About the Program
The Great Decisions Program is the oldest and largest grassroots world affairs educational program of its kind in the country. Begun in 1954, it is the flagship program of the Foreign Policy Association, a non-partisan, non-governmental organization. The Great Decisions Program's goal is to discuss, debate, and learn about International Affairs, National Security, and U.S. Foreign Policy.
Who Should Attend and Why
The Great Decisions Program is for anyone who desires to gain a deeper understanding of the current challenges the United States faces in the world today, from the threat of global terrorism to environmental issues, globalization, and development. Teachers, educators, students, military personnel (active and retired), business people, service organizations and clubs, political organizations, and international community groups will all benefit by gaining a greater appreciation for the complex international issues we face as a nation today.
Cost
Click membership for series prices. Individual lectures are $8 each. Full time students admitted free of charge.
Each GD presentation is given at four separate locations:
Tuesday, 7:30pm, (dates shown below) Asheville (UNCA, Manheimer Room of the Reuter Center)
Wednesday, 10:00am, (Feb 8, 15, 22, 29, Mar 7, 14) Hendersonville (Blue Ridge Community College, Cortland Conference Room in the Technology Education and Development Ctr.)
Wednesday, 3:00pm, (Feb 8, 15, 22, 29, Mar 7, 14) Brevard (Brevard College, Reserve Dining Room in Myers Hall)
Thursday, 2:00pm, (Feb 9, 16, 23, Mar 1, 8, 15) Columbus (Isothermal Community College)
Presentations:
DATE: Tuesday, Feb 7, at 07:30 p.m.
PLACE: Manheimer Room of the Reuter Center, UNCA (click for map)
TOPIC: "Promoting Democracy"
SPEAKER: Susan Zelle, retired Foreign Service Officer, recently returned from tour as Chief of Mission in Asmara, Eritrea.
DATE: Tuesday, Feb 14, at 07:30 p.m.
PLACE: Manheimer Room of the Reuter Center, UNCA (click for map)
TOPIC: "Exiting Iraq and Afghanistan"
SPEAKER: Lee McMinn, US Army retired, with tours in Vietnam, the Mediterranean, NEurope, and Okinawa where he flew helicopters and fixed wing aircraft.
DATE: Tuesday, Feb 21, at 07:30 p.m.
PLACE: Manheimer Room of the Reuter Center, UNCA (click for map)
TOPIC: "Cyber Security"
SPEAKER: Duane Dunstan, Information Security practitioner for STG Inc.
DATE: Tuesday, Feb 28, at 07:30 p.m.
PLACE: Manheimer Room of the Reuter Center, UNCA (click for map)
TOPIC: "Energy Geopolitics"
SPEAKER: Grant Gosch, General Manager at First Light Scholar in Asheville, a company devoted to identifying and implementing sustainable and financially beneficial environmental alternatives.
DATE: Tuesday, Mar 6, at 07:30 p.m.
PLACE: Manheimer Room of the Reuter Center, UNCA (click for map)
TOPIC: "Middle East Realignment"
SPEAKER: Tom Sanders, professor of Religious Studies, Political Science and International Studies, taught at Brown, Connecticut, Earlham and Tulsa.
DATE: Tuesday, Mar 13, at 07:30 p.m.
PLACE: Manheimer Room of the Reuter Center, UNCA (click for map)
TOPIC: "State of the Oceans"
SPEAKER: Meredith Newman, prolifically published Mars Hill College chemist, taught and conducted research at Idaho National Engineering Lab, U of Idaho, Clemson U and Hartwick College.
Great Decisions 2012