Great Decisions–We All Benefit by Learning about our World

As an adult, I have learned to appreciate the library, much more now than I did as a kid.  In addition to checking out books, movies, and music, I have taken advantage of multiple library programs.  These have ranged from lectures to demonstrations to hands-on projects and more.  Last year I chose to participate in something new (to me), and this did force me to step outside of my normal “box.”

My local library is one of many hosts of the “Great Decisions” program.  This is a discussion program on world affairs and was developed by the Foreign Policy Association.  I will admit that my knowledge of world affairs is quite poor, but when I saw this program offered at a time when I was available, I took it as a sign that it was time to start learning more about international issues.  It was time to become a more knowledgeable global citizen.  I am going to take a wild guess and say that we have all heard people talk (or write) about topics for which they really don’t have a clue.   We truly can’t make appropriate or sensible decisions if we aren’t properly informed or aware of the relevant elements.   As you will hear at almost any Disney property, “It’s a small world after all.”  Nowadays, we really can’t avoid having some connection to the rest of the world.  We cannot truly close ourselves off to the world around us.  It is in our best interests, then, to learn more about our global community.

Participation in Great Decisions involves three parts–reading an article from a briefing book, watching a video, and then engaging in discussion.    I don’t know how it works in other places, but we had a very knowledgeable discussion leader, Gary Midkiff , who really knows his stuff and knows how to make us think.  (If you check out his page, I highly recommend that you watch the video of his Tedx talk.) 

The Great Decisions 2020 program covered eight topics.  For 2020, these were “Climate Change and the Global Order,” “India and Pakistan,” “Red Sea Security,” “Modern Slavery and Human Trafficking,” “U.S. Relations with the Northern Triangle,” “China’s Road into Latin America,” “The Phillipines and the U.S.” and “Artificial Intelligence and Data.”   I learned A TON!  There is still a lot that I don’t know, but I really gained a better understanding of various international issues through this program.  One thing I can say with complete certainty is that the issues connected to those eight topics are not easy ones to tackle.  (This was not at all a surprise.)  There are so many elements to these topics that questions and problems in these areas don’t have easy answers or clear solutions.  I have a much greater respect for and appreciation of those who work in foreign affairs.   By learning more, I better comprehend the challenges involved in making decisions regarding global issues.

There is a lot that I don’t know or understand (ok, this is a huge understatement), but Great Decisions was a perfect place for me to begin.  I was not overwhelmed, and I only regret not learning about it and giving it a try sooner.  I have not only learned about various topics but have also had the opportunity to meet and interact with a new (to me) group of people.   I joined a Wednesday morning group since I don’t work on Wednesdays.  I am pretty sure that I am one of the youngest in the group.  That’s fine.  It doesn’t take away anything.  Plus, everyone is involved because he or she is interested and wants to discuss and learn, too.  

When the 2020 sessions started, they took place in-person in a library conference room.  Then COVID took over (ugh), and the meetings moved onto Zoom.  I certainly preferred the in-person sessions and felt that it was easier to participate that way. (I always seemed to have connection issues with Zoom.  My voice would constantly freeze or break up, so I typed many of my thoughts in the “comment” section.)   Whether face-to-face or on-line, sessions continued throughout the year, and the discussions were still involved and interesting.

I had not looked at the Foreign Policy Association website  previously.  If you go to the site and then click on the “Great Decisions” tab, you can find a lot of additional resources.  If you have the time and the interest, go for it and peruse the additional recommended readings!   Being realistic, I probably won’t do that.  Saying that, though, I do make a point of reading the briefing book for each topic, even if I know that I won’t be able to attend one of the sessions.  I value the learning and find “Great Decisions” to be a wonderful tool for me to start learning more about the world.  Check it out!  If interested in participating in this program but you don’t know where to look,  go to the website where you can find information about finding or starting a group near you.

I have not received the briefing book yet for 2021, but the website does list this year’s topics.  It should be another fascinating year!  We will be discussing “Global Supply Chains and U.S. National Security,” “The Future of Persian Gulf Security,” “Brexit:  Taking Stock and Looking Ahead,” “The Coldest War:  Toward a Return to Great Power Competition in the Arctic?”, “China and Africa,” “The Two Koreas,” “The World Health Organization’s Response to Covid-19,” and “The End of Globalization?”  Between these discussions and the increase in Netflix viewing during the pandemic, my brain will hopefully stay somewhat balanced.

If you do end up joining one of these groups, please share your experience!  I would love to hear it!