Northern Michigan University will present the 2016 Great Decisions Global Discussion Series. Great Decisions is a series of critical examinations of foreign policy presented by a roster of nationally known experts. NMU’s political science department and international programs office are partnering with the World Affairs Council of Western Michigan to share these presentations on campus. The public is invited to these free events.

Discussions will take place from 9-10:30 a.m. Tuesdays in Jamrich 3319. The February lineup follows:

Feb. 2: “It Isn’t Funny: A Political Cartoonist in the Arab World” by Isra El-beshir from the Arab American National Museum in Dearborn. The discussion will focus how Arab political cartoonists help drive public debate on critical issues and how it puts them under personal risk. He will focus on the political “khartoons” of Kahlid Albiah, whose work rose to prominence in the early stages of the Arab Springs protests. Albiah’s work remains relevant as more political issues take place in the Middle East.

Feb. 9: “Migration to Michigan: Challenges to Opportunities” will be presented by Bing Goei who works in the State of Michigan Office for New Americans. He will discuss how Michigan receives the third-largest share of refugees coming into the United States and how the state works to integrate newcomers.

Feb. 16: “Climate Change: Local Solutions to Global Problems” will be presented by George Heartwell, former mayor of Grand Rapids. Heartwell will draw on his decades of work creating a more sustainable Grand Rapids. He will also discuss the role that local communities can play in addressing climate change.

Feb. 23: “Never Again: The UN’s Role in Genocide Prevention” will be presented by Brett O’Bannon, director of the conflict studies program at DePauw University. He will discuss the “Responsibility to Protect,” a philosophy aimed at early prevention of mass atrocities. While the United Nations is seen as being one of the key players in genocide prevention, he will address whether it can or should play such a large role.

For more information, contact Kevin Timlin at 227-2510.