Sorensen Lecture | Council on Foreign Relations

Sorensen Distinguished Lecture: A Conversation With Cindy McCain

Cindy McCain shares her vision to combat hunger and malnutrition around the world. The World Food Programme (WFP) works in the most challenging contexts around the world, reaching more than 150 million people a year. As food becomes an increasingly important issue for stability and peace, she will discuss how WFP navigates crises and works to put in place a more stable and resilient future for the most vulnerable communities. The Sorensen Distinguished Lecture on the United Nations was established in 1996 by Gillian and Theodore C. Sorensen to highlight the United Nations and offer a special occasion for its most distinguished and experienced leaders to speak to the Council membership.

Virtual Event with Cindy Hensley McCain and Marcus Mabry June 11, 2024 Sorensen Lecture

Americas

Sorensen Distinguished Lecture on the United Nations

Sima Sami Bahous discusses women’s rights in areas of acute crisis and how UN Women is supporting gender equality and the empowerment of women around the world. The Sorensen Distinguished Lecture on the United Nations was established in 1996 by Gillian and Theodore C. Sorensen to highlight the United Nations and offer a special occasion for its most distinguished and experienced leaders to speak to the Council membership.

Virtual Event with Sima Sami I. Bahous and Linda Robinson February 16, 2023 Sorensen Lecture

Diplomacy and International Institutions

Term Member Conference Keynote With Linda Thomas-Greenfield

Ambassador Linda Thomas-Greenfield discusses her career and vision for the future of American diplomacy, U.S. priorities at the United Nations and the recent Security Council trip to Mali and Niger, and the Ambassador’s onward travel to Gabon.

Virtual Event with Linda Thomas-Greenfield and Marcus Mabry November 4, 2021 Sorensen Lecture

United Nations

Sorensen Distinguished Lecture on the United Nations: Protecting Our Children’s Future

Henrietta Fore discusses the work of the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) as well as her priorities and goals for the agency.

Event with Henrietta H. Fore and Rob Radtke February 19, 2020 Sorensen Lecture

Wars and Conflict

Development Redefined--The Battles We Choose to Avoid Wars We Can’t Win

Conflicts, crises in fragile states, and violent extremism are on the rise and a record number of people were forced from their homes last year. Short-term security interventions and humanitarian responses often only provide temporary relief. Achim Steiner discusses how development must be redefined in the twenty-first century to address the underlying causes of crises, citing results from the United Nations’ work in hotspots around the world, including Syria, Yemen, Iraq, Somalia, and the Sahel. The Sorensen Distinguished Lecture on the United Nations was established in 1996 by Gillian and Theodore C. Sorensen to highlight the United Nations and offer a special occasion for its most distinguished and experienced leaders to speak to the Council membership.

Event with Achim Steiner and Ethan Bronner May 20, 2019 Sorensen Lecture

United Nations

A Conversation With Jeffrey Feltman

Jeffrey Feltman discusses his five years as undersecretary-general for political affairs at the United Nations (UN), the role of the UN in mediating and preventing conflict, and the relationship between the United States and the UN.

Event with Jeffrey D. Feltman and Cynthia McFadden November 28, 2017 Sorensen Lecture

Global

The United Nations and Global Human Rights

Prince Zeid Ra’ad Al Hussein shares his reflections on the status of human rights across the world.

Event with Prince Zeid Ra'ad Zeid Al-Hussein and Warren Hoge November 16, 2015 Sorensen Lecture

Global

Sorensen Distinguished Lecture on the United Nations

Valerie Amos, United Nations undersecretary-general and emergency relief coordinator, discusses the humanitarian crises around the world today.

Event with Valerie Amos and George Rupp January 13, 2015 Sorensen Lecture

Global

UN General Assembly Recap: From Syria to the Post-2015 Development Agenda

Jan Eliasson, deputy secretary-general of the United Nations, discusses the most recent UN General Assembly session.

Event with Jan Eliasson and Jacob M. Weisberg October 9, 2013 Sorensen Lecture

International Organizations

Sorensen Distinguished Lecture on the United Nations: A Conversation with Ban Ki-moon

The Sorensen Distinguished Lecture on the United Nations was established in 1996 by Gillian and Theodore C. Sorensen to highlight the United Nations and offer a special occasion for its most distinguished and experienced leaders to speak to the Council on Foreign Relations membership.

Event with Ban Ki-Moon and Christiane Amanpour February 11, 2013 Sorensen Lecture