Blue Hill Discussion Series

Date: Tuesday February 28, 2012

Discussion Series: The U.S. in a 21st Century World

This four session series is a component of the Camden Conference community events program, in connection with the 25th annual Camden Conference, “The U.S. in a 21st Century World: Do we have what it takes?”, Feb 17-19, 2012. It is designed to help participants to achieve optimal benefit from participation in the February 2012 Conference.

The discussions will take place on Tuesdays, January 24, 31, Feb 7 and 28, 1:00-3:00PM, in the Howard Room of the Blue Hill Public Library.

As we contemplate the “rise of the rest,” Brazil, Russia, India, China, Turkey, Indonesia and South Africa, questions inevitably emerge as to this nation’s chances for survival in tact and the likely effectiveness of its presumed leadership role in the world in days to come.

In economics, what must the U.S. do to sustain a leading economic position in the new century? In domestic politics, how can we end gridlock in our national government and clear the way for needed policy decisions and urgent actions on fundamental issues? On national security, what are the threats we face and what kind of military and security systems do we need to face them? In the field of intelligence, what structures do we need for collecting and interpreting intelligence effectively? Have the post-9/11 reforms improved our intelligence capacity or simply created a bigger bureaucracy? In diplomacy, how can we sustain our leadership in world affairs and make use of our “soft power?” In education, what skills do Americans need in the 21st century and how do we create and sustain an educational system that produces citizens competent to meet the challenges that confront us?

On social issues, do we as a society have what it takes to be a leading power in the new century, especially in dealing with immigration, minorities, economic inequality, and other demographic trends?

The first three sessions will be devoted to discussion of the foregoing questions and others which may emerge in conversation. The fourth session will accommodate an evaluation of the February 17-19 conference, comparing conclusions reached there with the collective findings of participants in the first three sessions of this discussion series.

Suggested Reading:

George F. Kennan, Around The Cragged Hill: A Personal and political philosophy
Anne-Marie Slaughter, The Idea That Is America
Fareed Zakaria, The Post American World Release 2.0

Participants should draw on individual sources of information and opinion. The facilitator’s favorite is Fareed Zakaria’s Global Public Square, accessible via CNN.com/World.

• Facilitator: Bob Sargent
• Tuesdays, January 24, 31, Feb 7 and 28
• Blue Hill Library, Howard Room
• 1:00 – 3:00 PM
• Free
• To enable full, frank and orderly exchange in discussion, registration for this series will be limited to 15 participants. Please register by contacting Director, Rich Boulet or Asst. Director, Karen Wyatt at the Blue Hill Library

Facilitator/Moderator: Bob Sargent is a former U.S. diplomat whose overseas assignments included Belgium, Bulgaria, The Netherlands, Tunisia, Turkey and Vietnam. Born in China of missionary parents, he is curator of “China: Exploring The Interior, 1903-04” a traveling exhibit of photographs of late Qing dynasty China taken by Sedgwick native, R. Harvey Sargent. Co-founder of a Maine-China network, Bob visited China most recently in November 2008. Bob is a former member of the Camden Conference Board of Directors and Advisory Board and a three-time conference program chair.

This presentation series is hosted by the Blue Hill Public Library and offered as a free community event in anticipation of the 25th Annual Camden Conference: The U.S. in a 21st Century World: Do we have what it takes?, February 17-19, 2012.

The mission of the Camden Conference is to foster informed discourse on world affairs through year-round community events, public and student engagement, and an annual weekend conference. For more information visit the website at www.camdenconference.org, email info@camdenconference.org or call 207-236-1034.