For more than 70 years, WorldOregon has been a rich source connecting Oregonians to the people, ideas, and issues that are shaping our global future. Join us for Global Conversations programs—from hard-hitting global perspectives with policy insiders, authors, and world leaders, to explorations into international food, culture, and travel. 

International Speaker Series

The International Speaker Series, going in its 23rd season, is one of the nation's premiere platforms for international affairs. The series puts you in the room with global leaders, visionaries, and inspiring voices that are changing our world--from his Holiness the Dalai Lama, Bill Clinton, Shaun King, Madeline Albright, Jane Goodall, Archbishop Desmond Tutu, Mikhail Gorbachev, and more! 

Great Decisions

Started in 1953 in Portland, Oregon--the Great Decisions series is an eight-week, noon-time program exploring eight pivotal issues on the global stage. Join WorldOregon from January—March annually for illuminating conversations on international affairs. Sponsored by the Foreign Policy Association, Great Decisions is the longest-running, largest grassroots educational program in the United States. 

Public Programs

WorldOregon frequently presents public programs in collaboration with partnering local organizations in Oregon. These events encourage audiences to explore global perspectives on a variety of topics with policy insiders, authors, industry leaders, and more! Public programs happen throughout the week—and pre-pandemic, rotated between different locales and venues according to topic speakers and issues. Click here for a full list of upcoming public programming!

World Oregon has advisory councils for our three key areas of programming and would like to thank the following individuals for joining us to share their expertise and perspective as WorldOregon broadens and deepens our engagement in our community. This work helps our staff continually improve our programming, aligning with our diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) goals.

Global Conversations Advisory Council

Hanin Najjar, KPTV Oregon; Lauren Fortgang, Never Again Coalition; Steve Higgs, Senior Advocates for Generational Equity (SAGE); Andrea Johnson, Green Empowerment/GlobalPDX board; Dr. Christopher McKnight Nichols, Oregon State University; Graham Morris, Japan American Society of Oregon; Judy Margles, Oregon Jewish Museum and Center for Holocaust Education; Donna Maxey, Race Talks; and Joaquin Lopez; Creative Laureate, City of Portland, Therapist, Activist, Artist.