Skip to main content
close
Font size options
Increase or decrease the font size for this website by clicking on the 'A's.
Contrast options
Choose a color combination to give the most comfortable contrast.
Image for event: Great Decisions

Registration now closed

Great Decisions

2023-05-30 10:30:00 2023-05-30 12:30:00 America/Chicago Great Decisions Join our library’s Great Decisions' group to discuss current foreign policy issues. Downers Grove Public Library - Virtual Meeting, Meeting Room Both (Max Capacity 100)

Tuesday, May 30
10:30am - 12:30pm

Add to Calendar 2023-05-30 10:30:00 2023-05-30 12:30:00 America/Chicago Great Decisions Join our library’s Great Decisions' group to discuss current foreign policy issues. Downers Grove Public Library - Virtual Meeting, Meeting Room Both (Max Capacity 100)

Downers Grove Public Library

Virtual Meeting, Meeting Room Both (Max Capacity 100)

Join our library’s Great Decisions' group to discuss current foreign policy issues.

Great Decisions is America's largest discussion program on world affairs, created by the Foreign Policy Association. Each year, eight topics are chosen by a panel of experts. See the Foreign Policy Association for more information about the program.

This is the current discussion schedule. If a topic changes for a given day, it will be updated here:

February 7: Energy Geopolitics
Access to oil and gas has long held an influence over the politics of individual nations and their relations with others. But, as more countries move toward sustainable energy, and supply chain shortages affect the availability of oil and gas, how will this change the way in which the United States interacts with the outside world? By Carolyn Kissane

February 21: War Crimes
Russia's invasion of Ukraine has resulted in widespread charges of war crimes and calls for justice. But what exactly are war crimes? Opinions of what constitutes a war crime have evolved, as have ways to identify and punish the perpetrators. How will the war crimes committed in Ukraine be dealt with? By Francine Hirsch

March 7: China and the U.S.
For the past ten years, the United States and China have been locked in a competition for who has the greatest global influence. One major point of contention is the status of Taiwanese sovereignty, which has become even more relevant recently with the possibility that Russia’s invasion of Ukraine may prompt China to take similar action regarding Taiwan. How will the United States engage a China which is increasingly seeking to expand its sphere of influence? By David Lampton
 
March 14: Economic Warfare
Waging economic warfare consists of a variety of measures from implementing sanctions to fomenting labor strikes. Such tools are utilized by states to hinder their enemies, and in the case of the United States have been used as far back as the early 19th century. Since Russia invaded Ukraine in February 2022, economic warfare has been the main means for the west to challenge Russia. How effective will these sanctions be at convincing Russia to cease its war? By Jonathan Chanis
 
April 4: Politics in Latin America
Electoral results in Latin America over the past four years have led many observers of the regional/political scene to discern a left-wing surge in the hemisphere, reminiscent of the so-called “Pink Tide” that swept the area some 20 years ago. But how much do these politicians actually have in common? What implication does their ascendency have for the region? By Jorge Castañeda 

April 18: Global Famine
Fears of global food shortages have followed Russia's invasion of Ukraine, which has disrupted grain shipments from the major grain producer. But what about countries and regions that were suffering before this impending shortage? How is famine defined, and how is it different from simple food shortages? What if any remedies are there? By Daniel Maxwell

May 2: Iran at a Crossroads
By the fall of 2022, Iran was in a state of turmoil due to widespread protests against government-enforced wearing of the hijab, a failing economy, an ineffective new president, and the looming succession of the country’s leader, Ayatollah Khamenei. Abroad, renewal of the Iran nuclear deal seemed doubtful and tensions remain high between Iran, Israel, and Arab states. Many Iranians have lost hope of a better future, and the country seems at a crossroads. How should the United States deal with it? By Lawrence Potter
 
May 16: Climate Migration
As climate change accelerates and drought and rising sea levels become more common, millions of people in affected regions must uproot themselves and seek safety elsewhere. Who are these affected individuals, and how might the United States aid them, and be affected by the migration? By Karen Jacobsen

May 30: Artificial Intelligence: Promise or Peril

The late Edwin O. Wilson, one of the great scientists of our time, anticipated AI's potential challenges when he wrote: The real problem of humanity is the following: We have Paleolithic emotions, medieval institutions and godlike technology. And it is terrifically dangerous."

Contact the Ask Us Desk at askus@dglibrary.org with questions.

Downers Grove Public Library

askus@dglibrary.org
Phone: (630) 960-1200
Fax: (630) 960-9374

Hours
Mon, Jan 13 9:00AM to 9:00PM
Tue, Jan 14 9:00AM to 9:00PM
Wed, Jan 15 9:00AM to 9:00PM
Thu, Jan 16 9:00AM to 9:00PM
Fri, Jan 17 9:00AM to 9:00PM
Sat, Jan 18 9:00AM to 5:00PM
Sun, Jan 19 1:00PM to 5:00PM

Upcoming events

Wed, Jan 15, 9:30am - 10:00am
Downers Grove Public Library - Kids Program Room

Wed, Jan 15, 10:30am - 11:00am
Downers Grove Public Library - Kids Program Room

Wed, Jan 15, 5:00pm - 6:00pm
Downers Grove Public Library - Meeting Room Both (Max Capacity 100)

Wed, Jan 15, 7:00pm - 8:30pm
Downers Grove Public Library - Virtual Meeting

Thu, Jan 16, 9:30am - 10:00am
Downers Grove Public Library - Kids Program Room

Thu, Jan 16, 10:30am - 11:00am
Downers Grove Public Library - Kids Program Room

Fri, Jan 17, All day
Downers Grove Public Library

Fri, Jan 17, 9:30am - 12:30pm
Downers Grove Public Library - Meeting Room Both (Max Capacity 100)

Sat, Jan 18, All day
Downers Grove Public Library

Sat, Jan 18, All day
Downers Grove Public Library - First Floor Lobby

Sat, Jan 18, 10:00am - 10:30am
Downers Grove Public Library - Kids Program Room

Sun, Jan 19, All day
Downers Grove Public Library - First Floor Lobby

Mon, Jan 20, All day
Downers Grove Public Library
This event is full

Mon, Jan 20, All day
Downers Grove Public Library

Mon, Jan 20, All day
Downers Grove Public Library

Mon, Jan 20, 9:30am - 10:00am
Downers Grove Public Library - Kids Program Room

Mon, Jan 20, 10:30am - 11:00am
Downers Grove Public Library - Kids Program Room

Mon, Jan 20, 2:30pm - 3:30pm
Downers Grove Public Library - Kids Program Room

Mon, Jan 20, 4:00pm - 5:00pm
Downers Grove Public Library - Training Room
This event is full

Mon, Jan 20, 4:00pm - 6:00pm
Downers Grove Public Library - Conference Room B (Max Capacity 10)
This event is full

Mon, Jan 20, 7:00pm - 8:30pm
Downers Grove Public Library - Conference Room B (Max Capacity 10)

Tue, Jan 21, All day
Downers Grove Public Library

Tue, Jan 21, 9:30am - 11:00am
Downers Grove Public Library - Meeting Room Both (Max Capacity 100)

Tue, Jan 21, 9:30am - 10:00am
Downers Grove Public Library - Kids Program Room

Tue, Jan 21, 10:30am - 11:00am
Downers Grove Public Library - Kids Program Room

Tue, Jan 21, 4:00pm - 4:45pm
Downers Grove Public Library - Kids Program Room
This event is full

Tue, Jan 21, 7:00pm - 8:00pm
Downers Grove Public Library - Training Room

Tue, Jan 21, 7:00pm - 8:00pm
Downers Grove Public Library - Conference Room B (Max Capacity 10)

Wed, Jan 22, 9:30am - 10:00am
Downers Grove Public Library - Kids Program Room

Wed, Jan 22, 10:30am - 11:00am
Downers Grove Public Library - Kids Program Room

Wed, Jan 22, 7:00pm - 8:00pm
Downers Grove Public Library - Meeting Room Both (Max Capacity 100)

Thu, Jan 23, 9:30am - 10:00am
Downers Grove Public Library - Kids Program Room

Thu, Jan 23, 10:00am - 11:00am
Downers Grove Public Library - Meeting Room Both (Max Capacity 100)

Thu, Jan 23, 10:30am - 11:00am
Downers Grove Public Library - Kids Program Room

Fri, Jan 24, All day
Downers Grove Public Library

Fri, Jan 24, 9:30am - 12:30pm
Downers Grove Public Library - Meeting Room Both (Max Capacity 100)

Fri, Jan 24, 10:30am - 11:00am
Downers Grove Public Library - Kids Program Room

Fri, Jan 24, 6:00pm - 8:30pm
Downers Grove Public Library - Meeting Room Both (Max Capacity 100)

Sat, Jan 25, 10:00am - 10:30am
Downers Grove Public Library - Kids Program Room

Sat, Jan 25, 10:30am - 11:30am
Downers Grove Public Library - Meeting Room Both (Max Capacity 100)

Mon, Jan 27, All day
Downers Grove Public Library

Mon, Jan 27, All day
Downers Grove Public Library

Mon, Jan 27, 9:30am - 10:00am
Downers Grove Public Library - Kids Program Room

Mon, Jan 27, 10:30am - 11:00am
Downers Grove Public Library - Kids Program Room

Mon, Jan 27, 2:30pm - 3:30pm
Downers Grove Public Library - Kids Program Room

Mon, Jan 27, 4:00pm - 4:30pm
Downers Grove Public Library - Kids Program Room

Mon, Jan 27, 6:30pm - 8:00pm
Downers Grove Public Library - Training Room

Mon, Jan 27, 7:00pm - 8:30pm
Downers Grove Public Library - Conference Room B (Max Capacity 10)

Mon, Jan 27, 7:00pm - 9:00pm
Downers Grove Public Library - Meeting Room Both (Max Capacity 100)

Tue, Jan 28, All day
Downers Grove Public Library

Tue, Jan 28, All day
Downers Grove Public Library

Tue, Jan 28, 9:30am - 10:00am
Downers Grove Public Library - Kids Program Room

Tue, Jan 28, 10:30am - 11:00am
Downers Grove Public Library - Kids Program Room

Tue, Jan 28, 11:00am - 12:00pm
Downers Grove Public Library - Training Room
This event is full

Tue, Jan 28, 4:00pm - 4:30pm
Downers Grove Public Library - Kids Program Room

Tue, Jan 28, 6:30pm - 7:30pm
Downers Grove Public Library - Virtual Meeting
Please contact the library to register for this event.

Wed, Jan 29, All day
Downers Grove Public Library

Wed, Jan 29, All day
Downers Grove Public Library

Wed, Jan 29, 9:30am - 10:00am
Downers Grove Public Library - Kids Program Room

Wed, Jan 29, 10:30am - 11:00am
Downers Grove Public Library - Kids Program Room

Wed, Jan 29, 6:00pm - 7:00pm
Downers Grove Public Library - Conference Room B (Max Capacity 10)

Wed, Jan 29, 7:00pm - 8:30pm
Downers Grove Public Library - Training Room
Registration opens Wednesday, January 15 2025 at 9:00am

Thu, Jan 30, All day
Downers Grove Public Library

Thu, Jan 30, 9:30am - 10:00am
Downers Grove Public Library - Kids Program Room

Thu, Jan 30, 10:30am - 11:00am
Downers Grove Public Library - Kids Program Room

Fri, Jan 31, All day
Downers Grove Public Library

Fri, Jan 31, 9:30am - 12:30pm
Downers Grove Public Library - Meeting Room Both (Max Capacity 100)

Sat, Feb 01, All day
Downers Grove Public Library

Sat, Feb 01, All day
Downers Grove Public Library - Teen Central

Sat, Feb 01, 9:30am - 11:00am
Downers Grove Public Library - Training Room

Sat, Feb 01, 10:00am - 10:30am
Downers Grove Public Library - Kids Program Room

Sun, Feb 02, All day
Downers Grove Public Library - Teen Central

Mon, Feb 03, All day
Downers Grove Public Library

Mon, Feb 03, All day
Downers Grove Public Library - Teen Central

Mon, Feb 03, 9:30am - 10:00am
Downers Grove Public Library - Kids Program Room

Mon, Feb 03, 10:30am - 11:00am
Downers Grove Public Library - Kids Program Room

Mon, Feb 03, 2:30pm - 3:30pm
Downers Grove Public Library - Kids Program Room

Mon, Feb 03, 6:30pm - 8:00pm
Downers Grove Public Library - Training Room

Mon, Feb 03, 7:00pm - 8:30pm
Downers Grove Public Library - Conference Room B (Max Capacity 10)

Tue, Feb 04, All day
Downers Grove Public Library - Teen Central

Tue, Feb 04, 9:30am - 10:00am
Downers Grove Public Library - Kids Program Room

Tue, Feb 04, 10:30am - 11:00am
Downers Grove Public Library - Kids Program Room

Tue, Feb 04, 7:00pm - 8:00pm
Downers Grove Public Library
This event is full

Tue, Feb 04, 7:00pm - 8:00pm
Downers Grove Public Library - Meeting Room Both (Max Capacity 100)

Tue, Feb 04, 7:00pm - 8:00pm
Downers Grove Public Library - Virtual Meeting

Wed, Feb 05, All day
Downers Grove Public Library - Teen Central

Wed, Feb 05, 9:30am - 10:00am
Downers Grove Public Library - Kids Program Room

Wed, Feb 05, 10:00am - 11:00am
Downers Grove Public Library - Meeting Room Both (Max Capacity 100)
Registration opens Wednesday, January 22 2025 at 9:00am

Wed, Feb 05, 10:30am - 11:00am
Downers Grove Public Library - Kids Program Room

Wed, Feb 05, 4:00pm - 5:30pm
Downers Grove Public Library - Meeting Room Both (Max Capacity 100)
Registration opens Wednesday, January 22 2025 at 9:00am

Wed, Feb 05, 6:30pm - 8:30pm
Downers Grove Public Library - Training Room

Wed, Feb 05, 7:00pm - 8:30pm
Downers Grove Public Library - Meeting Room Both (Max Capacity 100)
Registration opens Wednesday, January 15 2025 at 9:00am

Wed, Feb 05, 7:00pm - 8:00pm
Downers Grove Public Library
This event is full

Thu, Feb 06, All day
Downers Grove Public Library - Teen Central

Thu, Feb 06, 9:30am - 10:00am
Downers Grove Public Library - Kids Program Room

Thu, Feb 06, 10:30am - 11:00am
Downers Grove Public Library - Kids Program Room

Thu, Feb 06, 7:00pm - 8:00pm
Downers Grove Public Library - Kids Program Room
Registration opens Thursday, January 23 2025 at 9:00am

Fri, Feb 07, All day
Downers Grove Public Library

Fri, Feb 07, All day
Downers Grove Public Library - Teen Central

Fri, Feb 07, 9:30am - 12:30pm
Downers Grove Public Library - Meeting Room Both (Max Capacity 100)

Fri, Feb 07, 10:30am - 11:00am
Downers Grove Public Library - Kids Program Room
Registration opens Friday, January 24 2025 at 9:00am

Fri, Feb 07, 1:00pm - 1:30pm
Downers Grove Public Library - Kids Program Room
Registration opens Friday, January 24 2025 at 9:00am

Fri, Feb 07, 6:00pm - 8:30pm
Downers Grove Public Library - Conference Room A (Max Capacity 16),Conference Room B (Max Capacity 10)

Sat, Feb 08, All day
Downers Grove Public Library - Teen Central

Sat, Feb 08, 9:30am - 11:00am
Downers Grove Public Library - Training Room

Sat, Feb 08, 9:30am - 12:30pm
Downers Grove Public Library - Meeting Room Both (Max Capacity 100)

Sat, Feb 08, 10:00am - 10:30am
Downers Grove Public Library - Kids Program Room

Sat, Feb 08, 3:00pm - 4:00pm
Downers Grove Public Library - Kids Program Room

Sun, Feb 09, All day
Downers Grove Public Library - Teen Central

Sun, Feb 09, 2:00pm - 3:00pm
Downers Grove Public Library - Meeting Room Both (Max Capacity 100)

Mon, Feb 10, All day
Downers Grove Public Library
Registration opens Monday, January 27 2025 at 9:00am

Mon, Feb 10, All day
Downers Grove Public Library - Teen Central

Mon, Feb 10, All day
Downers Grove Public Library

Mon, Feb 10, 9:30am - 10:00am
Downers Grove Public Library - Kids Program Room

Mon, Feb 10, 10:30am - 11:00am
Downers Grove Public Library - Kids Program Room

Mon, Feb 10, 2:30pm - 3:30pm
Downers Grove Public Library - Kids Program Room

Mon, Feb 10, 4:00pm - 6:00pm
Downers Grove Public Library - Conference Room B (Max Capacity 10)

Mon, Feb 10, 6:30pm - 8:00pm
Downers Grove Public Library - Training Room

Mon, Feb 10, 7:00pm - 8:30pm
Downers Grove Public Library - Conference Room B (Max Capacity 10)

Mon, Feb 10, 7:00pm - 9:00pm
Downers Grove Public Library - Meeting Room Both (Max Capacity 100)

Tue, Feb 11, All day
Downers Grove Public Library - Teen Central

Tue, Feb 11, 9:30am - 10:00am
Downers Grove Public Library

Tue, Feb 11, 10:30am - 12:00pm
Downers Grove Public Library - Meeting Room Both (Max Capacity 100),Virtual Meeting

Tue, Feb 11, 10:30am - 11:00am
Downers Grove Public Library - Kids Program Room

Tue, Feb 11, 1:00pm - 2:00pm
Downers Grove Public Library - Conference Room B (Max Capacity 10)

Tue, Feb 11, 6:30pm - 7:30pm
Downers Grove Public Library - Virtual Meeting
Please contact the library to register for this event.

Wed, Feb 12, All day
Downers Grove Public Library

Wed, Feb 12, All day
Downers Grove Public Library - Teen Central

Wed, Feb 12, 9:30am - 10:00am
Downers Grove Public Library - Kids Program Room

Wed, Feb 12, 10:30am - 11:00am
Downers Grove Public Library - Kids Program Room

Wed, Feb 12, 4:00pm - 5:00pm
Downers Grove Public Library - Meeting Room Both (Max Capacity 100)
Registration opens Wednesday, January 29 2025 at 9:00am

Wed, Feb 12, 4:00pm - 4:30pm
Downers Grove Public Library - Kids Program Room
Registration opens Wednesday, January 29 2025 at 9:00am

Wed, Feb 12, 6:30pm - 8:30pm
Downers Grove Public Library - Training Room

Wed, Feb 12, 7:00pm - 8:00pm
Downers Grove Public Library - Meeting Room Both (Max Capacity 100)

Thu, Feb 13, All day
Downers Grove Public Library - Teen Central

Thu, Feb 13, 9:30am - 10:00am
Downers Grove Public Library - Kids Program Room

Thu, Feb 13, 10:30am - 11:00am
Downers Grove Public Library - Kids Program Room

Thu, Feb 13, 11:00am - 12:00pm
Downers Grove Public Library - Training Room

Thu, Feb 13, 4:00pm - 5:00pm
Downers Grove Public Library - Conference Room A (Max Capacity 16)

Thu, Feb 13, 4:00pm - 4:30pm
Downers Grove Public Library - Kids Program Room
Registration opens Thursday, January 30 2025 at 9:00am

Thu, Feb 13, 7:00pm - 8:00pm
Downers Grove Public Library - Kids Program Room

Fri, Feb 14, All day
Downers Grove Public Library

Fri, Feb 14, All day
Downers Grove Public Library - Teen Central

Fri, Feb 14, 9:30am - 12:30pm
Downers Grove Public Library - Meeting Room Both (Max Capacity 100)

Fri, Feb 14, 2:00pm - 3:00pm
Downers Grove Public Library - Training Room

Fri, Feb 14, 4:00pm - 5:00pm
Downers Grove Public Library - Meeting Room Both (Max Capacity 100)