Great Decisions Discussion Series: High Seas Treaty ​

Facilitated by Rachel Wellhausen

Areas of the seas beyond national jurisdiction comprise the high seas, which are facing a degradation of ecosystems due to climate change and the increase in human activities, such as shipping, overfishing, pollution, and deep-sea mining. The recently negotiated High Seas Treaty, also known as the Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdiction treaty, will attempt to address these issues. How difficult will it be to convince nations to participate?

Rachel Wellhausen is an Associate Professor of Government at the University of Texas at Austin. Her primary field of interest is international political economy, including work on the political economy of international investment, finance, and trade. Her research agenda speaks to developing nations’ policy flexibility given economic globalization, and the ways in which international market actors understand and manage resulting political risks.

Wellhausen has published in the American Political Science Review, American Journal of Political Science, International Organization, Journal of Politics, British Journal of Political Science, International Studies Quarterly, Quarterly Journal of Political Science, Economics & Politics, Review of International Organizations, Business and Politics, Journal of Conflict Resolution, and other outlets.

Great Decisions is a nationwide, non-partisan program sponsored by the Foreign Policy Association intended to broaden public involvement in foreign affairs. It was launched over 50 years ago, and today tens of thousands of participants take part in discussion groups each year. Our library is proud to be hosting our sixth year of participation in the Great Decisions Program.

Eight topics have been selected this year for discussion. The Foreign Policy Association provides a Great Decisions Briefing Book if participants choose to read articles in advance, and each program begins with a video presentation outlining the issues of the evening’s topic. After the short video, a facilitator provides insight and leads a discussion.

This free, in-person program will take place in Lake Travis Community Library meeting room. No registration is required.