15 minutes to present, and then the audience will get to ask questions. The speeches will start at 9 a.m. and wrap up by around 1 p.m. Altogether, Tedesco says the morning’s varied topics will “set the stage for what we’re trying to accomplish with the institute.”

At the end of the day, Tedesco’s intent is to build the Santa Barbara Institute on World Affairs into something like the internationally renowned Aspen Institute. And he believes he can bring it, thanks in part to his varied career, which—in addition to his 14 years with American Airlines—includes work as a city manager in Boulder and San Jose and as a vice chancellor for the University of Colorado. That gives him valuable perspectives on modern life from the corporate, government, and educational perspectives, so he just might be able to attain his goal, which is “to be identified as a group that does things on a very sophisticated, knowledgeable basis with the best speakers we can find, while giving the community an opportunity to interact with those kinds of people.”

The Santa Barbara Chamber of Commerce recently joined SBIWA as a lead sponsor for the Inaugural event on February 26th, 2011. The Chamber will also assist with reservations and coordination on the day – Marcia Reed is our Chamber contact and her number is: 805.965.3023, ext 103.

This support is a testament to the strong belief that our community needs an outlet and forum for civil discourse on defining issues that effect our globe, our nation and our community. We are greatly appreciative of their support and of the leadership Steve Cushman has shown by bringing this event to the attention of Chamber members and the community at large. We look forward to a long standing relationship with the Chamber and other like-minded associations in town.

We are proud and thankful to add The Miller-McCune Center for Research, Media and Public Policy as our newest Institute sponsor. It is through the generous support of our sponsors that we are able to bring such distinguished speakers to Santa Barbara to provide the community with a platform for education and thoughtful discussion.

Thank You!

In the last two weeks we have had an excellent response from our community. With more than 230 participants registered to attend, we are confident the event will see a full house and we welcome fellow community members to register as soon as possible through our website.

This response is very encouraging and inspires us to continue our mission of providing at least three annual forums for civil discourse each year on issues that are important to you. Please let us know what topics or speakers you would like to hear from in the future by completing our “Make A Suggestion” form located on the right hand side of the home page and sub pages.

Thank you for your interest in fostering a deeper understanding of global issues and your commitment to discussing solutions through civil discourse.

We hope you can join us for our Inaugural Event “A Forum on World Issues” on February 26th at the Lobero Theater, Santa Barbara from 9am – 1pm.

Ted Tedesco, founder of the Santa Barbara Institute on World Affairs engages in a conversation about bringing a new forum for civil discourse on issues that matter to Santa Barbara. Tired of the name-calling and ideological tribalism in the mainstream media, Tedesco, a former city manager and American Airlines executive, figured he could do better. Tedesco and the Santa Barbara Institute on World Affairs were the subjects of a recent article in the Indy by Senior Editor Matt Kettmann.

Click on the link below to listen.

Indy Radio_010411_SBIWA