Global Issues Evening with Brett McGurk: “Unique Perspectives on Geopolitical Hotspots”
On November 4, the World Affairs Council of Jacksonville welcomed Brett McGurk, White House Coordinator for the Middle East and North Africa, for a Special Engagement conversation on “Unique Perspectives on Geopolitical Hotspots.” In dialogue with Ambassador Nancy Soderberg, McGurk offered an insider’s view of shifting dynamics across the Middle East. The Council was honored to host Mr. McGurk for this candid, wide-ranging discussion on diplomacy, security, and America’s role in a rapidly changing Middle East. Please click HERE to read Council member Paul Herman’s detailed recap of the evening, presented in partnership with the University
Global Issues Evening with Amb. John Sullivan: “Midnight in Moscow”
On October 21, the World Affairs Council of Jacksonville welcomed Ambassador John J. Sullivan, former U.S. Ambassador to Russia (2019–2022), to the University of North Florida for a gripping Global Issues Evening titled “Midnight in Moscow: Perspective from the Front Lines of Russia’s War Against the West.” Drawing from his firsthand experience in Moscow, Ambassador Sullivan provided a sobering yet incisive look into Russian President Vladimir Putin’s worldview and the geopolitical ambitions driving the war in Ukraine. As the evening concluded, Sullivan urged the audience to interpret Moscow’s refusal to engage in recent U.S. proposals
Global Issues Evening with Jen Easterly: “The Promise and Peril of Emerging Technology”
On September 15, the World Affairs Council of Jacksonville welcomed Jen Easterly, Director of the U.S. Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA), to the University of North Florida for a timely and thought-provoking Global Issues Evening on “The Promise and Peril of Emerging Technology.” Easterly, former head of CISA and one of the nation’s foremost voices on cybersecurity, described Artificial Intelligence (AI) as “the most powerful technology of our lifetime.” While acknowledging its potential to both strengthen and undermine security, she emphasized that if developed responsibly, AI could “tip the balance in favor of cyber defense.” Easterly framed
Student Adventures Abroad: Rosemarie Baker
For Rose Baker, a business student in the dual bachelor’s degree program between the University of North Florida (UNF) and the University of València (UV), studying abroad wasn’t just a semester-long detour; she planned to fully immerse herself in Spanish culture. As part of the Transatlantic Business School Alliance (TABSA) consortium, Rose spent two years in Spain after completing her studies in Jacksonville, Florida. Now as she prepares for her final semester and a four-month Spanish-immersive internship, she reflects on how this journey has shaped not just her academic path but also her outlook on life and the world.
Student Adventures Abroad: Patrice Bent
As a Jamaican international student and an aspiring maternal health equity advocate, Patrice brings both lived experience and academic excellence to her work in public health. A senior at the University of North Florida majoring in Public Health with a minor in Global Health, Patrice applied for the Ambassador Marilyn McAfee Study Abroad Scholarship with a clear mission: to deepen her understanding of racial and maternal health disparities in a global context. Her prior research, including a capstone project titled “Deadly Disparities and Maternal Mortality: Addressing Discrimination Against African American Women in 21st Century Obstetrics,” presented at the 2024
Great Decisions Highlight: Ella York
In a world of emerging leaders, few shine as brightly as Ella York, a senior at Ponte Vedra High School. Whether leading Student Government, presiding over the Debate Club, or championing Model United Nations, Ella has left a lasting mark. Yet it is her participation in the Great Decisions program that has most profoundly shaped her worldview, deepening her understanding of international affairs and solidifying her aspirations for a future in global leadership. The Great Decisions program, a unique global educational initiative provided by the World Affairs Council of Jacksonville, aims to spark curiosity among high school students by