Great Decisions

https://www.fpa.org/great_decisions/?act=gd_topics

Great Decisions 2026

Our North Hills Pittsburgh branch of AAUW has sponsored the Great Decisions program for over forty years. Great Decisions is a program developed by the Foreign Policy Association which provides communities with a unique opportunity to learn about issues of global importance in an engaging and interactive format. This seven-week program begins on the first Saturday in February and continues for the next six consecutive Saturdays. The sessions for Great Decisions 2026 will include the following topics:

America & The World: Trump 2.0

Foreign Policy & Tariffs: The Future of The World Economy

U.S. – China Relations: Ruptured Alliances & the Risk of Nuclear Proliferation

Ukraine & the Future of European Security

Multilateral Institutions in a Changing World Order

U.S. Engagement of Africa

The Future of Democracy & Human Rights in a Divided World

Schedule 2026

It is almost Great Decisions season once again, and as of early December, we have a speaker for four of our six Saturday sessions:

  • U.S.-China Relations Trade Rivalry, a discussion focused on both security motives as well as the tariff situation. (Dr. Mark Haas, Duquesne University)

This topic is scheduled for our first session, Saturday, February 7th, 2026.

  • America and the World: Trump 2.0 Foreign Policy, a discussion that will explore the implications of a return of Trump to the presidency and how it may reshape U.S. foreign policy. (Professor Ross Harrison, University of Pittsburgh)

This topic is scheduled for our second session, Saturday, February 14th, 2026.

  • Ruptured Alliances and the risk of Nuclear Proliferation, a discussion focused on the consequences of weakened alliances & the implication for global security, specifically in regard to nuclear weapons. (Dr. Soren Fanning, Robert Morris University)

This topic is scheduled for our third session, Saturday, February 21st, 2026.

  • U.S. Engagement of Africa, a discussion focusing on Africa’s growing geopolitical role, comparing U.S. and Chinese presence, and the tools of statecraft the U.S. might use to strengthen ties. (TBA)

This topic is scheduled for our fourth session, Saturday, February 28th, 2026.

  • The Future of Human Rights and International Law, A look at the future of global cooperation amidst shifting power dynamics and rising nationalism. (TBA)

This topic is scheduled for our fifth session, Saturday, March 7th, 2026.

  • Ukraine and the Future of European Security, a discussion on the ongoing conflict in Ukraine and its effects on European security. (Dr. Soren Fanning, Robert Morris University)

This topic is scheduled for Saturday, March 14th, 2026.

Our North Hills Pittsburgh branch of AAUW is proud to sponsor the largest discussion program on world affairs (put forth by the Foreign Policy Association) and we hope you will be able to join us on Saturday mornings to learn more about some of the most critical issues facing America today!

Great Decisions facilitators – Francie Cech, Fran Bogos, and Sister Rita Yeasted