Folks wanting to learn more about the wider implications of the border disputes between Afghanistan and Pakistan could travel to the volatile region themselves.

Or, they could attend Tom Hanson’s talk tonight at the Watonwan County Library and save the precarious travel itinerary.

“This is a neat program,” said Sue Harris, St. James’ community education director. “The intent is to really generate some global discussions.”

With help from several local service organizations, St. James has teamed up with the Minnesota International Center to host Tom Hanson, a Minnesota resident and former foreign policy official.

Hanson, who was once a U.S. Foreign Service officer and has served on several foreign relations committees, is speaking at Madelia and St. James high schools during the day — with Butterfield-Odin students also attending — and will facilitate a community talk in the evening.

The program, called Great Decisions, is a non-partisan effort aimed at engaging citizens in wider global issues. Hanson’s talk will focus on Afghanistan and Pakistan and the challenging policy decisions awaiting President Barack Obama and his administration.

“It’s important we understand what’s going on in the much larger world we live in,” Harris said.

Teachers at the participating high schools prepared students for Hanson’s arrival with a crash course in the area’s political and cultural history. St. James teacher Les Zellman said he gave his students some background information as well as some context for the current debate.

“Right now, Obama’s focus seems to be shifting from Iraq to the Pakistan theater,” Zellman said. “It’s a very timely topic.”

Funds were pooled by supporting organizations to purchase several Great Decisions materials to be kept in the Watonwan County Library, including a DVD series and a briefing book that details all eight 2009 Great Decisions debate topics.

For more information, contact Harris at 507-375-4517.