Past Events
Know the World, then Change the World
Diplomats, policy makers and practitioners, think tank specialists and journalists
lead conversations on global issues that impact us locally.
Click on speakers' images or topic titles for more information on topic and speaker
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February 8
"North Korea: Getting Diplomacy Back on Track"
Suzanne DiMaggio
Senior fellow, Carnegie Endowment for International Peace
sponsored by Friends of Great Decisions
Rescheduled: February 23
"Have We Learned Anything about this Pandemic?"
Andrew Natsios
Director of the Scowcroft Institute of International Affairs, The Bush School of Government and Public Service, Texas A&M
Link to publications available for purchase from this speaker
Snowcraft Infectious Disease Information Platform
February 22
"The European Union: The New Agenda Post-Brexit"
Tomas Baert
Head of Trade and Agriculture, European Delegation to the U.S.
sponsored by Bank of America
March 1
"The Future of Business and Global Supply Chains"
Judy Samuelson, founder and executive director, Aspen Institute Business and Society Program
with moderator Brian Kraus, Vice President, Global Manufacturing, Amway
sponsored by Steelcase
Six New Rules of Business
March 8
"Sustainable Globalization Post- COVID-19"
Julia Luscombe
Managing Director of Strategic Planning, Feeding America
sponsored by The Vernis Schad 2021 Lectureship for Women in Global Studies
March 15
"The Warming Arctic"
Kaare Sikuaq Erickson
North Slope Science Liaison, Ukpeaġvik Inupiat Corporation
Bob Hollister
Leader of Artic Ecology Program (AEP), Grand Valley State Univ.
March 22
"China in Africa"
Moderated Discussion with Mike DeVivo
professor of Geography, Grand Rapids Community College
sponsored by Montcalm Community College
Mar. 29
"The Saudi-Arabian- U.S. Relationship: Decades in the Making"
Thomas W. Lippman
author, consultant, and lecturer
Books by Thomas Lippman
Great Decisions is America's largest discussion program on world affairs, initiated by the Foreign Policy Association in New York City.
Want to dig deeper? The FPA offers program resources, including briefing books that cover each topic.
Series Sponsor:
Livestream Sponsor:
Media Sponsors:
Topic Sponsors:
Friends of Great Decisions
The Vernis Schad 2021 Lectureship for Women in Global Studies
Educational Partners:
Aquinas College Calvin University Central Michigan University Davenport University Ferris State University Grand Rapids Community College Grand Valley State University
Kendall College of Art and Design of Ferris State University Montcalm Community College Northern Michigan University Western Michigan University
Community Partners:
Arctic Ecology Program (AEP) at Grand Valley State University
Calvin Academy for Lifelong Learning (CALL) Citizens Climate Lobby of Grand Rapids
City of Holland Gerald R. Ford Presidential Foundation and Museum
Grand Rapids Sister Cities International Kent District Library
U.S. Commercial Services - Grand Rapids