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BCFA Programs

We offer 12 programs on average each year, focusing on the most critical foreign policy matters before the nation. We ask our speakers to analyze the tensions among the major powers, to explain the national interests at stake in foreign disputes and to put a spotlight on humanitarian crises that often are overlooked. Past speakers have included: Vice Presidents; Secretaries of State and Defense; Directors of the National Security Agency; Chairmen of the Joint Chiefs of Staff; Congressmen; Journalists; Scholars; Senior Military Officers; and Ambassadors from more than 60 nations.

NOV 12, 2024
Luigi Einaudi

Topic: Venezuela – Is There a Path Back to Democracy?

Location: World Trade Center, 401 E. Pratt Street, Baltimore, MD 21202

Details

OCT 16, 2024
John Weaver & Daniel Kochis

Topic: “QUO VADIS NATO: 2024 AND BEYOND”

Location: Zoom Webinar Only

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Oct 1, 2024
Cameron Hudson

Topic: Sudan’s Catastrophic War and the Gap in U.S. Leadership

Location: Zoom

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The post-Cold War era came to an abrupt end when Russia’s invaded Ukraine in February 2022. The United States’ growing rivalry with China meanwhile presents challenges in every area of foreign affairs. We are thus living in a suddenly more complex, dangerous era. Threats to democracy and fundamental human rights have expanded to include cyber warfare, space weaponry and digital authoritarianism, including the manipulation of social media. At the same time, political polarization at home raises questions about American leadership in global affairs. Flawed past decisions that led to long troop deployments abroad without achieving basic goals have weakened the national resolve to tackle new challenges as they arise. The questions that the Council seeks to explore are, can the United States learn from its mistakes – as well as from its past successes? Will it continue playing the lead role in supporting a rules-based world order, or will it abandon that role to malign actors whose main goal is to displace American leadership? In this critical moment, the Baltimore Council on Foreign Affairs contributes to these debates by providing a public forum for distinguished experts in foreign affairs.​

BCFA Programs

We offer 16 programs on average each year, focusing on the most critical foreign policy matters before the nation. We ask our speakers to analyze the tensions among the major powers, to explain the national interests at stake in foreign disputes and to put a spotlight on humanitarian crises that often are overlooked. Past speakers have included: Vice Presidents; Secretaries of State and Defense; Directors of the National Security Agency; Chairmen of the Joint Chiefs of Staff; Congressmen; Journalists; Scholars; Senior Military Officers; and Ambassadors from more than 60 nations.

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July 18, 2024
Belarusian Political Dissidents

Topic: Three key figures from the Viasna Human Rights Centre and the Life Charitable Foundation

Location: WTC

BCFA Research & Analysis

The post-Cold War era came to an abrupt end when Russia’s invaded Ukraine in February 2022. The United States’ growing rivalry with China meanwhile presents challenges in every area of foreign affairs. We are thus living in a suddenly more complex, dangerous era. Threats to democracy and fundamental human rights have expanded to include cyber warfare, space weaponry and digital authoritarianism, including the manipulation of social media. At the same time, political polarization at home raises questions about American leadership in global affairs. Flawed past decisions that led to long troop deployments abroad without achieving basic goals have weakened the national resolve to tackle new challenges as they arise. The questions that the Council seeks to explore are, can the United States learn from its mistakes – as well as from its past successes? Will it continue playing the lead role in supporting a rules-based world order, or will it abandon that role to malign actors whose main goal is to displace American leadership? In this critical moment, the Baltimore Council on Foreign Affairs contributes to these debates by providing a public forum for distinguished experts in foreign affairs.

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Wilson Center

Forced displacement represents one of the most pressing humanitarian issues of our time. Individuals and families, torn from the fabric of their communities, find themselves navigating a world of uncertainty, often without basic necessities or a clear path to safety. There are currently some 110 million forced displaced, and this number is growing by 10 million each year!

At the heart of this crisis are the political triggers. Armed conflicts, ethnic or religious persecutions, and systemic human rights abuses force millions to flee their homes in terror. Many are displaced within their own national boundaries, while others seek asylum abroad. If these factors change as a result of political shifts at home or the pressures from abroad, they can return to their homes. Forced displacement is thus different from environmentally driven displacement, as victims of climate change may never be able to return to their homes.

The ramifications of any sort of displacement are profound, not just for those directly affected, but also for host communities and countries. Overburdened infrastructures, socio-economic strains, and cultural tensions can arise, necessitating comprehensive strategies to foster harmony and integration. Yet the root causes of forced displacement can be remedied with a concerted focus by local players and international diplomacy.

Organizations like Refugees International play a crucial role in this arena, advocating for the rights and needs of the displaced, conducting on-the-ground assessments, and influencing policymakers to take informed actions. Their relentless work underscores the gravity of the situation and the urgency ofinternational cooperation. But they, too, are overwhelmed by the rapid expansion of the crisis.

International Humanitarian Law (IHL), with its core principles centered on the protection of civilians during conflicts, plays a pivotal role in this discourse. Yet, despite clear legal frameworks, compliance remains
inconsistent. This initiative emphasizes the importance of upholding and reinforcing these international standards.

It’s not just about recognizing the problem; it’s about active engagement. We urge governments, organizations, and individuals to prioritize the rights and needs of the forced displaced. Through collective efforts, informed policies, and sustained advocacy, we can shift the narrative from passive acknowledgment to proactive intervention.