On Wednesday, May 20, the Forum will consider the next topic in the Foreign Policy Association's Great Decisions 2026 program, "U.S. Engagement with Africa". Led by Ken Yeats, we will explore Africa's growing geopolitical importance in the clean energy transition, a technological revolution that relies heavily on Africa's abundant mineral resources. This abundance continues to fuel competition among the West, China, and Global South for strategic influence. What lessons have been learned from past initiatives, and which avenues of engagement could yield optimal results for both U.S. strategic interests and the rapidly growing population of young Africans?
Wednesday Forum
Wednesday, May 20, 11 a.m.–1 p.m. in Knatvold and via Zoom
U.S. Engagement with Africa
We are following the Foreign Policy Association's Great Decisions 2026 booklet with chapters on different topics for background reading. The booklet is available to order at fpa.org for $35 plus shipping. Each session will be led by a Forum volunteer, and introduced by a video from the Foreign Policy Association.
We will discuss the last topic in the 2026 program,
"The Future of Human Rights and International Law" on
June 3. Hold the date for the last Forum meeting of this season on
June 17, when we will have a
potluck
and discuss ideas for Forum sessions in the fall.
We meet from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the Knatvold room and via Zoom on the first and third Wednesdays of the month. All are welcome to join. If you are not already on the Forum list and would like to be, to receive the Zoom link and regular notices, please contact the UUC office at office@uuchurch.org or (206) 525-8400.
Posted/updated on:
May 13, 2026