SOMA Two Towns to sponsor Foreign Policy Association discussion group

MAPLEWOOD, NJ — For the third year, Maplewood and South Orange residents will be able to participate in Great Decisions, a program of the non-partisan Foreign Policy Association and America’s largest discussion group on world affairs. The program is free and open to all residents of Maplewood and South Orange.

“We are pleased to be able to offer this outstanding program to our seniors. There has been and continues to be a strong interest in providing intellectually stimulating programs of this type. This is a key part of our taking a proactive approach to foster healthy aging and enable residents to age in place,” Cathy Rowe, SOMA Two Towns for All Ages coordinator, said.

Participants receive an FPA briefing book providing an overview of eight important international issues facing the United States today that will be discussed in weekly sessions over the course of the program. Participants must make a serious commitment to attending all sessions and to reading the printed and online materials provided and are encouraged to work independently to broaden their knowledge, using other online resources.

Each session, moderated by a different member of the group, will include a DVD viewing of the FPA topic overview, followed by an interactive discussion of issues related to the topic. Discussion meetings will be held Tuesdays from March 20 to May 8, from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. at the Maplewood Senior Center, 106 Burnett Ave.

The 2018 Topics for discussion will include: the waning of Pax Americana, Russia’s foreign policy, China and America: the new geopolitical equation, media and foreign policy, Turkey: a partner in crisis, U.S. global engagement and the military, South Africa’s fragile democracy, and global health: progress and challenges.

Registration is required and open until March 13. Space is limited to 10 participants. To register, contact Cathy Rowe at Crowe@twp.maplewood.nj.us or 973-762-8120, ext. 4005. The program will also be offered in South Orange at a date to be determined.

For more information on the program, visit http://www.fpa.org/great_decisions/.

  SOMA Two Towns for All Ages