The following concurrent seminars are scheduled for Friday, March 7, from 6:30 - 7:30 pm. These smaller sessions will give participants a more focused look at some of the key topics and ideas of the 2008 Nobel Peace Prize Forum. Seating at these sessions is first-come, first-served for Peace Prize Forum registrants. 

“Assessing Impact: Challenges and Practice”
Dr. Helzi Noponen, Visiting Professor, University of Minnesota
Mary Jo Kochendorfer, Program Officer, Social Performance Group, Grameen Foundation
Illiteracy and lack of communication infrastructure are two reasons that make measuring and communicating the social impact of development programs an important, yet often underemphasized, aspect of microlending. Noponen has created a unique method to measure and track the impact of these programs and Kochendorfer will share Grameen’s approach to assessing impact and effectiveness of its programs.

“Grassroots Development within a Fortune 100 Company: The Story of Best Buy”
Carla Haugen, Director, Investor Relations, Best Buy
Tori Merrell, Best Buy
Best Buy is involved in the movement to eradicate poverty through its strategic partnership with the Grameen Foundation. This partnership enables Best Buy to expand its global knowledge and perspective, empower women, establish key relationships in Best Buy markets and develop employee leadership skills while enhancing the lives of people around the world.

“Self Help Groups: A Vehicle for Empowering Dalit Women in India” 
Katyanna Johnson, Student, Concordia College
Mallory Vogel, Student, Concordia College
While attending the “Social Justice, Peace and Development” program in India during fall 2007, the presenters learned about the relationship between caste, class and gender in contemporary Indian society and the roles these elements play in the repression of rural women. The presenters will focus on the combination of tools, including microloans, used in self-help groups to break the cycle of rural poverty and repression.

“A Conversation about Bangladesh” 
Delegates from the Independent University, Bangladesh
This is an opportunity to learn about the place, its people and the position Bangladesh is in now. Led by Pro Vice Chancellor Omar Rahman, Professor of Demography and Executive Director of the Center of Health, Population and Development at the Independent University, Bangladesh located in Dhaka, the delegation also includes Dr. Rita Yusuf, Assistant Professor, School of Environment Science and Management; Mr. Rubayat Kahn, a senior majoring in Population and Environment; and Ms. Limana Solaiman, a sophomore majoring in Media and Communications.

“Development and the Human Good: Beyond Economics”
Stephen Minister, Ph.D., Assistant Professor of Philosophy, Augustana College
While economic improvement is clearly important, it is not the only aspect in discussions of development. This session will explore what other human goods (political, social, personal) ought to be considered in development efforts and how these relate to economic progress.

“Preparing Young People for Global Citizenship”
Tove I. Dahl, Ph.D., University of Tromsø and Concordia Language Villages
Lisa Sethre-Hofstad, Ph.D., Department of Psychology, Concordia College
The presenters will talk about the value of the Concordia Language Villages program in terms of peace education and what we can learn from that model. This presentation will report the experiences and activities that seem to matter to its participants’ overall learning and explore the broader relevance of the findings.

“Putting Your Money Where Your Heart Is: Using KIVA .org to Microlend”
Brett Johnson, Assistant Professor of Sociology, Luther College
Katy Fiedler, Student, Luther College
The presenters will introduce the basics of microlending, share their microlending experiences, and teach participants everything they need to know to microlend with KIVA.org. Brett Johnson is a co-author of 'The Better World Handbook'. Katy Fiedler has recently researched KIVA.org’s microlending in Guayaquil, Ecuador.

“Tales from the Field: Local Students Experiences with Microfinance Abroad”
Jeremy Newhouse, Dan Kaskubar, Jonathan Newhouse, Viviana Lanao and Peter Rich, Microfinance Alliance
While the plague of poverty can seem overwhelming, it is important to remember that you too can be part of the solution. This panel is comprised of students from the Microfinance Alliance that will share stories from the field. The speakers will talk about their experiences while working with development issues in Latin America and Africa.

“Joining Their Journey: Ending Poverty Through Accompaniment”
Joanne Negstad, Mission Advancement, Midwest, Lutheran World Relief
With partners in 35 countries, Lutheran World Relief (LWR) seeks to promote sustainable development with justice and dignity by helping communities bring about healthy and secure lives, promote peace and reconciliation, and respond to emergencies. This interactive workshop will focus on LWR’s central framework: “walking with” rather than “doing for” others in need.

"A Conversation with Greg Mortenson"
Greg Mortenson, Author of "Three Cups of Tea" and founder of the Central Asia Institute
Join Greg Mortenson for an informal conversation as a follow up to his plenary presentation. This session will offer participants an opportunity to ask questions and dialogue with Mortenson about his experiences establishing schools in impoverished parts of Pakistan and Afghanistan and his work with the Central Asia Institute.

“Microlending in Nicaragua: Holism, Participation and Ownership in Development”
Mark Lester, Field Director, Winds of Peace Foundation
Steve Sheppard, Chief Executive, Winds of Peace Foundation
This session will examine successful micro-credit methodologies with rural, grassroots groups. Winds of Peace Foundation has adopted these activities as part of a larger strategy for poverty alleviation and promotion of entrepreneurial initiatives. Foundation staff will share practical experiences about rural microcredit, poverty reduction, grassroots development and entrepreneurial enterprise development.

Information For:

current students
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