Pioneer-ICIU International Dialogue Series
Pioneer Hi-Bred and the Iowa Council for International Understanding (ICIU) have teamed together to present the 2009 Pioneer-ICIU International Dialogue Series, which seeks to engage Des Moines’ public and business professionals in dialogue on global issues and Iowa’s personal and organizational connections abroad. The series includes monthly presentations from 12:00-1:00 p.m. at the Greater Des Moines Partnership Arthur Davis Conference Room (700 Locust St., #100, Des Moines, IA 50309).
Dialogue #1: In the first event of this international dialogue series, Mr. Charles Montgomery presented on the theme "One Iowan's Unique Trip to Baghdad," followed by discussion, on Tuesday, May 5. Mr. Montgomery, Senior Managing Attorney for Mid-American Energy and Treasurer of the U.S. Center for Citizen Diplomacy, spoke on his experiences in Baghdad, where he met with the Iraqi President, Deputy Prime Minister, U.S. Major General and the U.S. Ambassador to Iraq. To view materials from Mr. Montgomery's presentation, click the following link: Multi-National Force-Iraq Update.
Dialogue #2: The second installment of the series took place on Tuesday, June 2.
Yogesh Shah, M.D., Associate Dean of the Department of Global Health at Des Moines University, addressed the question “Why Global Health?” and investigated the many challenges of global health, how Iowans are reaching out to make connections across the world and what Des Moines University is doing to train future health care providers.
Continue to check back to the homepage for upcoming dates and topics for future dialogues in the series, as well as other forums.
"Exploring the Arab-Israeli Conflict: Obama, Israel, and the Palestinian Question"
March 12, 2009
Des Moines Public Library
ICIU hosted an afternoon presentation and discussion table on March 12, 2009 beginning at noon. The presentation, entitled “Exploring the Arab-Israeli Conflict: Obama, Israel, and the Palestinian Question,” was given by American lawyer, political scientist, and specialist in conflict resolution Robert Malley, who currently serves as Program Director for Middle East and North Africa at the International Crisis Group in Washington D.C. and previously served as a Special Assistant to President Clinton and his administration. The forum, which started with a twenty minute presentation by Malley, followed by a forthright discussion and conversation, was a success with more than 80 people in attendance. Malley, an adamant proponent of offering both the Israeli and Palestinian viewpoint when discussing the dispute, addressed major concerns surrounding the long-feuded issues between the countries and the idea of a two-nation state. The discussion fostered abundant conversation and addressed the audiences primary concerns, including the role of American politics in the conflict, how the extended Arab world viewed and/or participated in resolving the ongoing issue, and much more.The Iowa Council for International Understanding was privileged to present this forum, appreciated the open dialogue, and looks forward to participating in other forums in the future. For more information, please contact us at 515-282-8269.
"Rising Powers: The Changing Global Reality"
November 21, 2008
Des Moines Public Libary
On November 21, ICIU hosted a forum on “Rising Powers: The Changing Global Reality,” in partnership with The Stanley Foundation and the Des Moines Public Library. The forum was held in conjunction with the ICIU Fellows Program and provided analysis of the dynamics of changing global power and policy options for the United States can continue to play a global leadership role in an age of multiple rising powers. For more information, please contact us at 515-282-8269.
Global Migration Forum and Symposium
November 5-6, 2008
Parents Hall, Drake University Campus & Pioneer-Hy-Bred Carver Center
About 185 guests attended the Global Migration Forum at Drake University’s Parents Hall on Thursday November 5th. Presentations at the forum were given by Richard Scott from the International Organization for Migration (IOM), Lou de Baca, Counsel for the House Committee on Judiary; and Lloyd Le Page of Pioneer Hi-Bred. The presenters helped shed light on the nature of global human migration, how it has impacted the United States and how it has and continues to shape Iowa. The speakers provided an important range of perspectives which helped to illustrate the broad scope of global migration.
The forum was taken a step further at a symposium held the following day at the Pioneer Hi-Bred Carver Center. The symposium was attended by about 40 leading business people and other interested individuals. The participants engaged in an enlightening discussion about how Iowa businesses have adjusted to changing demographics and the benefits of global migration to Iowa businesses. By the end of the symposium, participants came away with new ideas, interests and a better understanding of the practical implications of global migration. Participants agreed that the symposium was a highly informative experience that could have certainly continued beyond the one day event. For more information, please contact us at 515-282-8269.
"Shaky Past, Uncertain Future: A Discussion on U.S.-Iran Relations"
October 8, 2008
Des Moines Public Library
On October 8, 2008, ICIU co-sponsored a forum on Iran-U.S. relations with the Center for Arms Control and Non-Proliferation and Physicians for Social Responsibility. The forum took place at the Des Moines Public Library and featured Ret. Colonel Richard Klass, Ret. Colonel William Hauser, and Dr. David Drake.
In the context of rising tensions in the international arena between these two nations and in the midst of a heated presidential election, these experts in U.S.- Middle East defense and secuity policy- as well as humanitarian issues- discussed how best to approach the threat from Iran through strategic foreign policy maneuvers. The panelist exmphasized the importance of diplomatic relation, highlighting the overtaxed military and the impracticality of a military solution given the country's long-termed strategic interests.The subject of this forum and its speakers also recieved notewrothy media attention, including interviews with two of the panelists with Preston Daniels on KFMG and the Jan Mickelson Show on WHO radio, and a meeting with the editorial board of the Des Moines Register. The panelists were also featured in a forum the following day in Iowa City on the same theme. For more information, please contact us at 515-282-8269.
"The Future of Pakistan" with Khalid Hasan"
June 10, 2008
State Historical Building
ICIU presented "The Future of Pakistan", a free and open to the public forum on June 10. The forum featured Mr. Khalid Hasan, Former Press Secretary for President Zulfikar Ali Bhutto and currently a senior journalist for a Lahore based newspaper, The Daily Times. Mr. Hasan discussed the present state of affairs in Pakistan and what the future holds for Pakistan, especially as it relates to the US foreign policy. The forum was made possible by the generous support from Townsend Vision, Inc. For more information, please contact us at 515-282-8269.
“No Exit: A Summit on Human Trafficking”
October 9, 2007
Hoyt Sherman Place
The first ever "Summit on Human Trafficking" in Iowa took place on October 9 at the Hoyt Sherman Place. Sponsored by the Iowa Council for International Understanding in conjunction with the Iowa Coalition Against Domestic Violence and the Network Against Human Trafficking, the forum, attended by over 400 community members addressed the issue of human trafficking, commonly understood has bringing people to the US against their will to provide forced labor or other work-often in sex trade. The speakers also addressed the steps global, federal, and state communities are taking to address the issue of this so called “modern-day slavery”. Speakers included Amy O’Neill Richard, a Senior Advisor to the Director in the State Department’s Office to Monitor and Combat Trafficking in Person; T. March Bell , Senior Special Counsel for Trafficking Issues with the Civil Rights Division at the US Attorney General’s Office at the Department of Justice; Mari Jose Fletcher, the Supervising Attorney of the Florida Immigration Advocacy Center and Maggie Tinsman, former Iowa state senator who talked about the specific steps Iowa has taken to address the issue of human trafficking. A former victim of human trafficking, Delemani Coulibaly also shared her experience of how she was wrongfully brought to the US under false pretense for domestic labor. Columnist Rekha Basu of the Des Moines Register moderated the forum. The forum, free and open to the public was endorsed by over 40 organizations representing government, law enforcement agencies, and service providers. Bonnie Campbell served as the Honorary Chair of the No Exit: A Summit on Human Trafficking.
This summit was part of the series of International Issues Forums ICIU does to raise awareness on critical global issues. For more information, please contact us at 515-282-8269.
