For the second year in a row, St. Petersburg is hosting foreign affair specialists to talk about some of the most important international issues of the day, ranging from the United States' role in the Middle East, cyber-terrorism, and climate change.
The St. Petersburg Conference on World Affairs, which began Thursday, is taking place at the USFSP University Student Center today from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. and tomorrow from 9 a.m. to noon.
The event is sponsored in part by USF St. Petersburg, the Tampa Bay Times, and the group, St. Petersburg in the World.
Over 30 panelists are taking part in the conference, including diplomats, military, media and academic experts. The event is free and open to the public.
Students are encouraged to attend, especially today's 12:40 p.m. lunch session featuring a discussion for students interested in pursuing a career in the U.S. Foreign Service (email dkfletch@mail.usf.edu for reservations).
On this week's University Beat, we got a preview of the conference from the co-directors, retired U.S. Ambassador Douglas McElhaney, who created St. Petersburg in the World, and Dr. Thomas Smith, the director of USF St. Petersburg's Honors Program.
