America at 250 Global Forum

June 18, 2026, 8:00 AM - 7:00 PM CST
Chicago Council Conference Center
America at 250 Global Forum logo

As the United States marks its 250th anniversary, the international order it championed for nearly eight decades has come under extraordinary pressure. All aspects of the US global role are under review, both at home and abroad. The choices this generation of global leaders make will be more consequential than ever, for businesses, workers, and leaders across the US, and for US partners and allies in Europe, Asia, and beyond.

The Council's America at 250 Global Forum will convene high-level policymakers, world-class scholars and experts, business leaders, and influential thought leaders to reflect on America’s past and inform its future. There is no more fitting place to convene as we examine global and geopolitical shifts, economic disruption, technological advances, and societal change. At this pivotal moment in America’s 250-year history, this forum will assess these forces to help inform the choices the next generation of leaders must make.

Location

Council Conference Center 
Prudential Plaza, 130 E Randolph St, Chicago, IL, 60601

Attire

Business casual

Ticket Price

Council Members: Free 
Nonmembers: $199 (includes a one-year Council membership)

Breakfast, lunch, refreshments, and a networking reception are included.

Contact

For general inquiries or if you are a student interested in attending for a reduced rate, reach out to US250@globalaffairs.org.

Session Topics

Image of American polling place.
American Democracy As the United States marks its 250th anniversary, fundamental questions about the resilience of American democracy have emerged. This discussion examines the state of democratic institutions, the challenges they face, and what it takes to sustain democratic governance in a deeply polarized era.
Image of Wall Street sign.
Economy, Trade, and the Balance of Power Economic power is central to American influence, but shifts in trade, supply chains, and rising powers are reshaping the global landscape. This discussion explores how economic statecraft shapes the balance of power and America's future economic role in the world.
Image of immigrants arriving in America.
Immigration and American Prosperity Immigration has fueled American growth and innovation throughout history, yet it remains one of the most divisive issues in American politics. This discussion examines the economic, social, and political dimensions of immigration and how policy choices will shape American prosperity and competitiveness.
Image of protesters marching.
Freedom of Speech The First Amendment has been a cornerstone of American democracy for 250 years, but debates over misinformation, social media, and campus speech are testing its boundaries. This discussion explores what free speech means in practice today and how democratic societies can balance expression and other democratic values.
Image of US war planes.
National Security and Defense America's approach to national security is evolving amid great power competition, emerging technologies, and questions about the use of military force. This discussion examines the future of American defense policy, the role of alliances, and how the US secures its interests in a changing world.
Image of US astronaut on the moon.
Avenues for US Leadership and Innovation Throughout its history, the United States has tackled seemingly intractable challenges—landing on the moon, developing groundbreaking vaccines, harnessing nuclear energy. This discussion explores where America still has the capacity and will to solve big problems and lead in the decades ahead.

Speakers

  • Paul Alivisatos headshot

    Paul Alivisatos

    President, University of Chicago
  • Lisa Anderson headshot

    Lisa Anderson

    Special Lecturer and James T. Shotwell Professor Emerita of International Relations, School of International and Public Affairs, Columbia University; Former President, American University in Cairo
  • Catherine Bertini headshot

    Catherine Bertini

    Distinguished Fellow, Global Food and Agriculture, Chicago Council on Global Affairs
    Social Media
  • Agnès Callamard headshot

    Agnès Callamard

    Secretary General, Amnesty International
  • David Cole headshot

    David Cole

    Hon. George J. Michell Professor in Law and Public Policy, Georgetown University Law Center; Former National Legal Director, American Civil Liberties Union
  • Alexander Cooley headshot

    Alexander Cooley

    Claire Tow Professor of Political Science, Barnard College; Senior Nonresident Fellow, Eurasia Affairs, Chicago Council on Global Affairs
    Social Media
  • Dan Glickman headshot

    Dan Glickman

    Chair, International Advisory Council, APCO Worldwide; Former US Secretary of Agriculture
    Social Media
  • Nicole Hallett headshot

    Nicole Hallett

    Clinical Professor of Law and Director of the Immigrants’ Rights Clinic, University of Chicago Law School
    Social Media
  • Charles Kupchan headshot

    Charles Kupchan

    Senior Fellow, Council on Foreign Relations; Former Special Assistant to the President and Senior Director for European Affairs, National Security Council
  • Phil Levy headshot

    Phil Levy

    Lead Trade Economist, World Bank
    Social Media
  • Evan Medeiros headshot

    Evan Medeiros

    Penner Family Chair in Asia Studies, Georgetown University; Former Special Assistant to the President and Senior Director for Asia, National Security Council; Distinguished Nonresident Fellow, China, Chicago Council on Global Affairs
  • Robert Pape headshot

    Robert Pape

    Professor of Political Science and Director, Chicago Project on Security & Threats, University of Chicago
    Social Media
  • Raghuram Rajan headshot

    Raghuram Rajan

    Katherine Dusak Miller Distinguished Service Professor of Finance, Booth School of Business, University of Chicago
  • Karthick Ramakrishnan headshot

    Karthick Ramakrishnan

    Founder, Bolder Futures; Research Director, UC Berkeley
    Social Media
  • Francisco Rodríguez headshot

    Francisco Rodríguez

    Senior Research Fellow, Center for Economic and Policy Research; Faculty Affiliate, Josef Korbel School of International Studies, University of Denver
    Social Media
  • David Sanger headshot

    David Sanger

    White House and National Security Correspondent, The New York Times
  • Julianne Smith headshot

    Julianne Smith

    Former US Permanent Representative to NATO; Distinguished Nonresident Fellow, Defense and Security, Chicago Council on Global Affairs
  • Jack Snyder headshot

    Jack Snyder

    Robert and Renée Belfer Professor of International Relations, Political Science Department, Columbia University
  • Katie Tobin headshot

    Katie Tobin

    Senior Advisor, WestExec Advisors LLC; Former Deputy Assistant to the President and Senior Director for Transborder, National Security Council
    Social Media
  • Julián Ventura headshot

    Julián Ventura

    Former Deputy Secretary of Foreign Affairs of Mexico; Distinguished Nonresident Fellow, Latin America and the Global Economy, Chicago Council on Global Affairs

America at 250: The Arc of Global Influence

This content is part of the Council’s America at 250 initiative, a series of high-level dialogues, expert perspectives, public and private programs, and a signature conference focused on the critical questions that will define America’s future.
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