Great Decisions

Increase your awareness of global issues during this eight-week discussion series. GCIV serves as the state coordinator for the Great Decisions Program. In this role we organize discussion groups and lecture series that give participants the opportunity to expand their understanding of world affairs. Topics change annually, and are based on the Foreign Policy Association’s nonpartisan briefing book.

Contact Nicole Rateau for more information.

Announced Discussion Groups for 2010

This list will be updated as new groups are confirmed

Dunwoody United Methodist Church and GCIV
Foreign Policy Lecture Series
Meets every Thursday at 7:30 PM starting January 28th, 2010
Location: 1548 Mt. Vernon Road, Dunwoody, GA 30338
Cost: $25 ($10 extra if book shared with companion)
Contact: 770-399-1821 or rllbol@gmail.com

Carrollton/Carroll County League of Women Voters and Carrollton Rotary Club
Floyd Hoskins Great Decisions Lecture Series
Meets every Thursday at 7:00 PM starting February 4th, 2010
Location:  Tracy Stallings Community Center, Rotary Room, 118 South White Street, Carrollton, GA  30117
Contact:  770-830-5993 or elbarrow@carrollcountyga.com

Central Congregational United Church of Christ
Meets every Sunday at 9:30 AM starting February 7th, 2010
Location: 2676 Clairmont Road, Atlanta, GA 30084
Contact: 404-633-4505 ext. 228 or ginnie@central-ucc.org

Henry County Great Decisions
Meets every Monday at 7:00 PM starting February 1st, 2010
Location:  McDonough Presbyterian Church, 427 McGarity Road, McDonough, GA  30253
Contact:   mike@griffininsure.com

Osher Lifelong Learning Institute at Emory University
Meets every Tuesday at 10:00 AM starting January 19th, 2010
Location: 1256 Briarcliff Road, Atlanta, GA 30322
Cost: Free for OLLI members who pay registration fee
Contact: 404-727-5489 or gmenger@emory.edu

Piedmont College
Meets every Tuesday from 3 – 4:00 PM starting January 12th, 2010
Location:  Piedmont College Arrendale Library, Demorest GA  30535
Contact:  706-778-3000 ext. 1250 or mgardner@piedmont.edu

Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Atlanta
Meets every Wednesday at 7:30 PM starting February 3rd, 2010
Location:  1911 Cliff Valley Way, Atlanta, GA  30535
Registration is required and space is limited
Contact:  404-639-5946 or aarchbold@cdc.gov

Villa International
Meets every Thursday at 7:30 PM starting February 4th, 2010
Location: 1749 Clifton Road, Atlanta, GA 30329
Cost: $30 ($10 extra if book shared with companion)
Contact: 770-939-0678 or c-r-h@mindspring.com

Wesley Woods Towers
Meets every 2nd Tuesday at 1:30 PM starting February 9th, 2010
Location:  1825 Clifton Road NE, Atlanta GA  30329
Contact:  404-248-9560

2010 Discussion Topics

Special envoys
Special envoys can help bring attention and diplomatic muscle to resolve conflicts and global challenges but they also bring with them their own “special” problems. 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?

Kenya & R2P
Post-election rioting in Kenya in December 2007 brought pressure on Nairobi, from international and regional diplomats, to end tensions and avert bloodshed on a massive scale. What lessons can be learned from the intervention in Kenya? What does it mean for the UN’s emerging responsibility to protect doctrine?

Global crime
From the booming sex trade in Eastern Europe, to online fraud syndicates in Africa and the drug cartels of Asia and Central America, crime is becoming increasingly organized and globalized. How can countries better protect citizens seeking the benefits of a globalized world from being exploited? What international actors can effectively fight global organized crime?

U.S.-China security relations
China’s influence is growing, along with its military expenditures. How will this growth affect China’s relations with its neighbors and with the U.S.? Will China’s expanding military and economic power affect traditional U.S. roles and U.S. alliances in East Asia? How will countries like Japan, South Korea and India respond?

Global financial crisis
The global financial crisis that began in late 2007 revealed major deficiencies in the regulation of markets and institutions – all of which came perilously close to collapse. Emergency measures to prevent a full collapse of the global financial system have led to mixed results. How will governments and the world community respond to this challenge?

Russia and its neighbors
Russia’s policy of maintaining a “sphere of influence” in former Soviet satellites has been challenged in recent years by movements against pro-Russia regimes. Russia has pushed back by cutting Ukraine’s natural gas supply and intervening in Georgia’s campaign in South Ossetia. Will Russia regain its traditional leadership role in the region?

The Persian Gulf
Now more than ever, the Persian Gulf region offers many difficult challenges to U.S. policymakers. How will Obama’s direct appeal to Arabs and Muslims impact U.S. foreign policy in the region? What will the fallout of withdrawal of U.S. forces from Iraq be? Can the U.S. and its allies prevent Iran from obtaining nuclear weapons?

Peacebuilding and conflict resolution
U.S. campaigns in Iraq and Afghanistan have shown that military force alone cannot ensure peace in all conflicts. How can the U.S. successfully integrate the tools of peace building into its statecraft? At what point do poverty, disease and climate change threaten national security? What role can non-governmental actors play in supporting government led efforts?

• Our Mission & Vision

  GCIV builds relationships between the people of our state and leaders around the world. Our vision is that every Georgia citizen has the opportunity to be more globally engaged.

  
  

  Upcoming Events & Delegations

  • Wed 9/1/2010 - 9/4/2010: Mexican Delegation
  • Wed 9/1/2010 - 9/4/2010: Dominican and Haitian Delegation
  • Wed 9/8/2010 - 9/10/2010: Italian Delegation
  • Sat 9/11/2010 - 9/14/2010: Syrian Delegation

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