This year marks the centennial anniversary of the Great Migration that saw millions of Black Americans migrate from the south to the urban centers of the north with the promise of security and economic prosperity. Worldwide, global cities are destinations for people of all races, ethnicities, and backgrounds seeking employment, educational opportunities, and better futures. Yet many cities are segregated, with populations locked in neighborhoods of generational poverty, criminality, and poor housing and schools. Cities are on the front line of solving the cultural and socioeconomic challenges facing these communities. How can global cities define the future of inclusive, open societies and fulfill the promise they offer?

The global economy is nearing a crossroads—as central banks alone seem unable to foster high inclusive growth and durable financial stability. According to Mohamed A. El-Erian, there are two paths ahead: one leading to recovery, prosperity, and stability, and the other to recession and continued instability. What must we do—individually and collectively—to avoid the next collapse?

Europe has been rocked by several crises in the last few years—the global financial crisis, the eurozone crisis, rising migration, nationalism, and populism, among others. And now Brexit seems to threaten the very existence of the European Union. Joseph Stiglitz believes that the underlying flaw was the creation of a single currency—the euro—without the necessary supporting institutional architecture. Initially hailed as one of the cornerstones of European peace and prosperity, the euro now seems to promote discord and economic malaise. What is the future of the euro? Can Europe prosper without it?

Donald Trump will take control of the White House on January 20, 2017, defying numerous polls and predictions. From Wall Street to Main Street, and in the office of nearly every head of state in the world, the attention now turns to the President-elect’s appointees and what the new administration will set as its priorities. Where will the new president – and a Republican Congress - lead America at home and abroad? Dan Balz, chief correspondent at the Washington Post, will offer a timely look how the election unfolded and the challenges the administration faces.

American intervention in the Middle East has posed a far riskier undertaking in the years since the Arab Spring. Intensifying sectarian conflict, eroding state structures, and the growing influence of non-state actors and regional powers will leave the new administration with few easy policy options. What are the prospects for renewed US leadership in the Middle East beyond 2017? How might the new administration approach the Israeli-Palestinian peace process or the fight against ISIS?

Uber, Airbnb, OpenTable – what do they all have in common? These “matchmakers” don’t sell widgets, they sell access; diner and open seat, car and rider, hotel guest and available room. These new, often global, models of business rely on simplicity for the end user while their back-end is quite intricate due to their multisided nature. Which characteristics ensure a matchmaker platform gains critical mass to succeed and thrive? How do traditional single-sided businesses compete in the face in this new business model?

Prior to 1979, the US and Iran were economic and military partners. However, the fall of the Shah and the US Embassy hostage crisis broke diplomatic relations, and ignited long lasting political disputes, and mistrust between the two countries. As Iran prepares for an election next year, and continues to flex its diplomatic and military muscles to maintain influence in the Middle East, what have we learned from how the Bush and Obama administrations engaged with Iran? How should the new president of the United States respond, and will the Iran nuclear deal increase involvement and transparency between the two nations in the road ahead?

Eight presidents, both Republican and Democratic, have aimed to integrate China into the international system and pursue constructive US-China relations. But that longstanding consensus is under growing pressure, as security competition in Asia intensifies and China’s global footprint continues to grow. China has featured prominently in the US presidential campaign, with both Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump promising a toughened line, and Trump, in particular, proposing punitive trade actions against Beijing. Amid challenges from North Korea and in the South China Sea, to trade frictions, how should the next President deal with China? The two leading Asia advisors to Presidents Obama and Bush offer their unique perspectives.

A growing body of evidence demonstrates that improvements in the status of women and girls also drive the prosperity and security of families, communities, and nations. In recent years the US government has incorporated gender equality as a metric of policy development and program investment of its domestic and foreign policies. Yet despite many indicators of progress for women and girls everywhere more work remains, and strong collaborations are still needed in areas regarding women’s economic and political leadership, eliminating violence against women and girls, and supporting women-owned businesses and entrepreneurs. As the US prepares for new governance what would a change in leadership mean for women’s rights, domestically and internationally? And how can we best continue to provide US leadership to women’s issues in the next twenty years?

What is the future of the economy? As the presidential election looms, this question continues to play a critical role in the discourse. Robert Gordon contends that economic progress will be slow—due to slower innovation, plateauing education, an aging population, and rising inequality and debt. On the other hand, Joel Mokyr argues that the future looks bright—driven by a new age of invention, especially in areas such as computing, robotics, materials, and bioengineering. According to the 2016 Chicago Council Survey, 57 percent of Americans believe the next generation will be worse off economically than today’s workers. Is the best yet to come, or are the heydays of economic growth over? What should the next president do to foster growth? Join the Council for a lively debate.