Great Decisions

League of Women Voters^®
of the Midland Area

The Great Decisions program is a series of discussions on current international issues based on materials from the Foreign Policy Association.

General Information. Topics for 2010. Discussion Groups.

General Information

The Great Decisions discussion series, coordinated locally by the League of Women Voters, uses materials developed by the Foreign Policy Association, a national nonprofit, nonpartisan organization formed in 1918 to promote understanding of international affairs. Learning materials include a briefing book and a videotape set. Tapes are usually broadcast on the local cable access channel.
Briefing books are now available at the library.
GREAT DECISIONS ON TV
The Great Decisions 2010 TV series is being broadcast on MCTV Channel 99 on Thursday afternoons from 1:30-2:00 starting February 25 and continuing for 10 weeks. The series, which the New York Times has called "must watch television", is an excellent opportunity to hear a wide range of experts analyze the critical global issues facing the U.S. this year. The programs support the Great Decisions discussions but also stand on their own as concise presentations of expert foreign policy analysis.

Topics for 2010

Special envoys -- Will the Obama administration's reliance on special envoys increase the ability of the U.S. to deal with major international issues or complicate our diplomatic options?
Preventing genocide -- What lessons can be learned from the intervention in Kenya?
Global crime + Crime is becoming increasingly organized and globalized. How can countries better protect citizens from being exploited?
China -- What are China's security concerns and goals, and how do its perceptions affect its neighbors, the U.S. and the world?
Global financial crisis and its effects -- How will governments and the world community respond to this challenge?
Europe's 'far east': the uncertain frontier. The expansion of NATO and Western influence into Eastern Europe has provoked a sharp backlash in Russia. Should the U.S. challenge Russia's interests in its 'near abroad' or back off?
The Persian Gulf - Now more than ever, the Persian Gulf region offers many difficult challenges to U.S. policymakers.
Peacebuilding and conflict resolution -- How can the U.S. successfully integrate the tools of peace building into its statecraft?

Discussion Groups

New members are welcome. You do not have to be a LWV member to join a group.
The study books may be picked up at the Grace A. Dow Library reference desk early in January and paid for ($18) at the first group session which will start in late January or early February.
Times and contacts are:

Tuesday afternoons every other week:
Deb Ballard: 832-2873

Wednesday mornings weekly:
Ghislaine Maurissen: 636-7145

Thursday mornings beginning Feb.5 at the Trailside
Senior Center, Tina Laughner: 633-3790

Thursday evenings weekly:
Margot Haynes 835-9204 or 686-9171

Comments, suggestions, questions? Contact our webmaster. Last revised: July 12, 2010 07:33 PDT.