Library: Great Decisions Group Discussion – U.S. AID Closure & WHO Exit

Meeting Room, Acton Memorial Library, 486 Main Street, Acton, MA, 01720

Great Decisions is America’s largest discussion program on world affairs. The program model involves reading the Great Decisions Briefing Book and meeting in a Discussion Group to discuss the most critical global issues facing America today.

This month’s topic will be on the U.S. pullback from supporting International Benefit Organizations. The current administration is removing support for USAID (Agency for International Development), UNESCO (Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization), UNHRC (Human Rights Council), UNICEF (International Children’s Emergency Fund), UNRWA (Relief and Works Agency) and UNWHO (World Health Organization).

Reasons cited vary from organization to organization including ineptitude, waste, fraud, excess funding by the U.S. compared to other nations, antisemitism, and claims that they are inconsistent with current American foreign policy. Some pullbacks began before the current administration.

Come and learn about these organizations and note how U.S. policy is diminishing their activities.

The readings for this meeting are available at the AML reference desk. Please read them ahead of the meeting.