International Community Returns to St Pete for Second World Affairs Conference

ST PETERSBURG – Diplomats, military and intelligence officials, academic experts along with media from across the country will gather at USF's St. Petersburg campus February 13-15 for the Second Annual Conference on World Affairs. The free event includes 15 panel discussions, featuring a wide array of international affairs experts, and is open to the public.

Sponsored by the USF St. Petersburg Honors Program and the non-profit St. Petersburg in the World, the conference will focus on the critical international issues of the day. The event follows last year's inaugural conference, which was hailed a resounding success, with hundreds of people attending each of the panel discussions.

The conference is expanding to three days this year, with more panels and topics. Organizers say that the primary goal is to expose the Tampa Bay area to key information and insights on foreign affairs issues critical to our lives and well-being.

Distinguished speakers have been drawn from a wide array of disciplines and viewpoints, including a former CIA official, a former deputy commander of Central Command who helped lead the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, a former special assistant to the president on the National Security Council and former ambassadors to Lebanon, Bosnia, Namibia and Peru.

A myriad academic experts will participate from the University of South Florida St. Petersburg, the University of South Florida Tampa, New College, Duquesne University, Penn State University, the University of Denver, the University of Virginia and others.

The conference begins at 4 p.m. on Feb. 13 and continues at 9 a.m. on Feb. 14 and 15. It will be held in the University Student Center Ballroom, 200 6th Ave. S. Complimentary parking will be available at the USFSP parking garage, 260 5th Ave S. Click here for a schedule of panels and speakers.