Perry World House

Join us for a conversation looking at the world through the lens of democracy, climate change, security, and human rights.As we start a new semester, we are confronted with a world that has seen significant changes and major global events. In a year that will see more people than ever before going to the polls, there have already been multiple elections of consequence—including in France, India, Iran, Venezuela, and the UK. Conflict continues in the Middle East, Ukraine, and Sudan – and too many other places. Technology is rapidly shifting the global landscape through advances in AI, blockchain, and autonomous

Join us for a conversation about climate finance ahead of COP29.As global temperatures continue to rise, so does the urgency for transformative climate finance to mitigate greenhouse gas emissions and adapt to climate impacts globally. But how the world will raise and wield the finance needed - some US$3 trillion a year globally by 2030 – remains fraught.Policymakers are negotiating mileposts like the NCQG (New Collective Quantified Goal), an agreed amount developed countries will provide to developing countries for climate action. But the reality is that no matter what they agree, it won’t be enough. The debate on how to

Join us for a conversation on the role the media played in the 2024 elections seen around the world.In 2024, nearly two billion people were eligible to perform their basic democratic right: to cast a vote. In countries including Indonesia, Mexico, the UK, India, and the U.S., media played a key role in framing the issues, candidates, and parties at the heart of these elections. Yet in many cases reporting lacked the independence, objectivity, and accuracy that is essential to a meaningful democratic process. This event, featuring Perry World House Visiting Fellow Des Freedman and journalist and editor Carol Giacomo,

Join Perry World House as we discuss how we should be thinking about democracy, and democracy promotion, in 2025.In 2024, two billion people in over 70 countries were eligible to exercise their basic democratic right to vote for their leaders in a national election.      The results were all over the map.   There is no simple explanation for the disparate outcomes. In some cases – India, the United States, and Botswana, for instance – incumbent parties either lost or fared worse than expected.  But in other places incumbent parties fared well.  In Moldova and Romania foreign election interference dramatically altered the outcome of

Join us for a discussion on how cities can fill a leadership vacuum on climate and spur global climate action.During Donald Trump's presidency from 2017 to 2021, cities played a critical role in advancing the climate change agenda, often stepping in to fill the leadership vacuum left by national rollbacks on environmental policies. Urban centers like New York City and Bristol, England, as well as many others, spearheaded ambitious initiatives to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, invest in renewable energy, and promote climate resilience. Many cities reaffirmed their commitment to the Paris Agreement through coalitions like the We Are Still In

Join us for a discussion with Ruth Ben-Ghiat for a conversation on the role that media must play in keeping democracy alive and well.If 2024 was the year of democracy—a year that saw more people worldwide heading to the polls than ever before—then what is in store for 2025? Early returns are worrisome: political repression continues to throttle civil society movements while global media struggles to keep pace with rampant information manipulation and propaganda. In many places autocratic leaders are tightening their grip on power and democratic backsliding seems to be on the rise globally. Join Perry World House as

Join us for a discussion with the chefs/owners of Vedge about their innovative approach to plant-based cuisine.Join us for an exclusive event featuring Philadelphia locals Richard Landau and Kate Jacoby, the visionary chefs and co-owners of the renowned VEDGE restaurant. Known for their innovative approach to plant-based cuisine, Landau and Jacoby will discuss their culinary journey, sustainability philosophy, and creative processes that have made them a groundbreaking force in the world of fine vegetarian dining. They will share first-hand insights of the challenges and innovations shaping the future of food and offer a unique perspective on gastronomy in a climate

Andrea Mitchell will conduct a far-ranging conversation with Ambs. David L. Cohen and Amy Gutmann on their experiences as diplomats.In the spirit of Penn’s commitment to embracing global engagement, Andrea Mitchell will conduct a far-ranging conversation with Ambassador David L. Cohen and Ambassador Amy Gutmann on their experiences as diplomats. They will discuss what best prepared them for their positions, what its greatest perils and pleasures were, and lessons learned. They will address the challenges of defending democratic sovereignty, security, and economic progress and the job of diplomacy when personal beliefs may be at odds with the “official” positions of

Amy Pope, Director General of the International Organization for Migration, will discuss more efficient migration systems.Today the world is experiencing unprecedented levels of displacement, driven by conflict, economic instability and the impacts of climate change. These challenges have brought about a rising amount of irregular and often dangerous migration, exacerbating the increasingly divisive political debate around migrants and migration.Migration, however, is a permanent reality and a key driver of growth and innovation. Join IOM Director General Amy Pope for a discussion about how safe, orderly, and more efficient migration systems help create well-managed borders, reduce irregular migration and promote shared

Join CEOs Stanley Bergman of Henry Schein Inc and Farooq Kathwari of Ethan Allen Interiors to discuss how the business leaders address bias.Jewish and Muslim leaders have worked together for years advocating for issues of common concern. A primary focus has been combatting the rise in bias and hate crimes in our country. CEOs Stanley Bergman and Farooq Kathwari will share their experiences in leading these efforts.SpeakersSince 1989, Stanley M. Bergman has been Chairman of the Board and CEO of Henry Schein, Inc., a Fortune 500® company and the world's largest provider of health care products and services to office-based

Join PWH for a conversation with President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah of Namibia, the second woman to be elected President in Africa.Please join Perry World House for a conversation with President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah of Namibia. President Nandi-Ndaitwah began her term in March 2025 as only the second woman ever elected president in Africa, and the first in Namibia. Today, under President Nandi-Ndaitwah’s leadership, two thirds of Namibia’s cabinet positions are held by women, including offices in foreign affairs, finance, health, and education.Her election comes at a time when democracy globally is under threat and policies supporting women’s empowerment are being rolled back

Join Perry World House for this special event with award-winning National Geographic photographer Jason Edwards.For decades, renowned National Geographic photographer Jason Edwards has documented both the breathtaking beauty of the natural world and the urgent threats it faces. His photography illustrates the unique power of still imagery to shape narratives, inspire communities, and even influence policy. In this special event, Edwards will explain how visual storytelling from the frontlines of the climate crisis can spark action. He will also discuss the future of his craft given the rise and reach of artificial intelligence.Beyond the images themselves, Edwards will share the

Join Perry World House for this special event with German Vice Chancellor and PWH Distinguished Global Leader Robert Habeck.As the climate crisis intensifies, governments must navigate an increasingly difficult trade-off: how to advance ambitious climate and energy goals while safeguarding national security and economic prosperity. Globally, the calculus behind these policy choices is shifting. Defense budgets are swelling. Economies are strained. Meanwhile global energy demand continues to rise, and climate impacts are accelerating. Against this backdrop, global climate policy must chart a new path or risk being sidelined, despite rising urgency for action. At this event, former German Vice Chancellor

Join Perry World House for a special conversation on democratic resilience.Perry World House is pleased to host a special conversation on democratic resilience with Penn Global’s Middle East Distinguished Visiting Professor Dahlia Scheindlin and Perry World House Distinguished Visiting Fellows Zack Beauchamp and Carolina Jiménez Sandoval.After decades of democratic backsliding in dozens of countries around the world, scholars, journalists, and activists are familiar with the “authoritarian playbook”: from Hungary to Brazil to Israel to Senegal, aspiring authoritarians use similar tactics to try to transform democracies to autocracies.At the same time, there is far less understanding of what a "democratic playbook"

.Please join Perry World House for a timely conversation examining the U.S. government policy and actions toward Venezuela, including strikes on Venezuelan boats and the people on board.Over the recent weeks, Venezuela has surged back into global headlines amid escalating geopolitical tensions. The United States has conducted military strikes against Venezuelan boats in international waters, raising questions about the legality of the Trump administration’s actions. Our panel will explore why the United States has chosen to act now, what strategic objectives are shaping current policy, and how these decisions are being interpreted across Latin America and beyond. As the situation

.Ten years after the Paris Agreement demonstrated a profound collective will to address global emissions, the world's efforts to confront the accelerating climate crisis reached a pivotal moment at the UN Climate Conference (COP30) in the Amazon. Emissions continue to rise as multilateralism is met with more and more challenges.While COP30 participants acknowledged the Paris Agreement's past successes, the proceedings highlighted a difficult reality: the political will needed for momentous multilateral agreement remains elusive. Instead, progress was characterized less by formal consensus and more by achievements outside the official process. These "outside track" successes included initiatives led by Brazil, Colombia,

.The shuttering of the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) this year marked the end of an era in global development, threatening the livelihood of millions of vulnerable people. For decades, development initiatives resourced by USAID, as well as many other countries, helped expand health care, education, and economic opportunity worldwide. Despite its flaws, the system, which leveraged multilateral institutions and civil society organizations, worked to alleviate suffering, reduce poverty, and save lives.Yet, even before USAID’s closure, this system for development was increasingly under strain and critique. Governments were shifting resources toward hard security as well as disaster response,

.Satellites, supercomputers, and data are available today to predict climate disasters better than ever before. Yet across the globe, extreme heat, floods, and storms continue to catch communities off guard, often hitting the poorest and most vulnerable the hardest. If these disasters can be seen coming, why is there still a struggle to stop the damage?The problem is not just the physics of the atmosphere—it is the last mile of policy and human response. For an early warning system to be effective and help save lives, a scientific forecast must be transformed into a political decision, a clear message, and

In this discussion, two leading experts on the study of genocide will consider the accusations of genocide against Israel.Omer Bartov will explain when and why he concluded that Israel was perpetrating genocide in Gaza, examine the deeper causes of events in Gaza and the West Bank, ponder the question of Israel’s appearance of impunity, and consider the possible long-term effects of events since October 7.Norman J.W. Goda will discuss genocide accusations against Israel from historical, political, and legal perspectives. He will argue that the accusations as they relate to the war in Gaza should be examined from a more empirical

Join us to discuss Jesse M. Keenan's new book North: The Future of Post-Climate AmericaClimate change is already fundamentally reshaping where and how we live. Join Perry World House for a conversation with Jesse M. Keenan on his new book, North: The Future of Post-Climate America (Oxford University Press).North offers a critical reframing of adaptation science and the role that people, markets, and public institutions play in shaping human mobility and the capacity of American communities to adapt. With fast-moving markets and slow-moving governments, everyday people are caught in the crosshairs. While some will seek to preserve the status quo,

A conversation with Margot Wallström, Sweden’s former Minister of Foreign AffairsJoin Perry World House for a conversation with Sweden’s former Minister of Foreign Affairs and Perry World House Distinguished Visiting Fellow, Margot Wallström, on the state and future of democracy.Drawing on her decades-long career in global affairs, Wallström will reflect on the mounting pressures facing democratic governance across the European continent—and their implications worldwide. She will examine how issues such as immigration, new security threats, and the rising cost of living are shaping voter behavior and political priorities. The conversation will also explore, among other stressors, the growing influence of

A conversation on the current state of global anti-corruption efforts.Throughout the world, corruption props up dictators, energizes criminal organizations, diverts resources from economic development, and corrodes public trust. Corruption contributes to leaving millions around the world insecure and impoverished. In today’s globalized world, corruption crosses borders: billions of dollars flow illicitly through the international financial system, bribes pass between countries, and authoritarian regimes—from Russia to China to Iran—weaponize corruption to achieve their objectives.US administrations for decades have paid attention to fighting the problem of global corruption. For example, in 2021, the Biden administration called fighting corruption a “Core United States

A conversation with UNAID Executive Director Winnie ByanyimaThe global fight against HIV/AIDS changed the world, not just by saving lives, but by advancing human rights. It taught us that we can’t meet public health goals without protecting marginalized and vulnerable people. In the case of HIV/AIDS, this meant reaching LGBTQ+ people, sex workers, and those least able to access treatment and therapeutics.The results were historic and arguably one of the greatest public health achievements in modern history. Hard-won gains built out a human rights infrastructure that served well into the future. It has not only guided many rights-based sexual and

A book talk with Dalia Dassa KayeNearly fifty years after the Iranian Revolution and creation of the Islamic Republic, tensions remain high between the United States and Iran, culminating in a U.S.- and Israeli-led war in Iran. Dalia Dassa Kaye’s timely new book, Enduring Hostilities, examines the roots of hostilities between the two countries and how U.S. policy over the past four decades has been shaped not only by differing ideologies between the two countries, but also by U.S. political perceptions at various points in time. Join Penn’s Middle East Center and Perry World House for an in-depth, thoughtful discussion