Upcoming Speakers
Mohamed Bouabdallah and Carla Canales
Sunday, September 7 at 3PM (at the Camden Opera House)
Topic: SOFT POWER — An Essential Element of Foreign Relations
Soft power, a term coined by Joseph Nye in the 1980s, is the ability to influence others through appeal and attraction instead of by resorting to coercive pressure through military or economic threats or actions. Cultural exchanges are a significant tool in projecting soft power. French Cultural Counselor, Mohamed Bouabdallah and American classical singer and cultural diplomat Carla Canales both have decades of experience in organizing and participating in cultural exchange events.
The two panelists will share their experiences and insights into the impact and value of these events in the conduct of foreign relations. Forum member, Mica Schweitzer-Bluhm, a retired US Senior Foreign Service Officer who organized “soft power” events as part of her duties at US embassies abroad, will moderate the conversation between Ms. Canales and Cultural Counselor Bouabdallah.
Ambassador Christopher Hill
October 13, 2025
Topic: Foreign Policy Challenges in Uncertain Times
Ambassador Christopher R. Hill is a professional American diplomat who has served under seven presidents since entering the U.S. Foreign Service in 1977. Hill is a five-time ambassador across multiple regions in Senate-confirmed positions, including as ambassador to Iraq, the Republic of Korea, Poland, North Macedonia and most recently to the Republic of Serbia until January 2025.
He was also Assistant Secretary of State for East Asian and Pacific Affairs under Presidents George W. Bush and Barack Obama. As the senior U.S. negotiator, Hill led U.S. efforts at the Six Party Talks to end North Korea’s nuclear weapons program in 2005-2009. Earlier, he was a lead State Department negotiator in Dayton, Ohio, the process that ended the war in Bosnia. Later, he was the U.S. special envoy in negotiations that led to the end of the Kosovo war. In addition, Hill served as a senior director in the National Security Council staff and as a special assistant to President Clinton.
He earned a BA at Bowdoin College and MA from the Naval War College. Outside of the foreign service he was the Dean of the Korbel School at the University of Denver and taught at Columbia University. He began his career as a Peace Corps volunteer in West Africa.
Mike Block, Balla Kouyaté, and Edward Pérez
Thursday, October 30 at 7PM (in the Camden Opera House)
Topic: SOFT POWER — The Musical Ambassadors of Silkroad
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| Mike Block | Balla Kouyaté | Edward Pérez |
What better way to demonstrate the impact of cultural exchanges than actually to experience this form of “soft power” in action. A trio of Silkroad musicians of different cultural backgrounds will present a concert for our Mid-Coast Community. Silkroad is an organization established in the 1990’s by cellist YoY Ma to “advance global understanding, deepen learning, and promote cross-cultural collaboration.” The performances of Silkroad musicians provide a clear demonstration of the powerful impact when different cultures work together. Ben Hartley, the Executive Director of Silkroad, will introduce the trio and speak about the work of Silkroad and its global impact.
Jane Holl Lute
November 17, 2025
Topic: Securing the Homeland Since 9/11: What Have We Learned?
Jane Holl Lute currently serves as a director of Union Pacific Railroad, Marsh McLennan, and Shell plc. Ms. Lute served as deputy secretary for the U.S. Department of Homeland Security from 2009-2013. She also served as special advisor to the Secretary-General of the United Nations, where she has held senior positions in peacekeeping, peace building, and political affairs. She served as chief executive officer of the Center for Internet Security (CIS), a not-for-profit organization providing cybersecurity services for state, local, tribal, and territorial governments. Ms. Lute is also strategic director for SICPA North America, a company that protects the integrity and value of products, processes, and documents, including most of the world’s banknotes. She began her distinguished career in the United States Army, serving in Europe, Desert Storm, as well as on the National Security Council staff under both Presidents George H.W. Bush and William Jefferson Clinton. Ms. Lute holds a Ph.D. in political science from Stanford University and a J.D. from Georgetown University.