Foreign Policy is a part of our government that a lot of people do not pay much attention to, yet it is a crucial piece of who we are as a 'country'. Simply learning about issues/problem in other countries is nice, but taking the time to discuss those issues with others provides an opportunity to come up with creative solutions that could make a real difference. Events in other countries can have a considerable impact upon us. How decisions on foreign policy are made and analyzing the impact those decision are likely to have on all of the parties involved provides a wonderful opportunity to gain a deeper understanding of our history and our future.
"Great Decisions" is an education program sponsored by the
Foreign Policy Association that looks at global events and patterns that can set the stage for how 'we' treat other countries and how those other countries respond in turn. For 56 years now, the Foreign Policy Association has sponsored this nation-wide program as a way of providing citizens with information about issues around the globe.
Across the nation people are meeting in groups both large and small to read the materials, see the videos, and then to discuss issues. All ideas and viewpoints are welcome during the course of the program. The
Foreign Policy Association provides a link where you can check to find community discussion groups near you. Some of the topics being discussed this year include Special Envoys, Global Crime, and Peacekeeping.
If you live in Montgomery County, Radford, Blacksburg, or Christiansburg, the opportunity to participate is available and people are signing up now. For more information on this these local meetings go to
http://lwvmcva.org/. January 27th is the date of the first meeting with a total of 8 meetings all held on Wednesday from 11:30 AM until 1 PM in the Community room of the Blacksburg Library. Participants are invited to bring a bag lunch. I think you will enjoy the relatively informal environment and a place where every perspective is important. Check this opportunity out (the meetings are free, there is a $16.50 study guide that can be purchased, or simply use the ones located at the public libraries - you might want to bring a friend or two and share the study guide), pack up your lunch, your thinking cap, and enough respect for others to allow for a good flow of discussion and I can guarantee you will learn something!