2005 Year in Review

Whiteside Forum: Globalizatiion 61270

The Whiteside Forum, Morrison, will begin its 20th year with a world affairs conference on “Globalization 61270.” Set for April 8 and 9 at Odell Library Community Room, it is open to all, free of charge. Generous and loyal sponsors make “free” possible.

Friday’s program will begin at 7:30 p.m., when Prof. Robert L. Thompson, from the University of Illinois at Urbana, will provide an overview of Globalization.

Professor Thompson has been a World Bank advisor and active in debate on agricultural trade issues in the World Trade Organization.

The Rev. Robert L. Grant will serve as moderator for this annual conference. In 2004 he was a member of the Saturday morning Forum session on “Poverty: A Global View.”

Fr. Grant is an associate professor of theology at St. Ambrose University, Davenport. He also coaches a men’s soccer team.

Saturday, registration and coffee will precede the 9 a.m. opening of the panel discussion of Globalization 61270.

Eldon Gould, a Kane County farmer from Maple Park, IL, farms and advocates for enhanced markets for United States – grown food products. His is active with the Farm Bureau and is a member of the Governor’s Advisory Board of Livestock Commissioners.

From the Committee of Chicago Jobs With Justice, Jerry Mead will view Globalization through local and international workers’ eyes. The Global Justice Committee responds to issues that affect control and standards and human rights.

Completing the speaker panel will be Gay Elfline and Robert Elfline, Morrison residents.

Both grew up in Sterling, attended Knox College, and earned master’s degrees at Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania.

Gay Elfline retired in 2002 from the Wm. Wrigley Jr. Co. She worked in financial and technology areas within the outside the U.S. A large business in a small world.

Robert Elfline owns and manages Sterling Gear, Inc. in Deer Grove, IL. His company manufactures and distributes stainless steel items ranging from dental drill components to gears and shafts – a competitive small business in a large world.

The Whiteside Forum is nonpartisan and not-for-profit, “to provide an on-going Forum for education and discussion of timely international issues.” Since 1985 it has offered major yearly Forums on subjects as current as nuclear weapons, Hong Kong, health care, and in 2004, “Poverty: A World View.”

by  Editor, theCity1.com
April 4, 2005