At home with foreign policy
By Christine Yeres
January 25, 2008
Their interest in foreign policy was longstanding, but for many, like John Sorice, it peaked just after 9/11.
The twenty members of the Foreign Policy Association’s “Great Decisions 2008” program met last week at the Chappaqua Library to set an agenda of the topics they’ll discuss from now through April. The group consists mainly of New Castle residents, many retired, and from all walks of life.
Sorice had visited several Foreign Policy Association sessions in Armonk. “The Foreign Policy Association heard that I had attended,” he recalled, “and they called me and asked if I’d like to start a group in New Castle.” Sorice spoke to Joan Kuhn, programs director at the Chappaqua Library, and pitched the idea. Then, together, they ran with it.
“In a democracy, agreement is not essential, but participation is.”
A non-profit organization dedicated to educating the public, the Foreign Policy Association inspires groups across the United States to study current issues, discuss them and make their views known in its National Opinion Ballot Report, a report of opinion ballots submitted by participants. Each year, the report makes its way to the White House, members of Congress and the media.
Members begin with the Foreign Policy Association’s handbook of suggested topics for the year, which provides background material. In a video clip on the association’s website http://www.fpa.org/, Walter Cronkite’s voice intones, “In a democracy, agreement is not essential, but participation is.”
On the ground in New Castle, Chappaqua Library reference librarian Martha Alcott supplements the handbook material with updates for members from newspapers or journal articles and, sometimes, maps. On topics ranging from Latin America’s shift to the left to US-China trade policy, the European Union and Iraq, over the next few months two or three members take the lead first in researching the topic they have chosen, then in facilitating a discussion with the full membership. Their first discussion is Monday, January 28. Their topic is “U.S. Defense & Security Policy.”
Members meet in the Library Theatre at long tables arranged in a rectangle. Each session begins with a succinct presentation framing the issues. The remainder of the two hours’ time is given to discussion and decision, both lively and orderly. Visitors are welcome to observe and also to participate. Here is their schedule:
2008 Great Decisions Discussion Group Schedule
Mondays, from 10 a.m. to 12 noon at the Chappaqua Library
Jan. 28: U.S. Defense & Security Policy - Facilitators: Dan Ortiz & Bob Miller
Feb. 11: Global Migration - Facilitators: Barbara Rissman & Kyrs Mernyk
Feb. 25: U.S. Foreign Policy Philosophy - Facilitators: Steve Grayer & Mal Nechis
March 3: Iraq - Facilitators: Jamie Cotel, Krys Mernyk & Linda Conte
March 17:Latin America - Facilitators: Paul Garrique & Tyler Beebe
March 24: Talking to Our Enemies - Facilitators: Geoff Kent & Herb Kaufmann
April 7: Pakistan - Facilitators: Curt Messinger & Barbara Rissman
April 21: China - Facilitators: Lee Rohde & Nick Markoff
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