SFWAF News:
Registration is now open for “Democracy in the Time of Autocrats”, the Santa Fe World Affairs Forum’s annual symposium held April 10-11.
We live in stormy times. The heyday following Communism’s end in the Soviet Union and Eastern Europe is a faded memory. History has not ended as once prophesized – it has instead moved on to the rise of populist leaders and their autocratic control domestically and internationally. The democratic model which promised so much is under challenge throughout the globe.
Can democracy survive the onslaught of autocrats? Can civil society institutions prove to be democracy’s underlying strength? But will they hold, or will they too falter?
There is deepening concern that autocrats, often initially elected democratically, have used the levers of raw power to dominate mainstream and social media, subvert education, and control elections first to hobble and then effectively destroy democracy turning back the clock by sweeping away progress on desperately needed reforms – from action on climate change to gender and income inequality.
Moreover, do autocracies now seize the opportunity to attack their neighbors? Threaten nuclear holocaust unless they get their way, and destabilize the international order that kept the peace throughout much of the world since the end of WWII?
How significant is the ripple effect of the seemingly sudden demise of the 40 year old Assad dynasty not just for Syria itself but also for the greater Middle East, Russia, Ukraine, Europe, Africa, Latin America, Asia and beyond? How can a seemingly small pebble tossed into a sea turn into a tsunami of global proportions within a single week?
This symposium will analyze what such political changes, including those in this country, portend for democracy and the future of our world.
2025 Symposium Speakers include:
Gary A Grappo, US Ambassador (rtd) to the Sultanate of Oman is currently a Distinguished Fellow at the Center for Middle East Studies, Korbel School of International Studies, University of Denver and CEO of Equilibrium Consulting where he provides analysis and guidance on foreign affairs. A career Foreign Service Officer he served as Charge and Deputy Chief of Mission of the US Embassy in Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, and Minister Counselor for Political Affairs at the US Embassy Baghdad as well as assignments in Jordan and Jerusalem.
Dr. Siegfried Hecker, former director of Los Alamos National Laboratory and current professor of practice at Texas A&M University and at the Middlebury Institute of International Studies, Monterey, CA.
Manuel Montoya, PhD, Associate Professor of Economics, University of New Mexico with focus and publications on the global economy – from international trade to the creative economy. He is a Council on Foreign Relations member, Rhodes Scholar, recent recipient of UNM’s Presidential Teaching Fellowship, UNM’s highest teaching honor. Developer of the Podcast, “Vessels and Voids”, he explores the link between popular culture and the development of global civil society.
Jody Olsen, PhD, Peace Corps Director (2018-2021), former Deputy Director, Country Director (Togo) Regional Director (Europe & Asia), visiting professor and director of the Center for Global Education, University of Maryland-Baltimore, including co-chair of Women of the Peace Corps Legacy and member of the Maryland Governor’s Commission for Service and Volunteerism.
Eric Rubin, US Ambassador (rtd) to Bulgaria and former president of the American Foreign Service Association – the professional association and labor union of the Foreign Service; An active duty US Foreign Service Officer who focused on US policy and national security from 1985-2023. His assignments included Deputy Asst. Secretary of State for European Affairs and Deputy Chief of Mission in Moscow from 2008 through 2014.
Cost: SFWAF Members and affiliates both days: $100; Non-members: $120. Thursday only: $75; Friday only $65. College and university students both days: $60.
The symposium fee includes continental breakfasts, buffet lunches, coffee and tea service both days.
Check in opens at 9 a.m., both Thursday and Friday. Conference seating is first come, first serve.
Registration and Payment:
Email sfwaforum@outlook.com by Friday, April 4. Space is limited and reservations are first come, first serve.
Payment and registration can be made by credit card through our Paypal account: https://www.sfwaf.org/payment/.
Note on special instructions that this is for the 2025 symposium and also include first and last names of the registrants.
Alternatively, you may register by check made out to SFWAF and mailed to us at Santa Fe World Affairs Forum, PO Box 31965, Santa Fe, NM 87594. (Please include your name, names of all registrants and your contact information if you are not a SFWAF member) Please also email sfwaforum@outlook.com if you mail a check.
If you are not a member yet or plan to bring a nonmember guest, please include your best contact information and your guest’s name. We use name tags. If SFWAF annual membership interests you or inclusion on our email list please email us: sfwaforum@outlook.com.
Payment for this program is nonrefundable after April 4, 2025. We strongly prefer that payment be made by Paypal or check postmarked by April 4, 2025 to facilitate check-in and catering needs. If you are mailing a check please also email us at sfwaforum@outlook.com to be sure we know you plan to attend.
Location: SFCC JEMEZ ROOMS are in the main Administration building and on the ground floor between the Campus Center (and cafeteria) and the book store. The college is located at 6401 Richards Avenue, Santa Fe, NM 87508. Enter through the building’s main entrance (on the left entrance of the building behind the flag poles).
Directions from I-25: From Rodeo Road turn south onto Richards Avenue. Turn into the campus main drive. Closest parking is in front of the building. Parking in the East Wing Parking Lot is to the left of the main entrance. From I-25 take the Cerrillos Road exit, then turn east onto Governor Miles Road and right onto Richards Avenue. Then follow directions above.