Great Decisions, an international affairs discussion group, will present a series of talks beginning Jan. 30 to celebrate its 16th year in Durango.
Discussions will be open to the public and held from 11:45 a.m. to 1:45 p.m. every other Tuesday at the Durango Public Library, 1900 East Third Ave.
Presenters will provide background materials and lead discussions about eight international-relations topics selected by the Foreign Policy Association.
These discussions are scheduled:
Jan. 30: Denis Aaronson, a Peace Corps volunteer and former senior instructional designer, will present "U.S. Global Engagement and the Military."
Feb. 13: Mike Todt, a clinical psychologist, former executive coach and management consultant for Fortune 500 companies, local volunteer and outdoors enthusiast, will present "Global Health: Progress and Challenges."
Feb. 27: Kim Martin, a retired Fort Lewis College professor, will present "China and America: The New Geopolitical Equation."
March 13: Paul DeBell, a Fort Lewis College assistant professor of political science, will present "Media and Foreign Policy."
March 27: Ruth Alminas, a Fort Lewis College assistant professor of political science, will present "Turkey: A Partner in Crisis."
April 10: Gail Harris, the first woman in the U.S. Navy to serve as an intelligence officer in combat, will present "Russian Foreign Policy."
April 24: Katherine Burgess, a history professor and former State Department employee, will present "South Africa's Fragile Democracy."
May 8: Curt Johnson, a retired teacher and administrator with 35 years of experience in all levels of public education, will present "The Waning of Pax Americana?"
The Foreign Policy Association offers a DVD and book to cover the selected topics. A topic from the DVD will be shown during each discussion session, and the book is available for $26.
To purchase the book, email Susan McGinness at mcginnesssss@gmail.com.
For more information, visit www.fpa.org/great_decisions.
fstone@durangoherald.com
