Institute Insider

April 13 | "Agricultural Transformation and the Rural Labor Market in Turkey"
12:15–1:15 p.m., 50 Willey Hall

Isan Tunali of Koc University, Istanbul, Turkey, will present "Agricultural Transformation and the Rural Labor Market in Turkey" on Monday, April 13, from 12:15 to 1:15 p.m. in Room 50 Willey Hall. This seminar is one in a series presented by the Minnesota Population Center.

April 13 | GLBT Ally Training
2–5 p.m., Coffman Union

The GLBTA (Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, Transgender) Programs Office presents a free Ally Training on Monday, April 13, from 2 to 5 p.m. at Coffman Union. Participants are given a space to learn about the GLBTA community, understand heterosexual and gender privilege, and think critically about gender and sexuality. Attendees will leave the training with newfound awareness and concrete steps they can take to help make the University campus and larger communities more welcoming and affirming for everyone. This event is free and open to the public. Cookies and beverages will be served.

April 14 | Perspectives on Public Affairs with Ryan Allen
1–2 p.m., Freeman Commons

Ryan Allen, assistant professor with the regional planning and policy area, will lead a conversation on Richard Alba's article Bright vs. Blurred boundaries: Second-Generation Assimilation and Exclusion in France, Germany, and the United States, on Tuesday, April 14, from 1 to 2 p.m. in Freeman Commons. This discussion is part of the Perspectives on Public Affairs series, designed to foster discussions centered on the theme of social diversity and public policy. This event is free and open to the public. Registration is required to pnlc@umn.edu. Lunch will be provided.

April 14 | "America's Children and U.S. Immigration Enforcement: Is Anybody Looking Out for the Best Interests of the Children?"
4–5:30 p.m., Cowles Auditorium

The Humphrey Institute will co-sponsor "America's Children and U.S. Immigration Enforcement: Is Anybody Looking Out for the Best Interests of the Children?" on Tuesday, April 14, from 4 to 5:30 p.m. in Cowles Auditorium. When U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents detain and subsequently deport undocumented workers, what happens to the children of those workers, many of whom were born in the U.S. and, by law, are U.S. citizens? A new report, Severing a Lifeline: The Neglect of Citizen Children in America's Immigration Enforcement Policy, takes a detailed look at the impact of immigration law and enforcement policy upon citizen children. The study's authors contend that immigration laws are out of step with the way children are treated in other areas of U.S. law and, at best, marginalize, and, at worst, totally ignore the children's status as citizens. A distinguished panel will lead a discussion of these issues. Speakers include Katherine Fennelly, professor, Humphrey Institute of Public Affairs; Joseph Dierkes, retired immigration judge, U.S. Department of Justice; James Kremer, partner, Dorsey & Whitney; Representative Carlos Mariani, Minnesota House of Representatives; and Esther Wattenberg, professor, University of Minnesota School of Social Work. This event is free and open to the public.

April 15 | Regional Planning and Policy Discussion
12:45–2 p.m., 184 Humphrey Center

Keith Knapp, associate researcher with the State and Local Policy Program, will discuss "Improving Rural Transportation Safety: Capitol to Combine—A Multidisciplinary Approach" on Wednesday, April 15, from 12:45 to 2 p.m. in Room 184 Humphrey Center. This program is part of the Regional Planning and Policy Brownbag Discussion Series. Refreshments will be served. All are welcome to attend.

April 15 | Book discussion with Patrick Mendis
3–4:30 p.m., Freeman Commons

Humphrey Institute alumnus Patrick Mendis will discuss his latest book, Trade for Peace: How the DNA of America, Freemasonry and Providence Created a New World Order with Nobody in Charge, on Wednesday, April 15, from 3 to 4:30 p.m. in Freeman Commons (205 Humphrey Center). Dr. Mendis is the vice president of the Osgood Center for International Studies and a visiting scholar in Foreign Policy at Johns Hopkins University's Nitze School of Advanced International Studies in Washington, D.C. He taught seven years at the University of Minnesota before serving as an American diplomat and a military professor during the Clinton and Bush Administrations. Also an alumnus of Harvard University's Kennedy School of Government and a fellow of the World Academy of Art and Science, Mendis teaches at Norwich University's MA in Diplomacy program. This event is free and open to the public. The event is sponsored by the Freeman Center for International Economic Policy, Carlson School of Management, Minnesota International Center, and St.Paul–Minneapolis Committee on Foreign Relations.

April 15 | Local Government Innovations Awards
3–5 p.m., Cowles Auditorium

The 2009 Local Government Innovations Awards will take place Wednesday, April, 15, in Cowles Auditorium. This annual event recognizes the great work of outstanding Minnesota local governments. Awards are given to cities, counties, and schools that have demonstrated results in improving local services in collaborations of public/nonprofit/private organizations, efficiency/cost effectiveness, and management process improvement. The ceremony will take place from 3 to 5 p.m.; a reception will follow. This event is open to the public. For more information and to RSVP, contact Susan Earle at earle030@umn.edu. This event is presented by the Public and Nonprofit Leadership Center, in partnership with the Association of Minnesota Counties (AMC), the League of Minnesota Cities (LMC), and the Minnesota School Boards Association (MSBA).

April 16 | "Collaborative Leadership in Transportation"
12:45–2 p.m., Freeman Commons

Join us for "Collaborative Leadership in Transportation," a conversation with Commissioner Tom Sorel of the Minnesota Department of Transportation, on Thursday, April 16, from 12:45 to 2 p.m. in Freeman Commons (205 Humphrey Center). Sorel will discuss several examples of collaboration within transportation, including projects related to the 35-W construction. He will offer reflections from his 30-year public service career on servant leadership, organizational change, and collaboration. RSVPs are required by Tuesday, April 14, to pnlc@umn.edu. This event is sponsored by the Public and Nonprofit Leadership Center, State and Local Policy Program, and Center for Transportation Studies.

April 16 | Leadership Studies Faculty Candidate Presentation
12:45–2 p.m., 184 Humphrey Center

Rob Alexander is a candidate for Assistant Professor of Leadership Studies. He will present "Two Octopuses Making Love: Management at the Boundaries in Brownfield Cleanup and Redevelopment" on Thursday, April 16, from 12:45 to 2 p.m. in room 184. Students and faculty and staff members all are invited to attend. Alexander is a Ph.D. candidate from the Maxwell School, Syracuse University, and director of the Conflict Management Center with the Program for the Advancement of Research in Conflict and Collaboration (PARCC). A copy of Alexander's curriculum vitae is available on the shared network drive at O:\cherrene\Leadership Candidates.

April 16 | International Fellows Graduation
4:30–7:30 p.m., Cowles Auditorium

On Thursday, April 16, the International Fellowship Program at the Humphrey Institute of Public Affairs will host a graduation ceremony for the 2008–2009 Humphrey Fellows, Liberian–U.S. Government Fellows, and the Indian Government Fellows. The program will take place from 4:30 to 7:30 p.m. in Cowles Auditorium. Dean Atwood will give the opening remarks. Humphrey Institute students and faculty and staff members are invited to attend.

April 16 | Dar Al-Hijrah Cultural Center Open House
5:30–8 p.m., Dar Al-Hijrah Cultural Center

Dar Al-Hijrah Cultural Center and the West Bank Community Coalition invite you to dinner and an open house to learn more about the activities of the mosque and the role it plays in the Cedar-Riverside neighborhood on Thursday, April 16, from 5:30 to 8 p.m. at the Dar Al-Hijrah Cultural Center, 504 Cedar Avenue. This event encourages community members to interact with Somalis and Muslims, learn about the activities of Dar Al-Hijrah, and enjoy Somali cuisine. This event is presented by the West Bank Community Coalition and Dar Al-Hijrah Cultural Center and are made possible by funding from the City of Minneapolis Department of Community and Planning and Economic Development (CPED) through the Bridging Communities Program. Click here for more information.

April 17 | "The Dark Side of Microfinance? Theft and Borrower-Abuse in Unregulated Microfinance Markets"
10–11:30 a.m., Room 2-215, Carlson School of Management

The Center for Integrative Leadership, Gary S. Holmes Center for Entrepreneurship, and Strategic Management Research Center will host "The Dark Side of Finance? Theft and Borrower-Abuse in Unregulated Microfinance Markets," a lecture with Catherine Duggan, on Friday, April 17, from 10 to 11:30 a.m. in room 2-215 of the Carlson School of Management. Although microfinance is famous for having a benevolent lending model and high repayment rates, far too little attention has been paid to the ways in which loans actually are collateralized and collected. In her lecture, Duggan will explore the problem of borrower-abuse in microfinance, with examples from Africa and South Asia, and offer suggestions for preliminary policy responses. At a time when policymakers are scrutinizing credit and collection in the U.S., Duggan emphasizes the need to reconsider the mechanics of a development policy that encourages some of the world's least well-supervised lenders to earn a profit from some of its most vulnerable people. Duggan is an assistant professor in the Business, Government, and the International Economy unit of the Harvard Business School. This event is free and open to the public.

April 17 | Repower Minnesota Town Hall Meeting
11:45 a.m.–1:15 p.m., Honeywell Auditorium, Carlson School of Management

Join us for "Repower Minnesota," a town hall meeting with Senator Amy Klobuchar, Alfie Marcus, Louis King, J. Drake Hamilton, and Doug Cameron on Friday, April 17, from 11:45 a.m. to 1:15 p.m. in the Honeywell Auditorium, Carlson School of Management. Humphrey Institute Senior Fellow Steve Kelley will moderate. 2009 presents Minnesota with a unique moment in history. The state and the nation find themselves in a triple crisis: a deep economic downturn, a proximate need to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and an urgent need to reduce our energy dependence on foreign fuel sources. Panelists will discuss what Washington is doing and what can be done to repower, refuel, and rebuild our economy, as well as whether Minnesota will benefit and can lead the way. This free event is sponsored by the Center for Integrative Leadership and the Center for Science, Technology, and Public Policy and is open to the public.

April 17 | CURA Housing Forum
Noon–1:30 p.m., Room 50 Mondale Hall

Jeff Matson of CURA will discuss "Using Local Data to Inform Community Development" at the CURA Housing Forum on Friday, April 17, from noon to 1:30 p.m. in Room 50 of Mondale Hall. CURA's community GIS program has made use of a variety of widely available public data sources at the block level and below to help neighborhood organizations achieve their community development goals. Matson's presentation will highlight several recent projects and explore data and resources available to local non-profits, many of which are under-utilized or unknown. RSVP required by April 15 to (612) 625-2086 or curahf@umn.edu. This event is free and open to the public.

April 17 | "Reflections on Racial Dialogue"
2:30–4:30 p.m., Room L-110, Carlson School of Management

"Reflections on Racial Dialogue," a discussion about the use of community dialogue groups as a strategy for addressing racial injustices and improving race relations, will take place on Friday, April 17, from 2:30 to 4:30 p.m. in Room L-110 of the Carlson School of Management. A diverse panel will answer questions related to the implementation and impact of racial dialogues, including how we should think about the limitations and possibilities of dialogue groups as a strategy for improving race relations and how we should think about efforts to find common ground while recognizing and respecting differences as elements of the dialogue process. Panelists include Katherine Cramer Walsh, associate professor of political science at the University of Wisconsin–Madison; Judie Cutler, elder from the St. Croix band of Ojibwe; Anita Patel, YWCA director of racial justice and public policy; and George T. Stephenson, Ramsey County District Court judge. A reception with light refreshments will follow the panel discussion. This free event is sponsored by the Humphrey Institute Diversity Committee.