World Issues Forums / Paths to Global Justice -- Spring 2007
Information:
http://www.wwu.edu/depts/fairhaven/
Shirley.Osterhaus@wwu.edu
360.650.2309
The World Issues Forums of Fairhaven College of Interdisciplinary Studies is dedicated to providing educational opportunities to the campus and Bellingham community that support an informed and engaged global citizenry.
Paths to Global Justice, an expansion of the forums, is a collaborative effort of several campus departments to strengthen interdisciplinary international education at Western Washington University by inviting scholars to address global justice issues.
An optional and repeatable two-credit class (375t) accompanies the forums. Students explore varied media information sources related to the topics, learn to digest and question what they read and hear, and are consistently challenged to act for positive social change.
Wednesday, April 11
Craig and Cindy Corrie
Parents of Rachel Corrie, a 23-year old peace activist killed in March 2003 in the Gaza Strip.
WORLD ISSUES FORUM
“We hope and believe that in sharing Rachel’s story and ours that we continue her work—drawing attention to the plight of the Palestinian people and supporting those Israelis, Palestinians and internationals who are working determinedly to end the illegal Israeli occupation and to bring freedom, justice, and a secure peace to these two peoples.” (Corries)
Rachel Corrie, working with the International Solidarity Movement, was killed in the Gaza Strip defending a Palestinian home. In response, the Corries have visited Israel, the West Bank and the Gaza Strip (most recently in January 2006). They have witnessed the impact of the conflict and have built connections with people in both Palestinian and Israeli communities. They are committed to telling the story of Rachel and advocating for a just peace in the region.
Her story continues to inspire creative responses. The Royal Court Theatre production of “My Name is Rachel Corrie” has enjoyed successful runs in London, theater festivals in Galway, Edinburgh, New York and now in Seattle. It is drawn from Rachel’s writing and edited by actor Alan Rickman and journalist Kathryn Viner of The Guardian.
Noon-1:30pm, Fairhaven College Auditorium
Thursday, April 12
Eugene Jarecki
RE-SCHEDULED, Award-Winning Documentary Filmmaker of “Why We Fight”. Although Eugene Jarecki is not able to be here for a Wednesday World Issues Forum this quarter, he will be on campus: Thursday, April 12, 7:00 pm Performing Arts Center. Original date in February was canceled due to speaker's illness. Free event and no tickets required. (Sponsored by AS Civil Controversy, Veterans’ Outreach Center, American Democracy Project, Office of President, Fairhaven College)
Wednesday, April 18
Catherine Lu
Associate Professor of Political Science, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec.
WORLD ISSUES FORUM
“Humanitarianism and the Use of Force: Why Not Darfur?”
We are living in a world in which mass atrocities—publicly-labeled ‘genocide’, can continue essentially unabated for more than three years. Virtually none of the five permanent members of the United Security Council, individually or collectively, can be counted on to act rightly or to make appropriate political judgments on the subject of humanitarian intervention. In these particular non-ideal circumstances, it is important to ask what other member states of the United Nations, as well as global civil society, are obligated to do in the way of responding to humanitarian catastrophe.
Noon-1:30pm, Fairhaven College Auditorium
PATHS TO GLOBAL JUSTICE
“The International Criminal Court as an Institution of Moral Regeneration: Problems and Prospects”
Many governments and human rights groups have hailed the establishment of the International Criminal Court (ICC) as an advance in global justice. Serious worries, however, remain about the moral efficacy of such an institution. How might the ICC navigate between principle and pragmatism in order to avoid charges either of irrelevant, dangerous, or compromised idealism? How might it reconcile the affirmation of universalist principles in a particularistic world? And how will it balance, prioritize, or reconcile the diverse and potentially divisive tasks of moral regeneration, such as justice and prevention, or deterrence and reconciliation?
2:30-3:50pm, Arntzen 04
Wednesday, April 25
Yaneth Perez
From Columbia, President of the Dawn of Women for Arauca Association.
Sonia, Yaneth, and Yoraima - leaders of the Dawn of Women for Arauca.
WORLD ISSUES FORUM
“Women Working for Peace in Colombia”
The Dawn of Women for Arauca Association works to promote women’s rights and social justice in one of the most war-torn regions of Colombia.
“We, as women, are suffering the consequences of the war in Colombia” says Yaneth. “We watch our husbands being arrested or killed, or having to flee from our homes in order to save their lives. We’re then left alone to care for our children and provide them with a decent future. Women who speak out against the war and for social justice have been threatened, arrested, and killed.”
The people in Arauca (a state in northeastern Colombia) are suffering from the war and government repression. More than one hundred community leaders have been killed and many more have been imprisoned on false charges of “rebellion.” Occidental Petroleum has a huge oilfield and pipeline in Arauca that are being protected by the U.S. and Colombian military.
The U.S. government is providing Colombia with $1.5 million per day in military aid. Two guerrilla groups have been fighting against the government for more than 40 years. Amnesty International USA has repeatedly documented the Colombian military’s involvement in human rights abuses and has called for a complete cut off of military aid to Colombia.
“We don’t need any more weapons in Arauca” says Yaneth. “There are already more than enough guns and bombs to kill all of us. Instead of sending arms, we ask the U.S. government to provide support for schools, health clinics, housing, and small farmers so that we can take care of our families.”
Pérez is being accompanied by Scott Nicholson of Community Action for Justice in the Americas. Scott has been in Arauca since July 2006 documenting the human rights situation in the region. The presentation will include his photos of the war in Arauca.
These presentations are sponsored by Community Action for Justice in the Americas, Montana Human Rights Network, Fairhaven College, Whatcom Peace and Justice Center, and the Whatcom Human Rights Task Force.
Noon-1:30pm, Fairhaven College Auditorium
7:00pm, 100 E. Maple St.
Wednesday, May 2
Emilio Tojin Lopez
From Santa Maria Tzeja, Guatemala is active in the Association for Justice and Reconciliation (AJR). AJR seeks justice for former Guatemalan military leaders involved in genocide and human rights abuses.
WORLD ISSUES FORUM
“Seeking Justice for Genocide in Guatemala”
In 1980-82, Guatemalan military leaders organized a "scorched earth" campaign in which over 650 villages were burned to the ground and over 200,000, mostly indigenous people, were massacred. The Association for Justice and Reconciliation was formed by survivors of the massacres in 23 of those indigenous communities. Mr. Tojín survived the massacre in his village of Santa Maria Tzeja. Emilio will discuss important current news and actions. Last year, for the first time since the massacres, hundreds of witnesses risked their lives and t raveled to Guatemala’s capital city to pressure their government to hold past leaders accountable for the genocide. The AJR now seeks increased international support to keep the momentum for justice moving forward.
Noon-1:30 pm, Fairhaven College Auditorium
Wednesday, May 9
Ellen Schrecker
Professor of History at Yeshiva University and nationally-known lecturer, and author of Many Are the Crimes: McCarthyism in America.
WORLD ISSUES FORUM
“American Political Oppression in a Global Context”
Noon- 1:30pm, Fairhaven College Auditorium
Tuesday, May 15
Mel Goodman
With a PhD in Russian History and 20 years with the C.I.A. Mel is a senior fellow and director of the national security program at the Center for International Policy. He is also a professor of international security studies and chairman of the international relations department at the National War College.
PATHS TO GLOBAL JUSTICE
May 15 –“The C.I.A. and the Fall of the Soviet Union” 12:00-1:00 pm, Communications 316.
May 17 --“The C.I.A., the Presidency, and Contemporary Middle East” 4:00-6:00 pm in Fraser Hall 3.
Wednesday, May 16
Rev. Dr. Nuhad Tomeh
From Lebanon, Tomeh is the associate general secretary of the Middle East Council of Churches and is in charge of Iraq relief and rehabilitation program.
PATHS TO GLOBAL JUSTICE
“Can There Be Reconciliation In Our Troubled Middle East?”
In view of the ethnic, cultural and religious diversity of the Middle East, the talk will concentrate on the importance of building relations among people and nations. Education will help to promote tolerance of cultures. Accepting one another will lead to sharing of experiences, growing together and building a better world.
4:00-5:00pm Communications 105
Wednesday, May 23
Jocelyn Edelstein
Fairhaven senior with concentration in dance and cultural studies; adventure grant learner in Rio de Janeiro, Brasil.
WORLD ISSUES FORUM
“Rio de Janeiro's Dirty Business: Understanding the Drug Traffic and its effect on the Favelas of Rio de Janeiro, Brasil”
For 9 months, Jocelyn lived in a favela in Rio de Janeiro. Based on her experience, she will speak about the infrastructure of the favela system, the drug trafficking and police force and the impact of social exclusion. As part of her studies, she taught dance and collected footage for a documentary based on the underground hip hop community in Rio.
Noon-1:30pm, Fairhaven College Auditorium
Wednesday, May 30
Seth Holmes
Ph.D. in cultural and medical anthropology from the University of California San Francisco and Berkeley; M.D. at the University of California San Francisco, 2007.
WORLD ISSUES FORUM
"Because They're Lower to the Ground": Mexican Migrant Labor and Ethnic Inequalities in Northwest Washington
For his anthropology dissertation, Seth Holmes spent two summers in migrant labor camps on a berry farm in northwest Washington State researching ethnic interactions and inequalities, health disparities, and the normalization of the suffering of Mexican migrant laborers.
Noon-1:30pm, Fairhaven College Auditorium
Bios of Speakers for Spring 2007
Craig and Cindy Corrie, parents of Rachel Corrie, a 23-year-old peace activist killed in March 2003 in the Gaza Strip, have traveled and spoken extensively, responding to interest in their daughter’s story. Rachel Corrie went to Rafah in the Gaza Strip with the International Solidarity Movement (ISM). Working with ISM activists to offer some protection for Palestinian wells and civilian homes threatened by the Israeli military; Rachel was crushed by an Israel Defense Forces Caterpillar D-9 bulldozer as she nonviolently stood between the bulldozer and a home threatened with demolition. The Corries reside in Olympia, WA, where they have founded the Rachel Corrie Foundation for Peace and Justice to continue the work their daughter began. It supports a Middle East Scholarship at The Evergreen State College, provides support for projects in Rafah that benefit children, and in June 2005, helped to bring the family whose home Rachel Corrie defended to the U.S. to speak directly to Americans. The family works with the Olympia-Rafah Sister City Project to actively foster friendships between the people of the two cities.
Catherine Lu, Associate Professor of Political Science, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada.
Research interests are in the areas of international political theory; contemporary political theory; just war theory and ‘humanitarian intervention’; justice and reconciliation after violence, oppression and atrocity; cosmopolitanism and its critics; and literature and philosophy. Her recent and forthcoming publications are: (Book chapter) “Justice and Reparations after War,” in Reparations: Interdisciplinary Inquiries, eds. Jon Miller and Rahul Kumar (Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2006), forthcoming.
Yaneth Perez of Saravena, Aruaca in Colombia
Yaneth Pérez, single mother of three, is the president of the Dawn of Women for Arauca Association which advocates for women’s rights and social justice. Pérez is being accompanied by Scott Nicholson - a Missoula resident and board member of Community Action for Justice in the Americas. Nicholson has been in Arauca since July 2006 documenting the human rights situation in the region. This event is organized by Community Action for Justice in the Americas and Montana Human Rights Network.
Emilio Tojin Lopez from Santa Maria Tzeja, Guatemala, is a leader of the Association for Justice and Reconciliation (AJR). AJR is an association of genocide witnesses from 22 indigenous communities in Guatemala. They are working to bring General Rios Montt and other former military leaders to justice for genocide and human rights crimes committed against Maya communities in the early 1980’s. AJR is also involved in the international legal case being pursued in Spain, under the EU’s doctrine of universal jurisdiction.
The event is organized by the Unitarian Universalist Central America Network (UUCAN) in Seattle and our national partner, the Network in Solidarity with the People of Guatemala (NISGUA).
Ellen Schrecker, Professor of History at Yeshiva University, nationally-known lecturer, and author of Many Are the Crimes: McCarthyism in America (Little Brown, 1998, paperback Princeton University Press, 1999), Ellen Schrecker is widely recognized as one of the leading experts on McCarthyism whose interest was sparked when her own sixth-grade teacher was a victim of the red scare. She has published several works on the topic, including the prizewinning, No Ivory Tower: McCarthyism and the Universities (Oxford University Press, 1986), The Age of McCarthyism: A Short History with Documents (Bedford Books, 1994), and many scholarly articles about the McCarthy period and contemporary academic freedom.
Mel Goodman, PhD in Russian History and spent over 20 years working in the C.I.A. as a Soviet expert. He left the C.I.A as a dissident in the early1990’s and has since been a Senior Fellow at the Center for International Policy and Adjunct Professor of Government at Johns Hopkins University. He also teaches at the War College. He has written widely on the fall of the Soviet Union, tensions in the Middle East, U.S. Policies in the Middle East and Central Asia, internal workings of the C.I.A, and its connections to the White House. His articles have appeared in Harpers, Bulletin of Atomic Scientists, Middle East Journal, Foreign Policy, SAIS Review, NY Times, Christian Science Monitor and major TV and radio outlets. His book The Decline and Fall of the C.I.A is forthcoming this summer.
David Korten is the author of The Great Turning: From Empire to Earth Community. His previous books include the international best-seller When Corporations Rule the World and The Post-Corporate World: Life after Capitalism. Korten is co-founder and board chair of the Positive Futures Network, which publishes YES! A Journal of Positive Futures, and is founder and president of the People-Centered Development Forum, a board member of the Business Alliance for Local Living Economies (BALLE), a member of the Social Ventures Network and a member of the Club of Rome. He is also a founding associate of the International Forum on Globalization (IFG) and a major contributor to its report on Alternatives to Economic Globalization. Dr. Korten holds MBA and Ph.D degrees from the Stanford Business School, has thirty years experience as a development professional in Asia, Africa, and Latin America, and has served as a Harvard Business School professor, a captain in the US Air Force, a Ford Foundation Project professor, a captain in the US Air Force, a Ford Foundation Project Specialist, and a regional advisor to the US Aid to International Development.
Rev. Dr. Nuhad Tomeh is currently working with the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC) as a consultant. From 1986 through 1995, Nuhad was a professor, dean, and acting president of the Near East School of Theology in Beirut, Lebanon. Since 1992, Nuhad has been coordinator of the Urban Rural Mission Program for MECC in Beirut and, from 1981 to 1990, Nuhad was a part-time assistant and associate pastor for the National Evangelical Presbyterian Church in Beirut. Nuhad holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in philosophy and psychology from the Arab University in Beirut, a master of divinity from the Near East School of Theology. He received his doctorate of ministry, with a major in pastoral care and counseling, from Christ Seminary Seminex (ELCA) in St. Louis, Missouri, in 1985.
Jocelyn Edelstein, a Fairhaven senior with a concentration in dance and cultural studies spent last year in Rio de Janeiro, Brasil, studying and teaching dance and collecting footage for a documentary based on the underground hip hop community in Rio. She hopes to continue traveling and documenting her experiences thru film, writing and especially movement.
Seth M. Holmes completed his Bachelors of Science at the University of Washington in Biology and Spanish in 1997. In 2006, he completed a Ph.D. in cultural and medical anthropology from the University of California San Francisco and Berkeley. For his anthropology dissertation, he spent two summers in migrant labor camps on a berry farm in northwest Washington State and researched ethnic interactions and inequalities, health disparities, and the normalization of the suffering of Mexican migrant laborers. In the intervening year, he migrated with indigenous Mexican migrants from Washington State to Central California, onto Oaxaca Mexico, and crossed the border through the desert into Arizona. In May 2007, Dr. Holmes will complete his M.D. at the University of California San Francisco, and then a medical residency and anthropology fellowship at the University of Pennsylvania.
Fairhaven College of Interdisciplinary Studies is grateful to the co-sponsors supporting the spring 2007 World Issues Forums and Paths to Global Justice: American Cultural Studies, Anthropology, AS Ethnic Student Center, Canadian American Studies, Center for Law, Diversity and Justice, Cold Beverage Fund, Communication, Community Action for Justice in the Americas and the Montana Human Rights Network, History, Nate Rawhouser Memorial Fund, Office of the Provost, Political Science, United Ministries in Higher Education, UU Central America Network in Seattle and Network in Solidarity with the People of Guatemala (NISGUA), Sustainable Bellingham, Whatcom Community College, Whatcom Human Rights Task Force, Whatcom Peace & Justice Center, Women’s Studies.
World Issues Forum Winter 2007
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