Fairhaven Announces Spring World Issues Forum Slate
Grounded in social and environmental justice and human rights, the Spring World Issues Forum lecture series, organized by Western Washington University’s Fairhaven College of Interdisciplinary Studies, will focus on topics such as anti-trafficking laws, human rights, and the treatment of children as refugees.
The forums, now in their 15th year, are free and open to the campus community and general public. The forums are held from noon to 1:20 p.m. every Wednesday in the Fairhaven Auditorium, unless otherwise noted below.
Wednesday, April 6
“Between June ’67 and Global ’68: A Shadow History of Civil Rights and Decolonization”
Presenter: Keith Feldman, assistant professor of Ethnic Studies at the University of California at Berkeley
Topic: Feldman, the author of “A Shadow over Palestine: The Imperial Life of Race in America,” will examine the moment when U.S. civil rights and antiwar struggles, Israeli military and administrative occupation, and Palestinian narratives of dispossession, dispersion, and resistance were forged, felt, and thought together. As became increasingly evident, the dialectic of occupation (June ’67) and liberation (Global ’68) animated a slew of incisive culture work, from novels and poetry to posters.
Wednesday, April 13
“What’s Lost in Campaigns Against Sex Trafficking?
Presenters: Priscilla Yamin, and Daniel HoSang, associate professors of Political Science at the University of Oregon
Topic: Within the media and the public, sex trafficking has grown enormously in terms of anti-trafficking activism, primarily on rescuing women forced into prostitution, and criminal enforcement of laws against men who profit from prostitution. This talk investigates the impact of gender-based violence, aggressively enforced anti-trafficking laws, and the use of the term “slavery” to the histories of white supremacy and racial domination. It will provide insight into the future of feminist organizing around labor rights and sexual violence.
Wednesday, April 20
“Cultural Conflicts: Shifting Paradigms”
Presenter: Jewell James, member of the Lummi Nation and totem pole carver
Topic: Indigenous cultures around the world are calling for national governments to implement the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, which calls for support, protection, and restoration of indigenous traditional knowledge, culture, and spirituality. Furthermore, the Catholic Church recently issued its Laudato Si encyclical for the Catholic community to treat the world as a sacred creation of god. This message also touches upon the acknowledgment of church failure to teach this perspective over the past two millenniums.
Wednesday, April 27
“American Exceptionalism and the Betrayal of Human Rights”
Presenter: Jamie Mayerfeld, professor of Political Science at the University of Washington
Topic: Mayerfeld will discuss the relationship between the United States and its international human rights law, and how it has sought to minimize the impact of such laws on its own laws and policies. “American exceptionalism” claims that the United States’ civil rights tradition renders international human rights law unnecessary. The “War on Terror” disproves this argument, in which legal exceptionalism was a major contributing factor to the United States’ use of torture after 9/11. In these events, domestic human rights protections need the help of international enforcement.
Wednesday, May 4
“Unaccompanied Children in the United States: Refugees in Need of Protection”
Presenter: Aruna Sury, supervising attorney for Pro Bono Programs, Kids in Need of Defense (Seattle) and Melody Young, pro bono coordinating attorney, Kids in Need of Defense (Seattle)
Topic: From Mexico and the Central American Northern Triangle, unaccompanied minors are fleeing from what is currently among the most violent regions in the world, seeking safety and protection in the United States. Examining the statistics of recent childhood arrivals in the U.S. proves the need for these minors to be treated as refugees and entitled to protection under international and domestic laws. The talk will discuss these immigrants’ Constitutional protections, such as right to counsel and procedural due process rights, and how to process the influx of children arriving alone at the border.
Wednesday, May 11
“Idle No More: Freedom in an Era of Climate Change”
Presenters: Sylvia McAdam Saysewahum, citizen of the Nêhiyaw Nation and co-founder of Idle No More
Topic: Idle No More is one of the largest indigenous mass movements in Canadian history, including hundreds of teach-ins, rallies, and protests. This mass movement brought groups and allies to work against the current and pending governmental policy that impacts collective rights, social safety nets, and environmental protections. Idle No More lies in a centuries old resistance as indigenous nations suffered the impacts of exploration, invasion and colonization. In order to gain the equality, protection, and rights that have been taken from them, the movement hopes to educate and inform all peoples of the continued colonial impacts to lands and resources.
Wednesday, May 18
“Human Rights along the Mexico — U.S Border: A Personal Experience”
Presenter: Victor Clark Alfaro, founder and director of the Binational Center for Human Rights
Topic: Within the past 30 years, the U.S. - Mexico border has become increasingly symbolic in shaping human rights through military, police, NGO’s and organized crime. International events have significantly impacted this border such as 9/11, the global economic crisis, and increased deportations. Alfaro, founder and director of the Binational Center for Human Rights has dedicated his efforts to the defense and promotion of human rights of vulnerable groups and victims of torture along this border.
Wednesday, May 25
“Lobbying for Peace: People Power to Help Extinguish the Middle East Fire”
Presenter: Kate Gould, legislative representative for Middle East Policy at the Friends Committee on National Legislation
Topic: Though U.S. militarism in the Middle East continues to grow, pro-peace citizen lobbyists have proved their power and relevance. As new disputes appear in every corner, these activists’ calls, emails and visits to the Congress make a difference in changing the outcome of worldwide issues. This talk explores how citizens of the U.S. has already made an impact, what further actions need to be done.
Wednesday, June 1
“Beyond Borders, Walls and Marginalities: Solidarity Forever”
Presenter: Shirley Osterhaus, coordinator of World Issues Forum, senior instructor at Western’s Fairhaven College of Interdisciplinary Studies
Topic: Osterhaus will pose questions of solidarity within the marginalized, the oppressed, and those who suffer from government policies. With years of human rights activism, Osterhaus will share interconnections among solidarity movements that she’s been a part of, from the Sanctuary movement with Central American political refugees to No More Deaths on the U.S. Mexico border and campaigns for Palestinian rights. By learning and discussing the challenges we face today, coming together with effective strategies can make a difference.
For more information on the World Issues Forum presented by Western’s Fairhaven College of Interdisciplinary Studies, contact Shirley Osterhaus at (360)-650-2309 or visit the World Issues Forum Website at http://fairhaven.wwu.edu/.
WWU's Fairhaven College of Interdisciplinary Studies, established in 1967, is nationally recognized for innovation in teaching and learning, intensive advising, student-designed majors, narrative assessment, experiential and independent learning and a commitment to social justice.