Great Decisions Group Profile: Merida Great Decisions Group

Every two weeks we'll profile a different Great Decisions group from around the country. This week we spoke to Peter Johnson, the group leader of a newly formed Great Decisions group in Mexico. 

Group Leader: Peter Johnson

Location: Merida, Mexico

Number of participants: Limited to 20, with a waiting list.

Schedule: Each session is around two hours.

How long have you been using Great Decisions?

“This program in Merida came about during a dinner discussion last fall. We decided to form a ‘steering group’ that would assess the public interest, determine venue and other administrative issues.  Since the members of the ‘steering group’ had several years of living in Merida, and the writer had led the program sponsored by [Florida State College] in [Jacksonville], Florida, we felt that the ingredients were present for an initiative here.”

Tell me about the group and its participants. Who are they? Has it shaped their views on foreign policy?

“Most of the participants are Americans living abroad. These U.S. citizens, for the most part, follow foreign policy developments closely. More closely than your normal citizen at home. Most participants diligently returned the [National Opinion Ballot] at the end of the course.  

“The course generated sufficient interest that the participants elected to get some materials from the FPA to conduct sessions on Mexico and Cuba before the next formal course. It is important to note that the Great Decisions programs bring to Americans abroad a close relationship with our country's foreign affairs issues that they might otherwise not have.

“One of our participants was a Mexican professor at a local university.  He added a great deal to the program and will jointly conduct the Mexican and Cuba sessions with me.”

Tell me a bit about yourself. What’s your background? Why did you choose to start a Great Decisions group?

“My own background is as a retired Foreign Service Officer and CEO of a policy directed non-profit organization working in the Caribbean Basin (Caribbean/Central American Action based in Washington and Miami).  

“I conducted Great Decisions programs in North Florida (Amelia Island) for several years.

“I am currently working on a book on Cuba.”