Great Discussions program to kick off new talks March 24

The popular world affairs discussion group Great Decisions will begin a new series at 5 p.m., Tuesday, March 24, at the Lewes Public Library, 111 Adams Ave., Lewes.

The Foreign Policy Association’s Great Decisions series is America’s largest discussion program on world affairs, with tens of thousands of participants each year. Groups throughout the U.S. read the Great Decisions Briefing Book, watch a short video and meet to discuss the most critical global issues facing America today. Each year, eight topics are selected by a panel of experts.

This year’s topics include Ukraine and European Security, Trump Tariffs and the World Economy, Human Rights and International Law, and more.

The eight-session program will take place on Tuesdays from March 24 through May 19, with no session held April 7. A full list of discussion topics and registration details are available at lewes.lib.de.us or by calling the library at 302-645-2733.

Former Foreign Service Officer Philip Drouin serves as series coordinator and moderator. His foreign service career spanned from 1984 to 2012, when he had tours in Europe, Africa and the U.S; advanced U.S.-Africa economic and security partnerships; reported on the demise of apartheid and the HIV/AIDS crisis; and led election observations.

Guest moderators include Fred Dylla, executive director emeritus of the American Institute of Physics; Linda Dylla, former public information officer at the U.S. Department of Energy; Nancy Powell, retired career ambassador and former director general of the Foreign Service; and others to be announced.

The first Great Decisions group was launched in 1954 in Portland, Ore. The program gained media attention, was picked up by local schools and soon gained national attention. The grassroots, face-to-face model adopted by Great Decisions more than 50 years ago continues today, with thousands of participants nationwide.

The Lewes Public Library anticipates the needs of the community, and adapts, creates and supports classes and programs for all ages that encourage a love of reading, exploration and discovery. It provides access for a wide variety of educational, informational and recreational materials to all members of the community through traditional resources and emerging technologies.