What is Great Decisions?

Great Decisions is the name of a briefing book and a program that are used to engage citizens in learning about the world.

This section answers frequently asked questions about starting a Great Decisions discussion group and leading discussions.  Access the free PDF versions of the Program Guide and the "Role of the discusion group participant" sheet.

WorldQuest New York

The Foreign Policy Association (FPA) hosts WorldQuest competitions each year to challenge high school students on their knowledge of international affairs, geography, culture, and history. The game pits each team of four against one another as they answer multiple-choice questions related to previously selected categories.

Great Decisions 2011 topics announced!

The Great Decisions 2011 topics are now available. Visit this page in the coming weeks for descriptions of the topics and ordering information.

Great Decisions 2010 Briefing Book

Order your copy of the Great Decisions 2010 briefing book today and receive a 10% discount on orders of ten or more briefing books!

Great Decisions 2010 Fall Updates

Great Decisions 2010 Fall Updates provide up-to-date news about Great Decisions 2010 articles. Read the Fall 2010 Updates online or download a PDF version of the Updates.

Great Decisions Teacher Training Institute 2010

FPA hosted its sixth annual Great Decisions Teacher Training Institute this summer from June 30th - July 2nd in New York City. Learn more...

Great Decisions 2010 Spring Updates

Spring 2010 Updates provide up-to-date news about Great Decisions 2010 articles. Read the Spring 2010 Updates online or download a PDF version of the Updates.

Great Decisions Television Series

The Great Decisions in Foreign Policy television series, produced by the independent Foreign Policy Association, returns for its 25th season on PBS.

Topics

Each year, the Great Decisions editorial board selects eight of the most pressing global issues and regions that will be the focus of the briefing book, television programs and online resources.

National Opinion Ballot Report

The National Opinion Ballot Report (NOBR) features tabulation of opinion ballots submitted by participants in the Great Decisions program. Since 1955, 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.  Read the current NOBR or read results from previous years.

Frank R. Cella Memorial Award 2010

The Frank R. Cella Memorial Award 2010 acknowledges the achievement of individual Great Decisions discussion groups. The Award is not meant for ranking discussion groups, instead, it allows FPA to acknowledge five individual groups and share their contributions and example with the rest of the Great Decisions network. Read about the award and profiles of the 2010 winners.

Great Decisions Across the Nation

Each of the "Great Decisions Across the Nation" articles illustrates how different individuals, groups or organizations participate in Great Decisions.

Because the program is flexible, there are many approaches for organizing discussions about international issues. Read more about Great Decisions participants.

In the classroom

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.

Starting a Discussion Group

The Great Decisions Discussion Program is the core of FPA's civic outreach efforts, bringing millions of Americans together in study groups to discuss, debate and learn about foreign policy issues.

Learn how to start a discussion group and lead discussions by reading our Program Guide. Find out how other discussion groups conduct their programs by reading the Great Decisions Across the Nation series of articles.

Program Materials

Great Decisions materials can be used by individuals, teachers, students and discussion participants to learn more about the world.

FAQ

Have a question about Great Decisions? We hope you will find the answer here. But if you don't, please contact us to find out how you can be part of America's longest running global affairs program.

Great Decisions 2009 French Language Edition [Download or Print]

In partnership with Alliance Francaise USA, FPA presents the French language edition of the Great Decisions 2009 briefing book which features impartial, thought-provoking analyses on four issues of concern to U.S. policymakers today and that represent our foreign policy challenges of tomorrow.

National Opinion Balloting Online

Participate in the Great Decisions national opinion balloting poll! Opinion ballots can now be filled out electronically or you can download additional ballots that can be mailed to FPA.

The Future of Great Decisions 2010

Ralph Begleiter, host of Great Decisions, takes you inside the making of Great Decisions for PBS.

America & the World: Challenges for the New President

The advent of every new administration presents America with the opportunity to press the "reset button" for foreign policy - if it were only that simple! America's foreign policy, no matter who sits in the Oval Office, is always affected by decisions made by the previous administration, and all those that came before.

The Foreign Policy Association has produced this Guide, written by FPA blogger Mark Dillen, to examine ten of the leading foreign policy challenges that will face the Obama administration.

Great Decisions Television on PBS