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January 31, 2007

A policy discussion inspired by the Minnesota Opera's Grapes of Wrath

grapes resized.JPGThe Minnesota Opera and the Humphrey
Institute of Public Affairs convened this public
policy conversation inspired by the Minnesota
Opera's upcoming production of The Grapes
of Wrath
. Panelists explored the opera's
themes of searching for work, human dignity,
and the American dream through contemporary
issues of immigration and economic migration.
Musical selections were presented by
composer Ricky Ian Gordon and cast members.

Listen to part 1 (51 mins 52 secs)
Listen to part 2 (34 mins 20 secs)

U.S. coordinator for counterterrorism on “A New Era of Conflict”

Crumpton.jpg Ambassador Henry Crumpton, coordinator
for counterterrorism at the U.S. Department
of State, talked about “A New Era of Conflict”
on January 31 in Cowles Auditorium. The
Office of the Coordinator for Counterterrorism
is charged with forging partnerships with
individuals, organizations, and foreign
governments to advance the counterterrorism
objectives and national security of the United
States. Crumpton gave his perspective on
national security and the War on Terror.
This program was cosponsored by
Tunheim Partners.

Listen to audio (53 mins 05 secs)

January 30, 2007

“Sudan at the Crossroads: Two Years After Signing the Comprehensive Peace Agreement"

darfur.jpg Norwegian diplomat Tom Vraalsen talked about
“Sudan at the Crossroads: Two Years After Signing
the Comprehensive Peace Agreement” on Tuesday,
January 30, in Cowles Auditorium. In 2005,
Ambassador Vraalsen was chosen to lead the
Assessment and Evaluation Commission (AEC).
The international commission is monitoring the
implementation of the Comprehensive Peace
Agreement (CPA) signed between the Sudanese
government and the Sudan People's Liberation
Movement (SPLM) in January 2005. He previously
served as the UN-Secretary General's Special
Envoy for Humanitarian Affairs for Sudan.
Vraalsen's appearance was cosponsored by
the Norwegian Consulate.

Listen to audio (52 mins 33 secs)

January 08, 2007

Governing Magazine editor Peter Harkness talked about the relationship between states and Congress

The Center for the Study of Politics and Governance hosted a discussion with Governing Magazine editor Peter Harkness on "The States of the States: Challenges and Opportunities." Harkness talked about the implications of the 2006 elections on stage government and the collaborations needed to create public policy.

Listen to audio (56 mins)

January 07, 2007

Upcoming events - January

The following is a list of upcoming events sponsored by the Humphrey Institute of Public Affairs at the University of Minnesota. Unless otherwise noted, all events are free and open to the public.

Thursday, January 18, 12:45-2 p.m.: The State and Local Policy Program will host a policy brownbag discussion on the Southwest Corridor in Hennepin County from 12:45 to 2 p.m. in the Wilkins Room (215 Humphrey Center). All are invited to attend this free discussion.

Thursday, January 18, 5 p.m.: The evolution of democracy and the effect of this evolution on politics is the topic of an upcoming lecture by author Matt Leighninger at 5 p.m. on Thursday, January 18, in the Wilkins Room (215 Humphrey Center). Leighninger is the executive director of the Deliberative Democracy Consortium, a Washington, D.C.-based research and advocacy organization that works to promote and institutionalize deliberative democracy at all levels of governance in the United States and around the world. All are invited to attend this free program cosponsored by the Minnesota Extension Service.

Monday, January 22, 7 p.m.: “Faut-il supprimer l'ONU?” (Should we abolish the UN?) is the topic of a lecture by Pierre-Edouard Deldique at 7 p.m. on Monday, January 22, in the Wilkins Room (215 Humphrey Center). Deldique, a renowned journalist with Radio France Internationale, will consider the future of the UN. Will it be able to hold its own with the great powers or is it condemned to remain in their shadow? Will it be able to play a more political role in international relations? The lecture, which will be delivered in French, is free and open to the public. Please RSVP by Friday, January 19, by calling (612) 332-0436. For more information, contact Ed Coughlin at edcough@hotmail.com. Deldique's visit is sponsored by the Délégation Générale de l'Alliance Française aux Etats-Unis, the Humphrey Institute, and the Minneapolis-Tours Sister Cities Association.

Tuesday, January 30, 11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.: Norwegian diplomat Tom Vraalsen will give a lecture on the crisis in the Sudan from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. January 30 in Cowles Auditorium. Since the mid-1990s, Ambassador Vraalsen has served as the UN-Secretary General's Special Envoy for Humanitarian Affairs for Sudan. He will discuss his work in Sudan on behalf of the UN. All are encouraged to attend this free program. There will be a complimentary light lunch following his presentation.

Wednesday, January 31, 8-9:30 a.m.: Ambassador Henry Crumpton, coordinator for counterterrorism at the U.S. Department of State, will talk about “A New Era of Conflict” from 8:30 to 9:30 a.m. January 31 in Cowles Auditorium. The Office of the Coordinator for Counterterrorism is charged with forging partnerships with individuals, organizations, and foreign governments to advance the counterterrorism objectives and national security of the United States. Crumpton will give his perspective on national security and the War on Terror and will take questions from the audience. This program is free and open to the public. Continental breakfast will be available beginning at 8 a.m. No registration is required.

Wednesday, January 31, 7 p.m.: Art and policy intersect as the Minnesota Opera and the Humphrey Institute convene a public policy conversation inspired by the Minnesota Opera's upcoming production of The Grapes of Wrath. In "Whose America is It? A Policy Discussion on Economic Migration and the American Dream," panelists will explore The Grapes of Wrath's themes of searching for work, human dignity, and the American dream through contemporary issues of immigration and economic migration. Moderated by opera commentator Robert Marx, the panel includes Professor Ann Markusen; Peter Rachleff, labor historian and professor at Macalester College; community advocate Jesse Bethke Gomez, president of Comunidades Latinas Unidas En Servicio (CLUES); and opera librettist Michael Korie. Musical selections will be presented by composer Ricky Ian Gordon and cast members of The Grapes of Wrath. The free program will begin at 7 p.m. on January 31 in Cowles Auditorium. RSVPs are encouraged at (612) 333-6669.


Save the date!

February 1: The State and Local Policy Program will co-sponsor a road pricing summit with the Citizens League. More information will follow.

February 15: Richard Martinez, University assistant professor in Chicano studies, will discuss “Municipal crackdowns on undocumented migrants in the U.S. in 2006.”

February 22: Ben Page, the Gordon Scott Fulcher Professor of Decision Making in political science at Northwestern University, will give a lecture on “Bush's Disconnect: Foreign Policy, Public Opinion, and Multilateralism.” Walter Mondale will moderate the program.

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