January 25 — Community Forum on Kenya: Understanding Locally, Acting Globally
Recent elections in Kenya were complacently assumed to be yet more proof that Kenya has made emerged as the most stable democracy in Africa. As many as a thousand dead Kenyans later, what have we learned? And what can we do to help rebuild and heal?
When: Friday, January 25, 6:00 to 8:00 PM
Where: Christian Theological Seminary, Common Room
Collaborators: Rotary World Service Committee, IUPUI International Programs, Kenyan Association, IU-Kenya Project, IUPUI –Moi Committee, Sister Cities Eldoret Committee
On December 27, 2007 immediately following a presidential election, violence erupted in Kenya. This tragedy has claimed an estimated 600 lives so far. The crisis continues as we are learning from news reports and people returning. International efforts at mediation continue. The state of Indiana has a special relationship with Kenya. Indianapolis is a sister city of Eldoret, Kenya. IUPUI has academic links with Moi University. Rotary Club of Indianapolis works with Kenyan partners The Global Interfaith Council works with social services in Chulaimbo and Ambassadors for Children and other groups work in Eldoret and western Kenya. Literally thousands of Hoosiers have personal, business, and religious ties to the people of Kenya.
In our attempt to understand the situation and find ways to help, a community forum will be held on January 25, 2008. Professors Jeanette Dickerson-Putman and Dawn Whitehead will facilitate our discussion starting with presentations and remarks by:
- Gilbert Nduru, Geographer-Human Ecologist at Moi University in Eldoret, Kenya
- James Chelang’a, Historian and Political Scientist, Moi University
- Naftali Gichaba, Kenyan Association in Indianapolis and member of the Kenyan community in the US
Fran Quigley from the IU-Kenya Partnership will comment and representatives from IU-Moi Committee; Ambassadors for Children; Rotary of Indianapolis Downtown; Indianapolis Eldoret Sister City Committee; Umoja and the Global Interfaith Council; and other NGOs who work with other organizations in Western Kenya will also be present. If you would like to learn about what is happening in Kenya and share your ideas for collaboration and positive action, please come to the forum. For more information, please contact Carol Darst at carolearts@mac.com or call 317-849-0133
Moderators: Jeanette Dickerson Putman, IUPUI International Affairs & Anthropology Dept.; Dawn Whitehead, IUPUI director of internationalization of the curriculum.
Questions and Discussion – Everyone
Refreshments to follow
More info on Kenya
If this event sounds interesting, check out the Provocate’s “Tuko Pamoja” at the Harrison Center for the Arts, friday, Feb. 1st. It will be an African extravaganza! The discussion of Indiana and Congo at the International School February 9 will follow parallel directions.
January 16th, 2008 at 1:30 pm
[…] this event sounds interesting, check out … Its companion event on January 25, the Public Forum on Kenya at CTS. The discussion of Congo at the International School February 9 will be similar, it should […]
January 17th, 2008 at 5:19 pm
[…] January 25 — Forum on Kenya: UNDERSTANDING AND ACTING, GLOBALLY. Recent elections in Kenya were complacently assumed to be yet more proof that Kenya has made emerged as the most stable democracy in Africa. 500 dean Kenyans later, what have we learned? And what can we do to help rebuild and heal? check it out […]
January 21st, 2008 at 1:10 pm
I look forward to attending the Community Forum on Kenya this Friday. Please keep me posted of any changes. Thanks for putting this together.
January 24th, 2008 at 6:45 pm
I look forward to attending these events to understand how we can help the children more!