Sunday, January 26, 2014

Press Release--Beyond GDP Growth: Spring 2014 Friday Forum lecture series announced


For Immediate Release
January 23,2014

[Champaign-Urbana, IL] The University YMCA announces the Spring 2014 Friday Forum lecture series, Rethinking Security: Community Approaches to Economic Development. The series runs from January 31st to April 18, 2014. Notable speakers include Saru Jayaraman, Co-Director of the Restaurant Opportunities Center and author of Behind the Kitchen Door: The Real Cost of Dining Out, Paul Glover, founder of Ithaca Hours, and others.

The Spring 2014 Friday Forum series, Rethinking Security: Community Approaches to Economic Development, will challenge mainstream conceptions of economic security and center economic development on ensuring true security to our communities in areas such as food, housing, income, and health-care.

Why: “This series will bring a year-long look at American security to a close, from rethinking incarceration as means to security to exploring ways to achieve security by bringing economic perspectives to the center,” says University YMCA Program Director Kasey Umland.  “We are looking forward to a series that looks beyond GDP growth and offers economic alternatives that provide true economic security to all members of our society.”


When: Fridays at 12noon during the spring and fall semesters. The Spring 2014 schedule is provided below.

Where: Latzer Hall | University YMCA, 1001 S. Wright Street

Sponsored by: Wesley United Methodist Church, Wesley Foundation at the U of I, Institute of Genomic Biology, Center for Advanced Study, Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual & Transgender Resource Center, Center for Business and Public Policy, Russ Rybicki, AIF, of Progressive Asset Management Group, the Socially Responsible Division of Financial West Group, Nancy Dietrich, Graduate Employees Organization, Dept of Recreation, Sport, and Tourism, International Programs and Studies, Prairie Research Institute, College of Agricultural, Consumer, and Environmental Sciences, Social Action Committee of the Unitarian Universalist Church, Asian American Cultural Center, Dept of Urban and Regional Planning, Chapel of St. John the Divine, Dept of Latina/Latino Studies, Dept of Sociology, College of Nursing, Dept of French, Dept of Political Science, C-U Branch of AAUW, Channing Murray Foundation, Urbana Champaign Friends Meeting, Jobs with Justice and The Office of Public Engagement and The Office of Diversity, Equity, and Access at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Department of African American Studies




Additional Information: Friday Forum is a weekly lectures series held in the fall and spring semesters that strives to raise awareness about national and international trends and events. Friday Forum lectures are typically followed by a Q&A. The views expressed by the speakers do not necessarily reflect the views of the University YMCA, co-sponsors, or the Friday Forum committee. A sign language interpreter is available with a 72 hours notice (contact Carol Nunn at 217-337-1500). All forums are radio broadcast at 6:00 p.m. on WEFT 90.1 the Monday following the lecture. Video recorded lectures can be found on YouTube.




Spring 2014 Friday Forum lecture series schedule:

January 31-Addressing Food Insecurity in the United States
Craig Gundersen, Soybean Industry Endowed Professor of Agricultural Strategy
Executive Director, National Soybean Research Laboratory

February 7-The Power of Community Currency
Paul Glover, Founder of Ithaca Hours

February 14-Global Poverty: What is to be Done--and Why?
David Schweikart, Professor of Philosophy, Loyola University Chicago

February 21-Behind the Kitchen Door: The Real Cost of Dining Out
Saru Jayaraman, Co-director of the Restaurant Opportunities Center

February 28-Redefining Security and Abundance Through a Permaculture Lens
Bill Wilson, Lead Certifying Instructor and Co-founder of Midwest Permaculture

March 7-Working to Make Chicago the Most Immigrant Friendly City in the U.S.
Adolfo Hernandez, Director, Chicago Office of New Americans

March 14-Domestic Microfinance, Credit Unions, and Payday Loans
A panel featuring Robin Greiner of Accion Chicago. More panel speakers to be announced.

April 4-Dreaming Beyond the Rolling Jubilee: Towards a Debt Strike and Global Jubilee
Thomas Gokey, Co-founder of Rolling Jubilee and organizer for Strike Debt

Aprill 11-Cooperatives-Creating a Community of Wealth
Jacqueline Hannah, General Manager of Common Ground Food Co-Op

April 18-Consumer Futures in the Healthcare Marketplace
Daniel Yunker, CEO, Land of Lincoln Health


For media inquiries, contact:
Megan Flowers, Communications Director
[217-337-1500, email: 
megan@universityymca.org]



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