Great Decisions at the Library returns with the topic “The United Nations – Looking Forward” at 9:30 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 13 at Bethany Lutheran Church.

On the eve of the international organization’s 70th birthday, the United Nations stands at a crossroads. This year marks a halfway point in the organization’s global effort to eradicate poverty, hunger and discrimination, as well as ensure justice and dignity for all peoples.

But as the UN’s 193 member states look back at the success of the Millennium Development Goals, they also must assess their needs for sustainable development goals — a new series of benchmarks that are set to expire in 2030 — and address widespread criticism that the organization is bloated, undemocratic, and very expensive.

The moderator for the free program is David Harrison, senior lecturer emeritus at the U.W. Evans School of Public Affairs.