Reference Materials

FPA topics for 2012

Future Meetings

Other Readings

Guide to Discussions

Foreign Policy Association

FPA Briefing Book Topics for 2011

Chappaqua 2011-2012 program

Reference Archives

A Short Walk Around
the Caspian Sea

Haiti: A Failed State

Germany Ascendant

North Korea

Cybercrime and Cybersecurity

Developed by the Foreign Policy Association (a national, independent, nonpartisan, non-governmental and nonprofit educational organization), the Great Decisions Discussion Program is the oldest and largest grass-roots world affairs educational program of its kind in the United States. It is the core of FPA's civic education outreach efforts, bringing millions of Americans together in study groups to discuss, debate, and learn about foreign policy issues. Each year FPA publishes "Great Decisions," a Briefing Book and a related DVD on eight foreign policy issues as the basis for these discussions.

THE KATONAH PROGRAM

In 2000, a group of area residents who shared a common belief in the need for popular education in international affairs, organized a local discussion group. The Katonah Village Library agreed to provide a room for the meetings. The day time program starts in the Fall and runs through late Spring. Meetings are held at the Katonah Village Library every two to three weeks from 10:15 A. M. until 12:30 P. M. Fall topics are selected by participants. Most of the Winter/Spring discussions follow the topics included in the FPA annual Briefing Book. Discussions are usually led by participants. Also, participants are encouraged to share recent experiences, readings, and/or acquired knowledge regarding the topic of the day or future topics.

Typically, 25 - 30 participants attend the meetings. Most are retirees, hailing from diverse backgrounds. Most have either traveled and/or lived abroad and some have conducted business abroad. A number of participants hold advanced degrees.

Participants pay an annual fee which covers the cost of the briefing book, a contribution to the Katonah Village Library and an administrative charge.

Additionally, evening programs (which are open to the general public) supplement the daytime discussions.

GUESTS/PROSPECTIVE PARTICIPANTS

Both are welcome. To obtain more information, contact Fred Piker, Chapter Discussion Leader, at 914 232 7061 or HYPERLINK or email: pikerrdif@aol.com.

GUESTS/PROSPECTIVE PARTICIPANTS

Both are welcome. To obtain more information, contact Fred Piker, Chapter Discussion Leader, at 914 232 7061 or pikerrdif@aol.com .

See also: Guide to Discussions

History of Previous Meetings

March 29, 2011 Germany Ascendant [Tyler Beebe & Mike Kornfield] summary

March 15, 2011 Responding to the Financial Crisis [Charlie Kimball] summary

March 1, 2011 Horn of Africa [Joe Adams] summary

February 8, 2011 U. S. National Security [Fred Piker] summary

January 25, 2011 Sanctions and Nonproliferation [ Fred Piker] summary

January 11, 2011 U. S.-Japan Relationship: Stability? [Charlie Kimball] summary

December 7, 2010: North Korea: Reclusive, Dynastic, and Very Dangerous [Tyler Beebe] (summary)

November 9, 2010: Iran vs. The West: Will the World Continue to Wait? [Jane Wood & Fred Piker] (summary)

October 12, 2010: Transnational Crime: [Dick Ten Dyke & Gary Wenglowski] (summary)

September 28, 2010: The Special Envoy in American Foreigh Policy [Tyler Beebe & Fred Piker ] (summary)