April 13: Update on Russia

Edward DeLaney, partner, DeLaney and DeLaney Law firm

When: Wednesday, April 13 11:00 AM to 1:00 PM (registration at 10:45 AM)

Where: North United Methodist Church, 3808 N. Meridian St. Indianapolis

Mid-North Shepherd Center's Great Decisions Series

Under Vladimir Putin, Russia has been shaping its image as a power in Europe and Asia. Putin, in turn, is reshaping Russia by centralizing authority within the federal government. Are Putin's reforms a step backward for Russian democracy? How will Russia overcome the real challenges of terrorism and a struggling economy?

Ed DeLaney is one of my favorite speakers on Russia. Thanks to a stint in spy school in the 1960s, courtesy of the US Navy, Ed is fluent in Russian. So as Ed rose to prominence as one of the top corporate attorneys in the Midwest and a leader in the Dem party of Indiana, he also carried out extensive business in the USSR. In the 1990s he used his international law experience in the Balkans, representing Bosnia in negotiations and helping establish the legal system in Kosovo. I find his insights on local politics to be most illuminating when he talks about Russia, Central Asia or the Balkans ... I have swiped about a dozen anecdotes and illustrations from Ed that I use in my talks (I hope this lawyer will recognize this as the sincerest form of flattery, not cause for a suit). It will be worth skipping work or cutting class to attend this talk.

April 20: Outsourcing US Jobs

Richard Judy, Chairman and CEO of Workforce Associates and co-author of Workforce 2020

When: Wednesday, April 20 11:00 AM to 1:00 PM (registration at 10:45 AM)

Where: North United Methodist Church, 3808 N. Meridian St. Indianapolis

Mid-North Shepherd Center's Great Decisions Series

Outsourcing has been characterized as a threat to American jobs and companies by some, while others claim it is necessary to stimulate overall economic growth. What effects does outsourcing really have on economies that are sending jobs overseas? How does outsourcing affect economies that are receiving the influx of jobs?

Dick Judy has seen many incarnations in his career: analyst of the USSR for the USAF, creator of one of Canada's leading computer empires, Kansas cattle rancher, trans-Atlantic bull semen guru, expert on Soviet information technology, analyst of post-communist economies in Eastern Europe and Russia (my mentor at Hudson Institute), and today a leading consultant on workforce issues in the US and around the world. He was co-author of Workforce 2020, which examines the effects of globalization on U.S. business and the American worker, the impact of rapid technological change, the "skills gap" between the needs of business and the outputs of US schools and colleges, and the need for a new model of education, training, and employment services to prepare workers for the jobs of the next century. Dick will tie together all of these pieces of his experience for this talk at the Mid-North Shepherd Center.

April 27: The Global Poverty Gap

Philip Powell, Professor of Business Economics at IU Kelley School of Business

When: Wednesday, April 27 11:00 AM to 1:00 PM

Where: North United Methodist Church, 3808 N. Meridian St. Indianapolis

The promise of globalization is that it will benefit poor countries through trade and close the poverty gap. Critics have argued that high debt owed by poor countries to rich countries has widened the gap between these countries. What can be done to narrow the global poverty gap?

I don't know Prof. Powell, so am looking forward to this talk. He did an excellent presentation to the Indiana Council on World Affairs about how to address global poverty.

May 4: China -- Today and Tomorrow

Susan Erickson, Political Science at IUPUI

When: Wednesday, May 4 11:00 AM to 1:00 PM

Where: North United Methodist Church, 3808 N. Meridian St. Indianapolis

China is increasingly influential globally, but continues to face obstacles at home. As China's record economic growth continues, the country must still contend with a growing gap between rich and poor, devastating pollution and resource shortages. What strategies can China adapt to sustain its economy while meeting the needs of its people?

Susan teaches political science at IUPUI, primarily courses about American politics, the role of the news media, conspiracies, gender. But anything I know about China and Asia (which is not much, even though I teach classes and give a lot of talks about those topics) I know because of Susan Erickson. Twenty years ago, when we were both student in Berkeley, she introduced me to her passion of Taiwan, which she had correctly identified as providing poor dictatorships with the best model of achieving prosperity and freedom. She remains an insightful observer of China, one of the most popular speakers for "Great Decisions" programs, and this should be an excellent event.

May 11: UN Intelligence Reform

James Kunkel, Supervisor of the Foreign and Counter-Intelligence Squad, Indianapolis Division, FBI

When: Wednesday, May 11 11:00 AM to 1:00 PM

Where: North United Methodist Church, 3808 N. Meridian St. Indianapolis

The Mid-North Shepherd Center's Great Decisions Series

The report of the 9/11 commission and questions of pre-Iraq-war intelligence have placed unprecedented attention on the workings of U.S. intelligence agencies. Are U.S. intelligence agencies out of date with dealing with post-cold-war realities? Are the recommendations of the 9/11 Commission adequate for reforming U.S. intelligence?

The Mid-North Shepherd Center serves older adults, but opens its events to everyone. You should stay for lunch, which is at noon.

May 18: Sudan's Crisis in Darfur

Sarah Archer, Humanitarian assistance expert with broad experience dealing with international crises

When: Wednesday, May 18 11:00 AM to 1:00 PM

Where: North United Methodist Church, 3808 N. Meridian St. Indianapolis

The Mid-North Shepherd Center's Great Decisions Series

May 25: Global Water Issues

John Clark, Sagamore Institute

When: Wednesday, May 25 11:00 AM to 1:00 PM

Where: North United Methodist Church, 3808 N. Meridian St. Indianapolis

The concluding session of the Mid-North Shepherd Center's Great Decisions Series

Scarcity of water in many regions creates problems and conflict for large numbers of the world's population. What policies should be adopted to ensure water quality? What international actors or governments will make the greatest impact on improving water governance?

For a sobering picture of where global crises are most likely to erupt, check out the BBC's "World's Water Hotspots." With the exception of Southern Australia and perhaps the Ogallala aquifer in the US, this map could be an accurate forecast of where international conflicts are raging 25 years from now. We know this, and yet somehow we keep marching ahead without changing our behavior. That's no surprise to those who have sprained their wrists reading Jared Diamond's essential book Collapse: How Societies Choose to Fail or Succeed. Not every society facing ecological crises fails to change ... but a depressingly large number do indeed seem to "choose to fail."


If you want to do some background reading for this issue, I'd recommend:

March 31: The Diversity of Islam: What Does Islam Mean to Me?

When: March 31, noon to 1:30 PM

Where: IUPUI, Cavanaugh 508

The School of Liberal Arts at IUPUI presents "The Diversity of Islam: What Does Islam Mean to Me?" a panel discussion by a group of Muslim scholars, leaders, lay people and students who come from some of the different geographic regions where Islam is practiced. The panel will be moderated by Dr. Wayne Husted, associate faculty in the department of Religious Studies.

For more information Contact: Kelly Hayes, 317-278-2639, orDavid Craig (davcraig@iupui.edu), 274-3689

April 1-2: Indiana German Heritage Society 2nd Annual Symposium

When: Friday, April 1, 5:00-9:00 PM; Saturday, April 2, 9:00 AM -- late evening

Where: Mostly the Athenaeum, Saturday afternoon the group shifts to Zion Evangelical United Church of Christ, Corner New Jersey and North Streets (two blocks north of the Athenaeum) for a musical tribute of the 150th anniversary of the Indianapolis Männerchor by several Indiana German choirs

"Germanness" permeates Indianapolis, beyond the fact that 40% of the residents of Indiana are of German descent. It's part of the culture, the music, the architecture. The Indiana German Heritage Society's annual symposium is a great chance to celebrate your German roots -- no green dye in German beer when they celebrate! -- or if you are part of the 60% Germanless Hoosier population, to become acquainted with one of the world's great cultures. Music is the theme this year, you will be able to hear and learn about the ways German music has shaped life in this city and state.

When it rains it pours. My recommendation for April 1 and 2 is to binge on German politics and culture. Friday: Attend the Transatlantic symposium on German-American relations at Butler, then go to dinner at the Athenaeum and hear Giles Hoyt and Bill Laut (President, Indianapolis Männerchor) talk about “Voices Raised in Song: Indianapolis Männerchor Historical Notes.” Saturday: Show up at the Athenaeum at 9 for German coffee and German refreshment, listen to talks about German music, have a filling German lunch, spend the afternoon listening to German choirs at Zion Evangelical United Church of Christ ... then return to the Athenaeum Rathskellar to celebrate Sankt Benno Fest. Visit the Indiana German Heritage Society's website for registration information and an agenda. It's a bargain for this much quality Teutonic fun:

Registration Fee $20.00 (includes admission to concerts)
Friday Evening Dinner $20.00/person
Saturday Luncheon $15.00

March 31: "No Man's Land" -- Oscar-winning black comedy about Bosnian War

When: March 31, Thursday - 7:30 PM
Where: IUPUI, Lecture Hall 102

Sponsored by The Philosophy Club Film Series and the School of Liberal Arts at IUPUI

"No Man's Land" (Nicija zemlja) is a very highly reviewed film about the Bosnian War circa 1993, I think winner of the Oscar for Best Foreign Film in 2001. I haven't seen it, but have wanted to for a couple of years, I'm looking forward to it.

A Bosnian soldier and a Serbian soldier are trapped together in a trench in “no man’s land”--the area between both sides’ front lines. They discover that there is a third man alive in the trench who has been placed on top of a land mind while unconscious. While never giving up their mutual animosity, they seek assistance by contacting the United Nations base. The UN command decides not to intervene, but an international journalist has picked up the story and presses the UN to do something. Tensions continue to increase both inside and outside of the trench. One critic writes, “Tanovic's picture brilliantly, brutally captures the fog of war that blinds both sides leaving a riddle without an answer, a volatile bomb that can't be defused.”

Free movie * Free pizza and drinks * Free discussion

Contact: Martin Coleman, 278-3007

March 23: "Freshwater and Foreign Policy: New Challenges"

Prof. Bill Blomquist, Political Science, IUPUI

When: Wednesday, March 23 7:00 PM

Where: Church of the Saviour, 6205 Rucker Road Indianapolis

Sponsored by the Bob Calhoun Memorial Great Decisions Series

For a sobering picture of where global crises are most likely to erupt, check out the BBC's "World's Water Hotspots." With the exception of Southern Australia and perhaps the Ogallala aquifer in the US, this map could be an accurate forecast of where international conflicts are raging 25 years from now. We know this, and yet somehow we keep marching ahead without changing our behavior. That's no surprise to those who have sprained their wrists reading Jared Diamond's essential book Collapse: How Societies Choose to Fail or Succeed. Not every society facing ecological crises fails to change ... but a depressingly large number do indeed seem to "choose to fail."

Here in Indiana we have one of the country's top experts in the politics of water, Bill Blomquist.

Bill Blomquist joined the Department of Political Science in 1987. He teaches American politics, Indiana politics, constitutional law, and occasional courses in public policy or research methods. His primary research focus has been on water problems and policies in the western United States. His publications include Coordinating Water Resources in the Federal System (U.S. ACIR, 1991), and Dividing the Waters: Governing Groundwater in Southern California (ICS Press, 1992). His principal research effort at present involves a comparative study of policies governing surface water and groundwater use in Arizona, California, and Colorado. Professor Blomquist attended Ohio University from 1975 to 1979 and received a Bachelor of Sciences degree in economics, and a Master of Arts degree in political science. He received his Ph.D in political science from Indiana University - Bloomington in 1987. Bill was chair of the Department from 1995 to 2002. Among many other things, he organizes the biennial Bulen Symposium on US politics, held on campus every second December.

Bill will be addressing the Bob Calhoun Memorial Great Decisions series, a fascinating group of adults form the Church of the Saviour and the government class of Lawrence North High School. I will be very interested to see how the generations split on this issue of water for the future.

No RSVP required, free to the public. Address questions to Bob Hessong at RKHessong@aol.com

If you like this event, you should check out ...
  • March 29: The Indiana Council on World Affair's version of this "Great Decisions" topic (featuring Bob Reardon and John Clark), or if you are feeling overwatered,
  • March 29: Learn how sustainable environmental practices are consistent with profitable business at the talk by Ray Anderson.

For background information …

March 23: Hoosiers Fighting AIDS in Kenya

Dr. Robert Einterz, Dean for International Programs, Indiana University School of Medicine and Director, Indiana University-Moi University Partnership

When: Wednesday, March 23 7:00-9:00 PM

Where: Marian College, Allison Mansion

Sponsored by Franciscan Center for Global Studies Speaker Series

Many of you know about the collaboration between the Indiana University School of Medicine and Moi University Faculty of Health Sciences. Fran Quigley’s excellent article in NUVO in 2003 brought this program to light. Begun in Eldoret Kenya in 1990 as an exchange of faculty and students, today it is a pioneer leader in HIV/AIDS care, prevention, and research for all of sub-Saharan Africa. You really should visit the program’s website. In fact, this program has inspired me to think in a new way about local-to-local solutions for global problems. Hear about the program from Bob Einterz, Dean for International Affairs and Professor of Clinical Medicine at Indiana University School of Medicine. He has directed the partnership between Indiana University and Moi University Faculty of Health Sciences, Kenya since its inception in 1990. Over the last several years, he has overseen the development and expansion of one of the largest HIV treatment and prevention programs in sub-Saharan Africa. Dr. Einterz also practices internal medicine and directs the Westside Community Health Center in Indianapolis. Dr. Einterz obtained his BA in chemistry from Wabash College and his MD from Indiana University.

This is open to the public, and you ought to go.

If you like this event, you should check out ...

  • April 1: Another example of local-to-local solutions for global problems is the sister city program Indianapolis has with Cologne, Germany. Sven Schumacher will discuss it at the Butler Transatlantic conference.
  • April 21: Yet another take on the idea that we Hoosiers can do something significant to help resolve global problems could come up during the discussion about Indiana-European relations at Sagamore Institute.

March 25: Lunch with the Turkish Ambassador

RSVP quickly on this event, only a couple of spots remain!

When: Friday, March 25 1:30-3:00 PM

Where: Bosphorus Turkish Cuisine, 935 S East St. Indianapolis

A few spaces are available to have lunch with Faruk Logoglu, Turkish Ambassador to the US. RSVP NOW to Cem Allen Galloway at Allen@bcmionline.com if you would like to attend. I haven't heard about whether lunch is free, assume it isn't (but no problem, the excellent food at the Bosphorus is a bargain.)

If you like this event, you should check out ...
  • March 25: If you can't get your RSVP to Allen in time, don't despair. Amb. Logoglu will be speaking at IU-Bloomington Friday evening, you should drive down to hear him. Indiana University Ottoman and Modern Turkish Studies Chair Presents a Public Lecture by His Excellency Dr. Faruk Logoglu, Turkish Ambassador to the United States “Turkey and the US: Partnership for Peace and Democracy” Friday, March 25, 2005 7:00-8:30 PM IU-Bloomington Ballantine Hall 013 Reception to follow
  • April 1: Butler's European conference should discuss Turkey several times
  • April 6: The Mid-North Shepherd Center's discussion of Iraq could benefit from considering Turket as a relatively stable democracy in a majority Muslim country ... if it works there, why not Iraq?
  • April 19: At the World Trade Club dinner, the Ambassador from Luxembourg will give the EU insider's view of the club Turkey is trying to get into
  • April 20: The ICWA's dinner debate over Europe
  • April 21: EUro-networker Franck Biancheri's discussion at the Sagamore Institute about Indiana and Europe

March 28: Central Indiana’s Contribution to Law Enforcement Innovation: Successes and Challenges

A luncheon discussion by Deborah Daniels, former Assistant US Attorney General.

When: Monday, March 28 11:15 AM — 1:30 PM

Where: Marriott Indianapolis Downtown, Indiana Ballroom 350 W. Maryland St.

Sponsored by Sagamore Institute for Policy Research, Ideas in Indiana Luncheon

Deborah J. Daniels, a partner with Krieg DeVault from 1996 to 2001, returned to the firm in 2005, after serving as the Assistant Attorney General for the Office of Justice Programs at the U.S. Department of Justice. During her tenure at the Justice Department, she directed the primary research and grant-making arm of the Department and administered a budget of over $4 billion. Appointed by President George W. Bush and confirmed by the U.S. Senate on September 21, 2001, Ms. Daniels’ responsibilities included several functions directly related to the nation’s response to September 11 and the nation’s ability to detect, prevent and respond to future terrorist acts. Today, Ms. Daniels provides counsel to Krieg DeVault’s public- and private-sector clients in matters related to homeland security, disaster preparedness, strategic planning, leveraging of federal and state resources, and federal and state regulatory compliance. Ms. Daniels served as U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Indiana from 1988 to 1993, and director of the national Weed and Seed initiative from 1992 to 1993. In recognition of her aptitude in organizing efforts with state and local law enforcement, she earned a Justice Department award for law enforcement coordination. She earned the Attorney General’s Award for Excellence in Management for her work in directing the national Weed and Seed initiative. She received her B.A. from DePauw University, with honors, in 1973, and her J.D. from Indiana University School of Law, cum laude, in 1977.

Through this Executive Session of Criminal Justice Professionals, Sagamore Institute for Policy Research aims to bring together a broad array of law enforcement officials and policymakers to discuss Central Indiana’s contribution to law enforcement innovation, identify some of the challenges facing local law enforcement, and consider the benefits of an interdisciplinary approach to crime control and prevention.

Please RSVP to Pat A. Hasselblad at 317-472-2050, ext. 303. There will be a charge of $20.00 for this event. But this luncheon is complimentary for members of the SIPR Founders’ Club ... which is a great reason to join Sagamore's Founder's Club (plus you get a nifty pin).

If you like this event, you should check out ...

March 29: Freshwater and Foreign Policy: New Challenges

Indiana Council on World Affairs, Great Decisions Series featuring Bob Reardon, Indiana Council on World Affairs; and John Clark, Sagamore Institute

When: Tuesday, March 29 7:00-9:00 PM

Where: Butler University, Pharmacy Building

The day I am writing this, March 22, is World Water Day. Two factors are inescapably true about world water: we don't have enough freshwater, and struggling for it will probably be a main source of international conflicts in the 21st century. According to the UN, 1.1 billion lack adequate access to freshwater, 2.4 billion lack access to adequate sanitation, leading to 3 million preventable deaths every year. In a few decades the wars in the Middle East may not be fought over oil or religion but rather for water. It's a very important topic.

No RSVP required. Non-students who haven’t attended previous sessions of the ICWA’s Great Decisions should pay $2.

If you like this event, you should check out ...
  • April 20: Sagamore Institute's discussion of energy security in Asia will show how growing scarcity of another crucial resource could reshape international conflict

March 29: Buildings, Business and Sustainability

A talk by Ray Anderson, founder and CEO of Interface

When: Tuesday, March 29 6:30 – 9:00 PM

Where: Indianapolis Children’s Museum, 3300 N Meridian St.

Sponsored by the Indiana chapter of the US Green Building Council.

The US Green Building Council is a coalition of builders commited to environmentally sound practices and standards. Interface is one of the world leading interior furnishing companies. While Interface is noted in its industry for its commitment to high quality design and innovation, the company is fast gaining a reputation as a corporation carrying the banner for the environment. Inspired chiefly by Paul Hawken's treatise, The Ecology of Commerce, CEO Ray Anderson heightened the company's awareness and led changes in technology in an effort to move toward being environmentally sustainable. What this means, primarily, is learning to harness solar energy and provide raw material needs by harvesting and recycling carpet and other petrochemical products, while eliminating waste and harmful emissions from its operations. Anderson believes that if Interface, a petro-intensive company, can get it right, it will never have to take another drop of oil from the earth. The philosophy guiding Anderson's passion for this cause is simply that it is not only the right thing to do, but the smart thing, too.
Because the commitment Interface has made is so unique, both in terms of the industry and business in general, the environmental community has embraced the company and lauded its efforts. Ray Anderson was named co-chairman of the President's Council on Sustainable Development in 1997, and received the inaugural Millennium Award from Global Green, presented by Mikhail Gorbachev in September 1996. He was also recognized in 1996 as the Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year for the Southeast Region, and as the Georgia Conservancy's Conservationist of the Year in 1997. Interface, Inc., was named one of the Top 100 Companies to Work For in America by FORTUNE magazine in 1997 and 1998. In January, 2001, Ray was selected by the National Academy of Sciences to receive the prestigious George and Cynthia Mitchell International Prize for Sustainable Development, the first corporate CEO to be so honored. His book, Mid-Course Correction (Chelsea Green, 1998) describes his and Interface's transformation to environmental responsibility.

On a personal note, my office at the Sagamore Institute has an Interface carpet, it is strange to think that my floor has a more interesting philosophy than I do.

This event is free and open to all. RSVP to events@inusgbc.org, call Larry Boyle at 574-0027.

If you like this event, you should check out ...
  • April 20: The ICWA dinner discussion about US global energy policy will show what might happen if we don't adopt Roy Anderson's philosophy

April 1: Roots of Irritation and Ties that Still Bind: Exploring Transatlantic Relations between Germany and the United States

A conference sponsored by Butler University, Grand Valley State University, Pädagogische Hochschule Schwäbisch Gmünd, German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD)

When: Friday, April 1 9:00 AM — 6:30 PM

Where: Butler University, Atherton Union

A lot of very good people speak at this conference. Professor Konrad Jarausch of the University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill and ZZF Potsdam will deliver the keynote speech, "German-American Relations - The State of an Affair," at 9 a.m., followed by panel discussions, paper presentations and group discussions. Dr. Alexander Petri, Germany's general consul in Chicago, will lead a question-and-answer session from 4:30 to 5:30 p.m.

Here's a rough schedule so you can make plans (if you are not lucky enough to have an entire day free for a great conference).

TRANSATLANTIC CONFERENCE PROGRAM

Roots of Irritation and Ties that Still Bind: Exploring Transatlantic Relations between Germany and the U.S.

BUTLER UNIVERSITY, ATHERTON UNION

9:00 am – 9:15 am: Introduction and Welcome, Reilly Room
Dr. Antonio Menendez, Dr. Hermann Kurthen, Dr. Stefan Immerfall
Dr. Bobby Fong, President of Butler University, Indianapolis

9:15 am - 10:00 am: Keynote Address, Reilly Room
"German-American Relations - The State of an Affair"
Dr. Konrad Jarausch (UNC Chapel Hill & ZZF Potsdam, Germany)

10:00 am - 10:15 am: Coffee Break, Foyer outside of AU 302

10:15 am – noon: Parallel Sessions

Session 1: Transatlantic Relations, AU 302
“Spreading Freedom and Democracy: A Transatlantic Tie”
Dr. Oliver B. Hemmerle (Mannheim Universität/Germany)

“Germans from Venus: The out-of-area Problems in US-German Relations.”
Dr. William G. Gray (Purdue University)

Session 2: Transatlantic Comparisons, AU 326
“Beneath the Iceberg: Liberalism at Cross-roads: A Glance at Causes of the Irritations between the US and Germany.”
Dr. Volker Frank (UNC Asheville)

“Comparing the Representations of the War in Iraq in German and US Newspapers.”
Mrs. Monica Laney (University of Kansas)

Noon - 1:00 pm: Lunch

1:00 pm - 2: 45 pm: Parallel Sessions

Session 1: Transatlantic Relations, AU 302
“German Red-states Relations”
Dr. Gary Anderson (Zeppelin Universität Friedrichshafen/Germany)

"The EU, the US and Germany: The Changing Relationship"
Dr. John McCormick (Purdue University)

Session 2: Transatlantic Comparisons, AU 326
“Michael Moore’s German Reception and the (Contemporary) Image of America.”
Dr. Tom Clark (Kassel Universität/Germany)

“The Politics of Constitutional Interpretation-Oceans Apart?”
Dr. Michael Dreyer (Northwestern University)

“The Hunt for a Competitive Advantage: How PISA has Shaped Discussions over Educational Policy Reform.”
Dr. Regina Werum (Emory University)

2:45 pm - 3:00 pm: Coffee Break, Foyer outside of 302

3:00 pm - 4:15 pm: Parallel Focus Groups, AU302 & AU 326

4:15 pm - 4:30 pm: Coffee Break

4:30 pm - 5:30 pm: Afternoon Plenary Session, Reilly Room
Dr. Alexander Petri: German General Consul, Chicago

Dr. Sven Schumacher: “Citizen Diplomacy: Sister Cities promote positive relationships between Germany and the United States.”

5:30 pm - 6:30 pm: Reception, Reilly Room


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April 5: Neighborhood Redevelopment and Revitalization

A breakfast briefing featuring Allan and Susan Tibbels, New Song Urban Ministries

When: Tuesday, April 5 8:00-10:00 AM

Where: Kite Conference Center, 30 S. Meridian St. Indianapolis

Sponsored by Sagamore Institute.

Allan and Susan Tibbels are founders of New Song Urban Ministries, a community-based “ministry of ministries” that takes a multi-dimensional, holistic approach to neighborhood development. Since 1988, New Song has focused its revitalization efforts on Sandtown-Winchester in West Baltimore, Maryland, where the Tibbels have brought together a vast array of programs and opportunities that not only revitalize neighborhoods, but also empower those who live in Sandtown. Thanks to hard work and creative leadership, New Song is partnering with foundations, churches, corporations, colleges, civic groups, the City of Baltimore, and the State of Maryland. Among the programs that operate under the New Song umbrella are a Habitat for Humanity branch, a grade school known as the New Song Academy, a job-skills and placement center, an arts program, the New Song Family Health Services Center, and the New Song Community Church (planted by the Tibbels). The New Song team has built or rebuilt one-third of the houses in Sandtown, trained and placed hundreds of workers, and transformed the Sandtown environment into a place of hope. But Sandtown is more than just a ministry for the Tibbels—it’s also their home. New Song Urban Ministries has been honored by the Anne E. Casey Foundation and featured in national publications such as U.S. News & World Report, The Baltimore Sun, and Habitat World. To find out more about New Song, visit www.nsum.org.

To hear more about Sandtown and what Indianapolis can learn from New Song’s neighborhood development success story, please RSVP to events@sipr.org by April 1 (acceptances only). Call Pat Hasselblad at 317-472-2050(ext. 303) with any questions.

If you like this event, you should check out ...

April 5: Philanthropy and Public Action

A Conversation on Philanthropy featuring Steven D. Ealy (Senior Fellow, Liberty Fund, Inc.), Dwight Burlingame (Associate Executive Director, The Center on Philanthropy at Indiana University), John Clark (Senior Fellow, Sagamore Institute for Policy Research), and Christine Henderson (Senior Fellow, Liberty Fund, Inc.)

When: Tuesday, April 5 10:00 AM — noon

Where: Sagamore Institute Third Floor Meeting Room, 340 W. Michigan St. Indianapolis

Sponsored by the Sagamore Institute and the Project for New Philanthropy Studies at DonorsTrust

In this first in a series of programs that will examine questions about the role of philanthropy in a free society, the panel will discuss a recent paper by Dr. Steven Ealy, senior fellow at Liberty Fund, Inc. on "The Necessity of Overcoming the Prejudice of Political Philosophy as a Condition for Philanthropy." This paper explores why a search for political (rather than voluntary) solutions to social problems has become the default approach in America. Ealy examines the political philosophy of Leo Strauss, the political journalism of George Will, and the writings of Michael Polanyi and Michael Oakeshott in search of a robust foundation for conceiving of philanthropic action and institutions as vital elements of modern life and sources of authority in their own spheres. Ealy's essay appeared in Conversations on Philanthropy: Conceptual Foundations (DonorsTrust, 2004), where it is accompanied by comments from other scholars.

Steve's paper is a very thoughtful and thought-provoking effort to construct a conservative conceptual framework that can make sense of civil society. I may suggest that rather than the political philosophy of Leo Strauss we should look at the political philosophy of Hannah Arendt; instead of the political journalism of George Will we should use the political journalism of Garry Wills; instead of Michael Polanyi we should look at his brother Karl; and instead of Michael Oakeshott we should look at Michael Walzer's "Spheres of Justice." Or something like that.

This will be fun. It's free and open to the public, and free copies of Conversations on Philanthropy: Conceptual Foundations will be given to all who attend this event.

Please RSVP to Pat A. Hasselblad at 317-472-2050, ext. 303 or pat@sipr.org.

April 5: Reforming the UN to Produce a Safer World

A Public Conversation featuring Bruce Rashkow (director of legal affairs for the UN); Phebe Marr (US Institute for Peace); and local experts on the UN and international law

When: Tuesday April 5, 7:00-9:00 PM

Where: Civic Theatre at Marian College, 3200 Cold Spring Road Indianapolis

Sponsored by the Stanley Foundation, Americans for Informed Democracy, the Franciscan Center for Global Studies, and the Sagamore Institute

Check out the Indianapolis Star article by Pierre Atlas!

This event could hardly come at a better time. UN Secretary Kofi Annan has released a very ambitious blueprint for reform at the same time the UN's harshest critic, John Bolton, has been named US ambassador to the UN. Even if it did its job -- maintaining the sanctions that prevented Saddam from reconstituting his nuclear and biological weapons programs -- the "oil for food" program was badly misused and does indicate fundamental flaws in the way the UN operates. (Don't even get me started on what the UN sex farms in Congo reveal.) Add to this the fact that a sizable slice of the US political class detests the UN to the point of denying it any legitimacy whatsoever, and you have a recipe for crisis.

This event is intended to make a small contribution to resolving this crisis. In 2004, after Kofi Annan commissioned a high-level panel of international experts to draft a strategy for reform, the Stanley Foundation organized a series of public discussions around the US to better understand what Americans feel about the UN. This event is the next stage ... and I think will be better than any of their others because of the intellectual and moral resources we have in Central Indiana.

We'll have two out-of town experts on the UN and how it affects countries and people, and two local experts on international law. And a crowd of widely differing perspectives and viewpoints. It should make for a lively exchange, and by the end perhaps we will have moved closer to ideas about how to proceed.

Here's who's coming:

Phebe Marr is America's foremost historian of modern Iraq. A retired professor, she was research professor at the National Defense University, and a professor of history at the University of Tennessee and at Stanislaus State University in California. In 1999–2000, Marr was a senior scholar at the Wilson Center. She frequently contributes to media discussions about Iraq, has written numerous articles on Iraq, and has testified before many congressional committees in recent years.

Bruce Rashkow is the UN's top lawyer, serving as Director of the United Nations' Office of Legal Affairs since 1995. Among the duties of this office are providing a unified central legal service for the Secretariat and the principal and other organs of the United Nation and contributing to the progressive development and codification of international public and trade law. Prior to holding this position he was an Assistant Legal Adviser for United Nations Affairs at the US Department of State. Rashkow was Legal Adviser for Diplomatic Law and Practice at the State Department from 1984 to 1987.

William Bradford, professor of law at Indiana University-Indianapolis, is one of the country’s leading experts on national security and foreign relations law and the law governing war and international conflicts. Bradford served in the US Army from 1990 to 2001, and was legal advisor to the Chairman of the Joint Chief of Staff General John Shalikashvili. He is the author of The Laws of Armed Conflict and Transnational Security in the Age of Terror, the first casebook of military law. Bradford has written on the legal justification for the Bush Administration’s doctrine of preemptive war, on American Indians’ claims for reparations, and on the proposal of a new post-9/11 framework for the law governing war. One of fewer than fifteen Native Americans who are tenured law professors in the US, he was recently appointed United Nations Ambassador from the Miami tribe of Indiana.

Ed DeLaney is a trial lawyer and currently a partner at DeLaney & DeLaney in Indianapolis. DeLaney has been active in international trade work throughout his career, especially as relates to the former Soviet Union and Eastern Europe. He represented the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina in an arbitration hearing under the Dayton Peace Accords. He is an adjunct fellow with the Hudson Institute and an adjunct professor of law at Indiana University–Bloomington. DeLaney has written, in collaboration with John Clark, on the United Nations and how it can be used most effectively to rebuild Iraq. (When my articles migrated from Hudson to Sagamore, Ed's name fell off that article, it's being restored.)

I'll be moderating the evening and wil try to keep my noisy views in check. So for what it's worth here is the condensed version of what I think about this. On 9/11 a fact that had been growing increasingly clear through the 1990s became unavoidable: the existing body of international laws, organizations and institutions, even informal norms and understandings are inadequate for the world of the 21st century. You see it not just with the UN, it's evident with the Geneva convention, laws on nonproliferation and child soldiers, and so on. These are rules dratfed by states, signed by states, enforced by bodies whose force ultimately comes from states. The reality of the 21st century is that states are much less relevant than they have been for the past 350 years because of


  1. the nature of problems we face (global+local ... think of drugs, Islamic extremism, international trafficking in humans, illegal arms sloshing around the globe ... and on on on), and
  2. the rise of a global hegemon/empire in the US.

Given these inadequate international institutions, laws, norms, the Administration could have gone in one of two possible directions after 9/11. It could have treated these inadequate laws, institutions, etc as encumbrances and obstacles that can only get our way as we deal with mass terrorism and Islamic extremism (two very different but sometimes related problems). Or it could have commited itself to bringing together XXX to design and adopt a more adequate set of international laws, organizations, etc. Its a sign of how hard that would have been that I don't know what "XXX" would be -- all countries? all powerful countries? all democracies [my preferred choice]? "international players" including nonstates? The second would have been tough, but is eventually where we will need to go. The Administration took the first way, with the result that we are even further today from the international structures we will need. Not only because the US has kicked on them, other countries recognize the limitations. Somehow we have to deal with that fact, figure out where we have to go, and not just Bush-bash for taking a wrong turn.

Personally, I think that Bush could play an effective role in the hard work of constructing international global+local structures that will get us through the current century. Nixon, after all, went to China, and Bush and Bolton could convince conservative UN-enemies that a course of reform is best for the US and for the world. It's possible, and perhaps this event will help.

This will be an informal discussion, not like a standard academic talk-fest. Here's a rough schedule for the evening.

7:00-705 Pierre Atlas (Marian College): Welcome


7:05-7:15 Clark: Overview of what’s at stake for UN, global security, Indiana; overview of the evening’s format


7:15-7:30 Marr: UN problems from the perspective of Iraq. Rather than have panel members give a formal presentation, I’ll ask her a couple of questions about specific issues connected to Iraq: the effects of the sanctions in the 1990s and what was necessary to keep them in place, what is it about the oil-for-food program, given this Administration what reforms of the UN would have led to a different outcome before/during/after the invasion of Iraq.

I may take a few seconds to put her comments in a broader context to connect it to Rashkow, one of the main players in drafting the UN's reform proposal.


7:30-7:45 Rashkow: over of the reforms proposed by Annan, what are they, what are they supposed to do, are they enough?


7:45-8:00 DeLaney and Bradford discussion: Rather than have them formally rebut Marr and Rashkow point-by-point (they are lawyers, after all), I would like to hear Ed and Bill discuss their views of how th eUN should change. Ed will probably discuss his experiences in Kosovo (no accountability, Kosovars’ sense of being occupied by 191 countries, etc.) Bradford’s skepticism of the UN is an articulate version of what most Republican national politicians and a significant (vocal) minority of Americans think about the UN and international law. Ed’s views are by contrast more like most national Democrat politicians: the UN is important and necessary but also limited and flawed, it should be a good exchange with Bill. Think of it as a particularly smart and civil red-state/blue-state dialogue.


8:00-8:30ish Q&A from the audience. Rather than having each of the four panel members answer each question, I’ll try to play the role of traffic cop or switchboard operator, directing questions to the one or two that have the best answer and might contrast with each other.


8:30ish- Reception and a chance to continue the discussion.

The event is free and open to all, and everyone should come.

If you have any questions, e-mail me at john@sipr.org.

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  • April 6: The next day, hear more from Phebe Marr on Iraq
  • I hope to organize several follow-ups to the UN discussion ... so keep an eye on IndyBuzz.

April 6: “US Challenges in Iraq and the Muslim World”

Phebe Marr, America's leading political historian of Iraq

When: Wednesday, April 6 11:00 AM to 1:00 PM

Where: North United Methodist Church, 3808 N. Meridian St. Indianapolis

The lead off of the Mid-North Shepherd Center's Great Decisions Series

Iraq is, of course, the most urgent issue for US foreign policy. Will that country’s steps toward democracy continue, and perhaps even set off the sort of “domino effect” that we saw when East European dictatorships toppled one after another in 1989? Or will it keep the US mired indefinitely? Iraq is a grand experiment, an effort (in part) to impose democracy on a country by force. Success or failure will determine how the US relates to the Middle East and the world.

Our guide in answering these questions is Phebe Marr of the US Institute for Peace, author of the splendid Modern History of Iraq. It goes without saying that the world might be different if more Administration decision makers had read Dr. Marr's book carefully before invading Iraq. Most of us don't have the chance to hear someone of Phebe Marr's wisdom and knowledge explain Iraq, perhaps only if we are lucky enough to catch her in the middle of the night on CSPAN. you shold make time in your schedule to catch her.

The Mid-North Shepherd Center serves older adults, but opens its events to everyone. You should stay for lunch, which is at noon. Chances are you'll be able to sit at Dr. Marr's table and follow up on her talk (if chairs are in short supply, I'll give up my spot). As I say, this is a rare treat that the Mid-North Shepherd Center has given us.

Want some background reading? In addition to Phebe Marr's book, look at:

April 6: A Talk by the Bush Administration's Favorite Classicist

Victor Davis Hanson, professor of Classics at Cal State Fresno, writer for National Review, California farmer

When: Wednesday, April 6, noon

Where: Indiana Convention Center, 500 Ballroom

Sponsored by the Economic Club of Indianapolis

Victor Davis Hanson is worth the price of admission. Before 9/11, he was a historian of ancient Greece whose outspokenly conservative political views weren't his most unusual feature. He'd been a full-time grape farmer before founding Cal State Fresno's Classic Department. His experience farming helped brilliantly illuminate the ways the Greeks' employment growing grapes and olives shaped their ways of waging war. After 9/11, Hanson's career shifted. He combined advocating a very hawkish approach to the war on Islamic extremism with a view that the Bush Administration is a last bulwark of everything good about the West that is under assault from barbarians and evil. A collection of his 2001 National Review essays, An Autumn of War, became a best-seller. Something very similar occurred with the historian of the Ottomans, Bernard Lewis, who after 9/11 emerged as the leading interpreter of Islamic hostility to the US.

I like Hanson's work on the ancient Greeks a lot, and always enjoy reading his military analyses. The closer he gets to home, the less interesting he gets. Even though I may agree with some of his views of American politics, it's kind of predictable, not much different than most of the other writers for National Review. And his book Mexifornia had nothing surprising in it. so let's hope he sticks with his strengths at the Economic Club lunch.

Membership dues for the Economic Club of Indianapolis are $60. Luncheon costs are $22 (club members) and $29 (non-members). For information on becoming a member of the Economic Club of Indianapolis, please contact Shani Johnson via email or by calling 317-464-2212.

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April 11: “Jesus and Empire: The Kingdom of God and the New World Dis-Order”

24th Annual Forum on Jewish-Christian Relations, featuring Richard Horsley, Distinguished Prof. of Liberal Arts and the Study of Religion at the University of Massachusetts, Boston.

When: Monday, April 11 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM

Where: Christian Theological Seminary, Common Room

This ought to be a fascinating event. Horsley has been a distinguished historian of the politics of the Roman Empire in ancient Palestine and Judea; lately he has devoted himself to drawing lessons for contemporary Christianity and the American Empire. His book, Jesus and Empire: The Kingdom of God and the New World Disorder, is one of the most thought-provoking works of history I've read in a while. It changed the way I read the Bible, especially the book of Mark. Christianity was born out of a struggle against imperial oppression, and when early American settlers looked for a language in which to express their opposition to what they saw as British imperial domination, this was where they looked. But his analysis of American power and Empire, written shortly after 9/11, verges on over-simplistic. (Of course that could just be me defending my turf.) I expect that in his three lectures at CTS, with critical questions posed by some of the leading theologians in the neighborhood, he will delve much deeper.

The event (plus lunch) costs $45, a pretty good deal. You might want to read his book in advance. You have to register before April 4, for details call JCRC - 926-2935 or CTS - 931-4224

April 13: An Evening with Arturo Sandoval

Grammy- and Emmy-award winning trumpeter Arturo Sandoval

When: Wednesday April 13, 7:30 PM

Where: Butler University, Clowes Hall

Sponsored by Butler University’s Celebration of Diversity Distinguished Lecture Series

Music-lovers know Arturo Sandoval as a genius of jazz and classical music. He has a powerful message to share about music and political liberation. His defection from Cuba in 1990 was the subject of the Emmy-winning movie “For Love or Country.” It would be too easy to dismiss his political evolution as the stereotypical path of a Miami Cuban … "I'm a Republican, 100 percent. I believe the best presidents have been Republicans, and I like the older Bush [President George H.W. Bush] very much, as well. I like [Ronald] Reagan very much." But Sandoval has thought carefully about his experiences. And you have to figure he’ll bring his horn to Clowes!

This event is free, but you must have ticket. Clowes can probably explain how that works: (317)940-6444 or (800)732-0804

April 14: “Peace through Policing in Communities and in the World”

Prof. Tobias Winright, Theology, Walsh University

When: Thursday April 14, 7:30 PM

Where: Old Centrum, 1201 N. Central Ave. Indianapolis

Sonsored by Ploughshares, a peace studies collaborative of Earlham, Goshen, and Manchester Colleges

Tobias Winright advocates nonviolence in local policing, and policing internationally as an alternative to military action. A former law enforcement officer in both the areas of corrections and policing, and with experience in lay ecclesial ministry (youth ministry, campus ministry, and hospital ministry), Winright is a Roman Catholic moral theologian who has published a number of articles in journals and chapters in books dealing especially with the ethics of war, peace, policing, and capital punishment. He also gives presentations and workshops for parishes and other groups about a range of theological topics from just-war theory and liturgy to marriage and children. He was voted Educator of the Year at Walsh for the 2003-2004 academic year, and he was also included in Who's Who Among American Teachers 2003-2004.

This event is free and open to the public. Address questions to Emily Zimmerman: ezimmerman@indypeacehouse.org

April 15: “Managing the 21st Century Workforce”

A Conference on Older Workers put on the University of Indianapolis's Center for Aging and Community

When: Friday, April 15 8:00 AM to 2:00 PM

Where: Indianapolis Marriott Downtown, 350 W. Maryland St


What employers don't know can hurt them:

  • Nearly one-fifth of the U.S. workforce will be 55 or older by 2012.
  • By that time, available jobs could outnumber skilled workers by 6 million, a gap that will continue to widen as baby boomers retire.
  • Three-fourths of baby boomers want - or need - to work past standard retirement age.
  • The workforce now includes four distinct generations of Americans with their own value systems, posing a serious management challenge.
The aging of the U.S. workforce poses huge challenges for employers, but experts say those who embrace the demographic changes can win the coming battle for skilled workers.
Futurist Ed Barlow, AARP benefits specialist Deborah Russell and other nationally known authorities will address those challenges and opportunities during an April 15 conference organized by the University of Indianapolis Center for Aging & Community. Emmy-winning network broadcaster Hugh Downs will deliver the luncheon address.

Aimed at executives, managers, HR professionals, financial planners, service providers and others affected by employment issues, the April conference will cover such topics as how to keep and compete for experienced workers in the face of a looming talent shortage; how to retain critical knowledge as more workers move toward retirement; how to successfully manage intergenerational issues and conflict in a diverse workforce; and how to plan for succession in small business and large corporate settings.

The program will begin with a breakfast talk, "Changing Demographics and the Workforce," by Barlow, a Detroit-based consultant whose clients have included Federal Express, Hewlett Packard, the U.S. Navy, Lockheed Martin, Federal Reserve Bank Systems, Pepsi, the U.S. Department of Education and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce.

During the morning, attendees may choose two of five breakout sessions before hearing the lunchtime keynote address from Hugh Downs, former co-anchor of ABC's 20/20 and author of five books on aging, health and psychological maturity.

The cost for the full conference is $250. Attendance for the lunch talk with Downs is just $50. To register go to http://cac.uindy.edu/workplaceconference.php

April 19: “EU Enlargement — Opportunity or Threat? The View from Luxembourg during its EU Presidency”

When: Tuesday, April 19 — Social Hour 5:30-6:15; Dinner and talk 6:15-8:30

Where: Omni Severin Hotel Downtown, Fisher Ballroom, 40 W. Jackson Pl. Indianapolis

Arlette Conzemius, Ambassador of Luxembourg to the US; and Robert Biwer, Consul-General of Luxembourg to the US

The decision-making structure of the European Union is poorly understood by Americans, but is very important. The Council of the European Union is the Union's main decision-making institution. It consists of the ministers of the fifteen Member States responsible for the area of activity on the agenda: foreign affairs, agriculture, industry, transport or whatever. Despite the existence of these different configurations depending on the area of activity, the Council is nonetheless a single institution. Every six months the Presidency of the Council rotates between the Member States. The country that holds the Presidency presides over the meetings of the Council, which are held in Brussels or in Luxembourg, and organizes meetings (informal or not) on its own territory. The Presidency of the Council plays an essential role in steering the decision-making process in political and legislative matters. In the same manner, all the working groups (of government officials), whose task it is to prepare the ministerial meetings, are presided over by the country which holds the Presidency. The president of the Council is also responsible for representing it at the other European institutions, such as the European Parliament and the European Commission. Furthermore, the Member State which holds the Presidency represents the Union on the international stage, in close cooperation with the EU High Representative for Common Foreign and Security Policy, Javier Solana, and the European Commission. This means that tiny Luxembourg, which holds the Presidency through the end of July, is a major player in EU decision making.

The Luxembourgian Ambassador and Consul-General to the US should provide an excellent insight into how their country sees Europe’s challenges. Arlette Conzemius became ambassador of Luxembourg to the United States on Sept. 10, 1998 after spending five years as ambassador and permanent representative of Luxembourg to the Council of Europe in Strasbourg, France. Before that position, she was deputy chief of mission at the Luxembourg Embassy in Washington, D.C., from 1989 to 1993. From 1983 to 1988, Ambassador Conzemius was the permanent representative of Luxembourg to the European Communities in Brussels, Belgium. She began her diplomatic career in 1981 as directorate for international economic relations in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. She was educated at the Graduate Institute of International Studies in Geneva from 1974 to 1978, and then attended the Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy where she received her master of arts degree.

WTC Members: $30; non-members: $35; students: $20. See registration form for details, phone 317-261-0918, or e-mail adminwtc@worldtradeclubofindiana.org

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April 20: A Transatlantic Debate: “A ‘United States of Europe,’ Friend or Foe for the United States of America?”

The Indianapolis stop on the TIESWeb Transatlantic Citizen Marathon 2005

A Debate between Franck Biancheri (president of the Transatlantic Information Exchange System) and John Clark (Senior Research Fellow, the Sagamore Institute)

A “United States of Europe”:
Friend or Foe for the United States of America?

Wednesday, April 20 — cocktail reception 5:30 PM, dinner 6:30 PM, debate and discussion 7:15

Butler University (4600 Sunset Ave. Indianapolis): Johnson Room, Robertson Hall

Sponsored by the Indiana Council on World Affairs, Sagamore Institute, and the Transatlantic Information Exchange System

Events of the past few years have led many Americans to believe that as Europe grows increasingly unified, it is also more willing to act against vital American interests. Examples include widespread European opposition to the US invasion of Iraq, disagreements over how to deal with terrorism, constant trade disputes, and Europe's willingness to sell advanced weapons to China. Does this mean that the US and a large assertive EU are destined to be rivals, even enemies? What would that conflict involve? Should anything be done to prevent this antagonism from growing?

Franck Biancheri is Director of Europe 2020, a leading trans-European think tank; President of TIESWeb (the Transatlantic Information Exchange System), a network of civic organizations in Europe and the US; and President of Newropeans, magazine and movement for those born in a unified Europe. His innovative efforts to promote a democratic unification of Europe led TIME to select him as one of 20 “Heroes of Europe” in 2003, and PoliticsOnline to name him one of the 25 individuals or organizations around the world having the greatest impact of technology on politics.

John Clark is Senior Fellow with the Sagamore Institute for Policy Research. Before helping found Sagamore, he was Director of the Center for Central European and Eurasian Studies at Hudson Institute. He is the author of books, articles, and studies about such topics as the collapse of communism, Polish environmental policy, social welfare politics in the US and UK, and organized crime and terrorism in Europe.

This event is open to the public. Reservations should be made by calling 317-566-2036. Dinner for members of ICWA is $20.00, and for nonmembers, it is $22.00. All reservations must be received by Friday, April 15. No reservations are necessary to attend only the debate and discussion at 7:15 PM; however, there is a $3.00 fee for ICWA members and their guests. Nonmembers’ fee is $4.00. Students can attend the debate for free.

Please direct any questions about the event to John Clark: john@sipr.org.
~

April 21: Creative Approaches to Strengthening Transatlantic Relations

When? Thursday, April 21 9:30-11:00 AM

Where? Sagamore Institute, 340 W. Michigan St. Indianapolis

A discussion with Franck Biancheri, one of Europe's most influential proponents of a more tightly integrated and much more democratic European Union. Biancheri is an extraordinarily well networked proponent of democratic integration for Europe. He is Director of Studies and Strategy for Europe 2020, an important think tank; president and founder of the Transatlantic Information Exchange System, a network of civil society organizations from across Europe and the US; director of "Newropeans," a magazine and movement targeting Europeans born after the creation of the European Community.

This discussion will focus on the ways nongovernmental organizations and businesses in Indianapolis can contribute to increasing understanding and cooperation between Europe and the US.

For more information, contact John Clark at john@sipr.org

April 22: Preparing for China’s Future Role in the World Economy

When? All day Friday, April 22

Where? Indiana State University

Prof. Rick Lotspeich of the ISU Economics Department has established a partnership with Liaoning University in Shenyang, China. This year ISU has hosted three economics professors from LU who specialize in China's trade, social security and demographics, and the World Trade Organization. April 22 Prof. Lotspeich and his Chinese colleagues will be joined by some of the Midwest's leading experts in Chinese business and economics for a daylong symposium: Preparing for China’s Future Role in the World Economy. This effort is a collaboration of Liaoning University in Shenyang, China and Indiana State University. ISU President Lloyd Benjamin will open the symposium, during which speakers will address a number of topics under the general subject of China’s emergence into the global economy and what this implies for business and economic relations with the United States. Speakers will include ISU faculty members from the College of Business and the Department of Economics, visiting Chinese scholars from Liaonoing University and specialists invited from outside Terre Haute. All speakers will share their expertise with each other and the general public.

The symposium is open to all interested parties. In addition to a keynote address following lunch, the symposium will have two morning sessions and one late afternoon session. The first morning session, Bilateral Business Perspectives, will address the experiences of Chinese firms operating in the U.S. and American firms exporting to China. In the second morning session, China as a Force in World Markets, speakers will assess China’s foreign trade policies and China’s impact on world markets for agricultural commodities and energy. Chinese economists will present research in the late afternoon session on Current Challenges in China’s Economic Transition.

All presentations are open to the public and will be held in meeting rooms of the Hulman Memorial Student Union on the ISU campus. The symposium is sponsored by the U.S. Department of State, the ISU International Affairs Center, College of Arts and Sciences and Department of Economics. For more information contact the ISU International Affairs Center. sixth floor of Erickson Hall, 812-237-2440.

I'll post details about the conference as they are set. In the meantime, if you have any questions zap them to Prof. Lotspeich at RickL@indstate.edu.

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May 18: Sagamore Symposium: Energy Security in Asia and Its Implications for US Policy

When: Wednesday May 18, 2:00-4:30 PM

Where: Sagamore Institute Third Floor Meeting Room, 340 W. Michigan St. Indianapolis

Perhaps the most important task the US assumed following World War II was ensuring the predictable flow of relatively inexpensive oil to the industrialized and industrializing countries of the world. This goes beyond guaranteeing that American SUVs have gas in their tanks, it's a global responsibility. And it won't get any easier in the years to come. A glance at a list of the top 20 petroleum exporting countries shows that most of them are poor, have despotic governments, experience frequent bouts of political instability ... their problems become our problems.

The stunning economic rise of China and India have made the problem much worse for the US. Even if the US and Europe were abruptly to embrace dramatic cuts in their consumption of fossil fuels, the ever increasing demands from China, India, and other rising economies would drive world consumption of oil ever higher ... and that is even before every Chinese and Indian family decides part of prosperity is owning two cars.

This symposium will address what Asia's energy security will mean for the US in the years ahead. We will feature Robert Ebel, head of the Center for Strategic and International Studies program on energy and international security; Dong Hyung Cha, an official in the South Korean Ministry of Commerce, Industry, and Energy and a visiting fellow at the Sagamore Institute; and Richard Lotspeich, an economist at Indiana State University who specializes in energy and conflict in China and Russia.

This symposium is open to the public, free of charge. Any questions? Send them to John Clark at john@sipr.org.

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May 18: “Geostrategy and Petropolitics: Does US Energy Policy Make Any Sense?”

Wednesday, May 18 — 5:30 cocktail reception; 6:30 dinner; 7:15 talk

Robert Ebel, director of the Center for Strategic and International Studies Energy and National Security Project

Where? Butler University: Johnson Room, Robertson Room

Indiana Council on World Affairs, distinguished speakers dinner

Global petroleum politics seem to tie the US inextricably to some of the most troubled and troubling parts of the world. The reason is partly because Americans are the largest consumers of oil, partly because the health of the global economy depends on the secure flow of inexpensive energy to Europe, China, Japan as well as to the United States … and as the most powerful military, the US has taken upon itself the role of doing what is necessary to ensure the oil keeps being pumped and shipped. The results can be seen in every day’s headlines. Things will only get more difficult in the decades ahead as oil supplies grow more scarce and demand continues to rise in countries such as India and China.

To what degree does US energy policy contribute to this problem? Few experts are better equipped to help us understand this than Robert Ebel. Ebel is chairman of the CSIS Energy Program, where he provides analysis on world oil and energy issues, with particular emphasis on the former Soviet Union and the Persian Gulf. He is also codirector of the Caspian Sea Oil Study Group and the Oil Markets Study Group. In addition, he has directed studies on global nuclear materials management and on the geopolitics of energy. Mr. Ebel served with the CIA for 11 years and spent over 7 years with the Office of Oil and Gas in the Department of the Interior. He also served for some 14 years as vice president, international affairs, at ENSERCH Corporation, advising the corporation and its subsidiaries on international issues relevant to day-to-day operations. Mr. Ebel has traveled widely in the former Soviet Union. He was a member of the first U.S. oil delegation to visit that country, in l960, and in l970 was in the first group of Americans to inspect the new oil fields of Western Siberia. In 1997, he led an International Energy Agency team examining the oil and gas sector of Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan. In 2002, he participated in the Sudanese peace talks, held in Machakos, Kenya, and in 2002-2003, he worked with a group of former Iraqi oil officials, under the Department of State's Future of Iraq Project, to produce an assessment of the Iraqi oil sector.

If you want to learn more about Robert Ebel's thinking about US energy policy, check out his recent testimony to Congress or an important article from the New Yorker last year.

Reservations should be made by calling 317/566-2036. Dinner for members of ICWA is $20.00, and for nonmembers, it is $22.00. All reservations must be received by Friday, May13. Nonmembers must prepay, and all mailed reservations must be at Office Suites Plus by Thursday, May 12.

Welcome to IndyBuzz

IndyBuzz provides information about Central Indiana's most stimulating and thought provoking events -- discussions and conferences, art exhibitions, films, music performances. It tells you what's happening … explains why you should be part of what’s happening. More than an events calendar, though, IndyBuzz tries to make events more meaningful for participants by suggesting an article or two to read before the event, recommending books or websites that will be sources of further information after the event, and pointing out related events that are worth attending.

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