SILL’s ‘Global Issues’ Series Brings World Affairs Experts to Venice

Renowned Speakers Explore Topics from Brain Health to U.S.-China Relations Through March 28

The Sarasota Institute of Lifetime Learning (SILL) continues its highly regarded “Global Issues” lecture series, running through March 28 at the Venice Community Center, 326 S. Nokomis Avenue, Venice. This series features internationally renowned experts discussing a wide range of critical domestic and global topics.

Upcoming Lectures:

📅 Friday, March 14, 10:00 AM
🗣 John Bruno – “The Brain and Cognitive Control in Health and Disease”
Dr. John Bruno will explore how a healthy brain processes information and discuss how changes in brain networks contribute to cognitive decline. He will focus on aging-related deficits and neurological disorders such as Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s.

📅 Tuesday, March 18, 2:30 PM
🗣 Daniel Tichenor – “Chasm: Governing Immigration in a Fractured Nation”
Daniel Tichenor will examine the long history of political battles over immigration in the U.S. He will explain why today’s deep partisan divide is a relatively new development and explore how past generations overcame ideological conflicts to enact meaningful policy reforms.

📅 Thursday, March 20 & Friday, March 21, 10:00 AM
🗣 Jeffrey Moon – “The U.S. and China: Inseparable Frenemies”
Former U.S. diplomat Jeffrey Moon will provide insight into the complex and often tense relationship between the United States and China. He will discuss how both nations manage cooperation, competition, and global leadership in an era of shifting geopolitical power.

📅 Tuesday, March 25, 2:30 PM
🗣 Shelly Rigger – “China’s Economic Rise: Where Did it Come from and Where is it Headed?”
Shelly Rigger will explore China’s dramatic economic transformation, from a struggling nation under Mao Zedong to the world’s manufacturing powerhouse under Deng Xiaoping’s leadership. She will analyze the key factors behind this growth and discuss what the future may hold for China’s economy.

📅 Friday, March 28, 10:00 AM
🗣 John Tefft – “Vladimir Putin: In the Tradition of Brutal Russian Autocrats or Unique Leader?”
Ambassador John Tefft, in discussion with Mike Boorstein, will provide an in-depth look at Russian President Vladimir Putin. He will explore Putin’s leadership style, his long-standing rule, and how his policies shape Russia’s role on the global stage.

Learn More

For a full schedule of lectures and more details, visit SillSarasota.org.