Notes for prospective new members:
- Our Inspiration: Internationally, remarkably few other u3a organisations have a “Geopolitics Interest Group”, but whilst Elmbridge, Ballerat and
Victoria are a tad far to travel to, but as we were starting up the following sites gave ideas for possible content, and an overview of "What is
Geopolitics about": We are grateful to these for helping us as we started up: - https://u3asites.org.uk/elmbridge/page/27691 and
- https://u3achrisdickinson.com/
- What is Geopolitics about? We have agreed what we think Geopolitics is about. No doubt
this will change over time, our working summary is - Ethos: We agree it is good to be challenged with alternative points of view, but NOT to feel
threatened, undermined or intimidated. We agree that we must guard against "confirmation
bias", i.e. accepting only what we already believe: Hearing opposing views, considering,
fact-finding, thinking and debating, but critically not just tolerating "opposing" or
challenging views but actively encouraging such must be part of our ethos, along with
supporting each other as we feel challenged. Supportive comments and
laughter are encouraged - Leadership and Learning: We agree that none of us are "experts", and we can all learn
from each other. Each of us can find out things that the rest of us may be interested to learn
about For now, Rik has agreed to coordinate/lead/chair our discussions as primus inter
pares: He is happy to have this reviewed every few months, should one or more other
members wish to take on any "leader" roles, and is keen that we are as democratic as we
reasonably can be. - "Introducer": We have agreed that whilst Rik chairs, each of us will take it in turn to a)
choose a topic and b) introduce it at the agreed date. We agreed this must be an enjoyable
and stress-free duty, and here are some hopefully reassuring guidelines - Book Recommendations: Several of us are reading books about geopolitics and related
fields, and we tell each other about these and swapping reading material. For any members
unable to attend a meeting, we are noting our recommendations here for easy reference. - Group Size: We discussed what we felt the optimum size of our group should be: Too small
a number present limits discussion, knowledge and the opportunity for a wide range of
views. Too many limits the opportunity for all to feel they have contributed. The consensus
was that we prefer meetings with around 5 to 12 participants, depending to some extent on
personalities and recognising that we will rarely have everyone present. Should we grow
above 12 attendees, we could optionally either break into two groups OR to meet in
one location with a breakout facility, discuss in two sub-groups, then join for a plenary. We
can therefore grow further. - Confidentiality and Contacts: Those of us present at the July 23 meeting agreed it would
be helpful to share contact details. Given GDPR and other concerns, we will only share
"first name" unless you send an email to Rik giving permission for other details. - Meeting plan: These are "flexible" but this serves to give a flavour of a typical session:
- 5 mins: Welcome/update
- 60 mins: One of us will introduce the topic they have chosen in advance from our
"Topics List". We then move to chaired open discussion. - 5 mins max: Agreement of main points raised/made/summary. Decision whether to
continue this topic the following month after we have each has time to reflect and
research at a later session, or summarise and close the topic. - 10 mins: Refreshment break/refill glasses at the bar. Social conversation is
recommended, unless a discussion topic has fired us up! - 50 mins max: We share "Good News Stories" usually for around 10 minutes (see
our "Group Risk Assessment" at the top of this page, and you will understand why
we do this!). Those who wish to, put forward thoughts about "Hot Geopolitical
News" that may or may have not hit headlines in the past month, and we discuss
these. We might agree that some developments warrant adding to our "Topics List"
for more in-depth treatment at a later meeting. - 5 mins: Wrap-up, look forward to next session perhaps including a short explanation
of the following month's main topic. This usually gives us a few minutes to tidy up
before we end at 4.15.
Discussion Topics plan: - In June 2023 Rik circulated a list of possible topics. This has been further refined and
augmented, and is now embedded at the foot of this web page, updated as new topics
are suggested - We have agreed that we will each in turn choose a topic from the list, so that over time we
will each have our own personal top choice of topic discussed. We have drawn names out of
a hat, and await topic choices from each member as their turn comes. - As a reserve in case of illness or other unexpected absence, the following month's
topic+member will step in. - Any member can "opt out" of choosing a topic: No pressure!
- We realise that none of us are world authorities on any of the topics, so the "Member's topic
introduction" may be no more than reading out the title…. or they may spend up to 10
minutes explaining why they feel the topic is important, what they know, and important
aspects to discuss. - If a 2/3rds+ majority agree, then any topic suggested as warranting more discussion can be
carried forward to continue as the topic for the next month, with all of the later topics moved
later by one month. - The list of possible topics is likely to expand over time, with inclusion of some items from
our "Hot Geopolitical News" section