From WOOD COUNTY COMMITTEE ON AGING
The Wood County Committee on Aging, along with the American Association of University Women – Bowling Green Branch, will once again host the “Great Decisions” lecture series for six consecutive Saturdays from 9:30 – 11 a.m., Jan. 24 through Feb. 28, at the Wood County Senior Center, 140 S. Grove St., Bowling Green.
The “Great Decisions” lecture series is an informative educational discussion group designed by the Foreign Policy Association. Participants will be enlightened with up-to-date information on worldly topics facilitated by professors from various universities. The professors will provide an opportunity for questions and answers following each discussion session.
A full list of topics and speakers is provided below.
Jan. 24 – America and the world: Trump 2.0 foreign policy
- Speaker: Amilcar Challu, associate professor, BGSU Department of History
- About: Trump’s return has marked a break from 80 years of U.S. foreign policy leadership, embracing an “America first” approach. This chapter explores the risks of isolation and diminished influence in relation to Trump 2.0 foreign policy.
Jan. 31 – Ruptured alliances and the risk of nuclear proliferation
- Speaker: Dr. Stefan Fritsch, associate professor of international relations, BGSU Department of Political Science
- About: U.S. alliance skepticism may drive countries like Japan and South Korea to reconsider nuclear options. What are the implications of the Trump administration’s rethinking of the U.S. alliance system for regional and global security? Will this new uncertainty alter the way allies and rivals in various regions make decisions about security and nuclear weapons?
Feb. 7 – Trump tariffs and the future of the world economy
- Speaker: Douglas James Forsyth, associate professor, BGSU Department of History
- About: Trump’s aggressive trade and tariff policies have shaken global economic norms. What’s the rationale behind this radical shift in economic policy, and what are the implications for multilateral trade and geopolitics?
Feb. 14 – Multilateral institutions in a changing world order
- Speaker: Anthony Knopps, MPS, adjunct professor, BGSU Department of Political Science
- About: Can multilateralism survive amid shifting global power and rising nationalism? This chapter examines the future of global cooperation across trade, health, and finance.
Feb. 21 – Ukraine and the future of European security
- Speaker: Dr. Stefan Fritsch, associate professor of international relations, BGSU Department of Political Science
- About: With reduced U.S. support for NATO and Ukraine, Europe faces strategic uncertainty. The Trump administration has signaled an intention to reduce its security role in Europe. What are America’s stakes in NATO and Europe’s strategic dilemmas, and how might Europe respond?
Feb. 28 – The future of human rights and international law
- Speaker: TBD
- About: As democracy and human rights retreat globally – and the U.S. pulls back – how can civil society and legal norms remain effective in a divided world? What is the role and force of international law in this era of impunity?
Note: Dates and topics are subject to change.
These sessions are free and open to the public. However, registration is required. People may register by calling the programs department at 419-353-5661 or 1-800-367-4935 or emailing programs@wccoa.net.
Manuals are available for purchase, though not required, and must be reserved when registering for the series. An advanced payment of $38 is required to place an order for a manual.
Participants will be able to attend via Zoom, and if sessions are not able to meet in-person, they will be held only via Zoom. Call for access to the Zoom code.
All sessions will be uploaded to WCCOA’s YouTube channel, “Wood County Committee on Aging, Inc.”
The mission of the Wood County Committee on Aging is to provide older adults with services and programs which empower them to remain independent and improve the quality of their lives.
For information on programs and services, contact the Wood County Committee on Aging at 419-353-5661 or 1-800-367-4935 or www.wccoa.net.
