Events this week - April 14-21
April 15 | The politics of U.S. election reform with Norm Ornstein
12:15-1:30 p.m., Humphrey Center atrium
The Center for the Study of Politics and Governance (CSPG) will host a national conference on “The Future of Election Reform: 2008 and Beyond,” April 13–15 at the Humphrey Institute. The three-day conference fee is $375, but the luncheon featuring Norm Ornstein on April 15 is open to the general public; registration is $20. Ornstein will address "The Politics of Election Reform" from 12:15 to 1:30 p.m. in the atrium. For more information, contact Lea Chittenden at chit0018@umn.edu or (612) 625-2530.
April 16 | Humphrey Institute spring assembly, “Visions for Public Affairs Education in the Year 2020”
1-3 p.m., Cowles Auditorium
The Humphrey Institute will hold its annual spring assembly from 1 to 3 p.m. on Wednesday, April 16, in Cowles Auditorium. Representatives from the Institute’s six policy areas will give presentations that examine the significant policy and planning issues potentially facing the world in the year 2020. All are invited to attend. A reception will follow in the atrium.
April 17 | “The Global Role of Muslims in Humanitarian Aid”
4 p.m., Cowles Auditorium
The Sawyer Seminar series concludes with a lecture from Hany El-Banna at 4 p.m. on April 17 in Cowles Auditorium. He is the co-founder and president of Islamic Relief, the largest Western-based international Muslim relief and development NGO. Islamic Relief aims to provide rapid relief in the event of human and natural disasters and to establish local development projects to eradicate poverty, illiteracy and disease. El-Banna will talk about “The Global Role of Muslims in Humanitarian Aid.”
April 17 | Discussion with Harry Boyte about civic agency
7 p.m., Weisman Art Museum
Senior Fellow Harry Boyte argues that our society requires a much deeper focus on “civic agency”—the collective abilities of citizens and communities to work across differences on common challenges. Boyte will address these ideas in “How to Save Democracy in the 21st Century” at 7 p.m. on Thursday, April 17, at the Weisman Art Museum.
April 18 | Graduation ceremony for international fellows
4 p.m., Cowles Auditorium
All are invited to a graduation ceremony for the 2007–08 class of international fellows at 4 p.m. on April 18 in Cowles Auditorium. Refreshments will be served.
April 21 | Local Government Innovation Awards
2–5 p.m., Cowles Auditorium
The Public and Nonprofit Leadership Center, in collaboration with the Association of Minnesota Counties, the League of Minnesota Cities, and the Minnesota School Boards Association, will host the second annual Local Government Innovation Awards from 2 to 5 p.m. on Monday, April 21, in Cowles Auditorium. The awards program recognizes outstanding cities, counties, and public schools that have used inventive practices to improve local services. The awards ceremony is free and open to the public, but registration is requested. To attend, please RSVP to Susan Earle at earle030@umn.edu.
April 21-22 | “Making Communities Work: Leadership Across Public, Private, Nonprofit, and Geographic Boundaries”
Senior Fellow Tim Penny will headline the 2008 Center for Integrative Leadership conference, “Making Communities Work: Leadership Across Public, Private, Nonprofit, and Geographic Boundaries,” April 21-22 at the Humphrey Institute. Registration for the two-day event is $80 per person. Find out more online or contact Joyce Hoelting at 612-625-8233.
