Steve Janko, a resident of Colorado Springs and a retired attorney who specialized in international law presents on how he took the fall 2000 semester off from his international law studies at the University of Miami and volunteered to join a United Nations peacekeeping effort to help refugees return to their homes in Kosovo. 

Discussion on the Board of Peace and the United Nations Security Council: A Cooperation or Conflict? Ed Elmendorf took a deep look at the recent Trump initiative for peace in the Middle East against the backdrop of the traditional role and capability of the UNSC.

Jonathan Moyer is the Director of the Frederick S. Pardee Institute for International Futures and an Associate Professor at the Josef Korbel School of International Studies at the University of Denver. He leads the continued development and application of International Futures (IFs), the integrated global modeling system that serves as the backbone for much of the UN system’s long-term forecasting and policy analysis.

If an individual is injured during a civil immigration enforcement action, it may be difficult to find a straightforward legal pathway. SB26-005 (Rights Violation in Immigration Enforcement Remedy) would create a state-law cause of action when a person’s federal constitutional rights are violated in the context of civil immigration enforcement

Colorado law currently allows 16- and 17- year-olds to marry with a judge’s approval. Senate Bill 26-048 proposes removing this exception and establishing 18 as the uniform minimum marriage age. While the bill passed its first committee hearing on a 3-2 party-line vote, it has sparked a complex debate that goes beyond simple partisan lines, forcing lawmakers and advocates to weigh child protection against potential unintended consequences (Colorado General Assembly, 2026).

Smoke drifts over the Divide and the Air Quality Index spikes. Your neighbor’s kid needs a vaccine that’s suddenly hard to find. A friend’s cousin arrives after fleeing conflict and just needs a safe place to start over. None of that stays tidy inside county lines. So who coordinates the big stuff when the big stuff refuses to stay local?

On January 24th, 2026, members from Boulder High School MUN, CU MUN, and Kent Denver School MUN joined residents from the Academy at Mapleton Hill, Frasier Meadows, and the Balfour Senior Living community to collaborate on the crisis in Myanmar/Burma during an Intergenerational Model UN (IMUN) Security Council meeting.

For 20 years, as the Bill Kellogg Discussion Series has analyzed topics ranging from “Exploring the Quality of leadership at the UN”, to “The High Cost of Trump’s Tariff Games”, Bill Sackett has been a steadfast presence, not just as a participant, but as its unofficial historian. His commitment to documenting the series' rich history has created an invaluable archive, a testament to the power of consistent engagement and a deep appreciation for community knowledge. Please find the archive of discussion topics here.

Keith Maskus is Arts and Sciences Professor of Distinction in Economics, Emeritus, at the University of Colorado, Boulder. He was Chief Economist of the US State Department from 2016 to 2017 and a Lead Economist at the World Bank from 2001 to 2002. He was a Research Fellow at the Peterson Institute for International Economics and a consultant for international organizations. He received his PhD from the University of Michigan in 1981.

On Tuesday, February 27, at the Boulder Public Library, Associate Professor Megan Shannon from CU Boulder led a thought-provoking discussion on “UN Peacekeeping in the Midst of War.” Drawing from her recent book and extensive research, Megan explored the complex role of UN peacekeeping missions in mitigating violence during civil wars.

Her presentation highlighted key findings from her work, which uses unique data to analyze how UN interventions impact ongoing conflicts. Through both large-scale quantitative studies and detailed case analyses, her research demonstrates that well-equipped and properly constituted UN peacekeeping missions can significantly reduce violence in war-torn regions.

With her background in international security and a recent Fulbright fellowship at the Peace Research Institute of Oslo, Megan provided an expert perspective on the effectiveness and challenges of UN peacekeeping efforts. Her talk sparked an engaging discussion on the broader implications of international intervention and the future of global peacekeeping initiatives.

Professor Robert Wyrod led an insightful discussion on Global China and International Development: Perspectives from Sub-Saharan Africa at the Boulder Public Library on September 23. His presentation focused on China's expanding role as a development partner in Uganda, based on years of ethnographic research at Chinese-funded projects across the country. Wyrod explored the opportunities and challenges posed by Chinese investment, highlighting the complexities of economic growth, infrastructure development, and local impacts. His talk provided a thought-provoking analysis of China's global influence and its implications for African nations.

On April 16, the UNA-BC Discussion Series welcomed Dr. Gene Bolles, an esteemed neurosurgeon with decades of experience in both medical practice and humanitarian missions. In his talk, Geopolitical Aspects of Humanitarian Health Care Missions, Dr. Bolles shared firsthand accounts from his medical work in conflict zones, including Northern Iraq, North Korea, and China. Drawing from his extensive career, he explored the intersection of medicine, diplomacy, and global crises, highlighting the challenges and ethical dilemmas faced by medical professionals in politically sensitive regions. The discussion provided profound insights into the vital role of healthcare in international humanitarian efforts.

Venezuela’s economic and political collapse has been one of the most dramatic crises in recent history. On October 25, Professor Francisco Rodríguez, an esteemed economist and scholar, led a compelling discussion on the factors behind the country’s decline from 2012 to 2020. Drawing from his forthcoming book, The Collapse of Venezuela: Scorched Earth Politics and Economic Decline, Rodríguez examined the interplay of economic mismanagement, political strife, and international influences that contributed to Venezuela’s downfall. Attendees gained valuable insights into the broader implications of economic instability and governance challenges in Latin America.

Structural Adjustment Programs (SAPs) have long been a subject of debate, shaping economies and societies worldwide. On June 6, Ed Elmendorf, a distinguished expert with decades of experience in international development, led an insightful discussion on the myths and realities of these programs. Drawing from his 30-year career at the World Bank and extensive work with global institutions, Elmendorf explored the economic policies behind SAPs and their lasting impact, particularly in Africa. Attendees engaged in a thought-provoking conversation about the role of Bretton Woods institutions, the balance between economic reform and social consequences, and the future of global financial governance.

Thursday November 14 at 1:30-3:00 p.m. in the Boulder Creek Room of the Boulder Public Library. Our featured presenter was Artemi Romanov, Professor of Russian Studies at CU Boulder. He spoke and led a discussion on the very timely subject of Russia and US-Russian relations.

Artemi is originally from St. Petersburg, Russia, where he studied at St. Petersburg University. After getting his PhD in Russian studies he went to India to teach Russian language and culture in Gorakhpur University, located in the Ganges valley near the border of India and Nepal. He spent four years in India teaching, meeting people, writing articles, and traveling. When he came to the U.S. in 1992 he studied at SUNY-Binghamton where he received his MA in political science and public administration. His current research interests include history of American-Russian relations, history of sports and the Cold War, sociolinguistics, lexicology, intergenerational communication, second language acquisition, and sociocultural theories and perspectives. He is the author of several books and numerous articles. He has presented his research in Russia, China, India, Turkey, Bulgaria, Iceland, UK, and the United States.