What Alliances Do We Need in Perilous Times?
How alliances are rebuilding Los Angeles in the wake of January's fires.
Thursday, March 13, 20257:00 PM
ASU California Center Broadway
1111 S. Broadway
Los Angeles , CA 90015
ABOUT THE EVENT
“We cannot enter into alliances until we are acquainted with the designs of our neighbors,” the general-philosopher Sun Tzu cautioned in The Art of War. In perilous times like our own, it’s easy to see that we need allies to protect ourselves from environmental degradation, violence, discrimination, and crime. It’s harder to know which alliances we can depend upon.
Russian expansionism and American isolationism have weakened NATO, the alliance protecting Europe and North America since World War II. Around the world, governing alliances are being torn apart by the rise of far-right and far-left parties. And the mutual aid alliances that local and global governments rely upon in emergencies face additional pressure from civil wars and natural disasters fueled by climate change—all at a time when social isolation has weakened our ties to neighbors and local institutions.
How can we combat these threats to the alliances that bind our communities together? What new alliances do we need to forge—in our neighborhoods, in our metro regions, and beyond—to rebuild our scarred communities as we undergo these unprecedented challenges? What risks do faltering alliances pose to our most vulnerable people and communities? And which alliances must we save to defend ourselves from the forces and people who would do us harm both overseas and within our own countries?
As coalitions, partnerships, and allegiances shift and emerge, Zócalo and an alliance of partners will convene two back-to-back panels to discuss how we might best ally to survive this moment in history.
This event is moderated by Gustavo Arellano, Los Angeles Times Columnist and Joe Mathews, Zócalo Columnist and Democracy Local Founder.
FEATURED SPEAKERS
Gustavo Arellano, Los Angeles Times Columnist
Joe Mathews, Zócalo Columnist and Democracy Local Founder
Nadeerah Faquir, Co-Owner, The Little Red Hen Coffee Shop
Nina Hachigian, Former United States Special Representative for City and State Diplomacy
Angie Kim, President and CEO, the Center for Cultural Innovation
Nina Knierim, Manager, Climate and Disaster Resilience, CORE (Community Organized Relief Effort)
Miguel Santana, President and CEO, California Community Foundation
Angelica Salas, Executive Director, Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights (CHIRLA)
Laura Thornton, Senior Director for Global Democracy Programs, The McCain Institute
More information:
The first will start at 7 p.m. and feature panelists who will discuss how alliances are rebuilding Los Angeles in the wake of January’s fires: Altadena business owner Nadeerah Faquir, Center for Cultural Innovation president and CEO Angie Kim, climate action strategist Nina Knierim, and California Community Foundation president and CEO Miguel Santana.
The second will start at 7:45 p.m. and feature panelists who will discuss state, national, and global governance as a new U.S. administration takes power: American diplomat Nina Hachigian, immigrant rights advocate Angelica Salas, and global democracy expert Laura Thornton.
Zócalo invites our in-person audience to continue the conversation with our speakers and each other at a post-event reception with complimentary drinks and small bites.
Zócalo Public Square values audience safety. During events at ASU California Center, as bag searches are not permitted, only clear bags (maximum size 12” x 6” x 12”) and small clutches (maximum size 8 ½” x 5 ½”) are allowed in the venue. Zócalo may be able to provide a limited number of clear bags to help accommodate guests. Questions? Ask us at events@zocalopublicsquare.org.
The ASU California Center is inclusive and accessible for all. A platform wheelchair lift is available at our main entrance via Broadway (ground level). Upon checking in for the event, please inform Zócalo staff if you need assistance, or contact events@zocalopublicsquare.org for additional information.
Sponsor(s): Burkle Center for International Relations, Zócalo Public Square, ASU Mechanics of Democracy Lab, California Humanities, Los Angeles Local News Initiative, LA2050, KCRW, and the Los Angeles Times