A brief history of how the Camden Conference came to be.

History of the Camden Conference

While the world seems to be shrinking, its complexities grow. Governments make daily policy decisions that affect our lives and those of our children and grandchildren. The Camden Conference believes that a public educated about and concerned with world affairs is critical in this environment. Held each February since 1988, The Camden Conference provides an opportunity for experts and interested individuals to share concerns and expertise on a range of global issues. Conference topics have included The Making of American Foreign Policy, The Influence of the News Media on Foreign Policy, US-Japan Relations, Globalization, The Politics of Energy and Water and a number of conferences focusing on regions of the world. (The full list of previous conferences is below.)

Who attends The Camden Conference?

Nearly 1000 people attended the 2008 Camden Conference at the Camden Opera House and three additional satellite venues in Belfast, Rockland and Portland. Most are from Maine, but many come from distant parts of the US, Canada and Europe for the annual three-day event. Records show that over 60% of those who attend a conference come to subsequent conferences. Attendees range in age from retirees to high school students. Moreover, hundreds of people attend one or more of the community events that precede the conference.

Who addresses The Camden Conference?

Speakers come from government, business, the media and academia. They are all experts in the fields they address. For example, at the first conference, “The Making of American Foreign Policy … Myth and Reality” speakers included Brent Scowcroft, then National Security Advisor, Lawrence Eagleburger, then acting Secretary of State and William S. Cohen, then Maine’s senior senator. Brent Scowcroft returned to Camden 21 years later as keynote for the 2009 Camden Conference on Global Leadership and the U.S. Role in World Affairs. Other speakers included: Ambassador Nicholas Burns, former CIA Director John Deutch and International Crisis Group President Gareth Evans.

Why a conference in mid-coast Maine?

The mid-coast Maine area is known for its long tradition of community involvement in public issues. The area has also attracted an influx of year-round residents who have retired from distinguished careers in foreign service, domestic and international business and academia. The combination of interested and concerned long-time residents and newer residents makes the Conference especially attractive to speakers, who see the discussion as “lively, knowledgeable and sophisticated.”

Quotes from attendees at previous conferences:

“I was impressed by the skills, background and range of speakers … I feel fortunate to have the opportunity to attend such a conference.”

“You give us a lot to think about and provide us with perspective and understanding of world events.”

“I found this the most relevant and meaningful conference I’ve attended (and I’ve attended a lot).” A wonderful, stimulating event in mid-winter Maine. I plan to attend the conference annually.”

“… the audience was very engaged, the questions were excellent, and it was very stimulating to hear people with diverse opinions debate with each other.”

Past conference topics

• 1988 The Making of American Foreign Policy … Myth and Reality
• 1989 The Influence of the News Media in shaping U.S. Foreign Policy
• 1990 U.S. Foreign Policy and International Trade: The Mutual Impact
• 1991 The Global Environment … A foreign Policy Agenda
• 1992 The New World Order … What Will It Be?
• 1993 The United States and Japan: A Critical Relationship
• 1994 Russia: Today and Tomorrow
• 1995 China
• 1996 Islam and politics in the Middle East
• 1997 The World’s Only Superpower: Challenge or Curse?
• 1998 Latin America: Troubled past, Uncertain Future
• 1999 Africa: South of the Sahara Keynote speaker: Margaret Dongo, “Change in Africa: From the Eyes of a Participant”
• 2000 Southeast Asia Keynote speaker: David Wurfel, “Southeast Asia: The Past in the Present”
• 2001 Globalization: Its Impact on you and ME Keynote speaker: Michael Sandel, “Globalization’s Impact on the Nation-State, the Community, and the Individual”
• 2002 The Politics of Energy and Water Keynote speaker: Matthew Simmons, “Nightmares and Dreams About World Energy Crises”
• 2003 Two Worlds under Pressure: The Growing Crisis of Population and Movement Keynote speaker: Phyllis Oakley, “A tale of two worlds”)
• 2004 Foreign Policy for the 21st Century: Seeking a Balance? Keynote speaker: Robert Kaplan, “Global Security in 2010: Fighting a Worldwide Counter-Insurgency”
• 2005 The Middle East: Compromise or Conflagration? Keynote speaker: General Tony Zinni, “The Middle East: The Way Ahead”
• 2006 China on the World Stage Keynote speaker: James Lilley, “China, Japan, and the Korean Peninsula, Can it Work?”
• 2007 Europe: Old Continent in a New World Keynote speaker: David Calleo, “The U.S. and the E.U.: Dissonant Visions of the New World Order”
• 2008 Religion as a Force in World Affairs Keynote speaker: Rev. J. Bryan Hehir, “Religion, World Politics and United States Foreign Policy”
• 2009 Global Leadership and the U.S. Role in World Affairs Keynote speaker: Brent Scowcroft, “Foreign Policy Challenges Facing the New Administration”

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