Symposia

Symposia are multi-session events, typically two to three sessions, that take an in-depth look at a topic, and bring leading experts together to examine causes and consequences of, and policy responses to foreign policy challenges.

  • Technology and Innovation

    Will Artificial Intelligence Curb or Turbocharge Disinformation Online?
    This symposium was hosted by CFR on November 14, 2018. "Will Artificial Intelligence Curb or Turbocharge Disinformation Online?" convened policymakers, business executives, and other opinion leaders for a candid analysis of artificial intelligence’s effect on democratic decision-making. 

    Event with Robyn Caplan, Robert Chesney, Richard H. Ledgett Jr., Tiffany Li, Aviv Ovadya, Sarah Roberts and Laura M. Rosenberger November 14, 2018

  • Economics

    Stephen C. Freidheim Symposium on Global Economics: The Legacy of the Global Financial Crisis
    CFR hosted the 2018 Stephen C. Freidheim Symposium on Global Economics: The Legacy of the Global Financial Crisis on September 24, in New York. The symposium was created to address the broad spectrum of issues affecting Wall Street and international economics. It is presented by the Maurice R. Greenberg Center for Geoeconomic Studies and is made possible through the generous support of Council Board member Stephen C. Freidheim.

    Event with Ben S. Bernanke, Timothy F. Geithner, Isabelle Mateos y Lago, Ashoka Mody, Henry M. Paulson Jr., Carmen M. Reinhart, Brad W. Setser, Ruchir Sharma and Jeromin Zettelmeyer September 24, 2018

  • Economics

    American Debt: Causes, Consequences, and Fixes
    The American Debt: Causes, Consequences, and Fixes symposium was held on May 24, 2018 in honor and memory of Peter G. Peterson, who passed away on March 20, 2018. Peterson served as Chairman of the Council on Foreign Relations for twenty-two years, and was a passionate advocate for fiscal responsibility and avoiding what he believed was an unsustainable national debt. This event was underwritten by Steve and Roberta Denning and the Sage Foundation in appreciation of Peter G. Peterson and his impact on and leadership of both the Council on Foreign Relations and this country.

    Event May 24, 2018

  • Technology and Innovation

    Robert B. Menschel Economics Symposium
    The Robert B. Menschel Economics Symposium was held on February 7, 2018. This event examines the insights that big data has provided into economic and political behavior, as well as the impact that technology will have on the future of work. The symposium, presented by the Maurice R. Greenberg Center for Geoeconomic Studies, is made possible through the generous support of Robert B. Menschel.

    Event February 7, 2018

  • Elections and Voting

    Hacked Elections, Online Influence Operations, and the Threat to Democracy
    The Hacked Elections, Online Influence Operations, and the Threat to Democracy symposium, held on December 6, 2017, featured four panels of policymakers, business executives, and other opinion leaders in discussion about the cybersecurity threat to democracies, particularly to the election systems themselves and the subsequent attempts to shape the public debate through mass disinformation and online commentary. This symposium is made possible by the generous support of PricewaterhouseCoopers.

    Event December 6, 2017

  • Human Rights

    Women in Foreign Policy
    The Women in Foreign Policy symposium, held on December 5, 2017, features three panels of leading experts in discussion on global women’s issues. Panelists analyze the status of women worldwide and evaluate their contributions to governance, economic growth, and conflict prevention and resolution. The symposium commemorates the fifteenth anniversary of the Women and Foreign Policy program at the Council on Foreign Relations. Video and transcript from this event can be viewed below.  This symposium is made possible through the generous support of the Women and Foreign Policy Program Advisory Council.

    Event December 5, 2017

  • Trade

    The United States and World Trade: Future Directions
    The Council on Foreign Relations hosted a symposium on October 16, 2017, which featured four sessions and brought together distinguished trade leaders and innovative thinkers to address the trade policies of the United States and their international implications in North America and East Asia, as well as the possible effects on the global trade architecture and the World Trade Organization. 

    Event October 16, 2017

  • Economics

    Robert B. Menschel Economics Symposium
    The Council on Foreign Relations held a two-session symposium on April 18, 2017 that addressed the importance of economic irrationality, crowd behavior, and other elements of behavioral finance in understanding the global economy and making effective economic policy. The symposium was presented by the Maurice R. Greenberg Center for Geoeconomic Studies and was made possible through the generous support of Robert B. Menschel.

    Event April 18, 2017