Perfect Duluth Day: War and Roses

There are two great noon events on the UMD campus this week, one affiliated with my workplace, Alworth Institute for International Studies, and the other is being sponsored by the Master of Advocacy and Political Leadership (MAPL) Program.

“Sewing Seeds of Resistance: Colombia Flower Unions, U.S. Policy and the Struggle for Dignity”

Thursday, November 8, 2007
Alworth International Brown Bag
12:00 p.m. in the UMD Library Fourth Floor Rotunda
Presented by Lydia Lopez and Witness for Peace
Co-sponsored by UMD’s Hispanic, Latino, Chicana Learning Resource Center.

Lydia Lopez is president of Untraflores, an independent flower workers union representing the areas surrounding
Bogota, Colombia. This union primarily consists of women who have organized in order to improve their working
conditions on the flower plantations. Lopez will speak about anti-union campaigns waged against flower workers in Colombia as well as specific attempts to bust Untraflores.

"Back from Iraq: From War Veteran to Peace Activist"

Presenter: A discussion & pictures from the front lines of the war in Iraq by Sergeant Daniel Fanning, MAPL student.

Superior resident Daniel Fanning saw the destruction and effects of the war in Iraq firsthand. He served in Iraq as a transportation specialist with the Wisconsin Army's National Guard Transportation Company from December 2004 to December 2005 and was able to travel throughout the war-torn nation. Fanning came to the conclusion that the American military presence is causing more harm than good. Since returning home, Fanning has become an advocate for withdrawing immediately from Iraq.

Fanning is also a student in the unique Master's Degree program at the University of Minnesota Duluth, seeking a Master of Advocacy and Political Leadership. The degree is designed to teach students how to impact public policy in ways they think should be done. He'll present his views to his classmates and to the general public.

Where: The Rafters, Third Floor of the Kirby Student Center, University of Minnesota, Duluth
When: Saturday, November 10, 2007
Time: 12:00 Noon
Free and open to the public.