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What is Great Decisions? America's Longest-Standing Global Affairs Education Program

What is Great Decisions?  America's Longest-Standing Global Affairs Education Program

Thank you for your interest in the Great Decisions program. This page has been updated and we invite you to visit our new Great Decisions page at www.greatdecisions.org.


Great Decisions is the name shared by a national civic education program and publication of the Foreign Policy Association.

Published annually, the Great Decisions briefing book highlights eight of the most thought-provoking foreign policy challenges facing Americans today. Great Decisions provides background information, current data, and policy options for each of the eight issues and serves as the focal text for discussion groups.

Begun in 1954, the Great Decisions Discussion Program is designed to encourage discussion and debate of the important global challenges of our time. The FPA provides materials used by discussion groups to reach informed opinions on the issues and participate in the foreign policy process. The format of the discussion program is intended to promote thoughtful discourse, to bring people together to express their ideas and opinions, and to learn from others—culminating in the opinion balloting process.



Pre-order your copy of the Great Decisions 2009 briefing book today! Great Decisions 2009 features impartial, thought-provoking analyses on eight issues of concern to U.S. policymakers today and that represent our foreign policy challenges of tomorrow. Advance orders begin shipping January 7, 2009.

Featured topics: U.S. & rising global powers, Afghanistan/Pakistan, energy & the global economy, the Arctic, U.S. & Egypt, global food supply, Cuba after Castro, and universal human rights. ($18, plus S&H)

Order Great Decisions materials from the FPA Bookstore


The Great Decisions Discussion Program is the longest-running and largest grassroots world affairs educational program of its kind. It is the core of FPA's civic education outreach efforts, bringing millions of Americans together in communities, classrooms and workplaces across the country to discover, discuss and decide their opinions on foreign policy issues.

Learn about Great Decisions Discussion Program here

Download the Great Decisions Program Guide here to find out how to start and lead your own Great Decisions discussion group

Find a Great Decisions discussion group in your area and find out how you can join

List your Great Decisions discussion group on the FPA.org website


The National Opinion Ballot Report is produced each year based on the tabulation of opinion ballots submitted by participants in the Great Decisions program. Since 1954, opinion ballots for each topic have been included with Great Decisions to enable those interested to make their views known to the U.S. public, policymakers and other Great Decisions participants.

FPA sends the National Opinion Ballot Report to the White House, the departments of State and Defense, members of Congress, the media, those participating in the balloting process and concerned citizens.

Read the National Opinion Ballot Report 2008 and previous Reports here


Great Decisions in the Classroom has been developed to engage and support educators and students who are committed to teaching and learning about international affairs.

Visit the Great Decisions in the Classroom section of our website for free classroom resources, announcements for teachers and students, professional development opportunities for educators and a listing of top college programs for studying international affairs.


 

© copyright 2005 Foreign Policy Association