The Camden Conference announces the beginning of its annual membership drive for the 2019 season. What began in 1987 with a handful of Midcoast residents with insight, enthusiasm, and connections and the idea of “bringing the world to Camden,” is now entering its 32nd year. The Conference now boasts an audience of over 1100 people each February, frequently selling out the 4 venues, but ticket sales cover only 45% of the operating budget. In addition to the February Conference, programs include related high school and college courses during the year, plus nearly 100 community events in schools and libraries around the state.  The Camden Conference is still a non-profit, volunteer-driven organization, committed to keeping registration fees low and accessibility high, and membership is vital to ensure the continuation of the mission to “foster informed discourse on world issues.” This year the Conference has new and improved benefits to offer Members, including:

• NEW this year – all memberships at the $150 level and up have access to the online livestream of the February Conference
• Teacher/Student Membership beginning at $20
• New/renewing Members can register for the Conference any time
• The Conference Highlights publication
• Preferred seating at the Opera House and invitations to gatherings with the speakers and other attendees depending on membership level

The 32nd Conference, Is this China’s Century?, February 22-24, 2019, will focus on China as it emerges as a major global power and faces complex challenges in its domestic economic, social, environmental and political affairs and its relations with Asian neighbors, the United States and the broader international community. Chinese investment on all continents is both welcomed and regarded with some anxiety, while Chinese diplomatic intervention has been essential to stability on the Korean peninsula. Taking an active role in shaping global dialogues, China is now attracting European as well as Asian nations to new multilateral institutions. The 11 world-renowned speakers, live at the Camden Opera House and live-streamed to the Strand Theatre in Rockland, the Hutchinson Center in Belfast and the Luther Bonney Hall in Portland, will address these questions and more.