This week in policy: 49 events across 24 topicsWeek Ahead
Spazio Santa Veneranda, Chiesa dei Santi Geremia e Lucia, Cannaregio 272, Venice, Italy (Moldova Pavilion, 61st Venice Biennale)
Oct 16, 2026 @ 4:00 PM – 6:00 PM (CEST) · 2h
In Person

Roundtable at the Moldova Pavilion during the Venice Biennale featuring Nicu Popescu, André Wilkens and Silvia Eiblmayr, moderated by Adelina Luft. Organized with the European Cultural Foundation; free entry.

JFK Jr. Forum / Institute of Politics, Harvard Kennedy School (also livestreamed)
Oct 16, 2026 @ 4:00 PM (EDT)
Hybrid

Pulitzer Prize recipient and NYT Opinion columnist Nicholas Kristof delivers the Malcolm H. Wiener Lecture and joins a conversation on international political economy.

JFK Jr. Forum, Harvard Kennedy School, 79 John F. Kennedy Street, Cambridge, MA
Oct 16, 2026 @ 4:00 PM (EDT)
Hybrid

Panel moderated by Jill Lepore on the importance of a well-informed citizenry, featuring Jill Lepore, David French, Steve Inskeep, and Jameel Jaffer. Event will be livestreamed on the IOP YouTube channel; Harvard email required for registration.

CSIS, Washington, D.C.; also available online
Oct 17, 2026 @ 9:30 AM (EDT)
Hybrid

Conference convening cooperative semiconductor research organizations to identify collaboration areas and models for financing and incentivizing international cooperative research.

EWC Imin Center - Jefferson Hall, Honolulu, HI
Oct 17, 2026 @ 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM (HST) · 2h
In Person

An immersive dance-ritual fashion performance by Lydia Querian commemorating the arrival of the Sakadas and honoring Filipino plantation laborer history.

Miami, Florida
Oct 18, 2026 @ 12:00 AM – Oct 19, 2026 @ 11:59 PM (EDT) · 1d 23h 59m
In Person

Two-day summit on how US Hispanic business leaders, communities, and consumers are shaping cross-border commerce and innovation in the Americas.

Level 1, 131 Macquarie Street, Sydney NSW 2000
Oct 19, 2026 @ 11:00 AM – Oct 20, 2026 @ 10:59 AM (UTC+11) · 23h 59m
In Person

Robert Doar (President, American Enterprise Institute) will speak on US politics and the midterms from a Washington perspective. Booking details to be released.

Stanford University, Stanford, CA
Oct 19, 2026 · time not announced
In Person

S.T. Lee Lecture presenting Jeff Flake, former congressman and U.S. ambassador to Turkey. Registration available via FSI events.

American Enterprise Institute, 1789 Massachusetts Ave NW, Washington, DC
Oct 19, 2026 @ 9:00 AM – 10:20 AM (EDT) · 1h 20m
In Person

AEI hosts a panel of First Amendment attorneys and scholars for a discussion of pressing free speech and free press issues in the United States as part of Free Speech Week.

Harvard Kennedy School (location TBA)
Oct 19, 2026 @ 4:30 PM – 6:00 PM (EDT) · 1h 30m
In Person

Third session of the study group on Syria's reconstruction of political order and governance challenges.

Cato Institute, Washington, DC & Virtual
Oct 19, 2026 @ 5:30 PM – 6:30 PM (EDT) · 1h
Hybrid

A Free Speech Week debate on whether adults should sacrifice speech rights to protect children online, featuring experts in communications and policy. Event available in person and online.

London, UK
Oct 20, 2026 @ 12:00 AM (BST)
In Person

In-person conference examining the state and future of capability development following strategic commitments, held in London.

Virtual
Oct 20, 2026 · time not announced
Online

Virtual intergenerational conversation on how trust shapes rural education, featuring community leaders and youth voices discussing strategies and relationships.

Asia Society, 725 Park Avenue, New York, NY 10021, US
Oct 20, 2026 @ 12:00 AM – 11:59 PM (EDT) · 23h 59m
In Person

Asia Society's 2026 Asia Game Changer Awards — an in-person evening in New York bringing together leaders and changemakers shaping Asia's future. Ticket purchase link provided in the announcement.

Virtual
Oct 20, 2026 @ 4:00 PM – 5:00 PM (UTC) · 1h
Online

A virtual panel co-hosted by FPRI and New Eastern Europe examining the role of the Visegrád Four (Czechia, Hungary, Poland, Slovakia) in European security, transatlantic relations, and regional politics. Features leading experts on Central Europe.

Virtual
Oct 21, 2026 · time not announced
Online

A Pacific Forum event examining France's strategic role and regional cooperation in the Indo-Pacific. No time or location provided in the newsletter.

Virtual
Oct 21, 2026 · time not announced
Online

Virtual panel moderated by CIGI Senior Fellow Mauritz Kop examining preparedness for quantum computing breakthroughs (Q-Day) and the convergence of quantum innovation with AI. Funded by DND's MINDS Targeted Engagement Grant program.

Harvard Kennedy School (On Campus), Cambridge, MA
Oct 21, 2026 @ 12:00 AM – 11:59 PM (EDT) · 23h 59m
In Person

Multi-session, in-person reading group led by WAPPP senior fellow Ashley Judd examining prostitution and pornography through multidisciplinary scholarship and testimonies. Open to Harvard affiliates.

ODI Global, London
Oct 21, 2026 @ 10:00 AM – 11:30 AM (BST) · 1h 30m
In Person

Launch event for the Emissions Gap Report 2026 in partnership with UN Environment, hosted at ODI Global, London.

University Club of Washington, DC, 1135 16th St NW, Washington, DC 20002, USA (also available via Zoom)
Oct 21, 2026 @ 8:30 AM (EDT)
Hybrid

Full-day hybrid conference (in-person + Zoom) examining human capital and intangible factors needed for Ukraine's post-war recovery. Agenda and registration were provided in the email.