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Sarah Hamang on Philanthropy By Africans, For Africans |

The topics of philanthropy and civil society in Africa may not be discussed much in the news most of us read, but they are very important to the economic and social development of that continent. SPEA Scholar Sarah Hamang examines two Indianapolis based initiatives whose primary purposes are schoolhouses and HIV/AIDS … but whose effects have been developing African philanthropy.

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Joseph Habig on three efforts to combat global hunger |

Greenfield based Elanco — the division of Eli Lilly that produces hormones, antibiotics and other chemicals for animals — recently announced a commitment to fight global hunger with a partnership with Heifer International. SPEA Scholar Joseph Habig places Elanco’s initiative in the context of two other organizations partnering with Elanco.

Jessica Roberts on “Global Poverty: A Little Closer Than You Would Think” |

SPEA Scholar Jessica Roberts takes on poverty from two directions. She summarizes a few current strands of social science thinking about the relation between globalization, poverty and crime; and she uses this global analysis to …

Derek Weaver on “Voices from Burma” |

On April 18th a group of SPEA Scholars organized a major community conversation called “Voices from Burma” that was intended to allow newcomers to Central Indiana to tell their stories. Several young members of the …

Deborah Lafata on International Adoptions in Indiana |

For many years, international adoptions have been one of the most important linkages between Indiana and the world. It’s a complicated business, as SPEA Scholar Deb Lafata tells from personal experience.

Derek Weaver previews New Evangelical Social Engagement |

People whose image of Evangelicals comes mainly from listening to leaders arguing on political TV ought to attend an upcoming conference at IUPUI. SPEA Scholar Derek Weaver provides a preview.

Derek Weaver previews NUSA conference |

Indianapolis continues to buzz about hosting the Super Bowl in early 2012. With the Neighborhoods USA conference in May, the city gets to host the community-building equivalent of the Super Bowl. SPEA Scholar Derek Weaver …

Ali Curtis reviews Stephen Hough’s “Missa Mirabilis” |

Stephen Hough is more than just one of his generation’s leading classical pianists. He is a formidable intellectual with a deep sense of faith. He brought all of his resources and gifts to the composition …

Ali Curtis reviews A Night of Vonnegut |

SPEA Scholar Ali Curtis had the good luck to attend “A Night of Vonnegut,” the fundraising gala put on by the Kurt Vonnegut Jr Memorial Library. She shares a report, as does local Vonnegut fan  Cindy …

Talkback after June 2 performance of “San Merci” |

Join the cast and crew of Sans Merci, PFLAG, provocate.org, IYG, and Amnesty International while they engage in a community conversation about the gay rights, activism, and international affairs on June 2nd immediately following the show.

Jake Jaworski previews a May 9 Hangzhou Sister City Celebration |

SPEA Scholar Jake Jaworski previews a May 9th: Hangzhou Sister City Celebration of Shared Literature, Cultures and People. 

Jake Jaworski previews transnational violinist Soyoung Yoon |

Few industries are as thoroughly globalized as classical music. You can see this with Soyoung Yoon, a silver medal winner in 2010′s International Violin Competition of Indianapolis. She’s coming back to Indy May 12th to …

Jake Jaworski reviews a discussion of the political rise of Evangelicals in the 20th century |

SPEA Scholar Jake Jaworski was part of a discussion of the emergence of the modern Evangelical political movement from the sunny climate of California.

Joseph Habig reflects on Sen. Richard Lugar |

SPEA Scholar Joseph Habig reflects on a gentleman who has been Senator from Indiana for longer than Joseph Habig has been a resident on the planet Earth.

Joseph Habig “remembers” 1987 |

SPEA Scholar Joseph Habig may not remember much about 1987, but he is correct that it is an important year for Indianapolis.

Courtney Kincaid: Carbon Nation Viewing — Local Group Trying to Impact Global Warming through Documentary |

A local church, Epworth United Methodist Church, is one of several trying to carve out a niche of making Green part of its ministry. It’s Green Team and the Sierra Club puts on a series of films intended to provoke discussion. SPEA Scholar Courtney Kincaid reviews their screening of “Carbon Nation.”

Courtney Kincaid on Knowledge Management Focus Group: An Opportunity to Discuss Knowledge with Two Blokes from Scotland |

Globalization means that good ideas can be drawn from all over the world and put into practice (successfully or not) in particular local contexts. SPEA Scholar Courtney Kincaid experiences the possibilities as her association asks how we can manage what we know.

Joseph Habig reviews IndyCAN and Immigrant discussion with Public Safety Director Frank Straub |

SPEA Scholar catches a talk by Indy’s Public Safety Director Frank Straub to a group of local immigrants … just days before he became ex-Public Safety Director Frank Straub.

Derek Weaver reports on “Planning and Sustaining Urban Neighborhoods” (+ more) |

What’s Next for Neighborhoods is a series bringing together thought leaders from a number of public- and private-sector organizations to discuss issues affecting Indianapolis neighborhoods. April 30′s topic on “Planning and Sustaining Urban Neighborhoods” drew …

Derek Weaver on Making Agent Orange History |

Wars don’t end even when the last soldier comes home. That’s the lesson of the Vietnam War, both for the US and for the Vietnamese. Not much illustrates this better than the problems lingering behind …

First Friday — Four great global/local art shows May 4 |

Expect to be on the move for May’s First Friday, because there great shows are opening all over Indy. For just this one night you should forget your carbon footprint, carpool with friends and see four pieces of the world here in Indianapolis.

Ted Feeney analyzes “Promised tariff cuts could spur Indiana exports to China” |

Says SPEA Scholar Ted Feeney, for several years a reader of IBJ (and all other business magazines and newspapers) has had to take in negative headlines about recession and the cautious headlines about recovery. Ted …

Indy Convergence … the second best Haiti First Friday event in May |

A close second for best Haiti First Friday event is the celebration of their Haiti project by Indy Convergence.

Derek Weaver on social media and revolution in Egypt |

On January 25, 2011 thousands of people in Egypt took to the streets to protest poverty, unemployment and government corruption. SPEA Scholar Derek Weaver reports on a first-hand account.

Met High School’s HOPE in Haiti |

Bill Farrar of Fountains of Hope International will lead eight students and four faculty members from Metropolitan High School on a life-changing mission trip to Chambrun, Haiti. For one student, this will be a return home.

Cora Griffin reviews a Past IUPUI Professor and Current Chinese Finance Official Receiving an IU Honorary Degree |

Yi Gang is Director of the State Administration of Foreign Exchange and Deputy Governor of the People’s Bank of China, and thus one of the most influential economic figures in the world. SPEA Scholar Cora Griffin reports on Yi returning home to Indiana.

Ideas from “Promoting Progress: Revolutions via Rapid Case Study” |

On Wednesday, April 25, 2012 from 6:30-8pm, IUPUI Masters Students in the SPEA Leading in a Global Society Class hosted “Promoting Progress: Revolutions via Rapid Case Study.” The event brought together 40 students and community …

Cora Griffin reviews “Dollars to Deeds: The Life Cycle of Social Enterprise” |

Nonprofit groups go through many changes over the course of their lifespans. SPEA Scholar CoraGriffin reviews a discussion of what this can look like. 

Deb Lafata takes a trip to the Eiteljorg |

One of Indy’s great global institutions is also one of its most local: The Eiteljorg Museum of the American West. SPEA Scholar Deb Lafata reports on her first visit to the Eiteljorg. 

Cora Griffin asks: “If Philanthropy is all about relationships, why do metrics only measure money?” |

James Hodge thinks: A focus on the impact and difference philanthropy can have on lives, communities, and indeed the planet must be the raison d’etre of the nonprofit sector. This requires an entirely new qualitative …

Cora Griffin assesses “Nonprofit Accountability: A Global View” |

On March 22 the China Philanthropy Leadership Initiative hosted a lecture on “Nonprofit Accountability: A Global View.” The lecture consisted of the perspectives of four people in very different positions and institutions. SPEA Scholar Cora Griffin reports.

Jake Jaworski and Cora Griffin review Jim Lemons’s “Last Lecture” |

IUPUI’s Last Lecture Series offers the university community the opportunity to hear reflections on life’s lessons and meaning from a current or retired IUPUI colleague of exceptional merit. Each speaker will share the wisdom gained, and distill a life of inquiry, reflection and service into important guidance for successive generations. Jim Lemons has more wisdom than most anyone else.

Derek Weaver, Deb Lafata, Joseph Habig & Brent Willoughby review “Kinyarwanda” |

As prelude to the Indiana Genocide Prevention Summit on March 31, the award-winning film Kinyarwanda was screened in Earth House. Present were the film’s director Alrick Brown, and the former Mufti of Rwanda, Sheikh Saleh Hamibana. SPEA Scholar Deb Lafata reports on the power and hopefulness of the film and discussion.

Preview of Indy Star article about Haiti events in Indy |

It may be edited, it may be bumped … many things can take place in the newspaper world. But there’s a good chance a version of this article about important Haiti happenings in Indy will be in the Local Living section of the Star on Thursday May 3

Indy Star on “Jan nou Wè l” |

It’s official, the Indy Star says Provocate—Haiti’s upcoming art show at the Athenaeum is one of the top 5 events of May. 

Deb Lafata previews Madeleine Albright’s new book |

SPEA Scholar Deborah Lafata has come across one of the very good books of the year, former Secretary of State Madeleine Albright’s Prague Winter: A Personal Story of Remembrance and War, 1937-1948. Deb shares what Madeline Albright has mean to her. Expect to read Scholar Lafata’s review of the book soon.

Patricia Jordan experiences a legendary gathering at the Etheridge Knight Festival |

Sometimes events can be magic, displaying an ability to transform eferyday life. SPEA Scholar Patricia Jordan experienced one of those nights at the Etheridge Knight Festival.

Patricia Jordan asks: Who is this cultural cyber genius, John Gosney? |

John Gosney is coming to Butler to talk about the intersection of technology and storytelling. SPEA Scholar Patricia Jordan explains why this is cool.

Sara Chonaiew previews Earth Day Indiana |

Earth Day in Indiana is too important to be celebrated in just one day. SPEA Scholar Sara Chonaiew previews what you can expect at the White River Park.

Jessica Roberts reports on the 2012 Campecine Film Festival |

One of the most creative global+local groups in the city is the Latino Youth Collective. SPEA Scholar Jessica Roberts attended their Campecine Film Festival and writes this report.

Jessica Roberts reports on the 2012 IUPUI Nonprofit Expo |

Looking for an access point to the world of local nonprofits? SPEA Scholar Jessica Roberts reports on an important one.