Fall 2008 IIC Program Dinner

Last Friday, October 24th, the IIC Program hosted its quarterly social event. More than 30 IIC students, faculty, and friends met at the JJ Chinese restaurant for an exotic, and at times entertaining, Chinese hotpot meal.
I wish to thank all who attended and commend them for their willingness to try a rather intimidating cuisine. Here are some photos to commemorate the experience:

Adventure Film Festival

Boulder's own homegrown, gritty, raw film fest dedicated to the beating heart of adventure. This international forum for the best and most inspiring independent films of the year leads us from serious exploration to environmental heroisim to the far reaches of the earth and mind. We believe in the power of the story, especially the narrative of adventure and awakening, to change and challenge the world we live in. Welcome to the 4th annual Adventure Film Festival. --Jonny, Mark and the Adventure Film crew.

Location: Boulder Theater, 2032 14th Street
Dates: November 6-8
Times: November 6 (4:00pm-10:00pm)
November 7 (5:00pm-11:00pm)
November 8 (11:00am-9:00pm)
Festival Passes: Full pass ($50), Saturday pass ($25), Thursday pass ($20),
Friday pass ($20), Solo ticket ($10)

Contact Jenny at jenny.a.herron@gmail.com for film descriptions and times.

Food Drive!

STUDENTS FOR AFRICA

&

THE AFRICAN COMMUNITY CENTER

Refugee Food Drive


Students for Africa is on a drive to collect items for refugees at the African Community Center. Items can be dropped off in the two grey bins located at the front entrance to BMC & the Cyber Café.

Any of the following items will be greatly appreciated:

· Dry goods - Rice, beans, lentils, pasta, sugar, salt, tea, healthy cereals, powdered milk, and like products

· Produce with a long shelf life - potatoes, onions garlic, and like products

· Nutrition for children - Formula, baby food, and like products

· Personal care - Shampoo, soap, tooth paste, DIAPERS, and like products

· Miscellaneous - GROCERY GIFT CARDS and other non-perishable items

Jerusalem Program Information Session

Dear IICers,

I think many of you might be interested in the Summer Jerusalem Program Info Session coming up on Wed, October 22nd at 12pm in BMC 219.

The Jerusalem Program is organized in coordination with the Minerva Center for Human Rights at Hebrew University and includes an internship with a Jerusalem-based NGO (counts towards your IIC requirement) and two intensive classes (transferrable credits to JKSIS). As a participant in the Jerusalem program this past summer, I can tell you that the classes were among the best I've ever taken, and my internship gave me valuable NGO experience, opened my eyes to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, and helped me better understand issues faced in the Middle East and NGOs in general.

I urge all of you to attend the Info Session and learn more about the program and application process (the application deadline is November 12th, but you are encouraged to apply early). Also, for the total price of the 15 DU credits you can earn for the program, you get airfare, lodging, and field trips throughout Jerusalem and Israel included in the price.

To learn more about the program, visit portfolio.du.edu/jerusalem.

Also, please RSVP for the Info Session to JerusalemProgram@gmail.com.

Kate Zdrojewski

International Education / PR Internship

Denver Center for International Studies - Community Relations Department

International Education /Public Relations Internship

The DCIS is a Denver Public Magnet School for grades 6-12 that focuses on world languages and global studies. It is one of thirteen schools nationwide that are part of the International Studies Schools Network (ISSN) funded by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation.

Work within the Community Relations Department (currently headed by a past IIC grad, Kate Farmer!) includes: service-learning initiatives, recruitment, admissions, international travel, PR, community-based learning initiatives, guest speakers, global education programs, corporate partnerships, fund raising, strategic development, internships for students, and state advocacy.

Graduate internships designed for those interested in the fields of education, international studies, public relations; contribute to new and existing efforts within the Community Relations Department.

6 months minimum commitment

Please come see me for the full job description if you're interested in this!

-Mackenzie

Call for Paper Submissions

The Michigan Journal of Public Affairs is currently considering submissions from graduate and professional students, policy practitioners, and faculty involved with domestic and international affairs. MJPA publishes original research on a wide range of public policy issues, including social welfare, development, health, science, urban, security, and economic policy, as well as other timely and relevant pieces.

Submission Guidelines:
DEADLINE: Wednesday January 7, 2009 – Please note the early deadline!
LENGTH: Including citations and endnotes, no longer than 25 pages double spaced (Times New Roman, 12-point font) STYLE: Chicago Manual of Style
ALTERNATIVE SUBMISSIONS: MJPA also welcomes submissions of shorter length, such as literature reviews, book reviews, or notes and comments on relevant policy issues. Alternative submissions cannot exceed 10 pages in length double spaced. A submission of shorter length does not preclude publication of a full-length article at a later date in MJPA or any other publication.
SUBMISSIONS FORMAT: Electronic copies should be submitted in Microsoft Word. Mailed submissions should include TWO hard copies and ONE CD-ROM, or disk copy, in Microsoft Word.
SUBMIT PAPERS ELECTRONICALLY TO FSPPMJPA@UMICH.EDU
MAIL SUBMISSIONS TO: Scott Rasmussen, Submissions Editor Michigan Journal of Public Affairs Gerald R. Ford School of Public Policy 735 South State Street Ann Arbor, MI 48109-3091
For more information, please contact Editors-in-Chief:Josh Brammer (brammer@umich.edu) or Kevin Herms (kherms@umich.edu)

Korbel Daily Update

Contact me if you would like to receive the original e-mail with links to flyers.

1. Join the Korbel Graduate Student Association: on Saturday, October 25, for a day of friendly contests with other graduate students on campus. The games will be friendly “field day” contests between teams representing the various graduate programs at the University of Denver. A traveling trophy will be awarded, and you don’t need to be an athlete to compete! Complimentary team shirts and lunch will be provided. We hope you’ll join us! If you are interested in joining a team, please email Chris Anderson at cander65@du.edu by Tuesday, October 14 at 5:00 PM - be sure to include your name and t-shirt size! ·

2. Students for Africa: is looking for nominees to serve as officers this year. Deadline to nominate is TODAY, October 12 at 5:00 PM!

3. Travel to India: with the Burns School of Real Estate. This is a great opportunity for GFTEI, Development, or Administration students. Deadline to apply is Friday, October 17 at 5:00 PM!

4. Jerusalem Program Information Session: You’ve waited patiently and it’s finally here! The Jerusalem Program will be giving an information session in the coming weeks.

5. Russia-Georgia - the Azerbaijan Perspective: Elin Suleymanov, Azerbaijan Consul General to Los Angeles, will discuss Azerbaijan’s view of the Russia-Georgia conflict on Monday, October 20 in BCH 301 at 12:00 PM. You MUST RSVP to Sadie Cox at sadie.cox@du.edu if you plan to attend! Pizza will be served.

6. CORD Call for Photos: Do you have high-quality, high-resolution photos of Latin America? If you do, please send them to centeronrightsdevelopment@gmail.com. Selected photos will be printed in the upcoming CORD Latin America Calendar.

Another rad int'l job post for those of you looking..

Policy Coordinator
London, England

Amnesty International is seeking a Policy Coordinator to contribute to the implementation and development of policy. Reporting to the Head of the Policy Unit you will provide day-to-day advice to country specialists and other staff on policy issues; develop position papers and draft policy guidelines.

Candidates must have professional experience in human rights or related field; ability to formulate coherent policies based on a detailed understanding of human rights principles and AI's core values; extensive knowledge of law, politics, international relations, or other fields related to human rights; proven human rights field research skills; and excellent analytical, advisory and communication skills.

JOB PURPOSE: To develop Amnesty International's human rights policy in a manner that promotes our core values and offers the best possible protection to rights holders. The policy coordinator provides advice to country and thematic specialists in the International Secretariat, sections and structures on the application and development of Amnesty International's human rights policies and advice on development and implementation of AI's strategic goals and responses to emerging human rights issues.

SALARY: Full time salary of 37,577 per annum
HOURS: 35 hours per week
LOCATION: Clerkenwell, central London
CONTRACT DURATION: Permanent

Click here for more information and to apply online.

A great internship opportunity, especially for those of you interested in Africa:

Project Education Sudan - (located at 124 Jackson St., Denver CO)

Sudanese/American non-profit working to build education infrastructure in south Sudan. Intern tasks include grant research, writing, e-newsletter writing, fund raising, database entry, community event support, attending monthly steering committee meetings, and office admin support.

To apply, visit www.projectsudan.org and fill out intern application; send to info@projecteducationsudan.org along with your current resume.

Social change through photography

I think there are a few IIC photography buffs out there...

War photojournalist James Nachtwey fights drug-resistant TB through photography.

"I'm working on a story that the world needs to know about. I wish for you to help me break it in a way that provides spectacular proof of the power of news photography in the digital age."

See slideshow:

http://www.xdrtb.org/

Job/Internship Finds

Hey guys,

For those of you thinking of internships, here's a few you might want to consider:

Yellow Scene Magazine - Editorial Internships
Yellow Scene Magazine offers an internship each semester—fall, spring and summer—for students looking to get a taste of the magazine business. Interns get the opportunity to write everything from small blurbs to feature-length cover stories. Internships are not paid, but perks include exposure in a magazine that distributes more than 67,000 copies a month in the North Metro area and access to spiffs such as gift certificates to local restaurants. Email resume, clips and a cover letter to editorial@theyelllowscene.com. No phone calls please.

*****

Galloway Group Internship
Urgently looking for an undergrad or graduate intern to work in community relations, marketing and public relations.
--10-20 hrs per week, Interns will learn the fundamentals of community relations and public relations, as well as the core principles of corporate social responsibility (CSR).

Deadline 10/17/2008, contact Cori Plotkin at cori@gallowaygroup.com, 303.756.9096 ext 203.

*****

Art Institute of Colorado
Part time communications intern needed! Send resumes and cover letters to:
Lynn Haner, Director of Communications, lhaner@aii.edu; or to Maria Osborne,
Communications Coordinator, mosborne@aii.edu

--Resumes and cover letters can also be sent to 1200 Lincoln St. Room 306, Denver, CO 80203

Beautiful Voices--Devastated Landscape

Hello everyone,
For the newsletter, Hillary Prag gave me some amazing photos taken by teenagers in Haiti this summer. I don't think that I will be able to include all of them (and their accompanying testimonies), so I am posting them here. I'm sure that Hillary would be happy to answer any questions you have about these photos, the artists who took them, and the ongoing socioeconomic and political struggles in Haiti--exacerbated by the extreme devastation resulting from this season's tropical storms and hurricanes. Thank you so much for sharing this with us, Hillary.

The first photo concerns reforestation. If all of Haiti was covered in trees like this it would make a huge difference, and it’s obviously more beautiful. That’s why I took the photo, because I don’t want people to cut down more trees.
The third photo talks about the environment. It shows that there are people who ignore the law and just throw garbage wherever they feel like which is a true problem in Haiti.
--Jacques Antoine

--Jacques Antoine

--James Milhomme

--Jean Guito Cadet

In Haiti when the rain falls the water engulfs the streets because there is no storm drain system. This keeps cars from driving – not just the water but the garbage too. I wish they would build storm drains, and I wish the state would keep people from littering.

I took this picture to show how ugly it is when people throw garbage in the ravine. When the rain falls all the garbage goes into the ocean and shows up in other countries. Then the people in those countries badmouth Haiti.

--Julio Laguerre

I took this picture because I can’t stand to see garbage and I want to see this situation change. We are not the ones who are supposed to take care of this kind of thing; the state authorities are the ones who need to do their job and fix it. This is why I want you to know how I feel when I see garbage on the street.

When someone looks me in the eye I would rather they not see the bad things only, but that they would try to see my dreams for people who live on the streets and the children who are suffering there. I took some photos which explained some things about the country and the environment and more developed countries who help us.

--Mackenzy Paul

I wanted to show in my photos how there are gardens and forests in Haiti along with places to play soccer. I took them in gardens mostly to show how well plants grow in this country. I took lots of pictures to show how women collaborate when they’re washing clothes in the river. Also, I wanted to show how these women don’t have a public water tap anywhere near their homes, so they have to come here to wash which is dangerous because of all the rocks above them that could fall down.
-Franncy Decimis

When you think about it, we owe everything beautiful in this country to trees.
-Andreson Bayard

Study Abroad and Internships in China

Hi Guys,

I attended a meeting a couple of weeks ago about study and internships in China through the China Studies Institute in Beijing, and the programs look pretty cool. Graduate students can take courses in China through the Graduate Center (sponsored by the China Studies Institute and JKSIS) and receive support for advanced research in studies on Chinese society, politics, and foreign policy. Semester-long and summer programs are offered for course studies and language immersion.

Students can also participate in part-time or full-time internships while taking classes. During the summer term, students do not have to be enrolled in classes to participate in a full-time internship for 6 credits (288 hours). No knowledge of Chinese language is required, but it certainly helps. The program will help you find placement in an organization from one of the following categories: media (NBC, CNN, China Radio International, etc.); business (AmCham, Days Inn, Motorola, etc.); NGO and non-profits (Asia Foundation, UNIFEM, etc.); and law firms (I don't recommend this area unless your Chinese reading level is pretty high).

Program fees apply, of course, and there are academic requirements for all course and internship programs.

I spent a little time talking to students who participated in the Chinese immersion classes in Beijing, and I was pretty impressed with their language fluency and knowledge of the city's hot spots. These programs are definitely worth looking into.

For more information, visit http://www.china-studies.net/index.html

Hi IIC'ers,

In case anyone missed the email from last week about the work study position available at the Rocky Mountain Survivor Center, I wanted to post it here, as it'd be a great opportunity for those of you in our department who are interested in this are of work.

Communications and Marketing Assistant
Development Department, Rocky Mountain Survivor’s Center
1574 Gaylord Street, Denver, CO 80206

Supervisor Name: Ariela Shapiro, Director of Development
E-mail: ashapiro@rmscdenver.org
Phone: 303-321-3221

Start Date 10/31/08-
End Date 6/4/09
Pay Range: $11 per hour
20-25 hours per week

The Communications and Marketing Assistant will work with the Development Director to implement an agency-wide communications and marketing plan.

Key Tasks (though not an exhaustive list) include:

• Web-site updates
• Quarterly newsletter creation and dissemination
• Assist in coordinating media activities with local and national media sources
• Logistical support for events
• Assist in coordinating media related activities with local and national partnering agencies
• Administrative functions as needed

Required Skills:

• Solid writing ability; journalism or research experience is competitive
• Knowledge and comfort with computer, the internet and web-site maintenance functions
• Experience organizing fundraising and or advocacy events
• Very organized
• A background in non-profit work is excellent
• Familiarity with media outlets in Colorado
• Comfort level with approaching media outlets
• High sensitivity level to marginalized populations and victims of genocide, torture and other human rights abuses
• Appreciation of cross-cultural issues and barriers
  

While not required, a basic knowledge and understanding of human rights law, international conflict studies and American foreign and domestic policy towards immigration, trafficking victims and asylum seekers is very competitive.

Happy Wednesday!

-Mackenzie

Hello Fall 2008 IIC Students!

Welcome to the IIC Blog! This is an IIC Program forum for advertising noteworthy events, sharing experiences, and forging closer connections with fellow IIC students through discussion. I hope that we will use it constructively to enhance our time at DU. Please check it regularly for updates about program, campus, and community events, and I will do my best to keep information as current as possible. If you have any questions or need information about becoming a blog contributor, please contact me, Jenny Herron, at Jenny.Herron@du.edu. I look forward to hearing from you!

Taktse International School

If anyone is thinking about going into any sort of international teaching/ cross-cultural learning career, or if you're just interested in seeing initiatives that support learning environments which are more applicable to the ever growing "global-culture", I highly recommend checking out this school.

Visit its website here: http://web.mac.com/taktse/TIS/Welcome.html.


There are quite a few posts available for teachers, and talk about working and living in an incredible location... but otherwise, I think the idea behind the school's founding is simply awesome. So check it out!

Check it out...

For anyone who's interested in getting a job working for the UN, and in any of their related departments, this is my gift to you:

http://unjobs.org/

If you've ever spent hours wading through .govs and .orgs, trying navigate to their vacancy pages, and getting redirected to general drop-your-resume-in-the-box employment filters, this site will shine like gold.

Try typing in "intern" or "internship" etc, into the search bar at the top-- this can help you find something you might be eligible at this point in time.

But also, it's a great way to look through the sorts of positions you may be interested in taking on later, after graduating and getting more experience. These postings might help you get an idea of what sort of qualifications are expected, and what roles you might find yourself taking on...

Happy Monday

As you're slurping down that caffeinated sludge to rid your brain of its post-SuperBowl fog, start off your week by taking a glance at these internship posts [based on Brandi's request].

Some of these are looking for interns to start now/soon, rather than this summer, but many of these positions are renewed come June.

For something in the human rights field, with communication/design emphasis...

Domestic -
Graphic Design, Communications, other internships - unpaid
International Labor Rights Forum - Washington, D.C.
http://www.laborrights.org/about-ilrf/employment-internships

Communications, Design, other positions - $10/day stipend
Madre - Manhattan, NY
http://www.madre.org/programs/pe/intern.html

Development & Communications Internship - unpaid
The National Economic and Social Rights Initiative (NESRI) - New York, NY
http://www.idealist.org/en/internship/118084-205

Campaign Intern - unpaid
Dream for Darfur - New York, NY
http://www.idealist.org/en/internship/118693-143

Advocacy Intern - unpaid
Amazon Watch - Washington D.C.
http://www.idealist.org/en/internship/118419-56
also offered in San Francisco
http://www.idealist.org/en/internship/118416-289

Communications Intern - unpaid, transportation + lunch stipend
Doctors of the World, USA - New York, NY
http://www.idealist.org/en/internship/116597-213

Communications Intern - Paid!
The Justice Project - Washington, D.C.
http://www.idealist.org/en/internship/117129-325

International -

Marketing + Graphic Design Associate, Intern - unpaid
The Ayllu Initiative - virtual, telecommute (Global, but based in NY)
http://www.idealist.org/en/internship/118328-319

Int'l Human Rights Advocacy Fellow - $1000 stipend + insurance
The Advocacy Project - Port of Spain, Trinidad
http://www.idealist.org/en/internship/118694-177

Graphic + Web Design - volunteer must pay fee for program
Women in Progress - Cape Coast, Ghana
many other positions available
http://www.idealist.org/en/internship/113296-78

If you have a specific interest, you can email it to me like Brandi did, and I will do my best to post some goodies.
Cheers kiddos.

Internships!!

Good morning all you IIC kids,

Since I know many of us are trying to look for work experience opportunities for the upcoming summer, or the next step in life for those of you soon-to-be-graduates, I figured I'd share the resources I've come across recently that may be of interest.

I will try to start posting on a regular basis all the good opps I come across [and there's a lot!] so be sure to check back with the blog often for more ideas and databases to help you procrastinate... er, look through when you're not working on term papers.

Happy hunting!
-Mackenzie

A few Local posts:

Nonprofit Internship Program - Denver, CO
The Denver Foundation
http://www.idealist.org/en/internship/117567-237

Web Developer/blogger/online outreach - Fort Collins, CO
GenGreen
http://www.idealist.org/en/internship/118051-95

Multiple Positions, digital/video/audio/mrktg/production - Denver, CO
Denver Open Media
http://www.idealist.org/en/internship/116117-255

Some National & Int'l posts:

Information & Communications Intern - Geneva, Switzerland
Femmes Africa Solidarite
http://www.idealist.org/en/internship/117941-95

Project Assistant - The Hauge, Netherlands
Global Human Rights Defense
http://www.idealist.org/en/internship/117889-11

International Human Rights Advocacy Fellow - Tuzla, Bosnia
Advocacy Project
http://www.idealist.org/en/internship/118161-72

Summer 2008 Interns -multiple positions - New York, NY
Seeds of Peace
http://www.idealist.org/en/internship/118267-269

A BIG list of orgs you may be interested in working for:
http://www.fordham.edu/iped/internship3.html

If you haven't yet heard of or visited Idealist.org [Action without Borders], you have been severely missing out.. its awesome. Go look at it. Just try not to spend all day searching through it like I do..
www. idealist.org

Tuesday, April 17, 2007

The Words of Terror
This is what I posted on my personal blog this morning. I thought it might be appropriate to add here as well.

Since the shooting rampage at Virginia Tech yesterday, I've been doing a lot of thinking that's led my mind all over the place. I'm an emotional person, and my first reactions were very emotional: shock, sadness, horror - not only for the situation itself but for all the consequences a repurcussions. I felt profoundly humbled as I thought about the relatively unimportant emotional personal issues I've been completely consumed by of late. They don't matter in the bigger picture.

This morning, my academic side broke loose as I was listening to the news. I started noting the vocabulary used around this story, and since this was all they talked about, I got a hefty sample of it. The following were many of the words and phrases that were used:

tragedy
mass shooting
state of emergency
the shooter
criminal act
massacre
support
emergency management
sadness
horror
motive
took his own life
shooting rampage
bloodbath
loner
no motive
None of those words are very surprising. They all fit with the event. But then, I started thinking about putting that into perspective of a suicide bombing in the Middle East. What is the discourse surrounding those stories? What are the words used then?

blew themselves up
conspiracy
scene of the attack
recent blasts
shattered calm
Islamic extremists
potential targets
suicide bombers
Iraq terror group
claim
insurgents
wounded only one
Now, these are very different situations. The Middle East has been in a state of conflict time out of mind. Certain areas are genuine war and battle zones in the Middle East. Certain tactics characterize those battles because they are tactics that work. It is a different context and does require a unique language at many times. However, the language that we use to describe a suicide bombing in the Middle East that kills eight innocent people and a suicide shooting in the United States that kills 32 innocent people is apparently very different. But are they really that different?

The big question on my mind is: Why is an apparently cold-blooded, planned shooting of this magnitude not recognized as an act of terror? It's recognized as a tragedy. But even the death of this Virginia shooter is hardly recognized as a suicide (technically a crime as well) in the media; it is softened to "he took his own life." We live in a time where the dominant rhetoric surrounding mass violence has taken on a militaristic tone centered on terrorism. Yet, it seems that we have to soften that rhetoric when it comes to events generated within our own culture.

To me, it seems that this small difference in language is a way that we separate ourselves from the rest of the world. It's a way that we perpetuate an Us/Them dichotomy. They have terrorism. We have tragedy. Discourse creates difference. It can also help to break down those barriers by just applying the same language to similar events.

Apparently, the United Kingdom is beginning to change its discourse about terrorism. I think it's a start and perhaps something that should be examined. How can we change the divisions we create with language? Not only internationally, but at home. Obviously, we create alienation in young people in this country, evidenced by the increasing rapidity and violence of these attacks. Are we creating terrorists at home with a polarizing language and culture? Why is it so hard to recognize these troubled people as terrorists? I have a feeling that if you compared psychological profiles of a school shooter in this country and a suicide bomber (or kamikaze pilot or paid assassin and so on) that you probably would not find too much of a difference in their pysches or motivations.

Oddly enough perhaps, I feel most sad for Cho Seung-Hui's parents. Although not much is known about him or them yet, it's likely that his parents came here to create a better life for their family. They've now lost their son, will have to endure intense media scrutiny and shame, and will probably face a great deal of hate for being immigrants and non-citizens - perhaps for the rest of their lives. For some reason, that was the untold part of the story that has really struck a chord in my mind. I hope that people show them some mercy.

posted by Alison at 9:56 AM 1 comments
Friday, April 13, 2007

Nappy Hair
This article made me think of Naomi *smiles*:

The Rutgers University women's basketball coach said today her players have accepted radio host Don Imus' apology for racist and sexist comments toward the team and they are "in the process of forgiving." Imus met with the Rutgers athletes Thursday night hours after CBS fired him for calling the players "nappy-headed hos."

Here's what Carolivia Herron, a former English professor and the author of the children's book "Nappy Hair," thinks about being "Nappy Haired." The book tells the story of an African-American family extolling the strength and wonder of young Brenda's natural hair while affirming her beauty and culture. Uncle Mordecai is the principal character who praises Brenda, and Herron has written the following article from the perspective of what Uncle Mordecai would say about the sullying of the word "nappy."

http://www.cnn.com/2007/US/04/13/herron.nappycommentary/index.html
posted by kbartal at 11:41 AM 0 comments
Thursday, April 05, 2007

Eritrea Bans Female Genital Mutilation - Effective March 31
All I have to say is "Hooray" for a country, that has always been in the news for violence, for stepping up and making a difference in the lives of its women and children. While I am sometimes biased to what CNN reports, this AT LEAST got front page in the world section.

http://www.cnn.com/2007/WORLD/africa/04/05/eritrea.circumcision.reut/index.html

Up to 140million women have experienced FGM worldwide and estimate another 3million/year will experience it going forward. The ban won't completely get rid of these instances, but will surely play a major role in getting the word out and lessening the number of occurences.

Wanted to share this with you all because I remember seeing a video or two while at DU.

-KB
Labels: Africa, ethics, FGM, international issues, politics, women

posted by kbartal at 12:42 PM 1 comments
Tuesday, March 13, 2007

Earthbound - Enviro Docs Film Series
Calling All Occupants of Planet Earth: Earthbound - Enviro Docs Film Series

Denver Public Library's Fresh City Life partners with Denver Open Media for a film series that celebrates the environment and explores sustainability issues.

In a partnership with Denver's new public access channel, Denver Open Media and The Denver Public Library, the Denver Public Library continues their Fresh City Life cultural programming with their latest installment: GREEN, including workshops, cooking demos, guest speakers and their popular film series. Earthbound – Enviro Docs focuses on some today's hottest environmental topics – including the Oscar-winning An Inconvenient Truth. This film was produced by Global Warming Activist Laurie David, who will also be the keynote speaker for the finale of this series of events.

Films presented Tuesdays, March 27, April 3, 10, 17, 24, 6:30-9p at the Denver Open Media Studios, 700 Kalamath Street . Roster of films includes Fed Up!, Blue Vinyl, An Inconvenient Truth, Who Killed the Electric Car?, and Baraka. Specialists on the subject of each film will host after-film discussion. All films are free to the public.

Full Event Schedule:

Tuesday, March 27 - Fed Up!, (2002)
Directed by Angelo Sacerdote. About 70% of the food we eat contains genetically engineered ingredients and the biotech industry is spending $50 million a year to convince us that this technology is our only hope. Using hilarious and disturbing archival footage and featuring interviews with farmers, scientists, government officials and activists, FED UP! presents an entertaining and compelling overview of our current food production system from the Green Revolution to the Biotech Revolution and what we can do about it. It also introduces us to local Bay Area organic farmers from Purisima Greens Farm and the Live Power Community Farm, presenting community supported agriculture (CSA) and small- scale organic farming as real alternatives to agribusiness and industrial food. 57 minutes. Unrated.

Tuesday, April 3– Blue Vinyl (2002)
Directed by Daniel B. Gold and Judith Helfand. Starring Judith Helfand. You' ll never sit comfortably again on those ubiquitous white plastic lawn chairs after seeing this film; Blue Vinyl, by turns hilarious and heartbreaking, reveals the chemical toxicity, environmental damage and corporate malfeasance in the production of PVC (polyvinyl chloride). This funny film offers serious advice about how to get out from under our reliance on chemical materials that we have always assumed were safe. 98 minutes. Unrated.

Tuesday, April 10- An Inconvenient Truth (2006)
Directed by Davis Guggenheim. Starring Al Gore. The controversial documentary that prompted film critic Roger Ebert to write, "In 39 years, I have never written these words in a movie review, but here they are: You owe it to yourself to see this film. If you do not, and you have grandchildren, you should explain to them why you decided not to." A strong recommendation for a film that tells it like it is: Global warming is real. It is caused by human activity. Mankind and its governments must begin immediate action to halt and reverse it. This film is a primer on climate change and a good starting place for anyone who wants to be involved in making the world and their community more sustainable. After-film discussion hosted by Chuck Kutscher of NREL (National Renewable Energy Lab). 100 minutes. Rated PG.

Tuesday, April 17-Who Killed the Electric Car? (2006)
Directed by Chris Paine. Told like an episode of CSI: Detroit, this documentary is a loving post mortem on the almost unnoticed rise and suspicious disappearance of the electric car. With all the usual suspects (the government, the U.S. car manufacturers, and big oil) lined up next to some unusual suspects (for instance, YOU, dear viewer), we all get to partake in some accusatory finger-pointing. But when the dust in this humorous documentary has finally settled, you 'll be left with the feeling that something very wrong and very underhanded has happened and you stood by and watched. Redemption and some where-do-we-go-from-here advice in the final minutes offers hope for the future of alternative personal transportation. Don't miss this educational film. 92 minutes.
Rated PG.

Tuesday, April 24-Baraka (1992)
Directed by Ron Fricke. Offering a sense of empowerment in a world that often feels out of control, Baraka is full of intense and exquisite images of life on this small planet. Emphasizing the interconnectedness of all things, this nonverbal, purely visual film explores our place in the environment a place that is powerful and insignificant all at the same time. "Baraka" is a Sufi word which means variously "essence" or "breath", or most commonly "blessing". The film underscores this title by wordlessly showing the unimaginable beauty of our planet and reminding us what a blessing it is to be here to experience it. A good starting place for anyone who would like to be a good steward of the environment. 96 minutes. Unrated.

Fresh City Life events and programs are free. For programming and event details, visit us on the Web at www.denverlibrary.org/fresh or call 720.865.1206.
Labels: Denver, denver open media, denverevolution, deproduction, earthbound, festival, film, series

posted by Deborah at 2:36 PM 0 comments
Friday, January 05, 2007

execute
when it comes to graphic images of war, terror, torture, or even execution, when does the individual's right to privacy end and the public's right to know begin? this line is a bit fuzzy for me, and still i struggle...

last year, i looked at those ghastly images of torture victims at abu ghraib. last week, i watched the entire video of saddam hussein's execution. my friend and i huddled around my mother's computer and watched in complete silence for two minutes as images of saddam's cold, business-like resignation to his fate gave way to a mix of jubilance and chaos once he stepped through the gallows.

i witnessed the execution of a tyrant in my mother's living room. and i'm not sure how i feel about it...
posted by Plexi at 9:48 AM 0 comments
Monday, September 25, 2006

numbers
as reported this morning on amy goodman's democracy now, the deaths of americans in iraq (2,700) and afghanistan (280) have officially surpassed the deaths (2,972) of americans in the united states following the september 11 attacks.

something to keep in mind as the bush administration continues to scrounge for justifications for their war on terror...
posted by Plexi at 9:02 AM 1 comments
Friday, September 15, 2006

Deproduction Drive-In
Looking for something really cool to do on Thursday nights? How about checking out Deproduction's community drive-in theatre? Deproduction sponsors an outdoor guerrilla drive-in movie held every Thursday starting at 9 PM. View a menagerie of independent, political, progressive and/or art films in a very unique atmosphere. Seating is available on a first-come first-served basis, otherwise feel free to bring your own lawn chair or simply view the films from your car. Location varies, so please visit denverevolution for more details. Also, feel free to email drivein@denverevolution.org if you have ANY suggestions for films. Word.
posted by Deborah at 2:18 PM 0 comments