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Community discussions on world affairs to include pandemic preparedness event with Columbus mayors

Mar 1, 2024
Stock photo of man presenting
Stock photo of man presenting

Indiana University Columbus and Mill Race Center will present eight Great Decisions discussion events over the next two months, starting March 7, 6:30-8:30 p.m., at Mill Race Center with “Climate Technology and Competition.”

Great Decisions is America’s largest discussion program on world affairs. Every year, communities around the country convene to discuss eight international topics chosen by a panel of experts. Locally, IU Columbus and Mill Race Center will present a forum on Thursdays, 6:30 to 8 p.m., through May 9.

“We had a great showing at last year’s discussion panels, and we hope to build on that even more this year,” said George Towers, event organizer and head of the Liberal Arts Division at IU Columbus. “We’ve lined up experts on several important, relevant topics, including a discussion on pandemic preparedness with the current and former Columbus mayors, Mary Ferdon and Jim Lienhoop, along with CRH Chief Community Impact Officer Julie Abedian.”

The Great Decisions program is sponsored nationally by the Foreign Policy Association and presented locally by the IU Columbus Division of Liberal Arts and Mill Race Center. Great Decisions is supported with a grant from Indiana University’s Innovate Indiana initiative.

To register, contact Mill Race Center at (812) 376-9241. Registration is $35 for Mill Race members and $45 for non-members, which includes the eight discussion events and a briefing book with articles related to each topic.

Great Decisions events

  • March 7: “Climate Technology and Competition” with Ben Brabson, Ph.D., Emeritus Professor of Physics, IU Bloomington
  • March 14: “Mideast Realignment” with Douglas Woodwell, Ph.D., Professor of History and Political Science, University of Indianapolis
  • March 21: “Pandemic Preparation” with Columbus Mayor Mary Ferdon, previous Columbus Mayor Jim Lienhoop, and Julie Abedian, Executive Vice President and Chief Community Impact Officer for Columbus Regional Health
  • March 28: “Understanding Indonesia” with Jennifer Goodlander, Ph.D., Associate Professor and Director, Southeast Asian and ASEAN Studies Program, IU Bloomington
  • April 4: “High Seas Treaty” with David L. Bosco, Ph.D., Associate Professor and Executive Associate Dean, Hamilton Lugar School of Global and International Studies, IU Bloomington
  • April 18: “NATO’s Future” with John McCormick, Ph.D., Professor of Political Science, Indiana University Indianapolis
  • April 25: “U.S.-China Trade Rivalry” with Milind Thakar, Ph.D., Professor of International Relations, University of Indianapolis
  • May 9: “Science Across Borders” with Scott Shackelford, J.D., Ph.D, Professor of Business Law & Ethics, Kelley School of Business, IU Bloomington

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