League of Women Voters Co-Sponsors 'Great Decisions' Series in Summit

Great Decisions, co-sponsored by the League of Women Voters and the Interweave Learning Center, runs eight Wednesdays 7:30–9:30 p.m. beginning today, Feb. 13 at Calvary Episcopal Church in Summit.

The series is produced by the Foreign Policy Association, which provides the excellent manual and a video to introduce each topic. Lively discussion is encouraged by the facilitator.

Facilitators include: The Reverend Dr.Robert  C. Morris, Janet Haag, Director of Interweave, Foster Osborne, Rob and Sharon Davis, Charles Fletcher, Janet Mulback, Phil White and Gorge Zipfel.

After each session, participants fill out opinion ballots which aresent to members of Congress and appropriate government departments.

FEB. 13: FUTURE OF THE EURO

How did the 2008 globalrecession contribute to the development of the euro crisis? The health of theeuro affects and is affected by the state of the global economy. How canEuropean Union leaders prevent the collapse of the common currency?

FEB. 20: EGYPT

The popular revolution thatousted President Hosni Mubarak in 2011 ushered in the promise of radicalchange. Two years later, what is the state of Egyptian democracy? How will themilitary and the civilian government balance power?

FEB. 27: NATO

How has NATO’s agenda evolved since its inception during the cold war? With its military commitmentin Afghanistan winding down and a recent successful campaign in Libya, what are the Alliance’s present-day security challenges?

MAR. 6: MYANMAR

The West has welcomed unprecedented democratic reforms made by Myanmar’s government. What challenges must Myanmar overcome before it can fully join the international community? What role can it play in Southeast Asia?

MAR. 13: INTERVENTION

The “responsibility to protect” doctrine has become central to modern humanitarian intervention. When should the international community intervene? Why did the West rush to intervene in Libya but not Syria?

MAR. 20: IRAN

Suspicion and a troubled history have blighted U.S.-Iranian relations for three decades. How can the United States and Iran move forward? Is the existence of Iran’s nuclear program an insurmountable obstacle?

MAR. 27: CHINA IN AFRICA

What interests govern China’s engagement in Africa? Should China’s growing emphasis on political ties and natural resource extraction inform U.S. relations with African nations?

APR. 3: NATIONAL SECURITY

How can the United States address the challenges of a weak economy, homegrown terrorism and nuclear proliferation? What threats and opportunities are presented by the ascendancy of China and by regime change in the Middle East?

The cost of the series is $95 (manual included), or $85 for members of Interweave, the League of Women Voters or Calvary Church. Individual sessions are $20 plus a one-time charge of $20 for the manual. To register, call the Interweave office at 908-277-2120.

Editor's Note: This information was submitted to Summit Patch by the League of Women Voters of Berkeley Heights, New Providence and Summit.