Great Decisions
Great Decisions Program 2023
Great Decisions is America’s largest discussion program on world affairs. The program involves reading the Great Decisions Briefing Book, watching the DVD and meeting in a Discussion Group to discuss the most critical global issues facing America today. The program is developed by the nonpartisan Foreign Policy Association located in New York, which was founded in 1918 and its branches were the forerunners of the independent World Affairs Councils of the 1950s. It serves 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 FPA encourages citizens to participate in the foreign policy process. In 1954, the Great Decisions program was launched in Oregon and has since spread all over the country and beyond. It has now become the largest nonpartisan public education program on international affairs in the world.
Every year since its inception in 1987, the World Affairs Council of Central Illinois has been holding (except the recent pandemic years) the weekly Great Decisions program. Following the tradition, its 2023 Great Decisions Program (first post-pandemic one) will be held during the months of September and October. The selected topics are:
September 20: Steve Schwark on WAR CRIMES
September 27: Roy Wehrle on China & the U.S.
October 11: Adriana Crocker on Latin American Political
October 18: Brandon Derman Climate Change, Migration
October 25: Kristi Barnwell on Iran & the World
November 1: Brandon Bolte on Threat of World Famine
Here are the particulars about the program:
Location: Grace Lutheran Church, 714 E. Capitol Avenue, Springfield, IL 62701 (Downtown Springfield).
Free Parking is available in the church parking lots. Six-Week Program
Dates: Sept 20 – Oct 25, every Wednesday, for 6 weeks.
Specific dates are: Sept 20, 27, Oct 11, 18, 25 and Nov 1.
Time: 7:00 – 9:00PM.
Program Registration: The program is free and open to the public, however, registration is required to guarantee a seat for the six-week program and receive a copy of the Great Decisions 2023 Briefing Book. The registration form and address for mailing $30 for the book may be obtained from the WACCI Newsletter.
To pay online: Great Decisions Program and Book Payment Form
Learning Requirements include: Reading of 2023 Great Decisions Briefing Book, listening to
the DVD presentation and lecture, and participation in classroom discussion led by distinguished
scholars. A formal certificate from WACCI will be awarded to registered individuals upon successful
completion of the program.
Contact: For further information regarding the program, contact Dr. Roy Wehrle at
roywehrle@outlook.com