Securing Our Insecure World
May 3 – May 5, 2024
Securing Our
Insecure World
The 2024 Sedona Forum will be held in person May 3 – 5, 2024, with the theme, “Securing Our Insecure World.” With the climate crisis as a backdrop, we will examine the greatest challenges to democracy, human rights, and global security and how America and our allies can manage aspects of our increasingly insecure world. Panel topics will cover challenges posed by autocracies to the international order and U.S. values and interests, the impact of technology on democracy, defense and development, food, human security, climate, and more.
2024 Agenda Will Be Announced Soon
2:30 pm - 2:40 pm
ANASAZI ROOMWelcome Remarks
• Dr. Evelyn Farkas, Executive Director, McCain Institute
2:40 pm - 2:50 pm
ANASAZI ROOMA View from Arizona
Introduction by Rick Davis, Partner, Stonecourt Capital & Chairman, Board of Trustees, McCain Institute
• Gov. Katie Hobbs, Arizona’s 24th Governor
3:00 pm - 3:45 pm
ANASAZI ROOMArizona Competitiveness
Introduction by Amb. Cindy McCain
• Remarks by Sec. Janet Yellen, United States Secretary of the Treasury
Fireside Chat:
• Moderator: Dr. Michael Crow, President, Arizona State University (TBC)
3:50 pm - 4:30 pm
ANASAZI ROOMWeapons of War: Combating Sexual Violence
Introduction by Kristen Abrams, Chief Program Officer, McCain Institute
• Dr. Denis Mukwege, President & Founder, Panzi Hospital and Foundation
In Conversation with:
• Sheryl Sandberg, Founder, LeanIn.org
4:30 pm - 5:00 pm
ANASAZI ROOMDemocracy in the Balance
• Sen. Kyrsten Sinema, United States Senator, Arizona
In Conversation with:
• Yvonne Wingett Sanchez, Arizona-Based Voting Issues Reporter, The Washington Post
5:00 pm - 5:15 pm
AZPresentation of the In The Arena Award
Presentation by Gov. Katie Hobbs, Arizona’s 24th Governor
• Hans Vestberg, Chief Executive Officer, Verizon Wireless
6:00 pm - 7:00 pm
VILLAGE TERRACEWelcome Reception
7:05 pm - 8:45 pm
ANASAZI ROOMThe Sedona Leadership Dinner
Welcome Remarks by Dr. Evelyn Farkas, Executive Director, McCain Institute
Presentation of the “Courage and Leadership” Award:
Remarks by Jack McCain, Board Member, McCain Institute
Tribute Video
Presentation by David Axelrod, Founding Director, University of Chicago Institute of Politics & CNN Senior Political Commentator
• Remarks: Ms. Dasha Navalnaya
Keynote Conversation:
Introduction by Dr. Michael Crow, President, Arizona State University
• Sec. Antony Blinken, United States Secretary of State
In Conversation with:
• Sen. Mitt Romney, United States Senator, Utah
Thank you remarks and video introduction:
• Dr. Evelyn Farkas, Executive Director, The McCain Institute
Tribute Video to Secretary Henry Kissinger
Conclusion:
• Rick Davis, Partner, Stonecourt Capital & Chairman, Board of Trustees, McCain Institute
7:00 am - 9:00 am
Open-Air Breakfast Buffet
Coffee Bar opens at 7:00 am
8:45 am - 9:00 am
ANASAZI ROOMWelcome Remarks
• Scott Jablow, Mayor of Sedona
9:00 am - 9:45 am
ANASAZI ROOMDemocracy and the Digital Revolution
Introduction by Lev Gronick, Chief Information Officer, Arizona State University
• Damon Wilson, President & CEO, National Endowment for Democracy
• Sen. Joe Manchin, United States Senator, West Virginia
Moderator:
• Sarah Margon, Director, Foreign Policy, Open Society Foundations
9:45 am - 10:30 am
ANASAZI ROOMGlobal Hot Spots: Russia & Middle East
Introduction: “Support Ukraine” video
• Garry Kasparov, Chairman, Renew Democracy Initiative
• Vali Nasr, Professor of International Affairs & Middle East Studies, SAIS
• Amb. David Pressman, United States Ambassador to Hungary
Moderator:
• Evelyn Farkas, Executive Director, McCain Institute
10:30 am - 10:45 am
Coffee Break
10:45 am - 11:30 am
AZTools of Statecraft: Wrongful Detainees and Hostage Affairs
• Amb. Roger D. Carstens, Special Presidential Envoy for Hostage Affairs, U.S. State Department
• Rep. Juan Ciscomani, United States Congressman, Arizona’s 6th District
• Sen. Peter Welch, United States Senator, Vermont
Moderator:
• Seung Min Kim, White House Reporter, The Associated Press
11:30 am - 12:15 pm
AZUS Deterrence Strategy in Asia
• Rep. Brendan Boyle, United States Congressman, Pennsylvania’s 2nd District
• Sen. Mark Kelly, United States Senator, Arizona
• Jon Finer, Deputy National Security Advisor of the United States
Moderator:
• Courtney Kube, Correspondent, NBC News
12:30 pm - 1:30 pm
AGAVE ROOM"A Cause Greater Than” Lunch: Political Courage
Introduction by Steve Duprey, Former Chairman of the New Hampshire Republican Party
• Gov. Chris Sununu, New Hampshire’s 82nd Governor
Moderator:
• Sen. Heidi Heitkamp, Director, University of Chicago Institute of Politics
1:45 pm - 2:30 pm
ANASAZI ROOMSurviving “America First?”
• Amb. Martin Kimani, Kenyan Ambassador to the United Nations
• Rep. Jason Crow, United States Congressman, Colorado’s 6th District
Moderator:
• Josh Rogin, Columnist, The Washington Post
2:30 pm - 3:15 pm
ANASAZI ROOMLaw of the Sea Versus China Maritime Adventurism
• Adm. Linda Fagan, Commandant, United States Coast Guard
• Sen. Todd Young, United States Senator, Indiana
Moderator:
• Paul Kane, Senior Congressional Columnist, The Washington Post
3:15 pm - 3:30 pm
Coffee Break
3:30 pm - 4:15 pm
ANASAZI ROOMCan Transparency Curb Corruption?
• Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse, United States Senator, Rhode Island
• Gen. Laura Richardson, Commander, United States Southern Command
• Sen. Bill Cassidy, United States Senator, Louisiana
Moderator:
• Roberto Patiño, Founder, Mi Convive and Director, Institute 2100
4:15 pm - 5:00 pm
ANASAZI ROOMAnalysis of US Elections: 2024 and Beyond
• Rick Davis, Partner, Stonecourt Capital & Chair, Board of Trustees, McCain Institute
• David Axelrod, Founding Director, University of Chicago Institute of Politics & CNN Senior Political Commentator
Moderator:
• Kelly O’Donnell, Senior White House Correspondent, NBC News
5:00 pm - 5:15 pm
AZClosing Remarks
5:00 pm - 5:15 pm
Board Buses to McCain Ranch BBQ
Thoughtful Leaders. Decision Makers. Activists and Experts.
