Who are the most powerful individuals? Who are the most powerful people in politics? Who are the real influencers on the world stage? Who makes the decisions that determine war and peace? Economic growth or stagnation? Global cooperation or political stagnation? This lecture answers the question of who the most powerful people in the world are by examining how we think about power and influence in international politics. We will consider traditional answers based on military might and examine how globalization, technology, ideology, and economic interdependence are changing the ways we should think about power and influence. After engaging in an analysis of power and influence in today’s world, we will consider 5 particular individuals—some expected, others perhaps unexpected or even unknown—who are calling the shots in global affairs today. The lecture concludes with a detailed look at what their influence means for our global future.

William Burke-White, J.D., Ph.D., Professor of Law, Author

Monday             March 20      10:30 AM to Noon                

1 Session           $20

This is an online Zoom webinar - you will receive an email one day prior to the class with a link to the webinar.

About William Burke-White

William Burke-White is Professor of Law at the University of Pennsylvania and Inaugural Director of Perry World House, Penn’s international affairs institute.

An expert on international law and global governance, served in the Obama Administration from 2009-2011 on Secretary Clinton’s Policy Planning Staff, providing the Secretary direct policy advice on multilateral diplomacy and international institutions. He was principal drafter of the Quadrennial Diplomacy and Development Review (QDDR), Secretary Clinton’s hallmark foreign policy and institutional reform effort.

Burke-White has written extensively in the fields of international law and institutions, with focus on international criminal and international economic law. His work has addressed issues of post-conflict justice; the International Criminal Court; international human rights, and international arbitration.

His current research explores gaps in the global governance system and the challenges of international legal regulation in a world of rising powers and divergent interests.

In 2008 he received the A. Leo Levin Award and in 2007 the Robert A. Gorman award for Excellence in Teaching.

Get fit, have fun, all while moving to the music! The workout combines aerobic movement, strength training, flexibility and balance work all in 1 great class. We will use hand weights, cans or water bottles for resistance training. Please have a chair nearly for seated or standing support.   Each class begins with aerobic movement and strength training intervals.  We will end with a cool down stretch, balance and relaxation. Become your own “best motivator “- this is an exercise class that you will enjoy and make you fit and fabulous!   Please have a chair, towel and water bottle.

Gail Sander, Certified Group Exercise Instructor, Silver Sneakers Certified

Mondays               1:00 PM to 2:00 PM          

Jan 2,9,23,30      Feb 6,13,27        Mar 6,13,20,27         No Class Jan 16, Feb 20                

11 Sessions          $110                                                        

This is an online class and you will receive an email one day prior to the first class with the link to the Zoom webinar. Save the link - it will be used for all sessions.

Human identity is largely informed by specific elements, such as our language, culture, religion, ethnicity, gender, and race. These are aspects of ourselves with which we are born or grow up. What, however, if by necessity or choice, we relocate--leaving behind many of these elements and trying to adopt and adapt to new ones in a new location? How are the emotional and psychological complications that may be part of that process particularly evident for visual artists, who must reconsider how to express their artistic identities in a new world? How, as a practical historical matter, did this affect artists coming to America during the Holocaust--and how were they and other immigrants received at that time by our country—and how was that the same or different, changed or remained the same for immigrant artists to the United States in before and since that era? This richly-illustrated talk will consider these issues and questions.

Dr. Ori Soltes, Professor of Theology, Philosophy and Art History, Author

Wednesday           March 22     3:00 to 4:30 PM      

1 Session             $20

This is an online Zoom webinar - you will receive an email one day prior to the class with a link to the webinar.

Get fit, have fun, all while moving to the music! The workout combines aerobic movement, strength training, flexibility and balance work all in 1 great class. We will use hand weights, cans or water bottles for resistance training. Please have a chair nearly for seated or standing support.   Each class begins with aerobic movement and strength training intervals.  We will end with a cool down stretch, balance and relaxation. Become your own “best motivator “- this is an exercise class that you will enjoy and make you fit and fabulous!   Please have a chair, towel and water bottle.

Gail Sander, Certified Group Exercise Instructor, Silver Sneakers Certified

Mondays               1:00 PM to 2:00 PM          

Jan 2,9,23,30      Feb 6,13,27        Mar 6,13,20,27         No Class Jan 16, Feb 20                  

11 Sessions          $110                                                        

This is an online class and you will receive an email one day prior to the first class with the link to the Zoom webinar. Save the link - it will be used for all sessions.

The global community agrees that war crimes and genocide are unconscionable and unacceptable, and yet genocide and mass killings continue.  We have a duty to find the answer to the crimes particularly in view of the current betrayal of “never again” by Russian forces in Ukraine.  We will explore the role of preventive diplomacy as well as the employment of military options.  

Melvin Goodman, Retired CIA and State Department Analyst, Author

Tuesday       March 28       3:00 - 4:30 PM

1 Session      $20

This is an online class and you will receive an email one day prior to the class with the link to the Zoom webinar.