Conference Schedule

Day One: Wednesday, April 17, 2019

 

2:45-4:00pm — Session 1: The Importance of American Leadership in Defending Democracy: Military Perspective

Former Secretaries of Defense will discuss the importance of U.S. leadership and alliances in advancing America’s interests abroad and meeting key global challenges, including nuclear proliferation, terrorism and climate change. Watch a video of the session

Location: School of Management, Zhang Auditorium (165 Whitney Avenue, New Haven)
Doors open: 2:15pm
Moderator: Secretary Kerry

Speakers:

  • William Cohen, former Secretary of Defense
  • Chuck Hagel, former Secretary of Defense
  • Leon Panetta, former Secretary of Defense

 

4:45-6:00pm — Session 2: Defending Democracy at Home

Session will focus on the various ways in which American voters are being marginalized and the democratic process undermined in the U.S., including through gerrymandering and voter suppression, and what can be done to bring more people into the political process. Watch a video of the session

Location: Woolsey Hall (500 College Street, New Haven)
Doors open: 4:00pm

Speaker: Stacey Abrams ’99 J.D., former minority leader, Georgia House of Representatives

 

 

Day Two: Thursday, April 18, 2019

 

10:00-11:15am — Session 3: The Importance of American Leadership in Defending Democracy: Diplomatic Perspectives

Former Secretaries of State will discuss the threat to democratic governments and institutions around the world, and America’s role in promoting values including democracy, human rights and the rule of law.

Location: Woolsey Hall (500 College Street, New Haven)
Moderator: Secretary Kerry

Speakers:

  • Madeleine Albright, former Secretary of State
  • Hillary Rodham Clinton, former Secretary of State
  • Condoleezza Rice, former Secretary of State

 

12:30-1:45pm — Session 4: Facts, Truth, and the Press

A panel of leading journalists will discuss the critical role of the press in defending democracy and the threats posed by attacks on journalists, the press and fact-based reporting. 

Location: School of Management, Zhang Auditorium (165 Whitney Avenue, New Haven)

Speakers: 

  • David Ignatius, author and columnist for The Washington Post
  • Elise Jordan YC ’04, political analyst for MSNBC and writer for TIME
  • Jason Rezaian, author and Global Opinions writer for The Washington Post
  • Bob Woodward, Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist and author

 

2:15-3:30pm — Session 5: Historical Perspectives

Leading historians will provide historical context on the threats to democracy today, including insights and lessons that can inform how we approach our present challenges.

Location: School of Management, Zhang Auditorium (165 Whitney Avenue, New Haven)
Moderator: Secretary Kerry

Speakers:

  • Michael Beschloss, historian and author
  • Douglas Brinkley, author and professor of history, Rice University
  • Beverly Gage, Brady-Johnson Professor of Grand Strategy and of History at Yale
  • Robert Kagan, historian, author and senior fellow, Brookings Institution