Discussion Groups

Global challenges have increasingly become domestic challenges. How do we make sense of it all? The World Affairs Council of Monterey Bay conducts two Discussion Groups dedicated to exploring current and fundamental international questions facing us. In an informal setting and facilitated by a moderator, attendees air their views and hear those of others. Topics for upcoming Discussion Groups are listed in The Passport and in the box below.

Discussion Group News and Announcements

• Discussion Group July 9th, 2025: Turkey’s Role in a Fractured Region  July 2, 2025
• Discussion Group June 11, 2025: The Impact of Tariffs on Foreign Policy  May 28, 2025
• Discussion Group May 7, 2025: Do We Need Foreign Aid?  April 27, 2025
• Discussion Group February-March 2025: Great Decisions Series  January 23, 2025
• Discussion Group November 12, 2024: Foreign Policy Implications of the U.S. Elections Outcome  October 27, 2024

WACMB Discussion Group

This Discussion Group meets regularly over Zoom organized directly by WACMB.

Meetings from January through March are based on the Foreign Policy Association Great Decisions Series (see the box at the bottom of this page). After that, the Discussion Group meets monthly to discuss other topics, typically on the first Monday of each month from 5:00 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. Exact dates and topics are provided in The Passport newsletter.

The program is free to the public. If you are interested in participating in the WACMB discussion group, please email us at DiscussionGroup@wacmb.org.

WACMB Discussion Group through CSUMB-OLLI

This Discussion Group meets via Zoom and operates in cooperation with The Osher Lifelong Learning Institute (OLLI) of California State University Monterey Bay (CSUMB).

In the spring semester, the group follows the Foreign Policy Association Great Decisions Series curriculum (see the box below). In the fall semester, the group meets once a month to discuss timely topics selected by the group. Participants are encouraged to pursue independent study on selected subjects and to share their knowledge and views, but just listening is fine too. For more information, review the current OLLI-CSUMB course catalog.

There is no fee, but participants must enroll in classes via the OLLI-CSUMB on-line registration system or by calling the OLLI-CSUMB office at 831.582.5500

Foreign Policy Association Great Decisions Series The annual Great Decisions series, produced by the Foreign Policy Association of America, is the country’s largest discussion program. The program, which runs for eight weeks at the beginning of each year, provides background information and policy options for some of the most critical issues facing us each year. WACMB presents this free program at both of our usual discussion group locations: Monterey Peninsula College (MPC) and the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute (OLLI) at the Ryan Ranch location of California State University Monterey Bay (CSUMB). Purchase of the Great Decisions Briefing Booklet is strongly recommended for all discussion participants. Booklets may be offered at the WACMB monthly luncheons or may be acquired at each discussion group site or may be ordered online through the Great Decisions web page.

Background material for some discussion group topics may be found on the Speakers, Topics, and Videos page.