 |
Global Initiative Chicago |
Global Initiative Chicago (GIC) is a collaborative effort by the City Colleges of Chicago and its partners (faculty and students from DePaul University, the University of Illinois, the University of Illinois-Chicago, the University of Chicago, and the Chicago Public Schools) to empower students and interested citizens with a greater knowledge of relevant global issues. Through a series of forums, conferences, and outreach activities that started in January 2007, students, faculty, and representatives from non-profit organizations and businesses have shared their knowledge with the community on issues such as free trade, poverty, the environment, and global security. One of our primary goals is to sustain interest by presenting a model for future interaction among GIC partners.
Alternative Energy Forum: Peak Oil; Alternative Fuels for Cars (04/15/08) We explore the issue of Peak Oil, the time at which maximum production of petroleum will be reached.
The Empire Strikes Again: Current Issues in Iraq, Afghanistan, Pakistan (03/13/08)
Overthrow: A Conversation with Stephen Kinzer (100 attendees) On Monday, November 26, 2007 Professor Carla Burnett and GIC co-sponsored a book discussion with acclaimed journalist and author, Stephen Kinzer.
Women in Globalization (400 attendees) On November 8, 2007 GIC presented “Women in Globalization,” a forum on the expanding role of women in today's rapidly globalizing world. Our guest speakers included Mary W. Njoroge, former Director of Basic Education in Kenya; Laura Garcia, editor of the Tribuno del Pueblo; and Linda VanderWeele and Marianne Potterton of Opportunity International, which provides microcredit loans to women in developing countries.
Children of the Congo (300 attendees) On October 25, 2007 GIC presented 'The Children of the Congo,' a documentary by musician and activist Gilbert Mulamba.
War Made Easy Showing (600 attendees) On September 19, 2007 and Tuesday, September 25, 2007 GIC presented the movie 'War Made Easy' (Propaganda from Vietnam to Iraq), by acclaimed journalist Norman Solomon.
Global Issues Conference (350 attendees) On May 4, 2007 GIC hosted "How Our Military Policies Affect People's Lives." The conference addressed the relationship of American military policy to poverty, suffering, and death in the Middle East and in Africa. HWC students and faculty organized poster presentations and breakout sessions on related topics. Academics from the University of Chicago and Lake Forest College also presented on the Middle Eastern region and the Occupied Territories.
Energy & Environment Forum (125 attendees) On March 27, 2007 Global Initiative Chicago presented a panel discussion on Energy and Environmental issues. The panel covered three main topics:
a. Our global responsibility to protect the environment
b. Current technology for alternative energies
c. Practical responses for Chicago-area students and citizens
'An Inconvenient Truth' Showing (100 attendees) On March 26, 2007 Global Initiative Chicago presented 'An Inconvenient Truth,' Al Gore's documentary on the reality of global warming, its effects on humans and the earth, and appropriate responses to the problem.
China's Economy (100 attendees) On February 21, 2007 GIC hosted a panel discussion on China's economy. Professors and specialists from Europe and from the International Bank exchanged their observations on China's fast growing economy, its trade, and its impact on the world.
Iraq War Speech (250 attendees) On January 31, 2007, just 5 days before her son Ehren Watada faced a court martial for refusing to go to Iraq, Carolyn Ho visited HWC to speak about his decision.
Free Trade Forum (250 attendees) On January 25, 2007, GIC hosted the first of a series of forums on global issues at Harold Washington College. This initial forum consisted of a pro and con panel discussion about the global impact of free trade and NAFTA, involving Chicago business leaders, academics, and union leaders.
'Black Gold' Showing (150 attendees) On November 22, 2006 Global Initiative Chicago presented 'Black Gold,' an engaging documentary on the fair trade issues surrounding the Ethiopian coffee industry.
International Day for the Eradication of Poverty (700 attendees) The United Nations General Assembly declared 17 October, 2006 as the International Day for the Eradication of Poverty. GIC hosted a conference to promote increased awareness of the need to achieve the millennium development goal (MDG) of halving the number of people living in poverty by 2015.
Past Events:
A Day of Peace: Seven Paths to Global Harmony (05-02-08)Alternative Energy Forum: Peak Oil; Alternative Fuels for Cars (04/15/08) We explore the issue of Peak Oil, the time at which maximum production of petroleum will be reached.
The Empire Strikes Again: Current Issues in Iraq, Afghanistan, Pakistan (03/13/08)
Overthrow: A Conversation with Stephen Kinzer (100 attendees) On Monday, November 26, 2007 Professor Carla Burnett and GIC co-sponsored a book discussion with acclaimed journalist and author, Stephen Kinzer.
Women in Globalization (400 attendees) On November 8, 2007 GIC presented “Women in Globalization,” a forum on the expanding role of women in today's rapidly globalizing world. Our guest speakers included Mary W. Njoroge, former Director of Basic Education in Kenya; Laura Garcia, editor of the Tribuno del Pueblo; and Linda VanderWeele and Marianne Potterton of Opportunity International, which provides microcredit loans to women in developing countries.
Children of the Congo (300 attendees) On October 25, 2007 GIC presented 'The Children of the Congo,' a documentary by musician and activist Gilbert Mulamba.
War Made Easy Showing (600 attendees) On September 19, 2007 and Tuesday, September 25, 2007 GIC presented the movie 'War Made Easy' (Propaganda from Vietnam to Iraq), by acclaimed journalist Norman Solomon.
Global Issues Conference (350 attendees) On May 4, 2007 GIC hosted "How Our Military Policies Affect People's Lives." The conference addressed the relationship of American military policy to poverty, suffering, and death in the Middle East and in Africa. HWC students and faculty organized poster presentations and breakout sessions on related topics. Academics from the University of Chicago and Lake Forest College also presented on the Middle Eastern region and the Occupied Territories.
Energy & Environment Forum (125 attendees) On March 27, 2007 Global Initiative Chicago presented a panel discussion on Energy and Environmental issues. The panel covered three main topics:
a. Our global responsibility to protect the environment
b. Current technology for alternative energies
c. Practical responses for Chicago-area students and citizens
'An Inconvenient Truth' Showing (100 attendees) On March 26, 2007 Global Initiative Chicago presented 'An Inconvenient Truth,' Al Gore's documentary on the reality of global warming, its effects on humans and the earth, and appropriate responses to the problem.
China's Economy (100 attendees) On February 21, 2007 GIC hosted a panel discussion on China's economy. Professors and specialists from Europe and from the International Bank exchanged their observations on China's fast growing economy, its trade, and its impact on the world.
Iraq War Speech (250 attendees) On January 31, 2007, just 5 days before her son Ehren Watada faced a court martial for refusing to go to Iraq, Carolyn Ho visited HWC to speak about his decision.
Free Trade Forum (250 attendees) On January 25, 2007, GIC hosted the first of a series of forums on global issues at Harold Washington College. This initial forum consisted of a pro and con panel discussion about the global impact of free trade and NAFTA, involving Chicago business leaders, academics, and union leaders.
'Black Gold' Showing (150 attendees) On November 22, 2006 Global Initiative Chicago presented 'Black Gold,' an engaging documentary on the fair trade issues surrounding the Ethiopian coffee industry.
International Day for the Eradication of Poverty (700 attendees) The United Nations General Assembly declared 17 October, 2006 as the International Day for the Eradication of Poverty. GIC hosted a conference to promote increased awareness of the need to achieve the millennium development goal (MDG) of halving the number of people living in poverty by 2015.