This popular dinner-speech format features keynote addresses by world leaders, diplomats, prominent businessmen and women, journalists and scholars. An audience-driven question and answer session follows each presentation. The Distinguished Speaker Series is hosted in different locations throughout the Hampton Roads community from September through May.

Distinguished Speaker Series

Students from ODU's Graduate Program in International Studies talking with His Excellency Dr. Bashar Ja'afari, Ambassador of the Syrian Arab Republic to the United Nations, following his speech.

Past Distinguished Speakers

• General Raymond T. Odierno, Commanding General U.S Forces-Iraq
• Dr. Bashar Ja'afari, Syrian Ambassador and Permanent Representative to United Nations
• Joao Vale de Almeida, Ambassador of the European Union to the United States
• General Harald Sunde, Norwegian Chief of Defence 

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Senator Mark Warner

As a part of our Distinguished Speaker Series, the World Affairs Council hosted Senator Mark Warner, on October 24th. The event was held at the Norfolk Waterside Marriott, where Senator Warner spoke about the Global Economic Crisis and U.S Economic Competitiveness. The speech was preceded by a reception where guests and members gathered. At the end of the speech, there were several great questions posed to the Senator by the audience.