GREAT DECISIONS 2023

Fridays, January 20–March 17, 12pm PST

One of WorldOregon's favorite events of the year is the annual Great Decisions series— featuring eight hard-hitting topics selected by the Foreign Policy Association—which celebrates its 70th anniversary in 2023! After two years online, the series returns in-person to Portland State University, with streaming options available.

March 3 | WAR CRIMES

Russia's invasion of Ukraine has resulted in widespread charges of war crimes and calls for justice. But what exactly are war crimes? Opinions of what constitutes a war crime have evolved, as have ways to identify and punish the perpetrators. How will the war crimes committed in Ukraine be dealt with?

Speaker: Beka Feathers, Author and Political Development Consultant

UPCOMING PROGRAMS IN THE SERIES:

January 20 | Global Famine
Speaker: David Austin, United Nations World Food Programme

January 27 | Politics in Latin America
Speaker: Ana Sofía Castellanos, Portland State University

February 3 | Energy Geopolitics
Speaker: Jeffrey Meiser, University of Portland

February 17 | China and the U.S.
Speaker: James Lin, University of Washington

February 24 | Climate Migration
Speaker: David Wrathall, Oregon State University

March 10 | Iran at a Crossroads
Speaker: Robert Asaadi, Portland Community College

March 17 | Economic Warfare
Speaker: Gina Miller Johnson, George Fox University

NOTE: There is no program on Friday, February 10

Registration includes either in-person and/or streaming option —a confirmation email will be sent to you with a link to view online. Auto-response confirmations often land in spam/junk/clutter so please make sure you check your email upon registering for either the series or individual events.

ADMISSION

• Individual Event: $10 for WorldOregon members or $15 for General Admission
  • Click on event titles above for individual tickets which include in-person admission and live streaming link

• $40 Series Ticket for WorldOregon members available (includes in-person admission and live streaming link)

Not a current member? Renew or join and save on a member-series pass for Great Decisions. 

Great Decisions Books

WorldOregon will have a limited supply of Great Decisions books available but encourage you to purchased books for yourself or your discussion groups from the Foreign Policy Association here.

WorldOregon's Great Decision series is presented in partnership with Portland State University and made possible in part with the generous support of Kathy Moyd. 

ADDITIONAL GREAT DECISIONS PROGRAMS

Diving into The Decisions
Please join us for bonus programs featuring deeper discussion/interactive sessions exploring select key topics from this year’s series, facilitated by WorldOregon and graduate students in the Global Leadership and Management specialization in the Masters of Public Administration program at Portland State University. These programs are free but separate registration is required.

Hunger & Food Insecurity
Wednesday, January 25, 12pm PST
Online Discussion

Fears of global food shortages have followed Russia's invasion of Ukraine, which has disrupted grain shipments from the major grain producer. But what about countries and regions that were suffering before this impending shortage? How is famine defined, and how is it different from simple food shortages? What if any remedies are there?

 REGISTER

Global Energy Challenges
Wednesday, February 8, 12pm PST
Online Discussion

Access to oil and gas has long held an influence over the politics of individual nations and their relations with others. But as more countries move toward sustainable energy, and supply chain shortages affect the availability of oil and gas, how will this change the way in which the United States interacts with the outside world? REGISTER

Climate Refugee Role Play
Wednesday, March 1, 12pm PST
In-Person Program
Parsons Gallery
Urban Center (second floor), Portland State University
506 SW Mill Street, Portland, Oregon 97201

Building on the Great Decisions climate migration discussion, this program will get out of your seats and have you step into the shoes of climate refugees. No Option Except Escape, an innovative role-play based on the lives of six young climate refugees from around the world, was developed by WorldOregon’s Young Leaders in Action students in 2020, in collaboration with Bill Bigelow of Rethinking Schools and Zinn Education Project. Facilitated by Deb Delman, WorldOregon’s Youth Leadership Manager. REGISTER

Each Diving into the Decisions session is limited to 25 people—registration required.

As WorldOregon navigates the continued uncertainty of smaller audiences for in-person events coming out of the pandemic, inflation, and the effect of higher costs for our core program areas, your support matters more than ever. Your contribution to a community-based, mission-driven nonprofit like WorldOregon will have a direct impact on the future of our organization. Please consider making a donation here.