Understanding A Changing World
The Foreign Policy Association—a non-partisan not-for-profit—created Great Decisions to serve as a catalyst for developing an awareness, understanding, and informed opinion* on U.S. foreign policy and global issues. Today, it is the country's largest world affairs discussion program taking place in libraries, schools, and community centers across the United States.
Each program at Jacksonville Public Library includes:
- A (roughly) 25-minute "Master Class" video on a topic
- A discussion, facilitated by local subject-matter expert
- Recommendations for pre-reading or further study
2026 Topics & Discussion Schedule
Every year, eight topics are chosen by a panel of experts. Register for the discussion program(s) that interest you by clicking the title for each topic Or bookmark this page on our events calendar.
-
U.S.-China Relations
- with Richard Eason, Retired Foreign Services Officer
- 7 p.m. on Thursday, Jan. 22, at Pablo Creek Regional
-
The Future of Human Rights and International Law
- with Professor Darby Scott, Florida State University
- 7 p.m. on Tuesday, Jan. 27, live on Zoom
-
Multilateral Institutions in a Changing World Order
- with Dr. Will Miller, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University
- 7 p.m. on Tuesday, Feb. 10, at Southeast Regional
-
Trump Tariffs and the Future of the World Economy
- with Patrick O'Reilly, Retired Foreign Services Officer and UNF Professor
- 7 p.m. on Tuesday, Feb. 17, at Webb Wesconnett Regional
-
Ruptured Alliances and the Risk of Nuclear Proliferation
- with Dr. Jasmine McNealy, University of Florida
- 7 p.m. on Thursday, Feb. 19, live on Zoom
-
U.S. Engagement of Africa
- with Dr. Will Miller, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University
- 7 p.m. on Monday, Feb. 23, at Highlands Regional
-
Ukraine and the Future of European Security
- with Richard Reiter, Retired Foreign Services Officer
- 7 p.m. on Thursday, March 5, at Webb Wesconnett Regional
-
America and the World: Trump 2.0 Foreign Policy
- with Patrick Connell, Retired Foreign Services Officer
- 7 p.m. on Tuesday, March 10, at Southeast Regional
Meetings will be held from 7 - 8:30 p.m. live on Zoom or at the following locations:
- Charles Webb Wesconnett Regional Library (6887 103rd Street)
- Highlands Regional Library (1826 Dunn Ave.)
- Pablo Creek Regional Library (13295 Beach Blvd.)
- Southeast Regional Library (10599 Deerwood Park Blvd.)
Be the first to know about upcoming programs!
"Master Class" videos are presented by Jeffrey S. Morton, the Pierrepont Comfort Chair in Political Science at Florida Atlantic University, and a Fellow at the Foreign Policy Association. He holds a Ph.D. in International Relations from the University of South Carolina and an M.A. from Rutgers University. Dr. Morton has delivered the Great Decisions program to live audiences since 1999.
Though it is not necessary for participation in this free program at your Library, a companion book to the discussion series is available for purchase (for $35) from the Foreign Policy Association. If you would like to, you can also purchase streaming editions of the Master Class video series or the DVD, with all eight 25-minute class lectures, for $40 from their online bookstore.
Over 70 Years of Face-to-Face Discussions
The first "Great Decisions" group was launched in Portland, Oregon, in 1954 by the Foreign Policy Association's Vice President, Roger Mastrude. Based on the so-called "Avon" model of face-to-face, active, and informal conversation, participants would read a fact sheet on each of the eight topics before meetings, where they then aired their respective views and opinions. FPA would tally up opinion ballots and report the results to the Department of State.
The grassroots, face-to-face model adopted by Great Decisions more than 70 years ago continues today, providing background information and policy options on eight issues, chosen by a panel of experts. With tens of thousands of participants annually taking part in discussions nationwide, it strives to help communities and their leaders prepare for an increasingly interconnected world.
*Participants may be polled about their views on the topics discussed. The results are compiled in the National Opinion Ballot Report and distributed to the White House, members of Congress, the departments of State and Defense, the national media and other participants. It is a valuable way of sharing the informed opinions of citizens with the people who shape U.S. foreign policy.
