Tuesday, May 2

Leadership Lecture

Warren Bennis, founding chairman of USC’s Leadership Institute, will give a free lecture today titled “Leadership 101.” The event, sponsored by SMC Associates, starts at 11:15 a.m. in the Santa Monica College Concert Hall. Information: (310) 434-4003.

Wednesday, May 3

Rising Sun?

Is Japan through the worst of its financial crisis? How will its economic reforms affect its relations with the United States? Shijuro Ogata, former deputy governor of the Japan Development Bank, will try to provide some of the answers at a talk today sponsored by the Asia Society. The lunch event starts at noon at the Biltmore Hotel in downtown L.A. Information: (213) 624-0945.

Send in the Clones

A pair of medical ethicists will discuss such issues as whether human DNA should be subject to patents, licenses, commercial ownership and other potential exploitation at a debate sponsored by Soka University of America. The event titled “Should Humans Be Cloned?” starts at 7 p.m. at Soka’s Calabasas campus. Information: (818) 878-3780.

Friday, May 5

World Leaders

Two former prime ministers (of Israel and Canada), two former U.S. secretaries of state (Warren Christopher and Lawrence Eagleburger) and two former foreign affairs ministers (from Korea and Russia) will take part in a panel discussion sponsored by the World Affairs Council. The event starts at 9:15 a.m. at USC’s Bovard Auditorium. Information: (213) 628-2333.

Cinco de Mayo

The traditional Mexican day of celebration will be held at a variety of locations around the city, including a three-day event at downtown’s historic Olvera Street.