The Great Decisions 2013 discussion groups will be starting to meet within the next few weeks to encourage residents to talk about what is happening beyond the borders of our country.

Virginia Ward, a Great Decisions member, said the groups are thought provoking and allows everyone to express their views on various topics.

"To discuss topics of interest, international interest and also some national topics that lead us to further, deeper discussion on topics that are generally covered by the news media," Ward said.

She said the topics are already chosen and one of the eight different topics will be discussed during each group meeting.

"Each year the Foreign Policy Association, which has been in existence for more than 50 years now, complies the topics and chooses the authors of the articles," Ward said.

Topics covered this year include: Future of the Euro, Egypt, NATO, Myanmar, Intervention, Iran, China in Africa, and Threat Assessment.

The annual kick-off lecture is scheduled for Sunday, January 27th at 3 p.m. at the C. Burr Artz Library in Frederick. The speaker will be Dr. Debroah Baugtigam, Director of the Center for International Development at the John's Hopkins University's School of Advanced International Studies and will discuss China interest in Africa.

Ward said there are over 300 total members located around Frederick County and 15 groups close to the area for those interested in joining. Different groups meet on different days and at different times. Contact the registrar, Dr. Gary Schwartz at 301-696-2826 or at GPWolverine@comcast.net for further information regarding groups nearest you and meeting times.