Great Decisions
Registration for the 2027 Great Decisions Program is now open!
Great Decisions
Great Decisions is the largest nonpartisan public education program on international affairs in the world. Since 1918, the Foreign Policy Association, a sister World Affairs Council, Great Decisions program has been highlighting the most thought-provoking foreign policy challenges facing Americans. This program works to engage citizens by learning about critical global issues and U.S. foreign policy.
Based on the Foreign Policy Association’s annual briefing book on critical foreign policy topics, VCWA’s Great Decisions Discussion Series presents analysis by leading experts in eight sessions throughout the year.
2027 Great Decisions
Session Dates & Topics
American Foreign Policy and the Future of Multilateralism
February 4th, 2027
The United States once led the creation of major global institutions, but today multilateral cooperation is weakening. What role should America play in global governance now, and does working through multilateral frameworks still serve U.S. interests? This session examines America’s options for rebuilding or reshaping international cooperation.
American Options in the Middle East
February 11th, 2027
The Trump administration’s confrontation with Iran has upended America’s strategic position in the Middle East. What are America’s major grand policy options for the region, and how can Washington manage Iran’s nuclear ambitions and proxy activity while remaining aligned with Israel and key Arab partners? Can Washington deescalate its role in the region, rebalance commitments, and clearly define its core interests in the Middle East, and how are those interests best advanced and defended?
The Future of Germany in Europe and the Atlantic World
February 25th, 2027
Germany’s foreign policy is being reshaped by the war in Ukraine, the return of the Trump administration, and the rise of right‑wing movements across Europe. How is Berlin redefining its leadership role in Europe, its relationship with the United States and NATO, and its identity as a great power? What is the future of US‑Germany relations, and what choices do Washington and Berlin face as they shape the next phase of their partnership?
U.S.-China: The Case for Engagement
March 4th, 2027
US‑China relations will shape the future of global politics in a two‑superpower world. Can Washington and Beijing establish guardrails that prevent high‑risk conflict, and are there areas where meaningful cooperation is still possible? What choices does the United States face in building a steady and sustainable strategy toward China, and what principles of international order could guide both countries toward a broader consensus in East Asia and beyond.
Brazil and the Global South: Confronting a New America
March 18th, 2027
Trump’s America First approach has reshaped U.S. relations with Brazil and the wider Global South. How are Brazil and other non‑Western countries responding to Trump 2.0, and what judgments are they making about America’s role in the world? What choices does Brazil face as it navigates China, Europe, and regional politics? Can Brazil and the United States build a stable and mutually beneficial relationship in the aftermath of Trump 2.0?
AI and American Choices
April 1st, 2027
AI is the leading edge of a technological revolution that is shacking the world. How will the economic, military, and political impacts of the AI revolution reshape international relations, and what national security choices does the United States face as it navigates this shift? Can Washington use AI as an instrument of national power while also leading efforts to manage its international risks? Where are the opportunities to build rules and arrangements that exploit AI’s benefits while guarding against its dangers?
Energy Security: Challenges for American Foreign Policy
April 8th, 2027
The American and Israeli war with Iran and the disruption of oil flows through the Strait of Hormuz have triggered a global energy crisis. How should U.S. policymakers think about energy security in this unstable environment, and what choices does America face as new global energy realities take shape? If the United States seeks to reclaim leadership after Trump, what steps should it take, and which allies and partners can help advance both national and international energy security?
Organized Crime in the Americas
April 22nd, 2027
Organized crime in the Americas now spans drug smuggling, human trafficking, illegal mining, cybercrime, money laundering, and narco‑violence—fueled by weak institutions and corruption across the region. How can countries in the Western Hemisphere deepen cooperation to confront these transnational networks, and what foreign policy choices does the United States face?
“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
-
The Vermont Council on World Affairs Great Decisions Program is an 8-session course that brings the most serious foreign affairs issues to Vermont and its people.
Participants will discuss one of the 2027 Great Decisions topics with their cohort and a local, national, or international expert participant during each session.
Space is limited.
-
Each session, we invite a local, national, or international expert to share their expertise and join the conversation.
-
The 2027 Great Decisions program will be fully virtual.
-
One FPA 2027 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 2027
-
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.
-
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
-
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