Venue at Mohaupt Block:
2024 West Superior Street
Duluth, MN, 55806
Greysolon Plaza
231 E Superior Street
Duluth, MN 55802 |
Free Democracy Summit
www.freedemocracy.org
April 17th and 18th, 2009
“Local Actions Solving Global Problems”
The sixth annual Free Democracy Summit is a weekend of art, education, and inspiration. The FDS is dedicated to using the tools at the root of our democracy to unite individuals and organizations in a cooperative effort to explore, define, and celebrate our democracy. It is our aspiration for all who experience the weekend to leave inspired as individuals and empowered to work collectively throughout the coming year to defend and improve our government.
Events for Friday, April 17th:
Music at The Venue at Mohaupt Block begins at 9:00pm. Kick-off the weekend with some amazing bands from across the state!
Events for Saturday, April 18th:
Join community members, elected officials, and citizen activists for a day filled with Issue Workshops and Skills Trainings. Join our panel of experts in addressing the pressing issues of the day, from Education to Green Jobs. Equip yourself with the knowledge and skills necessary to start affecting change within your community!
9:00am: Breakfast
9:30am: Opening Keynote Speaker: Mr. Dane Smith, President, Growth and Justice.
10:30am: Issue Workshop Session 1:
Green Jobs, Education, Healthcare
11:30am: Issue Workshop Session 2:
Sulfide Mining, The Future of Print Media, Global Food Systems
1:00pm: Lunch
2:00pm: Skills Trainings Session Citizen Activism, Building a Campaign
3:00pm: Skills Trainings Session
Lobbying, Media and Messaging
4:00pm: Closing Keynote Speaker: Ms. Cecily Sommers, Founder, Push Institute
5:00pm: Civic Leadership Award
**PANEL INFORMATION***
Global Food Systems:
This workshop panel will use Minnesota as a case study to explore questions of local sustainable agriculture, conventional farming practices, and how agricultural policy influences what and how we eat.
- Prof. Denny Falk (UMD Social Work Dept.)
- Jim Harkness (Institute for Agriculture and Trade Policy)
- Randy Hanson (LS Sustainable Farming Association)
Education:
This workshop panel will serve as a forum to discuss links between an educated workforce and a prospering economy. Within this forum, panelists will also address innovations in education and how the state budget forecast will impact funding for secondary and post-secondary education.
- Katie Oliver (Doctoral candidate, UMTC, Instruction and Curriculum)
- Angie Eihlers (Growth and Justice)
- Tom Dooher (Education MN)
Healthcare:
This workshop panel will address larger issues within the nations’ current healthcare system. Topics to be explored include preventative care vs. sick care, universal healthcare, and making the healthcare system more efficient and effective.
- Rep. Tom Huntley (State Representative serving Duluth)
Green Jobs:
This workshop serves to highlight relationships between blue collar industries and environmental sustainability.
- Jodi Slick (Common Ground)
- Tony Cuneo (City Councilor)
- Tracy Meisterheim (Early Adopter Project)
- Jerry Parzino (Steelworker, BlueGreen Alliance)
Media: The Future of Print Media:
This workshop will take into account current trends in how the public receives information. Given the current state of print media, is there a future for print media? Also, how are print media outlets dealing with the economic downturn?
- Dane Smith (Growth and Justice, former Star Tribune)
- Larry Sillanpa (Editor for the Labor World)
- Eric Ringham (Star Tribune)
Sulfide Mining:
This workshop will discuss the proposed mining projects in northern Minnesota and how the local economic climate is affected by the global financial crisis.
- Bob Tammen (Citizen and Former Miner)
- Frank Ongaro (Polymet)
- Julie O’Leary (MEP)
Parking at the Sheraton Ramp is only $3 all day! Carpooling encouraged.
We're on Facebook: Free Democracy Summit 6
Email us at: mpirg@d.umn.edu
Visit us at: www.mpirg.org |
|
