Alumni and Friends of the LSE
in the United States

AFLSE San Diego Salon at Mingei International Museum

Join the AFLSE San Diego's Laurel Salon at Mingei's Community Mondays for "Centering Humanity: Daring to Hope for the Middle East," a conversation on the Middle East centered on the humanity of its peoples. 
 

Monday, April 20, 2026
6:00PM-8:00PM (Doors at 5:30PM)

Mingei International Museum

La Atalaya Theater

Entrance: Alcazar Garden Entrance

1439 El Prado

Balboa Park

San Diego, CA 92101

Centering Humanity: Daring to Hope for the Middle East

This salon invites a conversation on the Middle East centered on the humanity of its peoples. At a time when violence and cruelty in the region can give rise to despair, we gather to consider what it means to hope for a dignified life for all.

With
Dr. Samir Saran, Observer Research Foundation 
Dr. Farid Abdel-Nour, San Diego State University
Dr. Michael Provence, UC San Diego
 

Farid Abdel-Nour, Professor of Political Science at San Diego State University. He is former Department Chair and a founding member of the Center for Islamic and Arabic Studies, which he has directed for multiple terms and will again direct starting in fall 2026. His research and teaching interests are in political theory and Israel/Palestine. His scholarly work focuses on the responsibility that ordinary citizens bear for outcomes brought about by their states.

Michael Provence, Professor, Department of History, University of California, San Diego. He earned a PhD in Modern Middle Eastern History from the University of Chicago. He has lived and studied in Syria, Lebanon, Germany, and France. He is the author of The Last Ottoman Generation (2017) and The Great Syrian Revolt (2005), both translated and widely reviewed in Arabic and Turkish, as well as many articles on the late Ottoman and colonial Middle East of the early twentieth century.

Samir Saran, Samir Saran is President of the Observer Research Foundation (ORF), India’s premier think tank headquartered in New Delhi, with affiliates in North America and the Middle East. His research spans global governance, climate and energy policy, technology, and Indian foreign policy. He curates the Raisina Dialogue — India’s flagship annual platform on geopolitics and geo-economics — and spearheads ORF’s efforts to foster international partnerships and incubate young leaders networks globally. He serves as Chair of the Global Future Council on Geopolitics at the World Economic Forum. His recent books include GeoTechnoGraphy, The New World Disorder and The Indian Imperative, and Pax Sinica.

Hosted by
The Alumni & Friends of the London School of Economics San Diego Chapter

Presented by
Amanda Toombs
Thindu Wijesooriya

There is no cost to this event, but registration is required. Please use the RSVP form on the left-hand side of the page to indicate your interest. 

Contact sandiego@aflse.org for more details. 
 

Please note that the City of San Diego has begun charging for parking in Balboa Park. While this change isn’t a Mingei initiative, we want to be sure you have the information you need when planning your next trip to Balboa Park. Updates to the Balboa Park paid parking program expanding free parking for verified City of San Diego residents will take effect on March 2, 2026.
San Diego City Residents
City residents are encouraged to register as soon as possible to access discounted parking rates. Registration requires a one-time $5 fee.
Register here: https://sandiego.thepermitportal.com/Register/Create
Closest Parking to Mingei
Alcazar Garden Lot and Organ Pavilion Lot

• Residents: $5 half-day permit*
  *After resident verification, parking must be purchased online here:
  https://sandiego.thepermitportal.com/User
  (This discounted rate is not currently available at onsite kiosks.)
• Non-residents: $10 half-day permit*
  Available online or at the onsite kiosk.

ADA Accessible Parking

All ADA-designated parking remains free in all lots.

Free Parking Option
Lower Inspiration Point parking is free for up to three hours. The green tram runs every 10–15 minutes and drops visitors directly in front of Mingei. This tram runs 8am-8pm.

For full details on the City of San Diego’s parking changes, please visit:
https://www.sandiego.gov/parking/balboapark

Attending this event at this location is your choice.  Please do not attend an event if you have a fever or feel unwell, or if you have tested positive for Covid-19 or have been exposed to someone with Covid-19.