In preparation for next month’s CSG West 76th Annual Meeting, we take this opportunity to highlight some of the fantastic speakers presenting at this year’s event. Addressing critical topics from artificial intelligence (AI) to the US-China relationship, CSG West has a dynamic lineup for those attending. We kick off Round 2 below with a spotlight on speakers Suisheng Zhao and Diya Wynn.

Spotlight: Suisheng Zhao

Professor, Josef Korbel School of International Studies, University of Denver | Director of the Center for China-US Cooperation

Talk the Talk and Walk the Walk:

Can Communication Facilitate Accommodation in the US-China Relationship?

Monday, November 13

2:30 p.m.-4:00 p.m.

Despite recent high-level exchanges between the US and China, including visits to China by US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken and Secretary of the Treasury Janet Yellen, and a US Senate delegation led by Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, the US-China relationship has remained at the lowest point since President Nixon’s historical visit to China in 1972. Aggressive tones and disputes over Taiwan and tech-war have become the new normal. Their talks have become exchanges of accusations rather than finding solutions. How has the relationship got to this point? Why has communication failed to facilitate mutual accommodation? What is driving the tensions and what are the root causes of this crisis? What is the prospect of the Sino-US competition? How can Washington and Beijing stabilize the relationship? Suisheng Zhao’s presentation will provide answers to these important questions.

Suisheng Zhao is a Professor and Director of the Center for China-US Cooperation at Josef Korbel School of International Studies, University of Denver. He is the editor of the Journal of Contemporary China and the author of more than two dozen of books. His most recent book is The Dragon Roars Back: Transformational Leaders and Dynamics of Chinese Foreign Policy. Professor Zhao has appeared on C-SPAN, on the Hoover Institution’s Conversations on China’s Global Sharp Power podcast, and in a wide range of publications and media.

Spotlight: Diya Wynn

Senior Practice Manager, Responsible AI, Amazon

Chairs Forum – Wrapping Our Heads Around Responsible AI

Tuesday, November 14

8:30 a.m.-10:30 a.m.

As artificial intelligence (AI) technology evolves, lawmakers are now considering the implications of these technologies and advances in workforce development, algorithmic decision-making bias, and accountability. 

CSG West is pleased to have Diya Wynn bring her wealth of expertise in leading this timely session. Diya leverages her over 25 years of experience as a technologist, leading a team at Amazon Web Services that engages with customers to go from principles to practice - operationalizing standards for responsible Artificial Intelligence/Machine Learning and data. She leads discussions globally on taking intentional action to uncover potential unintended impacts, and mitigate risks related to the development, deployment, and use of their AI/ML systems. 

Dina was recently was honored at VentureBeat’s 5th Annual Women in AI awards, earning the top award for Responsibility & Ethics of AI: Thoughtfully building AI that leads to a better and more equitable world.

Upcoming Events

Are you interested in international cooperation with state legislators from other countries? The Aspen Institute Germany would like to hear from you. Recruitment for the Laboratories of Democracy Initiative 2024 State Legislator Exchange Program is underway through October 31, 2023. The core topic of critical infrastructure will be central to this transatlantic program that will bring together subnational legislators from the U.S., German Landtag, and Canadian provinces. All costs for participation will be covered by the project.

In-person and virtual programming will include:



• Two 5-day in-person meetings in Mainz, Rhineland-Palatinate, Germany, March 12-16, 2024, and in Austin, Texas, June 11-15, 2024.

• Interactive virtual sessions between January and August 2024.



• Collaboration on a joint publication that will include multipartisan policy recommendations for the state level and for transatlantic cooperation, which will be released in September 2024.

The program is competitive as limited slots are available. Interested state legislators are asked to send a CV or resume by email to Emilie Schreier at schreier@aspeninstitute.de by Tuesday, October 31, 2023, to apply to be a part of this unique transatlantic exchange. More information about the participation requirements and application procedure can be found below.

The National Assessment Governing Board (NAGB) has announced six open positions for candidates to be appointed by the U.S. Secretary of Education. Among the open positions are for one Democrat state legislator and one Republican state legislator for the term beginning October 1, 2024.

The appointed members will be work on innovating & modernizing the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP), also known as The Nation’s Report Card, in addition to other K-12 education policy areas.

Interested candidates may nominate themselves or be nominated by someone else. Please note, nominations will be accepted through Tuesday, October 31, 2023. Click below for instructions on how to apply or nominate someone for the Governing Board.

From the CSG Network

Across the country, educators have been elected to the highest executive offices in their states. While their careers as teachers, coaches and administrators have taken different paths, they have all been driven by a commitment to serving their communities and future generations. For them education is the cornerstone and catalyst of their public service.

CSG West is pleased to share a recent article from Capitol Ideas magazine, the national publication issued by CSG. New Mexico Lieutenant Governor Howie Morales is one of three featured state officials whose career paths emerged in the education field. After teaching special education for 10 years, Lt. Gov. Morales served in the state Senate for 11 years before taking office as lieutenant governor.

With educators pervasive in elected offices throughout the West, we hope you enjoy this special issue. 

READ: Educators to Executives: Education ‘at the core’ of Executive Officials’ Public Service