WEDNESDAY, JUNE 19, 2024, 1:00 PM, SUMMIT PUBLIC LIBRARY

Great Decisions Global Discussion Series 2024--Session Topic:  Understanding Indonesia

Despite its large size, Indonesia remains virtually invisible to most Americans. But as one of the world’s largest democracies, the world’s largest Muslim-majority nation, and as an economic driver of ASEAN, why does it fly below the radar? What are current issues in U.S.-Indonesian relations, and what role can the country play in Asia?

Moderator:  Jim Coyle   

James R. Coyle is the cofounder of Advanced Training Products which provides workplace impairment recognition training.  Mr. Coyle is also managing member of S-Force Productions LLC which is partnered with Atlas Entertainment to produce a major motion picture of the real life rescue of an Afghani family that has been targeted for execution by the Taliban during the fall of Kabul in 2021.  For 26 years, from 1996 to 2022 Mr. Coyle was the President of the Gateway Regional Chamber of Commerce, one of the largest and most active business associations in New Jersey.  Before coming to New Jersey, Mr. Coyle managed a trading and consulting firm based in Singapore.  His clients included the U.S. Department of State, the World Bank and the Indonesian Government.   Mr. Coyle lives with his wife in Maplewood.

Volunteer Series Coordinator:  Fred Honold:

A distinctive feature of Fred’s background is his extensive global experience with organizations on all continents and within all cultures  - first as a corporate practitioner at all levels and then as a consultant with corporations. 

 Fred considers this global experience to be a “fun run” and among the best ways to learn about human nature, the human condition and this journey we call life – a natural build upon his major in history from Bowdoin College. 

 For decades Fred’s life has been Summit-Centric, raising four children in town while making it a practice to dedicate time to a variety of Summit not-for-profit organizations.  

 It was in this spirit – and as a long time card carrying member of The Summit Library – that Fred volunteered to moderate the Foreign Policy Association’s sponsored “Great Decisions for 2022 and 2023 and he is coordinating the sessions for 2024 which will be moderated by various moderators.  These Library hosted sessions - funded by “The Friends Of Summit Association” - are conducted monthly.

 Fred looks forward to joining you for our guided conversations on US Foreign Policy as we share educated and informed perspectives which enhance our understanding of the world around us.