IU Professor Heads to South Africa

The U.S. State Department and the J. William Fulbright Foreign Scholarship Board have selected an Indiana University professor for a Fulbright Specialists project in South Africa, reports the IU News Bureau.

Victor M.H. Borden (pictured), professor of Educational Leadership and Policy Studies at the Indiana University School of Education, Bloomington, will conduct a program at the University of KwaZulu Natal in September. Borden will deliver the keynote address at the university's fourth annual teaching and learning conference and then deliver a series of workshops and seminars to develop capacity amongst academics to plan, implement, evaluate and improve projects and programs that enhance the effectiveness of teaching and learning and promote student success.

Borden leaves in mid-September for South Africa. His work concludes in the first week of October.

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Brazil in the World Cup!

Brazilians, Brazilianistas, futbol lovers and just plain Hoosiers are gathering from 2 to 5 p.m. 20 June in the Rathskeller Restaurant, 401 East Michigan Street, Indianapolis to root for the All-Brazil team in World Cup 2010 play. The soccer match, held in South Africa, is between Brazil and the Ivory Coast.

Tickets are $5 in advance ($7 at the door) for adults (which includes a caipirinha or a beer); children are free. Food is available for purchase from the Rathskeller.

To purchase tickets in advance, go online.

The World Cup rally is sponsored by Indiana Partners of the Americas and Brazilian Mothers of Indiana.Questions? Email Rosane Zelmanovitz.

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Indianapolis Prize Announced

Save the Elephants founder Iain Douglas-Hamilton (center in photo) has been named the 2010 recipient of the Indianapolis Prize, the world’s leading award for animal conservation. In recognition for his
lifetime achievements, Dr. Douglas-Hamilton will receive $100,000 and the Lilly Medal at a gala ceremony 25 September at The Westin Hotel, Indianapolis.

Born in Dorset, England, Douglas-Hamilton grew up in Constantia, Cape Town, South Africa, attended Gordonstoun School in Scotland and received his bachelor’s degree and doctorate from the University of Oxford in Oxford, England. He currently works and resides in Nairobi, Kenya.

In 1993, Douglas-Hamilton founded Save the Elephants (STE) in Northern Kenya, in order to create an effective and flexible nonprofit dedicated specifically to elephants. The organization works to sustain elephant populations and preserve the habitats in which elephants are found, while at the same time fostering a heightened appreciation and visibility for elephants and their often fragile existence.

The biennial $100,000 Indianapolis Prize represents the largest individual monetary award for animal conservation in the world and is given as an unrestricted gift to the chosen honoree. The Indianapolis Prize was initiated by the Indianapolis Zoo as a significant component of its mission to empower people and communities, both local and global, to advance animal conservation. This biennial award brings the world’s attention to the cause of animal conservation and the brave, talented and dedicated men and women who spend their lives saving the Earth’s endangered animal species.

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World Cup Kickoff Party

Join soccer fans at a World Cup Kickoff party beginning at 8 p.m. 10 June in the Jazz Kitchen, 5377 North College Avenue, Indianapolis. Stacie Sandoval and Trio Con Paz will perform on the deck from 6:30-10 p.m.

Play begins 11 June in South Africa, running through 11 July.

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Lilly's Transfer of Technology to South African Company

Eli Lilly & Company has announced the US$1 million milestone payment to Aspen, a pharmaceutical manufacturer, as part of the joint collaboration on expanding access to medicines to treat multidrug-resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB), according to Aspen Pharma.

The milestone is part of a Transfer of Technology agreement between Aspen and Lilly, initiated in 2003 under the umbrella of the Lilly MDR-TB Partnership, a global project to tackle the growing MDR-TB epidemic. Aspen is based in Johannesburg, South Africa.

The collaboration involved the transfer of Lilly’s drug manufacturing and packaging technology to enable Aspen to manufacture two essential anti-TB drugs. Lilly provided manufacturing know-how, access to technical experts, and other assistance to assure the quality and sustainability of the manufacturing processes.

The partnership with Aspen represents one of four similar partnerships Lilly holds with pharmaceutical manufacturers based in high burden countries where MDR-TB is most prevalent. These additional partnerships are between Lilly and SIA International (Russia), Shasun Chemicals and Drugs (India), and Hisun Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd (China).

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Lotus Festival: World Music & Arts

The Lotus World Music & Arts Festival, set for 24-27 September in Bloomington, has so much going on it's hard to settle on just one aspect.

For example, here are just some of the performers scheduled to appear:

# Rahim AlHaj / Friday
Virtuoso Iraqi oud

# Bajofondo / Saturday
Electrotango from Argentina

# BLK JKS / Saturday
Psychedelic, Afro-futuristic rock from South Africa

# Cara Dillon / Friday, Saturday
Irish traditional song

# Forro in the Dark / Saturday
Northeastern Brazilian party music

# Hanggai / Saturday, Sunday
Folk music from Inner Mongolia & China

# Huun Huur-Tu & Carmen Rizzo / Friday
Electronica meets throat-singing from Tuva

# Kinobe & Soul Beat Africa / Friday, Saturday
Ugandan song, dance, & drumming

# Srinivas Krishnan & Madras Broadcast / Saturday, Sunday
Indian fusion

# Little Cow / Thursday, Friday
Ska/rock/funk/Gypsy fusion from Hungary

# Los de Abajo / Friday, Saturday
Salsa, punk, and rock from Mexico

# The Megitza Quartet / Friday
Roma and East European world fusion

# Occidental Brothers Dance Band International / Friday
Central & West African dance music

# Orchestra of Tetouan / Friday, Saturday
Traditional vocal & instrumental music of Andalusia & North Africa

# Parno Graszt / Thursday, Friday, Saturday
Hungarian Gypsy music

# Salaam / Saturday
Middle Eastern & North African traditional music

# Väsen / Thursday
Contemporary instrumental folk music from Sweden

# Vishtén / Saturday, Sunday
Acadian traditional music, song, and dance

# Watcha Clan/ Friday, Saturday
Global fusion from France

# The Zolfonoon Ensemble of Iran / Saturday
Classical Persian

Did you know that the festival honors Lotus Dickey (1911-1989)? The folk singer, songwriter, and musician from rural Orange County, Indiana, wrote tunes and songs that drew from his family and community, as well as from country singers and fiddlers he heard on the radio. Each year, the Lotus World Music and Arts Festival honors Lotus Dickey's memory with a set of music or an interactive workshop that introduces new audiences to his music and the old-time traditions of the United States.

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African Children's Choir to Sing in Greenfield

The African Children's Choir will sing at 9 and 10:45 a.m. 19 July in Brandywine Community Church, 1551 East New Road, Greenfield. Admission is free, but donations will be accepted.

The choir has established schools in Ghana, Kenya, Nigeria, Rwanda, South Africa, Sudan and Uganda.

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A Celebration of the Life of Nelson Mandela

A Celebration of the Life of Nelson Mandela is planned Monday (27 October) at Indiana University-Purdue University in Indianapolis.

A film festival runs from noon to 5 p.m. in Taylor Hall 115. At 6:30 p.m., there's a reception (featuring African food) with filmmaker Peter Davis in Herron Auditorium H101, followed at 7 p.m. by Davis' lecture and screening.

Davis, a citizen of the United Kingdom, is a well-known documentarian of the South African Apartheid era and is a personal friend of the Mandela family. His lecture, entitled “Madiba and Me,” will be followed by a showing of his latest film release called “Nelson Mandela: From Prisoner to President.”

Davis’ presentation will be proceeded by a short introduction by Professor Bessie House-Soremekun on fighting Apartheid abroad and at home.

The afternoon's film festival includes Davis' films on South Africa, including “Generations of Resistance,” “The White Laager,” “Winnie Mandela,” “In Darkest Hollywood,” and others. The film festival also will feature posters developed by Davis in his long fight against Apartheid.

All events are open to the public at no charge. For more information, contact Ian McIntosh, 317:274-3776.

Birth Control, Abortion and Sterilization in South Africa

Dr. Susanne Klausen (pictured), Associate Professor of History, Carleton University, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada, will speak on "For the Sake of the Race: Poor Whites, Colonialism and the Politics of Birth Control in South Africa, 1910-1930" at noon Tuesday (23 September) in room 409 of the Campus Center at Indiana University-Purdue University in Indianapolis.

This presentation is co-sponsored by the IUPUI Committee on African and African-American Studies and by the IU Center for the History of Medicine.

Dr. Klausen will discuss "Reclaiming the White Daughter's Purity: Racism, Heteropatriarchy, and the 1975 Abortion and Sterilization Act in Apartheid South Africa" at 4:30 p.m. that day in room 508, Cavanaugh Hall, 425 University Boulevard, IUPUI, Indianapolis. This presentation is co-sponsored by the Women's Studies Program.

Both events are open to the public, but it's best to reserve a spot: call 317:278-1669 or email.

South Africa and Senegal Featured at Black Expo

Summer trips to South Africa and the West African nation of Senegal by Expo staff will be reflected in art exhibits and economic forums at the 37th annual Indianapolis Black Expo, according to The Indianapolis Star.

The cultural event kicks off Thursday and ends 22 July.

See website for a schedule of events.

Franklin Electric Expands in South Africa

Bluffton-based Franklin Electric Co., Inc.,is buying a pump manufacturing and distribution company in South Africa, acording to Inside INdiana Business.

The company has entered into an agreement with Howden Africa Holdings Limited to acquire Howden's 42 percent stake in Pump Brands Limited.

The deal must first be approved by the South African Competition Authority before Franklin Electric can purchase the rest of the company. Franklin Electric officials say the purchase will increase its presence in South Africa. Pump Brands does business as Denorco Engineered Pumping Solutions.

From Iran to South Africa in one Indiana evening

On 30 March, two completely different films will be screened at two different Hoosier universities.

"Amandla! A Revolution in Four-Part Harmony", a film from South Africa, starts at 6 p.m. in IT 152, Informatics Auditorium, Indiana University-Purdue University in Indianapolis.

Directed by Lee Hirsch, this award-winning 2002 documentary tells the story of black South African freedom music and the central role it played in the struggle against apartheid. Includes extensive interview footage with South African musical giants such as Hugh Masekela, Miriam Makeba, and Abdullah Ibrahim.

It´s part of 'South Africa on Film', an IUPUI Public Film Series organized by David Hoegberg in conjunction with I300: South African Literature and Society Spring 2007.

Meanwhile, in the northern part of Indiana, "Children of Heaven (Bacheha-Ye aseman)", a film in Persian with English subtitles, begins at 7 p.m. in 234 Neils Sciencenter Valparaiso University, Valparaiso. Part of Valpo´s International Film Series, tickets are $6.

More "Great Decisions" Discussions Scheduled

Four “Great Decisions” topics are still ahead for the Mid-North Shepherd Center at North United Methodist Church, 38th and Meridian Streets, Indianapolis.

At 11 a.m. Wednesday (11 April), Dr. Pierre Atlas, head of Marian College's Franciscan Center for Global Studies, discusses what can be done in the Middle East.

Dr. Steve Jones of Indiana University-Purdue University in Indianapolis talks about the causes and possible solutions of Mexico’s crises at 11 a.m. Wednesday (18 April).

Migration – the movement of people across international borders – is the topic for IUPUI’s Susan Erickson at 11 a.m. Wednesday (25 April).

Explore South Africa with Kelly Campbell, vice president of operations for Ambassadors for Children, at 11 a.m. (2 May)

Information, email or 317:924-0959. You can read more at John Clark’s IndyBuzz.

South Africa on Film at IUPUI

David Hoegberg has organized a Public Film Series in conjunction with I300: South African Literature and Society, a Spring 2007 course at Indiana University-Purdue University in Indianapolis.

Unfortunately, we've already missed the first of the series (Gavin Hood's 2005 work, "Tsotsi", based on a novel by Athol Fugard) -- it was earlier this evening.

But there's still time to mark your calendars for these upcoming showings:

Friday, February 23, 6:00-8:00 PM, Informatics Auditorium (IT 152)
The Power of One (John Avildsen, 1992)
Based on the popular novel by Bryce Courtenay, this movie tells of a
young English-speaking boy who is bullied by Afrikaners and grows up to
be a boxer. With Morgan Freeman as the boy's black mentor.

Friday, March 9, 6:00-8:00 PM, Informatics Auditorium (IT 152)
Cry Freedom (Richard Attenborough, 1987)
This powerful film tells the story of Donald Woods' friendship with
Steve Biko and Woods' efforts to get his story out to the rest of the
world after Biko is killed in detention. Stars Kevin Kline and Denzel
Washington.

Friday, March 30, 6:00-8:00 PM, Informatics Auditorium (IT 152)
Amandla! A Revolution in Four-Part Harmony (Lee Hirsch, 2002)
This award-winning documentary tells the story of black South African
freedom music and the central role it played in the struggle against
apartheid. Includes extensive interview footage with South African
musical giants such as Hugh Masekela, Miriam Makeba, and Abdullah
Ibrahim.

Friday, April 13, 6:00-8:00 PM, Informatics Auditorium (IT 152)
Soweto Green (David Lister, 1994)
The complications and cultural divides of life in post-apartheid South
Africa set the stage for this smart and funny satire. Following the
election of Nelson Mandela, a college professor and his American bride
relocate from Beverly Hills to the teacher's motherland of Africa.

Indy's Great Decisions Discussion Series

Two organizations in Indianapolis are hosting “Great Decisions” discussion series in 2007: Church of the Savior and the Indiana Council on World Affairs.

Great Decisions, a global affairs education program, is sponsored by Foreign Policy Association.

Themes are selected each year to engage citizens in learning about the world. The Briefing Book” provided by the FPA places the thematic or geographic issue in historical context and provides background, current policies and alternative policy options. Photographs, maps, charts and editorial cartoons illustrate the text. Discussion questions, annotated reading suggestions and additional resources, including websites, are provided. An opinion ballot for the National Opinion Ballot Report accompanies each topic so that readers can express their views, according to the FPA.

The schedule at Church of the Savior, 6205 Rucker Road, Indianapolis is:

• "Global Climate Change", 7 p.m. 31 January


• ”Mexico”, 7 p.m. 7 February


• ”International Migration”, 7 p.m. 14 February


• ”South Africa”, 7 p.m. 21 February


• ”War Crimes”, 7 p.m. 28 February


• ”Central Asia”, 7 p.m. 7 March


• ”Children and International Conflict”, 13 March

The schedule for the ICWA series, held in the Pharmacy Building at Butler University in Indianapolis is:

• ”Global Climate Change”, 7 p.m. 6 February


• ”Middle East”, 7 p.m. 13 February


• ”Mexico”, 7 p.m. 20 February


• ”Global Migration”, 7 p.m. 27 February


• ”South Africa”, 7 p.m. 6 March


• ”War Crimes”, 7 p.m. 13 March


• ”Central Asia”, 7 p.m. 20 March

For more information, see John Clark’s IndyBuzz.


UPDATE

There's also a Great Decisions series underway this year at Mid-North Shepherd Center in North United Methodist Church in Indianapolis. Information, email or 317:924-0959. Their session on global climate change is 4 April.