Calendar Of Events

Disclaimer: Please note that this biweekly update is for informational purposes; it not necessarily indicate endorsement (or lack thereof) by the University of Minnesota Human Rights Center

Events for September 2008
1-4	Civic Fest: A Very Minnesota Celebration Time: price: Adult $15, Student/Senior/Military $10 No Fees! Children 8 & under Free! Location: Minneapolis Convention Center Description: As Minnesota takes center stage this summer for the Republican National Convention, citizens have the opportunity to experience and be a part of history in the making. CivicFest, a non-partisan celebration of American and Minnesota political and statehood history will transform the Minneapolis Convention Center into an entertaining and informative showcase of American history Aug. 29 Sept. 4. Never again will all of these exhibits, artifacts and memorabilia be found under one roof.
2-3	Peace Island Time: Proceedings start at 10:00 a.m. each day price: $50 per person Location: Concordia University, 275 Syndicate St. N., St. Paul, MN 55104-5494 Description: At the time of the 2008 Republican National Convention, national and world attention will be focused on the Twin Cities of Saint Paul and Minneapolis on the banks of the Mississippi River. Peace Island will convene a solutions driven conference to promote and celebrate peace, justice, harmony, nonviolence and care of the earth. Nationally known speakers have been invited to participate in panels and discussions relating to their field of expertise. There will be six major speakers; 20 additional 'breakout' sessions led by persons prominent in peace and justice topics; and many tables for assorted peace and justice organization Peace Island was conceived by Friends of Coldwater founder Susu Jeffrey of Minneapolis. She was joined by Dennis Dillon in October of 2006, and shortly thereafter most of the current committee members joined in the planning and organizing. The Minnesota Alliance of Peacemakers (MAP) became official sponsor of the conference in October 2007. Many on the committee are members of organizations that belong to MAP. The group includes Dick Bernard, former MAP President from 2005-2007. Other organization affiliations include AlliantACTION, ELCA Synod Committee, Hawkinson Foundation, National Night Out, Saint Mary's Basilica, St. Joan of Arc, Twin Cities Peace Campaign - Focus on IRAQ, and Women Against Military Madness. St. Joan of Arc Church has provided a financial grant to Peace Island.
3	Darfur: Where is Our Moral Compass? Time: 5:30 pm - 7:00 PM Location: State Capitol Grounds, 75 Rev Martin Luther King Blvd Description: "Camp Darfur" INTERACTIVE EXHIBIT 5:30 P.M. - 6:00 P.M. PROGRAM: 6:00 P.M. - 7:00 P.M. Moderated by WCCO Radio's Jack Rice The eyes of the world are on St. Paul. The hearts of the world must be on Darfur. People from all political parties and faiths must take a stand against genocide. * Interfaith service of prayer and hope * Calls for action by local, state, and national elected officials Shuttle Bus Locations and Pick-Up Times: Southdale Mall: Pick-up is at 4:30 p.m. in the overflow parking lot near the movie theater and water tower. Ridgedale Mall: Pick-up is at 4:30 p.m. in the parking lot near the Macy's Men's and Home stores. Temple Israel Synagogue (2324 Emerson Ave. S., Minneapolis): Pick-up is at 4:45 p.m. in the main parking lot. St. Paul SuperTarget (1300 University Ave. W., St. Paul): There are three pick-ups at this location - 4:45 p.m., 5:15 p.m., & 5:45 p.m. All buses will leave the State Capitol at approximately 7:00 p.m. to return to the shuttle bus pick-up locations. Reservations for the buses are recommended but not required. To make a reservation, send an e-mail to ContactMIDC@gmail.com and provide your name, phone number, which location and time you are requesting, and the number of people in your party.
4	Genocide and Human Trafficking Time: 7:00p - 9:00p price: Free and open to the public Location: Rm 25 Mondale Hall, University of Minnesota Law School Description: FEATURING: Senator Sandra Pappas Sponsor of Minnesota s laws on human trafficking Joy Friedman Breaking Free - helping women to escape prostitution Film - Human Trafficking * Human trafficking is a hidden crime whose victims are undiscovered and brutally exploited for sex or slave labor. * Traffickers prey on US citizens and foreigners alike. The evil of human trafficking is found wherever vulnerable people can be exploited by others. * Almost 1 million people are trafficked across international borders each year COME LEARN MORE ABOUT HUMAN TRAFFICKING AND ITS CONNECTION TO GENOCIDE Sponsored by: STAND; Center for Holocaust and Genocide Studies; Genocide Intervention Network-Minnesota; Human Rights Program; Human Rights Center
4	Peace Island Picnic Time: 1:00 pm - 8:00 pm price: Free and open to the public Location: Harriet Island, St Paul (just across the Big Muddy from the Republican National Convention!) Description: Music all day: Tao Rodriquez-Seeger folksinger and grandson of American Folk icon Pete Seeger Palbasha Siddique this Minneapolis high school senior is the haunting voice of the youtube video sensation Dancing by Matt Harding (www.wherethehellisMatt.com) David Rovics singer-songwriter. The musical version of Democracy Now! --Amy Goodman Robayat the music of Persia, Turkey and Central Asia Tuesdays Robot local favorites, whose acoustic folk is sincere, melodic and socially aware --The Pulse Sara Thomsen [this Duluth artist s] soulful voice, poetic lyrics and unforgettable melodies cut through to the heart and the soul of human experience. --MN Women s Press Larry Long nationally known Minnesota troubadour, Smithsonian Folkways recording artist and composer for the play WELLSTONE! AND: Peace kite flying and building, Iraq War Memorial Quilt, Minnesota TrueBlue Jumbotron programming, American Friends Service Cmte s Cost Of War Display and more to come! 1:00--OPENING CEREMONY: Prayers and songs for the water with Dorene Day, Louis Alemayehu, Mitch Walking Elk, Larry Long 4:30--FOLK JAM with Tao Rodriquez-Seeger, Mitch Walking Elk, Larry Long, Sara Thomsen 6:00--HUMAN PEACE SIGN: Let s beat the Guinness record! JOIN US! 6:30--PEACE SONG SING-ALONG 7:00--SUNSET PEACE DRUM JAM with Batucada do Norte Brazilian drum band We celebrate ordinary peace in extraordinary times. Musicians, artists and WE THE PEOPLE! bring us back to sanity and good neighborliness-- at home and in the world! Bring lawnchairs, blankets, all your friends, maybe your own refreshments to supplement ours. Limited Harriet Island parking available, but there is plenty of street parking. WHAT IS IT: A non-partisan family-oriented event capping four days of marches, parades, art and dramatic presentations and other UnConventional expressions throughout the Twin Cities when national attention is on the Republican National Convention. VOLUNTEER: Help with artistic events, and food. Contact rossrowley@hotmail.com or call 952-465-2866 CONTRIBUTE: Contributions are taxdeductible. Make checks payable to Intermedia Arts and mail to Peace Island Picnic, 193 Beaumont Ct, Apple Valley, MN 55124 JOIN US to show the nation the peace movement is thriving!
5-6	Voices of Guantanamo Time: 8:00 PM price: $10 at the door Location: Patrick's Cabaret, 3010 Minnehaha Ave, Minneapolis, MN 55406 Description: Sally Dixon was so deeply moved by the book Poems From Guant namo - The Detainees Speak that she couldn't put it down, couldn't forget it! Kate Allen, director of Amnesty International UK, is quoted on the back cover as saying, "Some have taken sanctuary in poetry, and through this small volume we hear their voices and glimpse their innermost feelings. Their poems are a remarkable and moving testament to the power of the human spirit." The book, Poems from Guant namo, comes to life with a night of poetry, music, theater and dance. Curated by Sally Dixon with poem readings by Jim Moore, Zafar Kahn, Reier Erickson, Reggie Prim, Omar Jamal and brief prisoner bios read by Ruth Weiner and Anne Carayon. Featuring music by Mary Ellen Childs, Jim Callahan, Sina Goudarzi and Dan Rein with performances by Jesse Neumann Peterson and the Kairos Dance Theatre. For more information, call Rachel at 612-724-6273 ext 3, or visit the http://www.patrickscabaret.org/ All proceeds will be donated by the artists to The Center for Victims of Torture
6	Global Food Crisis at Home and Abroad Time: 4:00 pm - 6:30 pm price: Free and open to the public Location: Macalaster College, John B. Davis Lecture Hall, 1600 Grand Ave, St Paul, MN Description: Global Food Crisis at Home and Abroad Join us for a conference presented by UNA-MN YPIC on the topic of the current world food crisis as it relates to the rising food and fuel costs Honored Speakers and Guests Include: Dr. Elmi Ahmed Duale (Somali Ambassador to the UN) Prof. William G. Moseley (Macalester) Other speakers to be announced Moderated by Mark McCrea (Feed My Starving Children) Beneficiary of the event is Friends of the World Food Program, the American fundraising arm for the UN's World Food Programme All donations to the Friends of the World Food Program are greatly appreciated Made Possible By: Staples Alamin Travel Inc. The Minneapolis Foundation Macalester College: Geography Department
8	If Microfinance is the Answer, What is the Question? Time: 3:00 PM - 5:00 PM price: Free, but online registration required Location: Dorsey-Ewald Conference Center, 1000 Westgate Dr, Ste 252, St Paul, MN Description: Midwest International NGO Network (MINN) invites you to the Educational Event: "If Microfinance is the Answer, What is the Question?" International Experts Share Stories from the Field. *Light snacks will be provided. Participation in this event is free but online registration is required.* Register by contacting Stephanie at MCN at shaddad@mncn.org . A loan as small as $30 can help an indigent person in the developing world gain access to capital, open a small business, and become economically self sufficient. This practice of offering financial services to the poor is called "microfinance and it is commonly used in places where formal banking institutions do not exist or where incomes are so small that individuals do not qualify for banking services. In fact, 2006 Nobel Prize winner Dr. Muhammad Yunus suggested that if all the economically active poor people had access to financial services such as microloans, the only place you would be able to see poverty in the future would be in the poverty museums. But microfinance is a growing field, and there are many points of view regarding its effectiveness. Join us to hear from experts representing several local nonprofits to learn about the practice of microfinance and to hear about the successes and challenges they experience in their work. Presenters will also share stories of clients around the world who run a variety of businesses, which may sell goats, weave textiles, or offer tailoring services. Presenters: Terry Isert, senior technical advisor, economic opportunities, American Refugee Committee; Chingwell Mutombu, founder and executive director, First Step Initiative; and Rob Scarlett, member, President s Council, ACCION International Event Agenda: 2:30 p.m. Registration and Networking 3 p.m. Welcome and Introductions 3:15 p.m. Introduction of Microfinance 3:30 p.m. Panelists Presentations 4:30 p.m. Q & A and Discussion 5 p.m. Adjourn Presenters Bios: Terry Isert, senior technical advisor, economic opportunities, American Refugee Committee has more than 11 years of experience in enterprise development, poverty lending primarily focused on women and their families, and youth employment promotion. Terry has considerable experience in cross-cultural relationships and practices and currently manages ARC s global portfolio of microenterprise development programs and microfinance institutions and programs in 7 countries spanning Africa to Asia. He received an M.B.A. degree from Southern New Hampshire University, an M.A. in international development from Brandeis University and a B.S. in industrial engineering from the University of Pittsburgh. Chingwell Mutombu is the founder and executive director of First Step Initiative. Throughout her professional career, she has worked on issues affecting disenfranchised communities both nationally and internationally. Chingwell s diverse background includes the founding of a consulting business which she currently runs, and her work as an advocate for human rights. Chingwell is a graduate of Luther College and holds two Master's degrees from Seton Hall University in public administration (with focus in nonprofit management) and international relations. Rob Scarlett has more than forty years of continuous involvement in the micro-lending movement, beginning when he worked for ACCION International in the poorest communities in Venezuela, Brazil and Peru in the mid-1960s. He is a frequent speaker on the subject of the informal economy and the origins of the microlending movement and the microfinance industry. Currently, Rob serves as a member of ACCION s President s Council, while making his living assisting smaller U.S. businesses establish themselves in Latin American and African markets. Rob is a 1966 graduate of Carleton College in Northfield, Minnesota. Sponsoring Organizations: This event is brought to you by the Midwest International NGO Network (MINN). MINN's mission is to provide an open environment for international practitioners to network and exchange professional experiences and best practices. For more information about MINN, joining the listserv, attending future events and volunteering opportunities, visit www.midwestngo.org. This event is co-sponsored by the Minnesota Council of Nonprofits (MCN). Established in 1987, the Minnesota Council of Nonprofit is a membership organization with more than 1,900 nonprofit members representing all nonprofit activity areas, budget sizes and geographic regions of Minnesota. MCN s mission is to inform, promote, strengthen and connect individual nonprofits and the nonprofit sector. Accommodations are courtesy of Ewald Consulting and Dorsey Ewald Conference Center
8	If Microfinance is the Answer, What is the Question? Time: 3:00 PM - 5:00 PM price: Participation in this event is free but online registration is required Location: Dorsey-Ewald Conference Center, 1000 Westgate Dr, Ste 252, St Paul, MN Description: Midwest International NGO Network (MINN) invites you to the Educational Event If Microfinance is the Answer, What is the Question? International Experts Share Stories from the Field Monday, September 8, 2008, 3 5 PM (registration begins at 2:30 PM) Dorsey-Ewald Conference Center 1000 Westgate Drive, Ste. 252, St. Paul (Free parking is available outside the center) *Light snacks will be provided. Participation in this event is free but online registration is required.* Register by contacting Stephanie at MCN at shaddad@mncn.org A loan as small as $30 can help an indigent person in the developing world gain access to capital, open a small business, and become economically self sufficient. This practice of offering financial services to the poor is called "microfinance and it is commonly used in places where formal banking institutions do not exist or where incomes are so small that individuals do not qualify for banking services. In fact, 2006 Nobel Prize winner Dr. Muhammad Yunus suggested that if all the economically active poor people had access to financial services such as microloans, the only place you would be able to see poverty in the future would be in the poverty museums. But microfinance is a growing field, and there are many points of view regarding its effectiveness. Join us to hear from experts representing several local nonprofits to learn about the practice of microfinance and to hear about the successes and challenges they experience in their work. Presenters will also share stories of clients around the world who run a variety of businesses, which may sell goats, weave textiles, or offer tailoring services. Presenters: Terry Isert, senior technical advisor, economic opportunities, American Refugee Committee; Chingwell Mutombu, founder and executive director, First Step Initiative; and Rob Scarlett, member, President s Council, ACCION International Event Agenda: 2:30 p.m. Registration and Networking 3 p.m. Welcome and Introductions 3:15 p.m. Introduction of Microfinance 3:30 p.m. Panelists Presentations 4:30 p.m. Q & A and Discussion 5 p.m. Adjourn
10	Advocating against the Death Penalty using a Pro-Victim Approach Time: 12:00 pm - 1:00 pm price: Free, but please RSVP by Tuesday, Sept 9th Location: Dorsey & Whitney, Seattle Room, 50 South 6th Street, 15th Flr, Minneapolis, MN 55402 Description: The Advocates for Human Rights Presented by: Jennifer Bishop Jenkins When: Wednesday, September 10, 2008 from 12:00p.m.-1:00p.m. Where: Dorsey & Whitney, Seattle Room 15th Floor, 50 South 6th Street Minneapolis, MN 55402 Please R.S.V.P. to Rosalyn Park by Tuesday, Sept. 9, 2008. Phone: (612) 341-3302 ext. 106 Email: rpark@advrights.org
16	Public Film Screening - Divided We Fall: Americans in the Aftermath Time: 7:00 PM price: Free and open to the public Location: Kagin Commons, Alexander G. Hill Ballroom, 1600 Grand Ave, St Paul, Minnesota 55104 Description: Presented by The Department of Multicultural Life at Macalester College A public screening to be held at: Kagin Commons Alexander G. Hill Ballroom 1600 Grand Avenue Saint Paul, Minnesota 55104 Tuesday, September 16th 7:00 pm Divided We Fall is the first feature-length documentary film on hate violence following September 11, 2001. The film will be screened in 50 cities across the U.S. as part of national grassroots campaign for deep dialogue about racism, religion and renewal in America. This screening is free and open to the public. For more information, please call (651) 696-6243, or visit http://www.dwf-film.com/
23	Women's Human Rights Film Series presenting "The Greatest Silence: Rape in the Congo" Time: 7:00 PM price: Free and open to the public Location: Rondo Community Outreach Branch , 461 N Dale St, St Paul, MN 55103 Description: Women's Human Rights Film Series The Advocates for Human Rights Presenting: "The Greatest Silence: Rape in the Congo"
28	The Holocaust: Pain and Remembrance Time: 10:00 am - 4 pm price: Free and open to public Location: Guthrie Theater, 818 South Second Street, Minneapolis Description: This workshop features three morning presentations: "Teaching against genocide: creating individuals and communities ofconscience" Holocaust survivor's testimony: Murray Brandys, survivor and author of /MyName was 133909 and I Sang/ "Understanding Trauma and Pain," Evelyn Lennon, therapist, Center for Victims of Torture Following lunch, all participants will see the Guthrie's production of "OldWicked Songs." In this play a young American musician and his Viennese professor confrontthe haunting presence of memory and the Holocaust. Old Wicked Songs is an emotional journey through joy and sadness, anger and redemption, out of which come healing, inspiration, and music. The workshop concludes with a post-play conversation with the actors. Registration: http://www.chgs.umn.edu/news/holocaust.html
28	With Respect to Iran and the West: An Interface of Politics and Religion" Time: 5:00 pm price: Free and open to the public Location: Augsburg Chapel, Minneapolis Description: Minnesota Internation Center (MIC) is collaborating with the Oslo Center and Augsburg College.