San Diego World Affairs Council upcoming events

Engage San Diego: Tough Topics. Real Conversations "After Extremism: Building Bridges and Strengthening Community" Presented by OneSD (June 13, 2026)

Sat, 13 Jun 2026 17:00:00 GMT

The San Diego World Affairs Council Presents

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Location of Event:

UC San Diego Division of Extended Studies

8980 Villa La Jolla Drive

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About this Program:

This program is part of Engage San Diego: Tough Topics. Real Conversations - a new collaborative initiative from the San Diego World Affairs Council and our partners at OneSD. The series will create space for thoughtful, constructive dialogue on some of the most complex and pressing issues facing the San Diego region today. The series is designed to build bridges across differences, reduce polarization, and empower participants to engage in more informed, constructive conversations. Join us in co-creating a more connected and solutions-oriented San Diego community.

The first of three topics in the series is: After Extremism: Building Bridges and Strengthening Community

In an era marked by rising polarization, political violence, and deep social divisions, communities across the United States are searching for ways to heal, overcome divisions, and rebuild trust. After Extremism: Building Bridges and Strengthening Community brings together two powerful voices whose lived experiences demonstrate that transformation, dialogue, and reconciliation are possible—even in the face of profound conflict.

This special Engage San Diego program will feature a conversation with former white nationalist turned peace activist, Arno Michaelis, and peace advocate Tasreen Khamisa, whose life’s work has been dedicated to preventing violence and promoting restorative justice following the tragic loss of her brother.

Together, they will explore the roots of extremism, the pathways individuals take toward radicalization, and, most importantly, the transformative power of empathy, dialogue, and connection in preventing violence, fostering reconciliation and strengthening our communities.

Through candid storytelling and thoughtful discussion, this program will examine how communities can confront difficult truths, while creating opportunities for healing, accountability, and constructive change.

What We’ll Explore

• The psychological and social dynamics that contribute to radicalization and extremism

• Personal journeys of transformation and the possibility of redemption

• The role of dialogue, empathy, and restorative practices in addressing violence and division

• Strategies communities can use to rebuild trust, prevent violence, and strengthen social cohesion

About the Speakers:

Arno Michaelis

Arno Michaelis is a former white supremacist who spent years involved in extremist movements before leaving thta world and dedicating his life to peacebuilding and coutnering violent extremism. Today, he is an internationally recognized speaker, author, and activist working to prevent radicalization and promote compassion and understanding. Learn more here.

Tasreen Khamisa

Tasreen Khamisa is a peace advocate and CEO of the Tariq Khamisa Foundation, an organization dedicated to breaking the cycle of youth violence through restorative justice, education, and community engagement. Following the tragic murder of her brother Tariq in 1995, Tasreen chose forgiveness and reconciliation, transforming personal tragedy into a powerful movement for peace. Learn more here.

Andrew Blum, Moderator

Andrew Blum is the Senior Program Director at the Burnham Center for Community Advancement, where he leads the OneSD initiative. OneSD is a growing coalition 50+ organizations devoted to creating a San Diego region where all our welcome and all can thrive. Previously he has served as Executive Director of the Kroc Institute for Peace and Justice at the University of San Diego, where he led the growth of the Institute into San Diego’s leading research center on peacebuilding and violence prevention. Learn more about the work Andrew is doing at OneSD here.

***This event is free to the public, but seating is limited

and pre-registration is required. ***

The San Diego World Affairs Council does not endorse any specific political ideology or viewpoint. As a nonpartisan organization, we are committed to presenting a wide range of perspectives to promote informed, respectful dialogue on complex global issues. The opinions expressed by speakers are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of the Council, its board, or its partners.

SDWAC Signature Luncheon: “Reimagining Border Infrastructure: Lessons from CBX" with Eduardo Schutte (June 27, 2026)

Sat, 27 Jun 2026 19:00:00 GMT

The San Diego World Affairs Council Presents

Join us for a special luncheon event featuring a keynote address by Eduardo Schutte, Chief Commercial Officer of Cross Border Express (CBX) and hosted by KPBS journalist Gustavo Solis. This year’s Annual Membership Meeting will center on the timely theme, “Reimagining Border Infrastructure: Lessons from CBX.”

As a senior leader at CBX, Eduardo Schutte will share insights into how the organization has transformed regional connectivity by linking San Diego directly to Tijuana International Airport through a unique binational terminal. His remarks will explore what the CBX model can teach us about the future of border infrastructure, mobility, economic integration, and cross-border collaboration.

Gustavo Solis, an award-winning journalist covering the U.S.–Mexico border region for KPBS, will host the conversation, bringing his deep expertise and on-the-ground perspective to guide a dynamic and engaging discussion.

With more than 30 years of experience across the travel and hospitality industries, Eduardo has held leadership roles in sales, business development, revenue management, and distribution at organizations including Grupo Posadas, TravelClick, LXR, Hilton, and Amadeus. Since joining CBX as Chief Commercial Officer in 2024, he has led demand generation and revenue optimization efforts, helping to further position CBX as a model for innovative, cross-border infrastructure.

100% of Proceeds Support Academic WorldQuest

Every dollar raised through the June 27th Annual Members Meeting & Luncheon directly supports Academic WorldQuest, a program of the San Diego World Affairs Council that empowers high school students across San Diego to explore global affairs, international politics, and world cultures.

Your participation helps provide students with meaningful educational opportunities, competitive academic experiences, and exposure to the global issues shaping our world today. Together, we are investing in the next generation of informed, globally minded leaders.

Unable to attend but still want to support? You can make a donation online or send a check to support Academic WorldQuest. Donate to Support Students

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We hope you will join us for this engaging luncheon and conversation as we reflect on the Council’s work, connect with fellow members and supporters, and hear from leaders shaping the future of cross-border infrastructure.

To learn about sponsorship opportunities, please click here!

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SDWAC THANKS ALL OF OUR EVENT SPONSORS!

Sponsorship Level: Advocate

Sponsorship Level: Supporter

Distinguished Speakers Series: "Poisoned Waters: The Tijuana River Crisis and the Future of Cross-Border Cooperation" (July 11, 2026)

Sat, 11 Jul 2026 17:00:00 GMT

The San Diego World Affairs Council Presents

The Distinguished Speakers Series

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Location of Event:

UC San Diego Division of Extended Studies

8980 Villa La Jolla Drive

La Jolla, CA 92037

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About this Program:

For decades, the Tijuana River watershed has served as a vital ecological and community resource connecting communities on both sides of the U.S.-Mexico border. Today, however, the region faces a growing environmental and public health crisis as untreated sewage, industrial pollutants, and contaminated stormwater flow through the watershed and into coastal communities.

The impacts are far-reaching. Beach closures, public health concerns, environmental degradation, economic losses, and strained cross-border relationships have affected residents, businesses, and ecosystems throughout the San Diego-Tijuana region. While the challenges are significant, they also underscore the need for innovative solutions, regional cooperation, and sustained binational engagement.

Join the San Diego World Affairs Council for a timely discussion exploring one of the most pressing transboundary issues facing our region today. Poisoned Waters: The Tijuana River Crisis and the Future of Cross-Border Cooperation will bring together leaders and experts from both sides of the border to examine the crisis from environmental, public health, community, economic, and binational perspectives.

Together, panelists will explore the root causes of the crisis, the impacts on affected communities, current efforts to address the problem, and opportunities for greater collaboration among government agencies, community organizations, researchers, and residents. The conversation will also consider what the future of cross-border cooperation can and should look like as the region works toward long-term solutions.

As San Diego and Tijuana continue to grow as an interconnected binational region, the health of the Tijuana River watershed serves as a powerful reminder that many of our greatest challenges—and opportunities—do not stop at the border.

About the Speakers:

Serge Dedina

Serge Dedina leads the international team at WILDCOAST, which he co-founded in 2000. A former City of Imperial Beach and California State Parks Ocean Lifeguard who grew up in Imperial Beach, Serge was elected to two terms as Mayor of his hometown from 2014-2022 where he helped to lead binational efforts to address the San Diego-Tijuana border pollution crisis. For its border work, WILDCOAST is currently addressing the plague of trash and waste tires inundating the Tijuana River Valley. Serge’s innovative coastal and ocean conservation work has been reported on by the New York Times, Los Angeles Times, ABC News, CBS News, NBC News, Washington Post, BBC, NPR, Wall Street Journal, and 60 Minutes among others. In recognition of his successful conservation endeavors, Serge received the Surf Industry's Environmental Award, San Diego Zoological Society’s Conservation Medal as well as the California Coastal Commission’s “Coastal Hero” Award. He was also named a UC San Diego John Muir Fellow and honored as a Peter Benchley “Hero of the Sea.” The author of Saving the Gray Whale, Wild Sea, and Surfing the Border, Serge holds a B.A. in Political Science from UC San Diego, a M.S. in Geography from the University of Wisconsin-Madison, and a Ph.D in Geography from the University of Texas at Austin.

Hernando Duran Cabrera

Hernando Durán Cabrera is a Mexican environmental engineer, academic, and public leader from Tijuana, Baja California, recognized for his extensive work in water management, environmental policy, and cross-border cooperation along the U.S.–Mexico border. Throughout his career, he has played a key role in advancing sustainable solutions to regional environmental challenges, with particular expertise in watershed management, urban sanitation, and binational water governance.

Durán has held leadership positions in both the public and nonprofit sectors, working to strengthen collaboration among government agencies, academic institutions, and community organizations. He is actively involved with Tijuana Innovadora and Tijuana Verde, where he promotes environmental stewardship, civic engagement, and innovative approaches to addressing shared challenges in the San Diego–Tijuana region.

A strong advocate for community participation in environmental decision-making, Durán has been instrumental in efforts to address the ongoing Tijuana River watershed crisis and to build greater cooperation between stakeholders on both sides of the border. His work emphasizes the importance of regional partnerships, sustainable development, and citizen engagement in creating long-term solutions to complex environmental issues.

Through his leadership, technical expertise, and commitment to binational collaboration, Hernando Durán Cabrera continues to be an influential voice in shaping the future of environmental policy and cross-border cooperation in the CaliBaja region.

Sarah Federman

Sarah Federman, an Associate Professor at the University of San Diego’s Kroc School of Peace Studies, studies the intersection of business and mass atrocity and works with students on pollution in the TJ watershed. She is the author of Corporate Reckoning: How Companies Can Atone for Historical Transgressions (MIT Press 2026). And the author of the award-winning Transformative Negotiation: Strategies for Everyday Change and Equitable Futures and the award-winning Last Train to Auschwitz: The French National Railways and the Journey to Accountability. She has also written for the Harvard Business Review and Journal of Business Ethics and testified twice before Congress concerning the responsibility of U.S. banks to respond to their slavery ties. Federman comes to this work after a decade as an international advertising executive working in over 10 countries, engaging with companies such as Google, Discovery, Bloomberg and NFL. www.sarahfederman.com