Events

The heart of the Across Cultures program is allowing a space for individuals from different cultures and industries to share knowledge, develop business contacts, and most importantly, to bring the knowledge gained back into their local community. The program has been organized into four focal points: Human Rights, Access to Information, Economic Equity, and Cultural Experience.

To register for or receive more information regarding one or more events, please email us at info@acrosscultures.org

HUMAN RIGHTS

Seminar focusing on trafficking of women, HIV, and reproductive health.

Women’s Rights are Human Rights!  Educate…Reflect…Speak out…

The trafficking of women, HIV, and reproductive health affect the world.  An examination of the values and ethics that underlie the need for the awareness of Human Rights beyond borders. Whole…Free… and at Peace!

Seminar:  Join us at the University of Washington Law School, William H. Gates Hall, Room 138 from 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. a seminar focusing on issues that affect women globally.  This event is co-sponsored by University of Washington School of Law and the UW Center for Human Rights and Justice.

Suggested donation: $10 payable at the door. UW Entrance at 45th and 17 Ave - parking is on the right hand side. Refreshments provided. To register for this event, call (206)382-1234, option 3 or e-mail at info@acrosscultures.org.

The University of Washington is committed to providing access, equal opportunity and reasonable accommodation in its services, programs, activities, education and employment for individuals with disabilities. To request disability and accommodations contact the Disability Services Office at least ten (10) days in advance at (206) 543-6450 (voice mail), (206) 543-6452 (TTY), (206) 685-7264 (fax) or e-mail at dso@u.washington.edu.

Program highlights include the following speakers and events [click for printable version]:

Women Are Making a Difference

Mona Eltahawy, Managing editor of Arabic Women’s eNews
(www.womensenews.com/)
Ms. Eltahawy is managing editor of Arabic Women's eNews, the Arabic-language sister site. She was a correspondent for Reuters news agency for over five years, based in Cairo and Jerusalem. She has also reported for The Guardian newspaper and U.S. News & World Report from the Middle East. Her commentaries and Op-Eds have appeared in The Washington Post, The New York Times and International Herald Tribune.

Jensine Larsen, Founder and Executive Editor of World Pulse Magazine
Ms. Larsen was inspired to start a magazine covering “world issues from a woman’s angle” after many years working as a writer and freelance journalist spotlighting the stories of women leaders, indigenous communities in the Amazon, and refugees from Burma.

Reproductive Rights / Health / HIV

Roberta Riley, Planned Parenthood lead counsel
Planned Parenthood (www.ppww.org) of Western Washington is the largest reproductive health care provider in the Northwest.
Topic: The reproductive rights of women and the impact on society.

Dr. Helene Gayle, Director, HIV, TB and Reproductive Health
Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation (www.gatesfoundation.org)
The foundation's Global Health Program is focused on reducing global health inequities by accelerating the development, deployment and sustainability of health interventions that will save lives and dramatically reduce the disease burden in developing countries. Helene led the UW CWD South Africa Mission delegation in 2004.
Topic: HIV ­ A global look at today and the vision for tomorrow.

Monica da Silva, clinician from the University of Johannesburg, South Africa
Ms. da Silva formed a multi-disciplinary and international team of experts including, HIV-specialists, pediatricians and homeopaths to evaluate the effects of a natural therapy in treating undernourished children infected with HIV.

Trafficking of Women

The Day My God Died
Come view a showing of Andy Levine’s groundbreaking documentary and hear Andy talk about the experience of making the film. When Andy Levine decided to direct and produce a documentary (see review) on the trafficking of Nepali girls to Indian brothels, he knew he would have to somehow get inside one of these brothels to shoot footage. “As a filmmaker, it’s critical to paint that picture,” he says. “It doesn’t make sense to me to do a film on any issue without showing footage.” He teamed up with Witness, a program founded by Peter Gabriel, which puts cameras in the hands of activists to document human rights abuses around the world. They trained him to use a pinhole eyeglass spycamera, a piece of James Bond-like gear that set a tiny pinhole lens in a pair of eyeglasses. Wires from the eyeglasses went down a pair of crokeys and connected to a recording device strapped to his chest.
Topic: Trafficking a global issue.

Christopher Carey, J.D, Board Member and Executive Director of The Daywalka Foundation
(www.daywalka.org )
The Daywalka Foundation is a small, counter-trafficking, non-governmental organization based in the United States and operating in Nepal and India to abolish the illegal trade of persons, particularly women and young girls, who are bought and consequently sold into a life of sexual exploitation and slavery. The Daywalka Foundation, in collaboration with their partners, aims to diminish this security risk as well as weaken the criminal networks that are currently thriving on this immoral and illegal business by enhancing the RULE OF LAW in South Asia. To this effect, the Daywalka Foundation is currently supporting female prosecutors, supporting initiatives to strengthen law enforcement on the Nepal-India border, and establishing a Women's Security Resource Center and Law Library in Kathmandu, Nepal.

Ambassador John R. Miller, Director, Office to Monitor and Combat Trafficking in Persons and Senior Advisor to Secretary of State Colin Powell on human trafficking.
The Trafficking in Persons Office coordinates U.S. Government activities in the global fight against modern-day slavery, including forced labor and sexual exploitation, which impacts some 800,000 women, children, and men every year.

ACCESS TO INFORMATION

The importance of increasing access to media, communications, technology and the Internet.

As a follow up to the presentation of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation US Library Program in Estonia in September 2003 the delegation will tour a local public library to see how public access computing is provided. There may be the opportunity to learn more about Unlimited Potential a global Microsoft program focusing on improving lifelong learning for disadvantaged young people and adults by providing technology skills through community-based technology and learning centers. Learn more about Unlimited Potential. Participants will also learn how Estonia is “wired”—technological advances in the Baltic States.

ECONOMIC EQUITY

Leadership training, business mentoring, sharing knowledge in case study seminars, site visits to organizations with environmental and sustainable practices.

Leadership

Women’s Business Exchange (WBE www.wbex.org) and Women’s Network of Entrepreneurial Training (WNET) will host participation in community women’s programs for business leaders.

October 12th ­ WBE Leadership Development Workshop Series ­ Team Building with world famous Pike Place Fish Market
(www.pikeplacefish.com)
Participate among Seattle business leaders in workshop series designed to raise awareness of your leadership style to enhance your effectiveness as a leader and role model.

October 14th ­ WBE Breakfast Forum - Networking to enhance your career and business growth
"A networker is someone who asks, knows, and tells about what others need, want, and do." Langan-Bigelow. Network with heart to create powerful connections at a celebration of WBE members.

October 15th - Selling the Intangible - Marketing Your Service Business
(www.sba.gov)
Create a marketing personality for your business that stands out in a crowded field of competition. You’ll develop a compelling story to engage your prospects and get low-cost techniques that trigger buyers' emotions.

October 23rd - Make A Difference Day
(www.usaweekend.com)
A nationally sponsored event by USA Today and the Points of Light Foundation is a unique program that inspires and rewards volunteers. WBE will be hosting a Seattle program to empower lives across cultures ­ “The Integration of Cultures.”

Business Mentoring

Many successful corporations, including Microsoft, Boeing and Hewlett-Packard have realized great value in mentoring programs to meet such challenges as addressing diversity, preparing current and future leaders, retaining high performers, managing collective knowledge and reducing the cost of learning.

Delegates will be paired up with like businesses to observe trends, exchange ideas and share expertise. This is a hands-on opportunity to network with the partnership beginning prior to arrival in Seattle and continuing upon return. For example: Hunt Advertising Agency www.hunt.ee may be paired with The Garrigan Lyman Group www.glg.com a national creative services firm based in Seattle.

Case Studies ­ “Turning Point in Life and Career”

Case studies are a valuable way to share the experiences of others who have traveled the road before you. They are also useful for encouraging discussion about best practices and problem-solving strategies.

Select participants will share the story behind their business; the goals, approach, success, challenges, and the perseverance to be a successful leader.

Site Visits: Visiting Organizations with Sustainable Practices

Learn by observing! Visit companies in various industries to learn about trends and approaches with a focus on leadership development, change management, customer relationship management (CRM), environmental practices and social responsibility. Organizations may include:

Amgen (www.amgen.com)
The worlds largest independent biotechnology company delivering important, cost effective therapeutics based on cellular and molecular biology.

Boeing (www.boeing.com)
Airplane manufacturing company located in 26 states and two countries.

Costco (www.costco.com)
A world-wide membership warehouse club dedicated to to bringing members the best possible prices on quality brand-name merchandise.

Emerald Services, Inc. (www.cedar-grove.com)
Family-owned enterprise and largest single dedicated yard waste composting facility in the United States. The Pacific Northwest's leading organic recycling company transforming grass, leaves, yard trimmings, food waste and wood waste into the finest nutrient-rich compost.

Microsoft (www.microsoft.com)
International computer software solution provider.

Nordstrom (www.nordstrom.com)
One of the nations leading fashion retailers. Nordstrom built a thriving business on the principles of quality, value, selection and service.

Salmon Hatchery (www.issaquahfish.org)
To retain and improve the historic hatchery and promote watershed stewardship through education. For 60 years the Issaquah Salmon Hatchery has been instrumental in the lives of millions of salmon.

The Seattle Times (www.seattletimes.com)
Leading newspaper in Seattle. See a manufacturing facility in action.

Small Business Assoc. (www.sba.gov)
U.S. government program that maintains and strengthens the nation's economy by aiding, counseling, assisting and protecting the interests of small businesses and by helping families and businesses recover from national disasters.

Starbucks (www.starbucks.com)
International specialty coffee reseller. First location opened in 1971 in Seattle’s Pike Place market. Through the vision of Howard Shultz, Starbucks has grown to 7,569 locations worldwide.

CULTURAL EXPERIENCE

Through experiencing “each others world” the participants will establish ties with counterparts that increase mutual understanding and result in beneficial working relationships.

This may include:

• The University of Washington Baltic Studies Program will host an educational program. (www.depts.washington.edu)
• A reunion among the delegates of the 2003 UW Center for Women & Democracy will be hosted to foster established relationships.
• Tours of a local community
  (www.cityofseattle.net) (www.issaquah.org)
• An exploration of Seattle music history including (www.emplive.org); (www.seattlesymphony.org). Sharing the Baltic States culture through an evening of history, music, dance, and cuisine.