Here, it’s all up for discussion

Published 5:00 am Wednesday, March 22, 2006

Opening up to dialog about foreign policy – on Bainbridge

Talking with people who agree with you is comforting, but intellectually stifling. Open a window to feel the breeze of a different viewpoint this spring.

“The focus is to get people in the U.S. more knowledgeable about what’s going on in the world,” said Kathleen Thorne of the foreign policy discussions which the Bainbridge Island Arts and Humanities Council is sponsoring. “I really encourage a wider and more diverse dialogue. The goal is not to come to any conclusion.”

The “Great Decisions” discussion series, which was started in Seattle last fall by the World Affairs Council, invites island residents to form groups for discourse on eight foreign policy-related topics, or contact the council to find a group.

Briefing books prepared by experts on each topic, which give both sides of each issue, and a video provide a starting point for each dialogue.

The topics are: “UN Reform,” “The U.S. and Iran,” “Energy Resources,” “Brazil,” “China and India: Partners or Competitors?”, “Human Rights in the Age of Terrorism,” “Turkey” and “Pandemics and Security.”

Thorne said the council decided to promote this program – which has been in existence for some 40 years through the Foreign Policy Association – because it heard from people that there were too many speakers series on the island already and not enough dialog.

“They felt the main benefit of the (speakers) program was for people to get engaged and voice their own opinions,” Thorne said.

Her experience with the Seattle series last fall was a real education, Thorne said.

“I probably wouldn’t have done the research (on the topics),” she said. “It’s one of those things. I think, ‘I really need to know more about this,’ but if I don’t have to (I won’t)…how many people will delve into these topics?”

The need to hold her own in the discussions spurred Thorne to do the research.

Three of the eight topics this spring will feature lectures, followed by group discussion, in Seattle hosted by the World Affairs Council.

United Nations Under-Secretary General Shashi Taroor led off the series last week with a discussion of UN reform.

April 6 sees Jonathan Warren, chair of Latin American studies at the University of Washington discuss the challenges facing the nation of Brazil. Brig. Gen. Mark Kimmitt will discuss the war on terrorism and related topics of human rights and national security on May 10.

Although participants may fill out a ballot by June 30 to send into the Foreign Policy Association which will tally the ballots to send to the White House, Congress and the media, the value is in the discussion.

“It was just always really eye-opening to talk about these issues and discover the range of viewpoints,” Thorne said. “It certainly broadened the viewpoints (to more than what) I’d have encountered (talking) with a bunch of friends.”

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Great discussions

Briefing books for the “Great Decisions” discussion series ($15 each) and the video ($40) may be ordered from www.greatdecisions.org or checked out from the Bainbridge Library. To find a group or members to join your group, contact BIAHC at 842-7901 or admin@artshum.org.

Lectures will be held 7-9 p.m. at the Langston Hughes Performing Arts Center, 104 17th Ave. S. in Seattle. For tickets, $25 each or $40 for the series, go to www.world-affairs.org or call (206) 441-5910.