2004 Year in Review

Poverty: a Global View - Whiteside Forum April 16 & 17

The Whiteside Forum annual World Affairs Conference, Morrison, is set for April 16 and 17, to consider "Poverty: a Global View."

The goal is to examine the role and potential of non-government organizations in identifying causes, effects and workable solutions to the poverty experienced by millions of people worldwide.

The conference is open to the public. There is no admission charge.

At 7:30 p.m. Friday, April 17 at Odell Library, keynote speaker Gale Summerfield will talk about "Gender Dimensions of Global Poverty: Problem and Possible Solutions."

Professor Summerfield is an economist, and directs the Women and Gender in Global Perspectives program at the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign.

At 8:30 a.m. Saturday the conference will resume with a three-speaker panel.

Drake Zimmerman, Bloomington IL, founded Rotarians Against Malaria, a "linchpin" cause of poverty. He will describe "The Bigger Bang: Malaria Control."

The Rev. Robert L. Grant teaches at St. Ambrose University, Davenport IA and advises social justice and environmental clubs there. He will give his views of "Poor Land, Home Land: Poverty and Ecology at Home and in the Third World."

As regional organizer of Bread for the world, Mariah Priggen, Chicago, directs nonpartisan lobbying efforts to address Congress and the administration on hunger and poverty legislation. Her work is to "Keep the Promises on Hunger and Health."

The entire conference will be moderated by Martha Bonte, a member of the faculty at Clinton Community College. She teaches and coordinates in the humanities and social science department.

There will be opportunities for members of the audience to ask questions of the speakers at both sessions.

The Whiteside Forum was established in 1985 to "provide for education and discussion of timely international issues." Among the many issues addressed in the past 19 years have been nuclear weapons, immigration, the New Europe, terrorism, and, in 2003, "Water: Who Needs It?"

The Whiteside Forum is nonpartisan, nomprofit and independent, funded by contributions from persons who appreciate its goals. Comments and inquiries are welcomed and may be addressed to PO Box 51 / Morrison IL 61270.

by  Editor, theCity1.com
April 12, 2004