You are invited to join us!
The Great Decisions Lecture Series promotes citizen awareness about timely foreign policy issues. The purpose of the series, which is sponsored by the YWCA of Bethlehem, is to educate members about important issues relating to American foreign policy and to enable the community to participate in the foreign policy process. We partner with the private, non-partisan Foreign Policy Association (FPA) in New York City, the oldest and largest grassroots educational program on world affairs reaching 880 cities and 350,000 members. The FPA selects eight topics each year and chooses experts to write for the 100-page Great Decisions Briefing Book. This book is included with registration and will be available in January 2013.
The Bethlehem Great Decisions group is the only Great Decision group in the Lehigh Valley. Lectures run for eight Wednesdays, February through March at 10:30 a.m. at Kirkland Village in Bethlehem, PA and feature local experts. Following each lecture is a Q&A session.
2013 Great Decisions Topics
Future of the Euro
Professor Eva Leeds, Ph.D.,
Moravian College
February 6, 2013
The health of the euro affects and is affected by the state of the global economy. How can European Union leaders prevent the collapse of the common currency?
Professor Leeds holds a Ph.D. of Economics from Princeton University. She specializes in monetary and development economic studies. Professor Leeds was born in the Czech Republic and has a strong interest in the economics and politics of the euro.
Egypt
Gregory Simpson,
Senior Officer of CIPE
February 13, 2013
The popular revolution that ousted President Hosni Mubarak: in 2011 ushered in the promise of radical change. Two years later, what is the state of Egyptian. democracy? How will the military and the civilian government balance power?
Mr. Simpson is the Senior Program Officer in the Middle East and North Africa Division Officer for the Center for International Private Enterprise (CIPE). He is a veteran of the non-govermental sector with multiple years experience working in the Balkans.
NATO
Galen Godbey, Ph.D.,
Northampton Area Community College
February 20, 2013
How has NATO’s agenda evolved since its inception during the cold war? With its military commitment in Afghanistan winding down and a recent successful campaign in Libya, what are the Alliance’s present-day security challenges?
Professor Godbey, received his Ph.D. from the University of Pennsylvania and is currently a Political Science Professor at Northampton Area Community College. Professor Godbey served as Coordinator of the International Programming Department at Lafayette College in Eason, PA.
Myanmar and Southeast Asia
Professor Nicola Tannenbaum,
Lehigh University
February 27, 2013
The West has welcomed unprecedented democratic reforms made by Myanmar’s government. What challenges must Myanmar overcome before it can fully join the international community? What role can it play in Southeast Asia?
Professor Tannenbaum is Chair of Lehigh University’s Sociology and Anthropology Department. Her research area is mainland Southeast Asia.
Intervention
Professor Mike McGovern,
Northampton Area Community College
March 6, 2013
The “responsibility to protect” doctrine has become central to modem humanitarian intervention. When should the international community intervene? Why did the West rush to intervene in Libya but not Syria?
Professor McGovern current teaches history at Northampton Area Community College and previously served as the Vice President for Academic Affairs. As a native of Bethlehem, Professor McGovern earned his Doctorate in the Administration of Higher Education from Lehigh University.
Iran
Babak Yektafgar,
Iran Analyst for CIPE and Editor of Farsi Language Journal
March 13, 2013
Suspicion and a troubled history have blighted U.S.-Iranian relations for three decades. How can the United States and Iran move forward? Is the existence of Iran’s nuclear program an insurmountable obstacle?
Babak Yektafgar has served as analyst of Iran for many years. He is a producer of C-SPAN where he worked on the daily morning show Washington Journal. Born in Iran, Babak served as Iran analyst for a Washington think tank and the World Security Institute. He has also served as the editor of a Farsi-language, on-line weekly, journal.
China in Africa
Professor Vera Fennell, Ph.D.,
Lehigh University
March 20, 2013
What interests govern China’s engagement in Africa? Should China’s growing emphasis on political ties and natural resource extraction inform U.S. relations with African nations?
Professor Fennell earned her Ph.D. at the University of Chicago. She currently holds a joint appointment as Political Science Department and Social Change Initiative.
Threat Assessment
Professor Chris Herrick,
Muhlenberg College
March 27, 2013
How can the United States address the challenges of a weak economy, homegrown terrorism and nuclear proliferation? What threats and opportunities are presented by the ascendancy of China and by regime change in the Middle East?
Professor Herrick earned his Ph.D. at the University of South Carolina. He teaches Comparative Government (East Asia and Africa), International Relations and Public Policy, specializing in American Foreign Policy and International law.
Fees for the Great Decisions Lecture Series are:
YWCA Members:
$65 with one book
$85 for Couple, with one book
Non-YWCA Members:
$90 with one book
$105 for Couple, with one book
Single Lecture – $15, no book
Students – No charge with valid I.D.
Download the 2013 Great Decisions Registration Today!
For more information or to register for the series please contact the YWCA of Bethlehem at (610) 867-4669 or e-mail adminassist@ywcabethlehem.org.
Visit the Foreign Policy Association website for more information.
The Great Decisions Lecture series is held at Kirkland Village, located at 1 Kirkland Village Circle, Bethlehem, PA 18017. However, we ask that you park in the back of the First Presbyterian Church, located next door to Kirkland Village.
PLEASE follow these directions to the First Presbyterian Church on Center St., park in the back of their lot and walk through to Kirkland Village.
From the south (e.g., Quakertown, Pa.) – Follow 309 north to 378 (Center Valley). Follow 378 over the top of a mountain and into Bethlehem. At the north end of the bridge that crosses the Lehigh River, turn right onto the ramp that leads to Main Street. Proceed seven blocks and turn right onto Union Boulevard. Proceed several blocks to Center Street. Turn left onto Center Street and proceed north to the church at 2344 Center Street. The church is on the right at the top of a hill. Turn right into the “Enter” driveway and follow signs to parking facilities.
From the west (e.g., Allentown, Pa.) – Follow 22 east until you reach the exit at 512, Center Street. (There is only one exit at 512 traveling east.) At the end of the exit ramp turn left onto Center Street. Follow Center Street southbound past traffic lights at Johnston Drive and Macada Road and proceed to the top of a hill. The church is on the left. Turn left into the “Enter” driveway and follow signs to parking facilities.
From the east (e.g., Easton, Pa.) – Follow 22 west until you reach the exit at 512, Center Street. (There is only one exit at 512 traveling west.) At the end of the exit ramp turn left onto Center Street. Follow Center Street southbound past traffic lights at Johnston Drive and Macada Road and proceed to the top of a hill. The church is on the left. Turn left into the “Enter” driveway and follow signs to parking facilities.
From the north (e.g., Stroudsburg, Pa.) – Follow 33 south until it intersects with 22. Proceed west on 22 and follow the directions that pertain to an approach from the east.
The 2012-2013 Great Decisions Committee Members are:
Mary Beebe, Chair
Retired, Teacher
Susan Braido, Former Chair
Administrator,
Keystone Junior College
Ed Donley
Retired, CEO
Air Products and Chemicals, Inc.
Stewart Early
President,
Management Consulting Services
Dr. Thomas Eighmy, Ph.D.
Retired, Foreign Services Officer
Col. William Heske
Retired, US Air Force
Elaine Molnar
Retired, Women’s Program Director
Joseph O’Keefe
Retired Attorney, Bethlehem Steel Corporation
Carey Patterson
Retired, Adjunct Professor
Northampton County Community College/Cedar Crest College
Deborah Thompson
Founder, Executive-In-Charge
HR Mission, LLC
James West, Ph.D.
Professor,
Moravian College
Sharon Zondag
Institutional Advancement,
Northampton Community College
Charliese King, Ex-Officio
HR Consultant
Mahboobeh Shekari, YWCA Staff Liaison
Director of Finance and Administration
YWCA of Bethlehem
For information on joining the Great Decisions Committee or for more information about the program, please contact the YWCA of Bethlehem at (610) 867-4669.