Great Decisions Lecture Series

Each year, the Great Decisions program (which originated as a pilot program of the Council in 1954) brings citizens together for lectures and small-group discussion to share ideas and opinions on the issues affecting our global future.

The way it works: The Foreign Policy Association picks eight themes, big issues in the arena of US foreign policy and international affairs, and publishes the accompanying Great Decisions briefing book with chapters by experts in the field to be used as a springboard for group conversation with our Great Decisions Discussion Groups.Discussion Groups, like a book group, are self organizing and can meet anywhere you are (in classrooms, community centers, libraries, senior centers, and workplaces) to engage in spirited discussion of world affairs.

Every winter, the Council presents the 8-week Great Decisions Lecture Series in partnership with Portland State University’s International Colloquium that features a wealth of perspective and opinion from diplomats, policy experts, academics, and foreign service professionals addressing the topics in the Great Decisions books. This program is free and open to the community at large.

This year's Lecture series takes place Fridays, January 13 - March 2, 12 p.m. at Portland State University's Shattuck Hall, 1914 SW Park Avenue, Room 212 (at the corner of SW Broadway & Hall). Free and open to the public, no registration required.