Great Decisions discussion series resumes March 1

Great Decisions, the popular world affairs discussion group, will begin at 5 p.m., Wednesday, March 1, at the Lewes Public Library, 111 Adams Ave., Lewes. Sessions continue weekly through April 26, with no meeting April 12.

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 the DVD, 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 energy geopolitics, climate migration, war crimes, China/U.S. relations and more. Each session will be moderated by either former U.S. Ambassador Nancy Powell or former Foreign Service Officer Philip Drouin. To register and see all discussion topics, go to lewes.lib.de.us.

Nancy Powell retired from the U.S. Foreign Service in 2014 after a 37-year career, having achieved the highest rank and the title of career ambassador. Among her many senior positions, she served as ambassador to Uganda, Ghana, Pakistan, Nepal and India, and as director general of the Foreign Service. Philip Drouin’s Foreign Service career spanned from 1984 to 2012 and included tours in Germany, Liberia, Namibia, Cote d’Ivoire, Botswana and Nigeria. Notably, he reported on the demise of apartheid and the HIV/AIDS crisis, led election observations, and advanced U.S.-Africa economic and security partnerships.

The first Great Decisions group was launched in Portland, Ore., in 1954 using the so-called Avon model of face-to-face, active, informal conversation. 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.