Reflecting on the Unique Blend of Ideas and Community at the Conference on World Affairs
I wake up on Saturday morning and realize that my favorite conference of the year is over. The Conference of World Affairs in Boulder is a one-of-a-kind event that draws people from all over the world to engage in lively and thought-provoking discussions on a wide range of topics. This year, it was a bit shorter than the usual four or five days and focussed on climate change, but the essential ingredients of this unique event were still there.
The 75th version of this annual event was again exciting and inspiring. It brought together people from all over the world to engage in lively and thought-provoking discussions. Although narrowed down to the climate crisis, the debates often covered a wide range of topics, which is a logical consequence when discussing an issue increasingly impacting our lives and societies in unexpected ways.
I enjoy exchanging ideas, meeting old and new friends, engaging with CWA's diverse and inclusive community, and fascinating speakers. Participating in its unique approach to collaboration and exchanging ideas is always a pleasure.
For me, the Conference on World Affairs is a chance to connect with diverse individuals from all walks of life that I wouldn't meet anywhere else. I remember conferences where I could chat with jazz players, then drink a beer with a former prisoner, followed by a talk with a former member of Congress, all within half an hour at the same meeting. So whether you are mingling with speakers, students, or members of the Boulder community, you are sure to meet people with whom you share common interests and passions.
Another reason I always come back is the chance to hear new and exciting ideas from leading experts in their fields. Over the years, I have listened to debates from politics and social justice to science and the arts, and there was never a shortage of engaging and insightful topics to explore. And with that tradition in mind, this year's slight limitation to climate change created a unique variation on the many climate change conferences I have attended. Because of the much broader approach to the subject, the typical CWA blend was still there.
I used the word blend also in the title of a short blog on my favorite cafe in Boulder, where some similar ingredients of this conference seem to create a comparable but smaller-scale experience in this cafe; you can read it here on one of my other channels.
I enjoyed speaking in three panels. I just looked on YouTube but couldn't find the videos yet; I hope to share them later. Another thing I like about the concept that sets it apart from other conferences is that it is free and open to the public. This means that anyone, regardless of their background or expertise, can attend and participate in the discussions and events. This inclusivity and accessibility make the conference unique and allow for a diverse and dynamic exchange of ideas.
And for me, the Conference on World Affairs is a great place to make plans for new initiatives and projects. Whether you want to collaborate with others on a new venture or seek inspiration and ideas for your work, the conference provides ample opportunities to connect with like-minded individuals and explore new possibilities.
Now that the conference is over, I will travel through the American West and share my stories with you, so stay tuned for those in the next ten days or so. After that, we'll leave the travel format and return to the usual concept until my next trip.
I write this newsletter because I believe that together we can do better on this beautiful but fragile planet.
Please consider supporting this initiative by taking a paid subscription.
It sounds amazing on so many levels, and I can understand its appeal to globalists such as yourself. The concept of "free and open to the public," is a rarity in the conference world! Not being limited to academics, I would imagine, means that some of the ideas being pursued might have more "real world" applicability. Thank you for sharing your experiences!
I loved listening to the live streams and catching up with other events after the fact. Right now the videos are still on the regular CWA Boulder website.
I can imagine what a great opportunity this is to meet people and to exchange ideas and have interesting discussions. The passion that some panelists showed for their fields of exertise of just the passion for the world and its people was something that really stayed with me. It might be me, but I felt that the female panelists where more passionate than their male counterparts and the same goes for members of minorities. Either way, great panels. I made some new connections thanks to this event too.
Happy travels and I look forward to your stories, pictures, Alextnotes etc.