The Great Decisions program provides background information and policy options for the eight most critical issues facing America each year and serves as the focal text for discussion groups across the country. The Great Decisions program was created by the Foreign Policy Association. The mission of the Foreign Policy Association today, as it has been for over 100 years, is to serve as a catalyst for developing awareness, understanding, and informed opinion on U.S. foreign policy and global issues. Through its balanced, nonpartisan programs and publications, the FPA encourages citizens to participate in the foreign policy process. Please read the Foreign Policy Association descriptions here: FPA announces Great Decisions topics for 2026

This program is brought to the community through a partnership with Global Minnesota who provide us with the foreign policy experts. The Friends of the Edina Library and Global Minnesota graciously co-sponsor this program.

January 12 - Andrew Latham - Ukraine & the Future of European Security

Andrew Latham, MA, PhD. is Professor of International Relations and Political Theory at Macalester College, Saint Paul, MN; Non-Resident Fellow, Defense Priorities, Washington, DC; Senior Fellow, Institute for Peace and Diplomacy, Ottawa, CDA; and Opinion Contributor, The Hill, Washington, DC . Professor Latham’s primary scholarly interests are in the areas of international relations and political thought. He regularly teaches courses on international security, Chinese foreign policy, regional conflict in the Middle East, regional conflict in the Asia-Pacific, medieval political thought, US foreign policy, and conservative political theory. His most recent publication is Theorizing Medieval Geopolitics: War and World Order in the Age of the Crusades. He has also published a novel about the Third Crusade entitled The Holy Lance.

February 9 - Todd Lefko - Trump Tariffs and the Future of the World Economy 

Todd is President of the International Business Development Company, brings 35+ years of experience in international relations, specializing in import-export and new technologies. He has published over 700 articles as a columnist for Rossiske Vesti and is on the editorial board of the Russian Historical Reporter. Todd has taught thousands of students at Minnesota universities and lectured globally, from Russia to China. A founder of Global Volunteers and Chair of East-West Connections, Todd’s academic background includes a BA in History, MA in Public Administration, and studies at Harvard.

Please note this March date is a TUESDAY! 

March 24 - Richard Leitch - Multilateral Institutions in a Changing World Order 

Richard Lietch is Associate Professor in Political Science, Environmental Studies, and Japanese Studies Dr. Richard Leitch earned his BA in East Asian Studies from Colby College in 1985, and went on to earn an MA in Asian Studies from the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign after a two-year career on Wall Street. He earned his Ph.D. in Political Science from Illinois in 1995, where he was the recipient of the Harriet and Charles Luckman Award for Distinguished Undergraduate Teaching, and the College of Liberal Arts Award for Distinguished Teaching by a Graduate Assistant. He has been a member of the Political Science Department at Gustavus since 1996, where he teaches courses in International Relations, Comparative Politics, Asian Politics, Environmental Politics, and the Politics of Poverty. In 2000 he received the Swenson-Bunn Award for Teaching Excellence at Gustavus, and in 2008 the Edgar M. Carlson Award for Distinguished Teaching. In 2012 he was included in The Princeton Review's The Best 300 Professors. His research interests include Japanese domestic politics and foreign policy, and he is the co-author of Japan's Role in the Post Cold War World. B.A. Colby College (1985, East Asian Studies); M.A. University of Illinois (Asian Studies); Ph.D. University of Illinois (1995, Political Science)

March 30 - Todd Lefko - Ukraine & the Future of European Security

Todd Lefko is President of the International Business Development Company, an import-export firm dealing with water purification equipment, kilns, linen, art, and new technologies. He has homes in both Minnesota and Moscow, and has written more than 680 articles, which appeared weekly in Rossiske Vesti, the political newspaper of the Russian Presidential administration, as well as other Russian newspapers. Todd is on the editorial board for the Russian Historical Review, a quarterly journal, as well as being the English editor for four Russian books. Todd has worked in Russia for over 32 years. Todd has taught sociology and urban affairs at the University of Minnesota and political science, international relations, political philosophy, political campaign management, leadership and organizational development at other Minnesota colleges. He has lectured at universities in Russia, China, Germany, Belarus, Kazakhstan, and Turkmenistan. He has an M.A. in Public Administration and coursework for a Ph.D. from the University of Minnesota and has studied public policy as Bush Fellow at Harvard and urban planning at the University of Manchester, England. He is one of the founders of Global Volunteers and has been their Treasurer and representative at the United Nations and serves on their Board of Trustees. Todd has also been a member of the Twin Cities Metropolitan Council, The Regional Transit Board, and the Minnesota Experimental City Authority. He is currently Chairperson of the Russian-American Business and Culture Council.

April 13 - Ellen Kennedy - The Future of Human Rights and International Law

Ellen J. Kennedy, Ph.D., is the founder and Executive Director of World Without Genocide, a human rights organization located at Mitchell Hamline School of Law in St. Paul, where she is an adjunct professor. Kennedy was named an Outstanding Citizen by the Anne Frank Center in New York, a Prominent Minnesotan, and one of ’50 over 50’ in Minnesota for her work. She received the FBI Director’s Community Leadership Award and the Liberty Bell Award from the Ramsey County Bar Association for advancing human rights and the law. She is a recipient of the Alumni of Distinction award from Northern Michigan University, Woman of Valor award from Forward Global Women, and Changemaker award from Minnesota Women’s Press. Kennedy is a representative to the United Nations Department of Global Communications and World Without Genocide is in Special Consultative Status to the United Nations. Kennedy has a BA degree from the University of Michigan, two masters’ degrees from Northern Michigan University, and an MA and two doctorate degrees from the University of Minnesota.

April 27 - Gary Prevost - US Engagement with Africa. 

Gary Prevost is Professor Emeritus of Political Science at the College of St. Benedict and St. John’s University and Research Associate and Honorary Professor at Nelson Mandela University in South Africa. He has taught Middle East Politics for more than 40 years with a particular focus on the Israeli-Palestinian question. He has presented Great Decisions lectures on Middle East topics for the past 25 years.

Gary Prevost is Professor Emeritus of Political Science and Latin American Studies at the College of St. Benedict and St. John’s University and Research Associate and Honorary Professor at Nelson Mandela University in South Africa. He is the author or co-editor of close to twenty books and 100 academic articles on a range of international subjects with a primary focus on Latin America and South Africa. He has taught courses on international relations for fifty years and is regular lecturer in the Great Decisions program of Global Minnesota

May 11 - Andrew Latham - Ruptured Alliances and the Risk of Nuclear Proliferation

Andrew Latham, MA, PhD. is Professor of International Relations and Political Theory at Macalester College, Saint Paul, MN; Non-Resident Fellow, Defense Priorities, Washington, DC; Senior Fellow, Institute for Peace and Diplomacy, Ottawa, CDA; and Opinion Contributor, The Hill, Washington, DC . Professor Latham’s primary scholarly interests are in the areas of international relations and political thought. He regularly teaches courses on international security, Chinese foreign policy, regional conflict in the Middle East, regional conflict in the Asia-Pacific, medieval political thought, US foreign policy, and conservative political theory. His most recent publication is Theorizing Medieval Geopolitics: War and World Order in the Age of the Crusades. He has also published a novel about the Third Crusade entitled The Holy Lance.

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Please read our Adult Programming Overview page for all info regarding registration, cancellation, and building info.

Adult Programs - Edina Community Ed (edinaschools.org)

Registration for all class sessions closes 3 days before the start date.

Late Registration: If you miss the deadline but are still interested, you can contact the Community Ed office. Space may be limited, but we'll try our best to accommodate late registrations.

Email: communityed@edinaschools.org
Phone: (952) 848-3952