For information on VCWA's Great Decisions Online supported by Norwich University Click Here

VCWA has formed Great Decisions groups at:

Enosburg Falls

South Burlington Community Library

St. Albans Free Library

Colchester High School

The Burnham Memorial Library

Milton Middle School

Wake Robin Retirement Community

Interested in starting a Great Decisions Discussion Group?

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Great Decisions

Supported by Norwich University
CLICK HERE for more information

Great Decisions promotes citizen awareness and discussion about timely foreign policy issues. Run by the Foreign Policy Association in New York, it is the oldest and largest grassroots educational program on world affairs of its kind in the country, with about 350,000 overall participants.

Great Decisions educates citizens about issues of vital importance to American foreign policy. It provides them with the information to make informed decisions about the topics covered and enables them to participate in the foreign-policy process.

Each year a national panel chooses eight topics and experts prepare in-depth articles on each subject. The articles go into a briefing book that is released every January.

Topics for 2008 are:

Iraq End-Game-A recurring question found in most public opinion polls and on teh 2008 presidential campaign trail: What will be the end-game for the U.S. in Iraq? How will U.S. decisions about continued engagement affect Iraq itself, and the Middle East?

European Union at 50-Having reached the 50th anniversary of the great experiment in European integration, it is time to take stock of the united Europe. Has the integration of new members been successful? What does the debate on Turkey's membership say about the future of EU integration and its changing demographics?

Talking to Our Enemies-How the U.S. deals with international challenges often depends on how it engages with allies, as well as enemies. How should the U.S. deal with countries like Cuba, North Korea, and Iran? What approach should the U.S. take with groups like Hamas and Hezbollah?

Russia- During his two terms as president, Vladimir Putin has attempting to remake Russia into a major, independent world power. Some of his recent policies have provoked concern in the U.S. and Europe. With the 2008 Russian presidential election expected, what course will Russia take?

U.S. Defense and Security Policy- The U.S. military is adopting new policies and methods for defnding the U.S. and its interests abroad. What should U.S. priorities be? How should its forces be structured and deployed to meet new security challenges?

Latin America: Shift to the Left?- What factors have prevented the U.S. and Latin American countries from forging a strong relationship? What challenges confront U.S. policy in Latin America? Can the U.S. offer an alternative to the influence of left-leaning leaders like Venezuela's Hugo Chavez?

U.S.-China Trade Policy- Recent product safety scares have thrown the spotlight on the enormous role China plays in supplying products to the U.S. Coul the large and growing trade imbalance with China have an adverse effect on the U.S. economy? What role does the undervalued Chinese currency play?

Private Philanthropy- Billionaire Warren Buffet's June 2007 pledge to the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation prompted headlines about the size of the gift and the impact it could have on global education and health initiatives. Can private donors be more effective than governments in tackling world problems?

Topics for 2007 were:

Middle East

Climate Change

Mexico

Migration

South Africa

War Crimes 

Central Asia

Children