Sagamore's Indiana-Africa Connections Project

Senator Richard G. Lugar (R.-Ind.) will speak at the Sagamore Institute on 21 October as part of the Indianapolis-based think tank's unveiling of its Indiana-Africa Connections Project. This database lists more than 250 Indiana individuals and organizations who regularly engage with sub-Saharan Africa. The event will be from 10:30 a.m. to noon.

Senator Lugar's experience as Ranking Member and former Chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee and advocate for improving Africa's economy and health care makes him an ideal partner with Sagamore in showcasing Indiana's role as an important global citizen.

Through leadership on crucial legislation such as the Nunn-Lugar Cooperative Threat Reduction Program, PEPFAR, the African Growth and Opportunity Act and Tropical Rain Forest Conservation Act, and a heavy interest in energy and hunger security, Senator Lugar has shown time and again the need for a strong and healthy relationship between the United States and countries throughout the African continent.

Sagamore worked with University of Indianapolis graduate students to compile the database, which includes entries such as the Bryantsville Hunger Relief Project, a farm that sends corn to South African countries, and The Institute for Affordable Transportation, an Indianapolis-based group that manufactures and distributes low-cost utility vehicles to individuals in developing countries. (NOTE: such groups also are listed on the Nationalities Council's international links pages.)

Sagamore Institute is an Indianapolis-based nonpartisan research group that brings policymakers and practitioners together to turn ideas into action.

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Indiana Mayors Invited to Chicago by China Consul

The Consul General of the People’s Republic of China to Chicago, His Excellency Ping Huang (right), will host a group of Indiana Mayors for a first of its kind meeting and lunch at his Chicago consulate on 18 January (Monday), reports Inside INdiana Business.

Five Mayors from Indiana’s North Central Region have been invited to travel to Chicago to meet with the Chinese Consul General and his staff: Mayor Sharon McShurley of Muncie, Mayor Bruce Hosier of Portland, Mayor Wayne Seybold of Marion, Mayor Mike Fincher of Logansport, and Mayor Jason Thompson of Monticello.

This event is the result of the joint collaboration of the Confucius Institute at Purdue University, Purdue’s Center For International Business, Education and Research, and Larry Ingraham, an international consultant and member of the Purdue CIBER advisory committee, who is now representing The Sagamore Institute For Policy Research, based in Indianapolis.

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Thinking Big about China?

John Watkins (pictured), chairman of the American Chamber of Commerce in the People’s Republic of China, will discuss "Thinking Big About China" during an "Ideas in Indiana" luncheon sponsored by Sagamore Institute for Policy Research and co-hosted by Asian Programs of University of Indianapolis.

The event, to be held in the Museum of Master Au Ho-nien at UIndy, is scheduled for 6 May, with registration at 11 a.m. and the luncheon set for 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m.

Watkins is Corporate Vice President of Cummins Inc. and President of Cummins East Asia, which employs more than 6,000 across China in 14 manufacturing plants, two R&D centers, and many sales and service centers.

Following the talk, a small group of leading researchers, businesspeople and policymakers will discuss what can “bring out the best” in Indiana businesses and universities that are engaged in China.

As John Clark of SIPR notes, "China's rise is seen by some as a threat and by others as an opportunity. It has the potential to bring out the best or the worst in both societies. The risks of China's rise are real---but less threatening than most think and the opportunities are far greater than most can envision. American stakeholders who want improvements in the trade and overall bi-lateral relationship will be better served by focusing more time, energy and resources on maximizing our opportunities through a solution-oriented, innovative and can-do winning attitude and approach---in the way President John F. Kennedy challenged Americans to think big and go after an audacious goal. To use a sports metaphor, we have to play offense as well as defense."

The Museum of Master Au Ho-nien is in the basement of the Schwitzer Student Center at UIndy, 1400 East Hanna Avenue, Indianapolis. Required reservations are due by 4 May; contact Susan Stinn, 317:472-2053.

Clark adds: "Indiana possesses many “hidden treasures” linking the state to China. Watkins' lunch talk and the discussion will take place in one of these little known assets, the museum of Master Au Ho-nien at the University of Indianapolis. Master Au is one of the greatest living traditional Chinese artists."

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America's Future as a World Power

A tripartite discussion of the future of America's power in the world takes place Wednesday (15 October) at Butler University in Indianapolis.

John Clark of Sagamore Institute for Policy Research, Dave Mason of Butler University and Michael Kraig of the Stanley Foundation are the discussants.

It starts at 3 p.m. in Pharmacy Room 204 on the Butler campus. You can read more about the event here.

Prof. Mason's new book is The End of the American Century that dissects in great detail the causes of the current (and he believes continuing) decline of American power in the world.

Dr. Kraig is Director of Policy Analysis and Dialogue at the Stanley Foundation, a think-tank based in Iowa. He's leading a major project called "Rising Powers: New Global Realities".

Immigration and Higher Education in Indiana

"Immigration and Higher Education in Indiana," an Ideas in Indiana breakfast discussion sponsored by the Sagamore Institute for Policy Research, is set for 8:15 a.m.-noon 26 June in the Indiana History Center, 450 West Ohio Street, Indianapolis.

Featured SIPR researchers are Dr. John Clark, Justin Heet, Courtney Burkey and Alberto Hernandez.

This “Ideas in Indiana” event will explore the issues addressed by Sagamore’s research on “Immigration and Higher Education,” an 18-month project funded by Lumina Foundation for Education. Sagamore researchers will discuss the findings of their three working papers, offering their assessments of the challenges facing immigrants and their children in obtaining a good education and what the State of Indiana and its educational system will need to do in order to ensure an educated, well-trained workforce for the 21st Century.

They will also offer their thoughts on issues requiring additional research to assist decision-makers in making a difference in the future of the state’s workforce and educational system.

To attend, contact Susan Stinn, 317:472-2053. Please include your name, affiliation, address, email and phone number; deadline is 23 June.

International Interfaith Symposium

An innovative series of programs kicks off tomorrow evening with “Stories and Photos from the Middle East, 1978-2003”, a presentation by Bill Foley, photojournalist, at 7 p.m. in Marian College's Allison Mansion.

The event, titled “International Interfaith Symposium”, kicks into high gear on Wednesday (19 March), with all events in the Campus Center at Indiana University-Purdue University in Indianapolis.

The first speaker (2 p.m.) is Klaus Martin Finzel, founder of the International Interfaith Initiative, followed by Giles Hoyt (discussing German philanthropist Mas Kade), Robert J. Helfenbein (on faith and civil society), Bill Foley and others discussing the Middle East, Shaw Towfighi (Persian New Year), Henry Cole (citizen diplomacy), Ref. Felipe Martinez and John Clark (Hispanic America).

Thursday’s (20 March) packed schedule, also in the Campus Center of IUPUI, begins with a youth dialogue (10 a.m.) and continues through the day with Dr. Chalmer Thompson, Ayumi Suzuki, Terry Morris-Downs, Sally Brown, Michael Greven, Charlie Wiles, Dr. Kevin Logan and more.

A film festival and book discussions will take place on Friday and Saturday (21-22 March). Exhibits will be open on the fourth floor of IUPUI’s Campus Center between 10 a.m. and 7 p.m. Wednesday-Saturday. All events are free and open to the public.

The complete schedule is here. For more information, see website or call Charlie McDonald, 317:283-2730.

International Interfaith Initiative is a collaborative effort between Indiana University School of Education’s Center for Urban and Multicultural Education, Peace Learning Center, Max Kade German American Center, Sagamore Institute for Policy Research, and members of the Indianapolis community - all working toward the realization of the vision to create a network that facilitates and initiates interfaith cooperation to strengthen civil society.

Indy Contemplates Events in Myanmar

A trio of events spotlighting the crisis in Myanmar (the country formerly known as Burma) starts Wednesday in Indianapolis.

A Candlelight Vigil for Peace, Democracy and Freedom in Burma will be held from 6:30-7 p.m. Wednesday (3 October) on Democracy Plaza at Indiana University-Purdue University in Indianapolis. It's sponsored by the IUPUI Burma Student Association. Organizer is Aye-Nu Elizabeth Duerksen (at right).

A discussion on "Burma In Crisis" sponsored by Provocate.org is planned from 3:30-5 p.m. Thursday (4 October) in the offices of the International Center of Indianapolis, 32 East Washington Street, Indianapolis. According to the organizer John Clark (above, left): "Featured will be Burmese activists and scholars who have helped draft the new constitution for their country. They will help clarify the context and implications of the events we see on the streets of Rangoon."

Provocate.org also has arranged "Burma Beautiful/Burma Brutal: Images & Ideas from a Country on the Edge" from 6-9 p.m. Friday (5 October) in the Harrison Center for the Arts, 1505 North Delaware Street, Indianapolis. John Clark notes: "This will be a multimedia presentation of images and videos from Burma, which will serve as a backdrop for informal conversations about topics such as the prospects for peaceful change, political dimensions of Buddhism in Tibet and Burma, challenges of Burmese communities in Indiana, and other topics. Featured will be: Photos and art from Burma by Indianapolis artist Jude Odell; Images from 'The Sold Project', a documentary in production by Indiana 20-somethings exposing the human side of sex slavery in Burma; Photos from refugees camps on the Burmese-Thai border by Emily Jacobi, an Indianapolis photo-journalist; Video montage of current street protests by Geo-Pol analyst Pedro Cardoso; Burmese scholars and dissidents from Indiana University's Center for Constitutional Democracy in Pluralist Societies, who are drafting a constitution for a democratic Burma; Members of the Chin and Karen ethnic minorities from Burma now in living Indianapolis."

Clark adds that Provocate.org "is delighted to present two major events this week about the current situation in Burma. Some day, perhaps soon, a democratic Burma will bear the faint stamp: 'Made in Indiana'. Burmese dissidents and constitutional scholars are drafting a new constitution in Bloomington. Ties between the state and crisis-ridden Burma will intensify if things turn badly, too: Indianapolis is the major destination for refugees from Burma, and we will get a lot more if the goons in Rangoon respond as brutally as they have in the past."

SIPR connects Indiana and Japan

The Sagamore Institute for Policy Research reports that Senior Fellow Larry Ingraham led a business/academic delegation to the Tochigi Prefecture of Japan from 1-11 March, featuring Dr. Earl Brooks, president of Tri-State University in Angola, Indiana, and Mike Bock, vice president of Tri-State University.

The purpose of the trip was to sign an agreement with Hakuoh University for future student and faculty exchanges. The trio also met with government officials to market Tri-State.

Ingraham reports that Brooks has offered a $10,000 per year scholarship to all Tochigi residents who choose Tri-State.

In late March, Ingraham returned to Japan to shepherd a business/government delegation from Delaware County, which was led by Muncie Mayor Dan Canan. The purpose of the trip was to market the region to future Japanese investment.