Pilgrim House

Unitarian Universalist Fellowship

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Great Decisions

Programs are the first Thursday of the month from 7 to 9 pm October through May at Pilgrim House.

The Great Decisions Program at PH

Pilgrim House has held a Great Decisions Program since 2007. We have found Great Decisions to be a stimulating and provocative learning exercise, and we encourage others to join us.

Great Decisions is a dynamic citizen education and discussion program, sponsored nationally by the Foreign Policy Association and coordinated locally by the Minnesota International Center. Speakers are informed and interesting observers of Foreign Policy affairs. We meet the first Thursday of the month, 7:00 at PH, and invite all to attend.

The purpose of Great Decisions is to educate citizens about issues of importance to American foreign policy and to provide them with the information to form opinions about the topics covered.

Each year eight issues significant to the United States’ role in the global community are chosen for discussion.

October 7 - Special Envoys

Special Envoys can help bring attention and diplomatic muscle to resolve conflicts and global challenges but they also bring with them their own special problems. Will the Obama administration reliance on special envoys increase the ability of the US to deal with major international issues or complicate our diplomatic options??

Our speaker will be Bob White, a columnist on foreign affairs and national security for the Star Tribune, 1993-2003. He was editorial page editor for 11 years.

Please join us in the kick-off the second half of our 2010 foreign policy discussions.

May 6 - Global Financial Crisis

The topic next time deals with the global financial crisis that began in late 2007. It revealed major deficiencies in the regulation of markets and institutions, all of which came perilously close to collapse. Emergency measures to prevent a full collapse of the global financial system have led to mixed results. How will governments and the world community respond to this challenge?

Our speaker will be Hector Garcia, who spoke with us previously on the subject of Mexico. Mr. Garcia is CEO of MEX-US Global, international investment/marketing/trade and intercultural relations consulting services. Earlier worked as VP International & Domestic Emerging Markets for Wells Fargo Private Client Services. Has served on Boards of state, national and international organizations, which promote greater understanding among groups and nations and has received recognition for contributions to the community. He has presented his views on international and intercultural relations in articles published in the United States and Mexico and conferences in Brazil, Canada, Mexico, Switzerland, and the United States

April 1 - Europe’s “Far East”: The Uncertain Frontier

The expansion of NATO and Western Influence deep into Eastern Europe has provoked a sharp backlash in Russia. Should the U.S. challenge Russia’s interests in its ‘near abroad’, or back off? Russia policy of maintaining a sphere of influence in former Soviet satellites has been challenged in recent years by movements against pro-Russia regimes. Russia has pushed back by cutting Ukraine natural gas supply and intervening in Georgia campaign in South Ossetia. Will Russia regain its traditional leadership role in the region?

Our speaker will be Todd Lefko, President of International Business Development Council, an import-export firm, with homes in Minnesota and Moscow, Russia. His weekly articles appear in Rossiske Vesti, a Russian political newspaper. Has taught urban affairs and sociology at the University of Minnesota, and political science, international relations, political philosophy and public administration at other Minnesota colleges. Has lectured at Universities in Russia, China, Kazakhstan, and Turkmenistan. Has a B.A. and M.A. in Public Administration and coursework for his Ph.D. from the University of Minnesota; has also studied at Harvard University and the University of Manchester, England. Worked in villages in Jamaica, Mexico and Guatemala.

March 4 - Global Crime, with Rob Scarlett as our speaker.

Transnational Crime

Criminal trafficking in drugs, arms, forced labor and counterfeit products pervades, and, some fear, could undermine our globalized, cyber linked economy. From the booming sex trade in Eastern Europe, to online fraud syndicates in Africa and the drug cartels of Asia and Central America, crime is becoming increasingly organized and globalized. How can countries better protect citizens seeking the benefits of a globalized world from being exploited? What international actors can effectively fight global organized crime?

Rib Scarlett is a member of Pilgrim House, and just completed a tour as President of the Minnesota International Center. He travels widely with his business activities, itemized below, and has always given us unique insights into foreign affair activities.

President of Medical Equipment Exports, Inc., Minneapolis, Minnesota. Senior Associate, Grupo Avance, LLC; Former President of Smart Screen Systems, Inc., Chisholm, Minnesota. Since 1999, also doing business as Hunter Scarlett Consulting - serving as director and part-time officer for start-ups and smaller manufacturing companies in the U.S., Europe and Latin America. Some examples are: Regional Vice President, Business Development, Vubiz.com, Toronto, Canada; Senior Consultant, VanCor, LLC. Newport Beach, CA; Business Cultures Consultant, FGI/Window on the World, Inc.; CEO, Duratech USA, Inc.

February 4 - Halting Atrocities in Kenya, with Jim Dorsey as speaker.

Post-election rioting in Kenya in December 2007 brought pressure on Nairobi, from international and regional diplomats, to end tensions and avert bloodshed on a massive scale. What lessons can be learned from the intervention in Kenya? What does it mean for the UN emerging responsibility to protect doctrine?

Jim spoke with us a couple of years ago on his legal representation of one of the Guantanamo detainees, and I’ve asked him to give us an update on his client’s status, as well as other aspects of the Guantanamo situation. As a lawyer, has handled human rights cases for the ACLU, the MCLU, the NAACP, and a death row inmate in Louisiana. A founder of Minnesota Advocates for Human Rights, has conducted human rights investigations in South Africa, Mexico and Nicaragua. Mr. Dorsey and several lawyers at his firm, Fredrikson & Byron, currently represent an Algerian detainee in Guantanamo Bay. In addition, he has represented Fair Vote Minnesota in a case involving the constitutionality of Minneapolis' new instant run-off voting system. Received a B.A. from Yale and served as an infantry officer in the United States Marine Corps. Graduated from the University of Virginia School of Law.

2010 Topics

• Special Envoys
• Preventing Genocide
• Global Crime
• U.S.-China Security Relations
• Global Financial Crisis
• Russia and Its Neighbors
• The Persian Gulf
• Peace Building and Conflict Resolution

2009 Topics

The U.S. and Rising Powers

Since the end of the cold war, the U.S. has emerged as the world’s predominant power. However, in the 21st century some rapidly developing countries have become increasingly influential. Who are these rising powers? Will their emergence change the global balance of power? How will the U.S. react?

Afghanistan and Pakistan

New found hopes for stability in Iraq have shifted the U.S. military focus back to Afghanistan and Pakistan, one of the most volatile border regions in the world. What impact will this renewed interest have on the two states as well as on U.S. defense strategy?

Energy and Raising Economy

Rising energy prices, driven by instability in key producing regions such as the Middle East and increasing demand from developing countries, are affecting the global economy. What are the potential consequences of huge wealth transfers to oil-exporting states? Are there any realistic alternative energy scenarios on the horizon?

The Arctic Age

As rising temperatures alter the landscape of the Arctic, creating new challenges and opportunities, how prepared is the U.S. to deal with these changes?

Egypt in the 21st Century

Egypt has long played an important role in the Arab world while maintaining a strategic relationship with the U.S. With elections scheduled for 2009, how will Egypt deal with serious domestic issues, ranging from Islamic radicalism to food shortages? What factors will influence the path of this regional heavyweight?

Global Food Supply

Global prices for food staples have risen dramatically, resulting in protests and unrest around the world. What factors are driving prices up, and can they be tamed? What will the political fallout be for governments that fail to act, and what role can global institutions play?

Cuba after Castro

Since Fidel Castro handed over the presidency of Cuba to his brother, Raul in early 2008, signs of greater economic openness have led to much speculation. Will Raul seek to reopen ties with the U.S.? What role will Cuba American exiles play in shaping a post-Castro Cuba?

Universal human rights?

As the Universal Declaration of Human Rights celebrates its 60th anniversary, events in the Balkans, Sudan and Myanmar continue to challenge its idealism, while raising new questions about the prospects for humanitarian interventions. Do human rights transcend national borders and customs? Is the definition of human rights changing?