Global Dialogue Series

The Global Dialogue Series has ended as of Fall 2009. These pages are intended as an archive of the work & programming of the series and its supporting campus units.

Have perspectives you’d love to share? The Global Dialogue Series brings international and domestic students together four times a year to discuss, debate, and wrestle with compelling issues facing the world today in hopes of creating a lively forum for exchanging perspectives, encountering difference in a respectful climate, and growing in understanding of global issues.

Te 2008-2009 dialogues were held on October 6 and November 10 (2008) & February 9 and April 6 (2009). More details on each program and the 2008-2009 series generally is posted below.

Click here for information on the 2007-2008 Dialogue series (including links to relevant event descriptions and materials). A listing of earlier Dialogues (2003-2007) and a general schedule of the structure of each dialogue is available here (pdf).
2008-2009 dialogues include:
 

The Coming US Elections: Impacts and Echoes Around the World
Monday, October 6, 2008 | 6:00-8:00 pm
Upper Gulley, Carson Gulley Commons, 1515 Tripp Circle

Excitement over the coming elections is mounting. Citizens of the country are riveted to the news and eager to learn the outcome. What about you? What about others around the globe? What will the impacts be? Join American and international students for a dynamic discussion.

Guest Speaker:

John Nichols -- read his bio & select articles on The Nation website here
Associate editor, The Capital Times; political blogger of The Beat; Washington correspondent for The Nation; monthly guest on Here on Earth; and a contributor to The Progressive and numerous other publications.

Crossing Borders: Global Perspectives on Immigration
Monday, November 10, 2008 | 6:00-8:00 pm
Chadbourne Hall Lounge, 420 North Park Street

The presidential election will be decided, but our immigration problems and policies will require attention. Join your fellow students to discuss the experience of crossing borders, and investigate immigration-related racial inequality in the United States, and in Wisconsin in particular. Professors who study these issues and farmers who work with the people affected by such issues daily will join us to kick off our exploration.

Guest Speakers:

Links of Interest:

Poverty’s Impact on Human Trafficking
Monday, February 9, 2009 | 6:00-8:00pm
Chadbourne Hall Lounge, 420 North Park Street

David Liapiatt and Saejung Lee have years of experience working locally, nationally, and internationally on projects related to eliminating poverty and raising awareness of injustices. They talk frankly about child soldiers, modern-day slavery, and sexual and labor exploitation. They speak eloquently and powerfully for taking care of the world’s vulnerable and poor.

Guest Speakers:

  • Saejung Lee, Attorney, Bond, Capati, Lee, Molina & Taeuber
  • David Lippiatt, Director, WE International

Links of Interest:

Environmental Racism: Who Is Expendable And At What Cost?
Monday, April 6, 2009 | 6:00-8:00pm
Upper Gulley, Carson Gulley Commons, 1515 Tripp Circle

What is environmental racism? Does it exist in the US and on an international scale? Is it true that minorities are more likely to reside in areas where there is more pollution? Does race play a factor when governments calculate where to place hazardous waste sites? How do the issues play out around the world? Explore these and other probing questions with a panel of students, faculty, and community organizers who bring extensive experience working with the issues on the Mexican/American border, on Native America lands in Northern Wisconsin and New Mexico, in New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina, with mines in Guatemala, and in Eastern Europe on the Chernobyl Project. Following the panel presentation, American and international students will have the opportunity to share their perspectives. Free dinner will be served. Come prepared to discuss, debate, and wrestle with these compelling issues.

Guest Speakers:

  • Norma Berkowitz, FOCCUS
  • Yeri Lopez
  • Ashleigh Ross, UW-New Orleans Sustainable Restoration Project
  • Jorge Sierra
  • Fawn Youngbear- Tibbetts

Sponsors of the Global Dialogues Series (2008-2009) include:

If you have questions about the Global Dialogue Series please contact Marilee Sushoreba. Questions about this website should be addressed to Mark L Lilleleht.