Discussions to follow will focus on the economy, future of journalism, and saving the world.

Submitted

The Connecticut Forum will launch its 35th season this fall, with a special discussion with comedian and former The Daily Show host Trevor Noah, followed by dialogues on the state of the economy, the future of journalism, and humanitarianism.

The Forum season will kick off on Oct. 6, in Hartford with “A Conversation with Trevor Noah,” an expansive discussion on culture, comedy, politics, and global change. Noah, who was raised during the state-sponsored apartheid regime in South Africa, published his bestselling memoir, “Born a Crime: Stories from a South African Childhood,” in 2016. Noah served as host of The Daily Show for seven seasons, which earned two Emmy Awards during that period. Selected by Time magazine as among the “100 Most Influential People in the World” in 2018, Noah has headlined hundreds of standup-comedy shows on five continents and has appeared as host of the Grammy Awards in recent years. Noah also helms a podcast, “What Now? with Trevor Noah,” on Spotify.

The second Forum of the season, “The Economy, Money & Power,” on Nov. 20, will feature a wide- ranging conversation examining the future of the U.S. economy and the forces transforming work, money, and modern society. The discussion will feature financial journalist and best-selling author Andrew Ross Sorkin, co-anchor of CNBC’s flagship program Squawk Box. In addition, Sorkin is the founder and editor- at-large of DealBook, a financial news site published by The New York Times. Sorkin wrote the best- selling book “Too Big to Fail,” a detailed, behind-the-scenes account of the 2008 financial crisis, and “1929: Inside the Greatest Crash in Wall Street History – and How It Shattered a Nation.” Sorkin co-produced the 2011 HBO film adaptation, “Too Big to Fail,” and co-created the drama series “Billions,” which aired on Showtime for seven seasons.

Additional speakers for the Nov. 20 Forum will be announced at a later date.

The third Forum of the season, “The Future of Journalism,” on March 3, 2027, will explore the state of journalism in the United States, examining trends in media consumption, artificial intelligence’s influence, shifting business models, the spread of disinformation, and the public trust for journalism and journalists. The discussion will feature award-winning journalist Chris Hayes, who has helmed the MSNOW (formerly MSNBC) prime-time show All In with Chris Hayes since 2013. Winner of two Emmy Awards for Outstanding News Discussion & Analysis, Hayes has published several books, including his most recent New York Times best-seller, “The Sirens’ Call: How Attention Became the World’s Most Endangered Resource,” which was selected by President Barack Obama for his 2025 summer reading list. Hayes is also the host of “Why Is This Happening? The Chris Hayes Podcast,” on Apple Podcasts.

Additional speakers for the March 3 Forum will be announced at a later date.

The fourth Forum of the season, “Saving the World – Humanitarian Action in a Changing World,” on April 29, 2027, features global experts David Miliband and Samantha Power, who will examine the state of the international order amid rising conflict, humanitarian emergencies, and geopolitical fragmentation. Together, they will discuss the tensions between idealism and realism, the future of multinational cooperation, and whether global institutions are equipped for the challenges ahead. In addition, Miliband and Power will share how individuals can be changemakers, within their communities, regionally, nationally and internationally. Miliband has led the International Rescue Committee since 2013. Previously, he served as a Member of Parliament in the United Kingdom, including as the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs and the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs. Power is the Anna Lindh Professor of the Practice of Global Leadership and Public Policy at Harvard Kennedy School and the William D. Zabel Professor of Practice in Human Rights at Harvard Law School. Previously, she served as the Administrator of the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) and as the 28th U.S. Permanent Representative to the United Nations. An author of several best-selling books, Power won the Pulitzer Prize for her book “A Problem from Hell”: America and the Age of Genocide.

Season subscriptions go on sale Wednesday, June 17, at 10 am. To learn more, visit ctforum.org or call 860-509-0909.

Founded in 1992, The Connecticut Forum is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization serving Connecticut and neighboring states. Its signature season is composed of four flagship Forums, which take place at The Bushnell Performing Arts Center, as well as Forum Encores! – free events that are hosted across the Greater Hartford region and open to all in the community.

Like what you see here? Click here to subscribe to We-Ha’s newsletter so you’ll always be in the know about what’s happening in West Hartford! Click the blue button below to become a supporter of We-Ha.com and our efforts to continue producing quality journalism.