Premise # 1: Central Indiana is receiving a grwoing number of refugees, which is a good thing but presents all of us with major challenges. Premise #2: At the same time, Hoosiers are working around the world with refugees and displaced persons. The conclusion from these two premises: We have a unique opportunity to help solve problems of poverty and social conflict globally and locally.
You may have to pay $150 a plate at the AFC Peace Award VIP reception and dinner, but it’s well worth it. Not only will you feast your palate on the delicious cuisine, your eyes on the international decor, and your ears on the delightful music, but you’ll also get to be a part of the humanitarian efforts the AFC’s Peace Award recognizes.
Ambassadors For Children is a local nonprofit based here in Indy that reaches out to the rest of the world. They recognize one person every year who has made a significant impact in the world in regard to disadvantaged, abused, or abandoned children. Last year it was Their Royal Highnesses Crown Prince Alexander and Crown Princess Katherine of Serbia. This year it’s Mr. Scott Neeson. Who is Scott Neeson and why is he receiving AFC’s 2008 Peace Award? Mr. Neeson has been president of 20th Century Fox International and has led Sony Pictures International. He is now the founder of the Cambodian Children’s Fund and lives permanently in Phnom Penh.
Ambassadors for Children supports sustainable programs in developing countries, like the building of schools and orphanages and computer centers. Plus, they set up trips where voluntourists can serve kids everywhere, from Jamaica to Malawi. Here’s just a smattering of the service trip possibilities AFC offers:
You can serve in Jordan for nine days, sleeping in Bedouin tents and 5-star hotels.
Or try Serbia and Montenegro, where you can help develop the AFC’s arts education center.
Saturday, July 12th, 2008
Marriott Indianapolis Downtown
Meet & Greet Reception at 6:00 p.m.
Dinner at 7:00 p.m.
Register here.
We all know that the repression of Tibetan culture, religion and aspirations for independence is bad. Who wouldn’t thrill to the sight of the plucky Dalai Lama being greeted by throngs of cheering Tibetans and Chinese some day when he returns to a democratic Republic of Tibet? If any American would be able to claim a big share of credit for that happening some day, it would be Larry Gerstein, President of the International Tibetan Independence Movement. He’ll debate John Clark of Provocate, who willl explain why China and the US won’t allow that to happen … and together they will try to come up with ideas for how to move ahead. (more…)
Like just about every form of south Asian culture, carnatic music, the classical music of southern India, is said to have a divine origin. That makes Gaurav Mazumdar something like a priest. And when he plays with Lalgudi Krishnan, master of Hindustani violin, it’s an ecumenical council. Seems like we cannot avoid getting closer to God(s). (more…)
You can’t have an Indian movie without music and dancing. The Gregory Hancock Dance Theatre cuts out the movie and goes straight for the good stuff. (more…)
Sometimes it seems that Barack Obama’s main constructive foreign policy message is: “I like Dick Lugar.” Come to Marian college to find out why this is not a bad argument when Senator Lugar delivers his first public speech to the renamed Richard G. Lugar Franciscan Center for Global Studies. (more…)
Have you ever wondered … What is the role of faith and civil society as our world becomes more economically, socially and environmentally interdependent? What is at stake and what, if any, common interests can be identified? What is the appropriate relationship between religion, government, and the public sphere? To discover answers to these questions and to learn how to get involved in dynamic international projects, you have to head to the International Interfaith Symposium at IUPUI. (more…)
Some very bright analysts of international relations are teaching in the smaller colleges and universities of Indiana, refining their insights far from the distractions of DC (or even of Bloomington and Lafayette). Hear what they have to say at the Indiana Consortium for International Programs (ICIP) conference. (more…)
Get your networking groove on in a joint program with the World Trade Club of Indiana, the Indiana Economic Development Corporation, and CITCA (Chicago International Trade Commission Association). This will be a significant trade delegation visiting Indianapolis and looking for trade opportunities. (more…)
Discover the world while in the dark. (more…)