Reserve your tickets for the entire Great Decisions conversation series at the perennially popular noontime conversation series Great Decisions!

The series returns to Portland State University January 17 - March 6, Fridays at noon - your up-close ticket to riveting discussions on the ideas, people, and issues changing the face of the globe.

January 17: China’s Road into Latin America | Yan Liang (Willamette University)
As the Trump administration continues to withdraw from the world stage, China is looking to fill the void. How does Latin America fit into China’s “One Belt, One Road” plan? How will the relationship with China affect the region? Should the U.S. be concerned about China’s growing “sphere of influence?”

January 24: Climate Change and the Global Order | Eliot Levine (Mercy Corps)
Climate change has become one of the defining issues of our time. As much of the world bands together to come up with a plan, the U.S. remains the notable holdout. What is the rest of the world doing to combat climate change? What impact will the effects of climate change have on global geopolitics?

January 31: The Philippines and the U.S.  | Joshua Eastin (Portland State University)
The Philippines has had a special relationship with the United States since the islands were ceded by Spain to the United States after the Spanish-American War at the end of the 19th century. However, since the election of Rodrigo Duterte, the country has pivoted more toward China, and away from the U.S. Duterte has also launched a large-scale war on drugs that many criticize for its brutality. What does the future hold for U.S, relations with the Philippines?

February 7: Modern Slavery and Human Trafficking  | Christopher Carey (Portland State University)
Almost every nation has enacted laws criminalizing human trafficking, and international organizations, governments, and NGOs sponsor a large variety of projects to curb trafficking and slavery. Billions of dollars have been allocated to these efforts. What is the international community doing to combat slavery and trafficking? What are the experiences like for those being trafficked?

February 14: Artificial Intelligence and Data | Pam Dixon (World Privacy Forum)
Policymakers in many countries are developing plans and funding research in artificial intelligence (AI). Global growth is slowing, and not surprisingly, many policymakers hope that AI will provide a magic solution. The EU, Brazil, and other Western countries have adopted regulations that grant users greater control over their data and require that firms using AI be transparent about how they use it. Will the U.S. follow suit?

February 21:  Red Sea Security  | Speaker TBD
The Red Sea has remained vital for global trade since the time of ancient Egypt. Once home to the spice trade, the Red Sea now sees millions of barrels of oil a day transported across its waters. With major nations like China, France, Italy, and the U.S. building large ports and bases in the region, what does the future of the region look like? How important is Red Sea security for global security? Can the region be a place of global cooperation?

February 28: India and Pakistan | Priya Kapoor (Portland State University)
India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi rode a wave of Hindu nationalism to a historic reelection in 2019. His first order of business was to revoke the special status granted to the Kashmir region, inflaming the rivalry between India and Pakistan. How will the Kashmir situation affect the region, both economically and politically?

March 6: U.S. Relations with the Northern Triangle  | H. Warren Binford (Willamette University)
Combatting illegal immigration has become a priority of the Trump administration. The Northern Triangle of Central America, made up of Honduras, El Salvador, and Guatemala, is a special target of the administration, which hold the nations responsible for the large flow of migrants from Latin America to the U.S. With funds from the U.S. cut, how can the Northern Triangle countries curtail migration?

All events take place Fridays at 12 p.m. at Portland State University, Academic and Student Recreation Center, Room 001, 1800 SW 6th Avenue, Portland, Oregon 97201. 

This event is free for PSU students and faculty and for those auditing through The Senior Adult Learning Center.

Complimentary coffee for Great Decisions is made possible through the generous donation of Caffe Umbria 

Can't attend the talks?  Live stream them here