Upcoming Events
 LAWAC members may now make their reservations online

 

Speakers

 


 


 

LATE BREAKING EVENT

 

His Excellency

Ashraf Jehangir Qazi

Ambassador of Pakistan to the United States
 

 

"Peace and Security in South Asia"

 

 

Tuesday, March 4, 2003
12 noon luncheon

 

 

Omni Hotel

(251South Olive)

 

 

members $36

guests of members $46

non-members $51

 

F

or the five decades of its existence, Pakistan has been a long-standing ally of the United States.  Since September 11, 2001, this friendship has intensified, as both countries fight terrorism throughout the region and the world.  In spite of increasing pressure on the government of Pakistan, the country and its people have remained strong supporters of American policy.

 

Ashraf Jehangir Qazi has served as ambassador in several world capitals, including Moscow and Beijing, and is considered to be an outstanding diplomat in both skills and knowledge.  He will provide a first-hand, in-depth analysis of the political situation in the region as well as Pakistan’s relationship with the United States.

 

Please join us for this unique opportunity to examine a host of issues related to Pakistan and its neighbors with His Excellency Ashraf Jehangir Qazi, Pakistan’s Ambassador to the United States.

 

 

 


 

Crisis in Korea

Panel Discussion
 

with

 

GREGORY TREVERTON,

Senior Policy Analyst, RAND

MICHAEL PARKS,

Director, School of Journalism,

USC Annenberg School of Communication

NORMAN LEVIN,

Senior Policy Analyst, RAND

 

 

Thursday, March 6, 2003
12 noon luncheon

 

 

Millennium Biltmore Hotel

(506 South Grand Ave)

 

 

members $36

guests of members $46

non-members $51

I

 In fall 2002, North Korea pulled out of the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons, freeing itself from international law that prevented it from reactivating a nuclear plant at Yongbyon and producing materials for nuclear weapons.  The tense relationship between North Korea and the rest of the world has recently been ratcheted up by an alarming statement attributed to a North Korean Foreign Ministry deputy director, who said that “pre-emptive attacks are not the exclusive right of the U.S.” 

We look to the opinions of three Asia experts for perceptions and perspectives on North Korea, its relations with South Korea, and the implications of current tensions for the future of the international system.  ...more

 

 

 

 

The Honorable

Gaddi Vasquez

Director of the Peace Corps
 

 

"The Role of the Peace Corps

in the Global Community"

 

 

Wednesday, March 26, 2003
7:30 p.m. dinner

 

 

Loews Santa Monica Beach Hotel

(1700 Ocean Ave, Santa Monica)

 

 

members $41

guests of members $51

non-members $56

W

 ith America now the world’s only superpower, the work of the Peace Corps is paramount in establishing America not as a nation intent on dominance, but as a nation willing to share its knowledge and experience.

Is the work of the Corps becoming difficult in countries where anti-American feelings are on the rise?  Is it prudent to withdraw volunteers from these areas or is their presence more vital than ever?  Are Americans more wary of volunteering their time and resources? 

Gaddi Vasquez was nominated by President George Bush and sworn in as the Director of the Peace Corps on February 15, 2002.  A former member of the Orange County Board of Supervisors and vice president for public affairs at Southern California Edison, he is the Agency's first Hispanic-American Director. 

Please join us on Wednesday, March 2 when we welcome Gaddi Vasquez, director of the Peace Corps to our podium...more

 


 


 
 

His Excellency

Daniel Ayalon

Ambassador of the State of Israel to the United States
 

 

 

Thursday, April 3, 2003
7:30 p.m. dinner

 

 

Beverly Hilton Hotel

(9876 WilshireBoulevard)

 

 

members $41

guests of members $51

non-members $56

F

or more than 50 years, one of the most visible conflicts in the Middle East has been that between Israelis and Palestinians.  Just a few years ago, resolution seemed within reach.  Today that goal appears ever more elusive.

Daniel Ayalon has played an instrumental role in Israel’s foreign policy during the last three Israeli administrations.  Former Foreign Policy Advisor to Prime Minister Ariel Sharon, Mr. Ayalon was also Deputy Foreign Policy Advisor to both Ehud Barak and Benjamin Netanyahu, and he was a member of the Israeli delegations to the Sharm el-Sheikh, Wye Plantation, and Camp David summits.  Ambassador Ayalon, a professional foreign service diplomat, has also served as the director of the Bureau of Israel’s Ambassador to the UN.....more       

   

 
 
 

His Excellency

Jan Kavan

President of the 57th General Assembly United Nations Former Minister of Foreign Affairs, Czech Republic

 

 

Thursday, May 1, 2003
7:30 p.m. dinner

 

 

Beverly Hills Hotel

(9641 Sunset Boulevard)

 

 

members $41

guests of members $51

non-members $56

J

an Kavan, President of the 57th Session of the UN General Assembly, brings to the post political skills built on a lifetime of experience.  He has been a major player on the Czech political scene since the 1960s, when he became one of the leaders of the Czechoslovakian student movement.  This association led to his blacklisting by the Communist Party after the Soviet invasion of Czechoslovakia in 1968.  He spent the next 20 years in exile in Britain, where he was a long-standing member of the Labour Party.  During this time he actively assisted Czech opposition activists—in particular the human rights movement known as Charter 77.  These activities cost him his Czech citizenship in 1979.  He returned to Prague from political exile in 1989, and subsequently served as Minister of Foreign Affairs and as Deputy Prime Minister for Foreign and Security Policy.

Mr. Kavan, who has also had a distinguished academic career,  now heads the main deliberative branch of the United Nations, which is charged with recommending principles of cooperation for maintaining international peace and security—a challenge made even greater by current circumstances. 

 

Please join us for a behind-the-scenes look at the United Nations with His Excellency Jan Kavan, President of the United Nations General Assembly.

 

 
 
       
       

 

Cable Television Broadcasts

on channel 36

 

Addresses to the Los Angeles World Affairs Council are broadcast on cable channel 36 at the regular time of

8 p.m. on Monday nights and at other times as listed.

 

 

 

We acknowledge the co-operation of the Los Angeles Cable Television Access Corporation.

 

 

This service is made possible by the

Boeing Company.

 

His Excellency

Leszek Miller

Prime Minister of Poland

 

"Poland: Revisiting the Transatlantic Partnership"

To be advised

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


Reservations for all programs must be made in advance.
World Affairs Council members may call (213) 628-2333
 or use the online reservation form.

Non-members must pre-pay with Visa or MasterCard or by mailing a check to:
 Los Angeles World Affairs Council
 345 South Figueroa Street, Suite 313
Los Angeles, CA 90071

Updated: 11/15/2006