Welcome to the October 2008 issue of the Global Washington newsletter. This issue is devoted to environmental efforts connected to the state of Washington. If you would like to contact us directly, please send us email at info@globalwa.org.

IN THIS ISSUE

• JOIN US - December 3, 2008
  

• FEATURED ORGANIZATION: University of Washington Program on the Environment

• CHANGEMAKERS: China Earthquake Aid
• GLOBAL ENTERTAINMENT: Readings and Reels
• ANNOUNCEMENTS AND EVENTS
  

JOIN US - December 3, 2008

Join Global Washington and the Movement to Strengthen the Global Development Industry in Washington State.

• CELEBRATE the state of Washington's achievements in global citizenship and global learning

• FIND OUT more about how Global Washington can contribute to your success

• MEET individuals and organizations making a big difference in our world

Join us at this event to connect with others who care about global development, and be a part of the dialogue about the importance of global citizenship in building a movement for social change.

WHEN: Wednesday, December 3, 2008 from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m.

Program from 4:30 to 5:30 p.m.

Reception from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m.

WHERE: Seattle Marriott Waterfront

2100 Alaskan Way • Seattle, WA 98121

TO REGISTER: email events@globalwa.org

MORE INFORMATION: Contact Global Washington via email at events@globalwa.org or via phone at 206.652.8725

Stay tuned for more details on the event program and speakers. We hope to see you at the event.

FEATURED ORGANIZATION: University of Washington Program on the Environment

Environmental issues are rapidly becoming foci of international efforts; they cannot be addressed in isolation by individual nations.   The Program on the Environment at the University of Washington (PoE) provides the framework for advancements on a broad scale to take place and develop.

PoE takes a multidisciplinary approach to environmental education: it spans many academic disciplines and connects the resources of all three UW campuses.The program was established in 1997, and by 2008 offered 202 majors, 55 minors and two certificates in Environmental Studies. The capstone project provides students the opportunity through internships, group projects, research projects, or study abroad programs to use their skills in real-world settings.

Maria Rodriguez, a graduate of the Environmental Department, used the skills gained through PoE to research small-scale organic farming in Sicily.  As Rodriguez presented at the Environmental Studies Capstone Conference this past spring, some Sicilians have returned to traditional farming methods in order to reduce strain on the environment.  As a result, chemical-based fertilizers and pesticides have been eliminated, and community ties and bonds have been strengthened through the reemergence of traditional open-air markets, selling locally and exchanging food.  Along with these successes came challenges, as many farmers face the pressures of competing with large-scale farms and the international export industry.

Ultimately, the objective of the PoE is to provide students with “high-quality, relevant, and rigorous” environmental education.  This means creating a networking system that connects faculty and students and allows for the exchange of ideas.  As you can see in the “Change Makers” article below, the importance and understanding of environmental issues is crucial to the future of our planet.  This is an issue that is not bound by borders or nations, but affects us all.  

CHANGEMAKERS: China Earthquake Aid

Three UW students’ study abroad program in China was suddenly interrupted when the Sichuan earthquake hit May 12, 2008.  While the option was open for them to leave, Geoffrey Morgan, David Johnsrud, and Steve Margitan all chose instead to stay and form China Earthquake Aid (CEA).  They not only addressed the physical concerns of housing by delivering tents to the area, an provided emotional aid by gathering over 5,000 letters of comfort for the children from across the United States, Germany, and France.  On November 8th, The Foundation for International Understanding Through Students (FIUTS), a non-profit organization founded on the UW campus, will award CEA for “promoting international understanding.” 

How were you able to start CEA?

SM: "Starting CEA would not have been possible without the strong support of the University of Washington community... I was amazed at the outpouring of support I received from everyone I wrote following the quake. Past professors and administrators all offered their help and ultimately Geoff and I had more help than we knew what to do with. It meant a lot to us to have that level of aid and support in such a strenuous time.”

How has the experience motivated your future plans?

SM: “I plan on reading for an MPhil in Development Studies at Oxford beginning this December. This two-year program will prepare me to work on project implementation and research for the World Bank or United Nations Social and Economic Development division... Experiencing the earthquake and the aftermath clarified my goals and most importantly taught me how to connect what is in my heart with what is in my mind.”

 DJ: “It has had a very large impact on my plans for the future. I'm now planning to get involved in development work... I certainly can't give all the credit for this change to my work with CEA. But to say that I wasn't influenced in a very large way would be absurd.”

Was there one particular experience that was the most rewarding?

SM: “There were many very rewarding memories I will take away from the experience. Receiving cards in the mail in response to CEA's card drive was exciting. It was fun to open up big boxes of cards and see letters written from students across the US for students in Sichuan with get well wishes. I will also remember the smiling students that surrounded us as we passed out the cards, candy and school supplies in Dujiangyan. Seeing the happiness that our presence brought was validated all the work.”

 DJ: “The entire experience was extremely rewarding. The entire time, I felt like I was doing something truly worthwhile… something that really could make a difference in people’s lives in a very vital way.”

GLOBAL ENTERTAINMENT: Readings and Reels

BOOK Michael Pollan: The Omnivore's Dilemma. From the website, "In this groundbreaking book, [Micheal Pollan] turns his own omnivorous mind to the seemingly straightforward question of what we should have for dinner. To find out, Pollan follows each of the food chains that sustain us—industrial food, organic or alternative food, and food we forage ourselves—from the source to a final meal, and in the process develops a definitive account of the American way of eating."

Read the New York Review of Books review here.

MOVIE The 11th Hour. From the website, "Narrated by Leonardo DiCaprio, this captivating documentary explores the perilous state of our planet, and the means by which we can change our course.  Contributing to this crucial film are noted politicians, scientists and other ambassadors for the importance of a universal ecological consciousness."

Read the New York Times review here.

ANNOUNCEMENTS AND EVENTS

Please visit the website of our sister organization, The Seattle International Foundation, to access a community listing of international events in Washington state. Stay tuned - Global Washington will be launching our own calendar soon! Please send any announcements to: info@globalwa.org.

• Global Visionaries announces its Adult Trip to Guatemala >>Learn More

• Puget Sound Millennium Goals Project announces a National High School Millennium Goals Essay Contest >>Learn More