Virtual: Register for Great Decisions Discussion Group

 

Special addition to series! 6:30 pm Thursday March 31st
Online: "Little Russia" and the Russian Empire: History and the War in Ukraine
Vineyard Haven Library patrons are invited to attend this event hosted by the Duxbury Free Library with Dr. Cynthia Simmons, an emeritus professor at Boston College, where she taught history in the Department of Slavic and Eastern Languages and Literatures from 1994-2017. Dr. Simmons will be providing historical context for the current war in Ukraine, along with discussing language, religion, and other aspects of culture related to identity. This program will take place on Zoom. Register

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The Vineyard Haven Library will again be hosting a discussion group based on the Great Decisions program created by the Foreign Policy Association. The group meets once a week on Thursdays from 6 to 7 pm via Zoom for a total of nine weeks. Before the meeting, participants are encouraged to watch a short video lecture "master class" and read an article from a briefing book on specific challenges facing our global community. The group then meets on Zoom to discuss possible avenues for resolving those challenges. The dates and topics for meetings are listed below, with a more in-depth description at the end of this post:

Thursday, February 10, 6 to 7 pm: Changing Demographics
Thursday, February 17, 6 to 7 pm: Outer Space
Thursday, February 24, 6 to 7 pm: The Renewed Climate Change Agenda
Thursday, March 3, 6 to 7 pm: Putin's Russia
Thursday, March 10, 6 to 7 pm: Myanmar's Neverending Crisis
Thursday, March 17, 6 to 7 pm: Xi's China Takes on the Quad Alliance
Thursday, March 24, 6 to 7 pm: A Century of Drug Wars
Thursday, April 7, 6 to 7 pm: Industrial Policy
Thursday, April 14, 6 to 7 pm: Biden's Agenda

This year, a limited number of briefing books are available for purchase at the library for $25 (regular price $35), payable by cash or check to the Friends of the Vineyard Haven Library. Copies of the briefing book are also available for in-library use. To register for Great Discussions, please click here. Instructions for how to access the video links will be emailed to participants who have registered. Registering for the first event on February 10th  registers you for the whole series. If you have any questions or problems, please email reference librarian Ruth Konigsberg at rkonigsberg@clamsnet.org or call at 508-696-4211 x 115.

Changing Demographics
The world experienced remarkable demographic changes in the 20th century that continue today and have resulted in far-reaching social, economic, political, and environmental consequences all over the globe. These consequences are creating mounting challenges to development efforts, security, climate, and the environment, as well as the sustainability of human populations.
 
Outer Space
The launch of Sputnik I in October 1957 marked the beginning of the space era and of the space race between the United States and the Soviet Union. In the 21st century, there are many more participants in space, including countries such as India and China, and commercial companies such as SpaceX. How will the United States fare in a crowded outer space?
 
Climate Change
The ideological divide in the United States on the subject of climate change has impeded progress in curbing greenhouse emissions. But extreme weather events at both ends of the thermometer have focused attention on the consequences of inaction. What role will the United States play in future negotiations on climate?
 
Russia
Russia and the United States have many areas of conflict and some possible areas of mutual interest. Arms control, Russian interference in U.S. elections and support of cyberattacks, the status of Ukraine, the fate of opposition politicians in Russia, all continue to be concerning. How will the new administration in Washington approach these issues?
 
Myanmar and ASEAN
The situation in Myanmar, including the coup by the military in February 2021 and the ongoing human rights crises, coupled with civil resistance by those opposed to the regime, has led to chaos in the Southeast Asian country. How are neighboring countries reacting, and what role will ASEAN play?
 
The Quad Alliance
As part of the U.S. pivot to Asia, the United States has been in dialogue with Japan, Australia, and India in an effort to contain China. Recently, the Quad countries held joint naval exercises in the South Pacific. How effective will the actions of this alliance be?
 
Industrial Policy
The current discussion of industrial policy in the United States is not simply about whether or not to support specific companies or industries, but about trust or mistrust of the government and its ability to manage the economy and deal with a rising China. The upheaval in supply chains during the pandemic exposed weaknesses in the international economy. What policies can the United States implement to deal with trade and the economy?
 
Drug Policy in Latin America
The issue of migration to the United States from Latin America has overshadowed the war on drugs, which has been underway for decades with little signs of progress. What are the roots and the bureaucratic logic behind today´s dominant drug policies in Latin America? Is it time to reconsider punitive drug control policies that disrupt supply chains and punish drug possession?
 
Biden’s Agenda
The new administration in Washington promised to reverse many of the policies of the past administration, especially in foreign policy. How will issues such as climate, the pandemic, and alliances be treated under the Biden administration?