Great Decisions - League of Women Voters Larimer County

HomeEducation Groups - Great Decisions

Great Decisions
International Relations Discussion Group

Contact Great Decisions Group

What is Great Decisions?

Great Decisions is an international relations outreach and discussion group of the League of Women Voters of Larimer County. We sponsor a monthly, public, Great Decisions discussion on international issues and their impact on our world, with topics chosen annually by the Foreign Policy Association.

The mission of the Foreign Policy Association today is to serve as a catalyst for developing awareness, understanding, and informed opinion on U.S. foreign policy and global issues.

Through its balanced, nonpartisan programs and publications, the Foreign Policy Association encourages citizens to participate in the foreign policy process.

Great Decisions is America's largest discussion program on world affairs. The program model involves reading the Great Decisions briefing book, watching the documentary film series, and meeting as a group to discuss the most critical global issues facing America today. When appropriate, the team presents educational programs to members of the League of Women Voters of Larimer County and the public on matters of international concern. We also provide books, video resources and a teacher's guide for the Social Studies department at Fort Collins High School.

Our meetings are open to the public! We meet the first Monday of each month (February – June; October -December) on the Zoom platform, from 11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m.

Sign-up for the 2025 season of Great Decisions is underway! To reserve a book, please contact Karen Heckman at: keheckman@gmail.com. Briefing books are available for $30, payable on receipt of the book. Books are also available for purchase by those who cannot attend meetings.

2026 Discussions

America and the World: Trump 2.0 Foreign Policy
February 2, 2026

Trump's return has marked a break from 80 years of foreign policy leadership, embracing an "America First" approach. This chapter explores the risks of isolation and diminished influence in relation to Trump 2.0 foreign policy.

Trump Tariffs and the Future of the World Economy
March 2, 2026

Trump's aggressive trade and tariff policies have shaken global economic norms. What is the rationale behind this radical shift in economic policy, and what are the implications for multilateral trade and geopolitics?

U.S.- China Relations
April 6, 2026
Relations with China remain tense with tariffs, military modernization, and pressure on Taiwan. Does Trump have a coherent Chinese policy, and will his tariffs on Rare Earth minerals be effective? What are America's strategic options?

Ruptured Alliances and the Risk of Nuclear Proliferation
May 4, 2026

U.S. alliance skepticism may drive countries like Japan and South Korea to reconsider nuclear options. What are the implications of the Trump administration's rethinking of the U.S. alliance system for regional and global security? Will this new uncertainty alter the way allies and rivals in various regions make decisions about security and nuclear weapons?

Ukraine and the Future of European Security
June 1, 2026

With reduced U.S. support for NATO and Ukraine, Europe faces strategic uncertainty. The Trump administration has signaled an intention to reduce its security role in Europe. What are America's stakes in NATO and Europe's strategic dilemmas, and how might Europe respond?

Multilateral Institutions in a Changing World Order
October 5, 2026

Can multilateralism survive amid shifting global power and rising nationalism? This chapter examines the future of global cooperation across trade, health, and finance.

U.S. Engagement in Africa
November 2, 2026

Africa's geopolitical role is growing. What lessons can the U.S. learn from China's presence there, and how might it strengthen ties, especially with leading nations like Nigeria? What tools of statecraft might the U.S. bring to its engagement with Africa?

The Future of Human Rights and International Law
December 7, 2026

As democracy and human rights retreat globally - and the U.S. Thanks pulls back - how can civil society and legal norms remain effective in a divided world? What is the role and force of international law in this era of impunity?

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