Great Decisions
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2024 Great Decisions
Tuesdays from 12:00 pm - 1:00 pm, February - April 2024
Topics
(Additional speakers coming soon)
Mideast Realignment
February 6th
The United States and Middle East are at a crossroads. In spite of a reduced presence in the Middle East, the U.S. still has significant national interests there and the area is a key arena for global power politics. Can the U.S. continue to defend its interests in the Middle East and globally with a lower level of military and political involvement, or should it recommit to a leading role in the region?
Climate Technology and Competition
February 13th
Will the United States and China, with other powerful countries to follow suit, approach current and future climate initiatives with an increased commitment to trade protectionism and nationalism, by various measures including trade restrictions? Or could a growing spirit of international accord develop to confront the “common enemy” of climate change?
Science Across Borders
February 20th
Scientific advances benefit from collaboration between researchers, but what happens when material, such as Artificial Intelligence (AI) is controversial and important to a nation’s national security? Is there a middle ground between sharing information and denying access? How can we regulate cooperation?
U.S.-China Trade Rivalry
February 27th
China’s economic rise and its current policies of increasing the role of the state in the economy have led some U.S. policymakers to seek to deny China access to U.S. technology and investment. This is seen as a necessary corrective to decades of predatory Chinese economic policies. Is this a wise strategy, and how effective can it be?
NATO’s Future
March 12th
Since the Russian invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) has come under increased scrutiny, not because NATO troops are involved in the conflict, but because of its role in relations between Russia and its neighbors. Will expanding membership in NATO protect countries, or will it further provoke Russia?
Understanding Indonesia
March 19th
Despite its large size, Indonesia remains virtually invisible to most Americans. But as one of the world’s largest democracies, the world’s largest Muslim-majority nation, and as an economic driver of ASEAN, why does it fly below the radar? What are current issues in U.S.-Indonesian relations, and what role can the country play in Asia?
High Seas Treaty
March 26th
Areas of the seas beyond national jurisdiction comprise the high seas, which are facing a degradation of ecosystems due to climate change and the increase in human activities, such as shipping, overfishing, pollution, and deep-sea mining. The recently negotiated High Seas Treaty, also known as the Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdiction treaty, will attempt to address these issues. How difficult will it be to convince nations to participate?
Pandemic Preparedness
April 2nd
Looking back at the covid-19 pandemic, there are many lessons to take away in terms of domestic and international policies. Although this pandemic seems to have waned, how can we apply these lessons to future pandemics. Will countries cooperate, and will a consensus emerge on how to manage global health challenges?
“I am a big fan of the World Affairs Council. It's great to see citizens sharing ideas about the world and staying informed"
- 2022 Great Decisions Guest Expert
FAQs
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The Vermont Council on World Affairs Great Decisions Program is a 9-week course that brings the most serious foreign affairs issues to Vermont and its people.
Participants will discuss one of the 2024 Great Decisions topics with their cohort and a local, national, or international expert participant during each session.
Space is limited.
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Each session, we invite a local, national, or international expert to share their expertise and join the conversation.
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The 2024 Great Decisions program will be fully virtual.
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The VCWA’s 2024 Great Decisions program will take place on select Tuesdays from 12:00-1:00pm EST
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One FPA 2024 Great Decisions Book
Session pass: all eight discussion sessions*
Opportunity to hear from and engage with an expert on each of the topics
*Individual session purchases will open in January 2024
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Calendar invites will be sent out for each session ahead of time. The Zoom link to join will be sent out no less than 24 hours prior to the start of the session.
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If you have troubles with your registration, please reach out to info@vcwa.org and we will be happy to help you complete your registration
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Attendees can register through the Eventbrite above.
or
To avoid the Eventbrite transaction fees, please email info@vcwa.org with the subject line Great Decisions Registration and include your full name and phone number. To complete registration, please mail a check (payable to the Vermont Council on World Affairs) to
50 Lakeside Avenue Box 86
Burlington, VT 05401
Click below to read more about last year’s Great Decisions Program