Noticias de la Semana
January 22th- January 29th, 2017

Compiled by the Latin American, Caribbean & Iberian Studies Program at UW-Madison



Dear LACIS students, colleagues and friends,

Welcome back! We hope you all had a wonderful holiday break! This year LACIS will continue to flourish thanks to you and the dedication of our incredible team: Alberto Vargas, Sarah Ripp, Darcy Little, Jesus Del Toro and Isabel Suarez.
 
As usual we will have vibrant activities during the year and we hope you will join us in fostering an intellectual community that cares about our region and the multiple challenges we face. We hope this spring you have a chance to attend one of our lunchtime lectures or check out the myriad activities LACIS sponsored or co-sponsored throughout the semester. We are very grateful for your support and always welcome suggestions, inquiries, etc.!

If you've ever wondered what our academic programs are like or what one could possibly do with a degree in LACIS, please take a moment to read one of our blog post: http://lacis.wisc.edu/blog/a-history-of-collaboration-latin-american-history-professor-steve-stern-to-retire-after-nearly-40-years-of-working-closely-with-colleagues-in-the-history-department/ . Steve Stern is a former LACIS professor who retired last semester. 

I look forward to working with you this year and helping you achieve your goals!
 
Hernando Rojas
LACIS Director

Cheers!

The LACIS Staff: Hernando, Alberto, Darcy, Sarah, Isabel, and Jesus 
 
P.S. If you wish to submit an event or announcement for inclusion in the "Noticias de la Semana," please click HERE and complete our online submission form. Thank you!
   
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TABLE OF CONTENTS:
This Week
LACIS NEWS
Education, Volunteer & Job Opportunities
Upcoming lectures

NOTE:
Upcoming lectures:

 
NO LECTURE THIS WEEK!

Tinker-Nave Summer Field Research Grant Information Session 
Presented by Alberto Vargas, LACIS' Associate Director

Tuesday January 24, 12:00 pm, 206 Ingraham Hall


This Week...  

Sunday, January 22th
Crossing Mountains and Other Adventures: Story Quilts by Rumi O'Brien

Exhibition runs Sunday, January 22 - Sunday, March 5, 2017 At the Ruth Davis Design Gallery, Nancy Nicholas Hall
Reception: Sunday, January 29, 2017, 1 pm - 3 pm

Rumi O'Brien is that rare storyteller who can transport you to another time and place, introduce you to a colorful cast of characters, and spin an epic tale without ever saying a word. Her stories are told with fabric, needle, thread, and thimble - tools and materials that work together to create the whimsical quilts that are her signature. 
Monday, January 23rd

Dynamic Control of a Single Server
System When Jobs Change Status

 
Presented by Dr. Gabriel Zayas-Cabán
Postdoctoral Fellow/Assistant Professor at the Center for Healthcare
Engineering and Patient Safety, Department of Industrial and Operations Engineering
University of Michigan
 noon- 1pm @ 1163 Mechanical Enginer
From health care to maintenance shops, many systems must contend with allocating resources to customers or jobs whose initial service requirements or costs change when they wait too long. We present a new queueing model for this scenario and use a Markov decision process formulation to analyze assignment policies that minimize holding costs. We show that the classic cμ rule is generally not optimal when service or costs requirements can change. Even for a two-class customer model where a class 1 task becomes a class 2 task upon waiting, we show that additional orderings of the service rates is needed to ensure the optimality of simple priority rules. We then show that seemingly-intuitive switching curve structures are also not optimal in general. We study these scenarios and provide conditions under which they do hold. Lastly, we show that results from the two-class model do not extend to when there are n ≥ 3 customer classes. More broadly, we find that simple priority rules are not optimal. We provide sufficient conditions under which a simple priority rule holds. In short, allowing service and/or cost requirements to change fundamentally changes the structure of the optimal policy for resource allocation in queuing systems.

 
Tuesday, January 24th
Tinker-Nave Summer Field Research Grant Information Session 
Presented by Alberto Vargas, LACIS' Associate Director
 12:00-1:00pm
206 Ingraham Hall
 
Nave Field Research Grants support graduate students who wish to pursue short-term research in Latin America, the Caribbean, and the Iberian Peninsula. All graduate students in all departments at the University of Wisconsin-Madison are eligible. There are no citizenship restrictions. Students must be continuing in a degree program at UW-Madison upon return from their field research. Applicants undertaking their first field research will be given preference; interdisciplinary and/or collaborative projects are welcome.
 
FREE & Open to the public! 
LACIS is pleased to provide free fair trade coffee, tea and snacks.  

 

Tuesday, January 24th

 
AASU is collaborating with the International Student Service (ISS) at UW-Madison to host our first educational workshop of 2017! Come discuss the natural segregation or integration of domestic and international students on campus! Your point of view and stories are very important and needed to create a more inclusive campus climate for all students here at UW-Madison.

Tuesday, January 24th


Join us on Tuesday, January 24th for A Place at the Table! 

All are welcome to attend this free community meal in the MSC Lounge (2nd floor Red Gym). Come build community and get to know one another!

While we try and feed everyone we can, food does run out so please come early and ready to eat!

For questions or accommodations, contact Tito Diaz at arturo.diaz@wisc.edu.

Wednesday, January 25th


Tu Voz is a Latinx/Chicanx support and discussion group for UW-Madison students. All Latinx students are welcome to participate, listen, relax, and build community in a safe space.

Topics change each group so come whenever you can!

Free dinner provided!

For questions or accommodations, contact arturo.diaz@wisc.edu


Sunday, January 29th

  
January 29th at 5PM-7:30PM 
Wisconsin Union South

Join Intellectual Ratchet, the Wisconsin Union, & the Black History Month Planning Committee for a Lecture & Interactive Workshop with the "Insecure" "Awkward Black Girl" herself, Issa Rae.

TBD Lecture

SPECIAL RECOGNITION TO OUR PARTNERS: 
Intellectual Ratchet 
The Wisconsin Union 
Pathways to Educational Achievement & 
The Black History Month Planning Committee 
UW-Madison Multicultural Student Center 
CUNA Mutual Group
Upcoming Events...
Friday, February 10th - Sunday, February 12th

Join the MSC and University housing for 3 days and two nights of learning about social justice, developing your leadership skills, and building community.

The Social Justice Leadership Retreat (SJLR) helps educated students about the concepts of social justice and racial justice by exploring their own stories and the stories of others, and how these intersect with issues of oppression and privilege. Students will establish contacts and support networks across campus, and develop skills to be effective allies and change agents.

To apply, visit www.msc.wisc.edu/sjlr

Lodging, transportation, and meals provided.
Materials Cost: $20 (financial support available)
Preference to first and second year students. All students are welcome to attend.
For questions, please contact Khaled.Ismail@wisc.edu

Wednesday, February 15th



Join us for... An Evening with Nikki Giovanni  
Wednesday, February 15 @ 7pm  
Symphony Room, Gordon Commons
 
Nikki Giovanni, world-renowned poet, writer, commentator, activist, and educator whose work emerged during the 1960's Civil Rights Movement, is a WUD Distinguished Lecturer and the 2017 Black History Month Keynote. In light of this month's theme, Black Joy, she will be lecturing on the topic of how "Black love is still Black wealth".

This event is FREE and Open to the Public

Wednesday, February 22th



After its sold out and critically-acclaimed debut in 2015, "Son Y Tacón" returns to The Brink Lounge for an evening of authentic Flamenco music and dance performed by award winning talent: El Niño Manuel (guitar), Jesús Castilla (voice), Emilio Ochando (dancer), Danica Sena (dancer).
Advance tickets: $30 ($25.00 Student/Senior)
At the door: $35 ($30.00 Student/Senior)
Call (608) 250-0369 or email tandias@usa.net to reserve tickets
 

Friday, February 24th



AQUARIUS
Brazil, France | 2016 | DCP | 142 min. | Portuguese with English subtitles

Director:  Kleber Mendonça Filho
Cast:  Sonia Braga, Maeve Jinkings, Irandhir Santos

The great Braga stars as Clara, a retired music critic who is the last tenant remaining in her Recife apartment complex.  Her refusal to accept a buyout from condo developers results in a standoff that exposes Brazil's endemic corporate corruption, while reveling in its cultural artifacts. Mendonça Filho's moving critique of contemporary Brazilian life has sparked numerous controversies at home, and was named one of the top ten films of 2016 by The New York Times and Cahiers du Cinema.  "A sensuous memory piece about the meanings we invest in places, objects, and music; and a lovingly tailored vehicle for the ever luminous Braga" (Dennis Lim, 


LACIS News...
Latest LACIS Blog Entries:
Lunchtime Lecture Videos:
Couldn't make it to a Lunchtime Lecture? Check out our YouTube channel for videos of all the lectures and more!
Education, Volunt eer and Job Opportunities...
Agronomy 377


Spring 2017 - Tuesdays and Thursdays, 9:30-10:45 am

Where do your coffee and bananas come from?
How rice, wheat, and quinoa are grown?
Where are Nairobi, Tegucigalpa, or Kathmandu?
What impacts cropping systems have on biodiversity?
What can agroecology contribute to sustainability of farming?
Where do climate change, hunger, and grazing meet?

3 cr (B-I). Crops, food, and cropping systems from different parts of the world. Botany, environmental requirements, and agronomic production practices of major food crops. Environmental and socioeconomic impacts of farming systems will be discussed and how to assess their sustainability will be emphasized. For students with broad interests in global issues, agroecology, food, environment, and agriculture. No prerequisites.

For questions contact: Valentin Picasso (Agronomy Dept.), picassorisso@wisc.edu

Badger Quest



Scholarships @ UW-Madison


 
2017 Liberal Arts Essay Competition (any school or college)
This annual  competition requires submission of an essay through Scholarships@UWMadison on a different topic each year related to the liberal arts.  There is a $1,000 prize to the winning entry and $500 prize to a runner-up. Eligible applicants must be enrolled undergraduates from any school or college who have a minimum cumulative 3.0 grade point average. The prize is paid out in
 
Apply by February 10, 2017.
 
2017 Richard Ralph Winter Phoenix Rising Humanitarian Scholarship (L&S only)
This scholarship rewards humanitarian achievement and service, encourages excellence and commitment in the application of humanitarian ideals, and affirms the moral obligation to provide for human welfare. The selected student would receive an award of $2,500 paid out in the Fall 2017 term.
 
Eligible students must be second or third year students and have a strong record of community/humanitarian service.The ideal scholarship candidate should exhibit a natural desire to provide for human welfare and a rational compassion for others. Further consideration will be given if the candidate has overcome life or academic challenges and/or has financial need. Finally, the recipient should possess the innate qualities of dignity, courage and discipline.
 
This scholarship is made available by the generosity of Charles Manthey Winter and the Richard Ralph Winter Rising Phoenix Humanitarian Scholarship.
 
Apply by March 1, 2017.
 
Latino Academy of Workforce
 Spring 2017 Internship at the Latino Academy of Workforce Development
 
Engage in your local latino community and be part of Latino Academy ! (We are on a bus line!)

The Latino Academy of Workforce Development, has been empowering the Latino community in Dane County for 5 years. We train and educate students to successfully integrate into the economic and educational systems in Dane County. We are seeking interns for the spring semester who can help grow the Latino Academy and better serve our students. This is a great opportunity to practice Spanish and work directly with members of the community. If you are interested in learning more about what we do, please visit our facebook page or website at http://www.latinoacademywi.org/ .

The Latino Academy is seeking two interns to assist with daily operations and student long term employment success. Interns are asked to work at least 7-10 hours a week.
 
Family Court Clinic & CSN




Family Court Clinic Spanish Interpreter
Organization:   Family Court Clinic
Location:   Madison, WI (UW Law School or Dane County Courthouse)
Fields:   Interpreting, Translation
Primary Internship Duties:    Assisting Family Court with Spanish-English translations, interpretation for law students and phone calls to clients
Deadline:   02/19/2017 for 
Spring 2017 

 
Colombia Support Network
Organization:   Colombia Support Network (CSN)
Location:   Madison, WI (off the Square)
Fields:   Administrative/Support Services, Event Planning, Social Media/Web Communications, Translation, Writing/Editing
Primary Internship Duties:    Assisting CSN in the following areas: program management, translation coordination, CSN UW Chapter Organization, Archival Management
Deadline:   01/23/2017 for  Spring 2017
Futura Language Professionals 



Annual Undergraduate Interdisciplinary Conference on LACIS 

Annual Undergraduate Interdisciplinary Conference on Latin American and Iberian Studies 2017
CALL FOR PAPERS
Saturday, March 25, 2017

The Department of Language and Literature at Lee University cordially invites submissions for the Annual Undergraduate Interdisciplinary Conference on Latin American and Iberian Studies on March 25, 2017.  This conference will bring together undergraduate students and professors from a wide variety of disciplines.
 
The conference focuses primarily on the languages, literatures and cultures of Latin America and Spain, but interdisciplinary submissions will also be accepted from related areas including Service Learning, Cross-Cultural Experiences, foreign language methodology, and others.
 
This year, we are also inviting students from surrounding high schools to participate in the conference. These students are welcome to observe undergraduate presentations and show off their own research projects in the Upper School Language, Culture, and Literature Showcase. Please note that this showcase is a smaller, walk-through poster session that will take place during the undergraduate conference.
 
Please send a one-page abstract of approximately 250 words as an MS-Word document that clearly identifies the aim(s) of the paper, the rationale of the study, and finding (if applicable).  Since we recognize that not all papers will be completed by March, "works in progress" will be accepted. Send the proposal/abstract via email to  asteffanell@leeuniversity.edu  by February 28, 2017. Include your name, institutional affiliation, and email address as well as a brief biography and any kind of technology needed. All presentations will have a 10-12 minute limit. 
 
Abstracts and papers may be submitted in English, Portuguese, Spanish or French.  Since one of our goals is to bring undergraduate students and faculty together, papers co-authored by undergraduate students and faculty advisors will be considered. A $10 registration fee is required if you are presenting; this fee includes the cost of breakfast and lunch.


EVEN

 
  • 77 million Americans work for an hourly wage. Their median income is $34,142. They don't make a lot of money-and worse, their income and expenses are inconsistent. As a result, they frequently don't have enough income to cover expenses, so these Americans spend $100 billion every year just to make ends meet. They lose 10-30% of their income to things like payday loans, overdraft fees, and late bill fees. It is expensive to be poor.
  • Even is an Oakland-based financial technology startup with the mission of building a new type of bank: one purposefully designed to help people living with the realities of 21st century poverty. A bank that automatically manages its customers' finances. Pays their bills. Balances their budget. Saves and invests. And at the tip of the iceberg, gives each and every customer a weekly paycheck of purely disposable income.

We're looking for warm, thoughtful people to provide excellent, compassionate service to our Even members.
For many of our members, Even will be the first positive interaction they've ever had with a financial service. You will be responsible for making them feel welcome, and helping them feel comfortable with a new product that's unlike anything they've used before. You will play equal parts friend, therapist, and technical support. You'll serve people with respect and without judgment.

As an Even Advisor , you will:
  • Act as the first point of contact when our members have an issue or question related to Even
  • Act as a friendly and reassuring voice when our members struggle with a job loss or other life event
  • Help to scale our Advisory team: designing processes, interviewing prospective team members, and identifying and optimizing for the metrics that matter
  • Work closely with the engineering team to make sure you have the tools you need to make our member's lives better
To succeed, you'll need:
  • Excellent writing skills. You'll interact with our members via in-app chat.
  • Empathy. Our members are often struggling with real, existential crises, and you'll be the person they turn to for guidance.
  • Drive. You'll be working at a small, very fast-paced startup. Lots of people call their startups fast-paced. They are slow compared to how quickly we move. We don't mean to toot our own horn- we're just trying to be upfront about how you'll need to be emotionally ready for how quickly we will expect you to learn and grow. In return, you'll be given the opportunity to learn and do things outside your job description, and the support you'll need to succeed at them.
  • (optional) Experience communicating in Spanish. In an effort to best serve individuals who primarily speak Spanish, we would like to begin offering bilingual support to our members.  
To apply , please send an email to vincent@teameven.com , concisely and concretely describing why you think you're a great fit for the role. We'd rather learn about you in this context than read over your resume, so please don't include one.

You can also learn more about our hiring process and the values behind the Advisor role in this blog post written by Quinten, one of our cofounders:  

   
Teach in Spain

                    5 Reasons teaching in Spain gives you an edge over competition  

1. Adaptability-- This unique experience will immerse you in creative and unconventional English teaching, allowing you to become a more versatile thinker in different working conditions.
2. Cultural insightfulness
-- You will become more of a global citizen by overcoming language barriers and cultural differences.

3. A jumpstart to your career!-- There aren't many high-quality undergraduate experiences in the field, so having one like this under your belt will help you get ahead of the game.
4. Opens doors
-- Become more marketable to institutions at home AND abroad! You never know what opportunities may arise in the future for which you could be a perfect candidate for...

5. Personal growth
-- Stepping out of your comfort zone will only make you stronger and more confident in both your personal and professional lives. You'll only regret the things you DIDN'T do.

 

Augsburg CGEE 

  


Augsburg CGEE is hiring in both Central America and Southern Africa. Please consider sharing this email with anyone interested in working with us, particularly any recently graduated students (or graduating May 2017) that are interested in the field of international education, intercultural development, social justice, or simply want to live and work abroad:

We are hiring in two locations for our International Resident Assistant
(IRA) position, one for Central America, and one for Southern Africa. The IRA position promotes a healthy living/learning environment for semester students and participants in short-term educational seminars and assist in the operation of all educational programs.

Please see each posting for full details (note that there are two separate job postings and applications, please apply for the region in which you are most interested):

*Southern Africa* (http://bit.ly/2fJw36k). Primarily based in Windhoek, Namibia, with additional travel to various cities in Namibia and South Africa as part of position duties.

*Central America* (http://bit.ly/2gPwGNv). Significant travel as part of position duties, between Guatemala, Costa Rica, and Nicaragua. *Spanish/English bilingual skills are required.*

All are welcome to apply! Follow the direct links given above, or search keyword "International Resident" at Augsburg's Employment listings:
www.augsburg.edu/hr.


Intern in Europe
 
   

Teach for America
 
   


Teach for America deadline approaching
2017 will be here before we know it. Where will you be this time next year? By joining Teach For America, you will be part of a powerful network of 50,000 taking on the fight of our time. As a corps member, you'll be challenged to think creatively and lead boldly. You'll leverage your unique talents to dismantle inequities in the classroom. As an alum, you'll join a diverse community continuing to fight inequity from every sector.
 
Want a glimpse inside a TFA corps member's life? Check out "The Real Life of Teachers" web series to see how corps members Jenn, David, and Pocco are building a better future for the next generation.
 
What does 2017 hold for you? Apply to the Teach For America corps today.
 
NEXT Application Deadline: Friday, December 9, 2016
 
To learn more, visit www.teachforamerica.org or e-mail the UW-Madison Recruitment Manager at emily.browne@teachforamerica.org.
 
All majors accepted. Full salary and benefits. Federal student loans deferred. 50,000+ alumni network.
 

CARA Pro Bono Project
 
   
 
Now more than ever, it is important to fight for justice for Central American families seeking asylum in the United States. The  CARA Pro Bono Project, a legal services and organization in one of the United States' three family detention centers, is looking for passionate people to join their staff. You can read more about the South Texas Family "Residential" Center, where CARA works, here:  http://wapo.st/2brm6Yj. I'm writing to inform UW-Madison students of the opportunities available to them with the CARA Pro Bono Project. 

For current undergraduate students:
Week-long volunteer
Each week, a new team of lawyers, paralegals and activists from around the country comes to Dilley, Texas to devote their energy and efforts to getting Central American women and kids out from "babyjail" and a fair hearing in a US court to apply for asylum. Even as an undergraduate student, your Spanish skills would be a tremendous asset to the team, and this can make a meaningful alternative spring or winter break. Contact  Maggie Schumann, former undergraduate long-term volunteer, for ways of making it affordable. More details:  http://caraprobono.org/volunteer/

Summer legal assistant
A small number of individuals spend extended periods at the CARA Pro Bono Project as long-term volunteers. Because CARA runs primarily on weeklong volunteers, your longer-term presence means you'll become a valuable member of the team. If you're thinking of pursuing a career in law or social justice work, this is for you. Reach out to  Maggie Schumann, a former undergraduate long-term legal assistant, for more details on what the position entails and ways of making it affordable. 
For recent graduates:
Paralegal
This position is ideal for a recent graduate with strong Spanish skills and considering a career in law. This is not about copying; in such a small team you will do everything except represent clients in court. Although listed through CARA's partner organization, Texas Rio-grande Legal Aid (TRLA), the paralegal will work with CARA's team at the South Texas Residential Center. More details:  http://www.trla.org/jobs/paralegal-ii-dilley-texas

Advocacy Coordinator
This position heads up CARA's outreach efforts. It is most appropriate for someone with a few years of working experience. It is 3-month contract, starting as soon as possible, but if you are interested and unable to go immediately, send in an application to be alerted of future opportunities. More details:  https://www.americanimmigrationcouncil.org/jobs/advocacy-coordinator
For those with a graduate degree:
Staff Attorney
Also listed through TRLA, this position is appropriate for licensed law graduate. The staff attorney will work with the volunteers and other staffers while representing the Central American mothers in immigration court. For more details:  http://www.trla.org/jobs/staff-attorney-dilley-texas

Part-time Mental Health Evaluator
This position is appropriate for a professional counselor, social worker, psychologist or psychiatrist based in San Antonio or the Dilley area. The mental health evaluator will screen clients for trauma and draft mental health evaluations to present in court. More details:  https://www.americanimmigrationcouncil.org/jobs/part-time-mental-health-evaluator

The CARA Pro Bono Project looks forward to working with UW-Madison students and alumni in the future. Please feel free to share this email widely!


Consular Fellows
 

 
 
Now Accepting Applications
 
 
 
 
W e are currently accepting applications for Consular Fellows - Spanish positions. 

The Consular Fellows Program (CFP) is a unique national service opportunity with the Department of State to live and work overseas as part of an Embassy or Consulate community.

New hires will receive a competitive salary, paid housing while overseas and may be eligible for a recruitment bonus of up to 10% of their basic salary. This incentive would be paid in two installments: one upon completion of the first two-year assignment, and the second at the end of the second two-year assignment (48 months service). Consular Fellows may also be eligible to participate in the Department's Student Loan Repayment Program (SLRP) at any post in which they serve. For more information on the program, click  here

All potential applicants are strongly urged to  read the entire vacancy announcement to ensure that they meet all of the requirements for this position before applying. When you are ready to begin the online application process, visit the  Consular Fellows - Spanish vacancy on USAJOBS.

Applicants must be U.S. citizens, at least 20 years old to apply and at least 21 years of age to be appointed. Applicants must also be available for worldwide service, and be able to obtain all required security, medical and suitability clearances. 

If you have any questions or would like to search for topics of interest, please visit our  forums or  FAQs at  careers.state.gov.

We appreciate your interest in the U.S. Department of State

Volunteer at Centro Hispano
 
UW Sports in Dominican Republic
  

UW Sports in the Dominican Republic 
Summer 2017 Study Abro ad


Study abroad this summer with fellow Badgers, exploring the Dominican Republic's history through the lenses of sports and culture.

This three-week program is open to all UW-Madison students, but is specially designed to accommodate UW student athletes' summer training schedules. 


Learn more & apply > 


Sponsored by the Division of Intercollegiate Athletics and the Department of History, this program explores the history of the Dominican Republic from first contact with European powers, to the age of colonization, to the dictatorial regimes of the post-colonial period, to present-day relations with the US. Tying these themes together, you'll also examine the place of baseball within the history and culture of the Dominican Republic.

Led by UW-Madison History Professor Karl Shoemaker, you'll be treated to guest lectures from local experts and excursions to historical sites and attractions, including MLB Academy. 

You'll receive in-residence credit for History 225.
Scholarships available!

The deadline for applying to UW Sports in the Dominican Republic is February 24, 2017.  
For more info about this and other study abroad programs, visit studyabroad.wisc.edu, or stop by the Study Abroad Resource Center in 106 Red Gym, weekdays from 8:00 am - 4:30 pm.

Castro & Gutierrez Law Office



Two available positions at Castro & Gutierrez Law Office. We are looking for two legal assistants as soon as possible. They must be fluent/advanced in Spanish. We practice Immigration Law, primarily family benefits. 

Please see the attached PDF of the posting in the UW Job Center for more information. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact me ( asida@wisc.edu ) or Attorney Mary Castro ( mhcastro@aol.com ).

UW Job Center

Joaquim Nabuco Award 2017

 
Call for Submissions

The Brazil Initiative of the International Division in collaboration with the Latin American, Caribbean and Iberian Studies Program sponsors the Joaquim Nabuco Award, given annually to the two best essays on Brazil (any field) by a degree-seeking University of Wisconsin-Madison student. The essay may be written in English or Portuguese and should have at least 15 double-spaced pages. The competition is not open to previous Joaquim Nabuco Award winners. The prize, a lump-sum cash award of $2000, is given to one graduate and one undergraduate student each.  The winners are strongly encouraged to use the award for a research trip to Brazil. Applicants must agree to present their paper in person during the Fall semester following the receipt of the award and must make every effort to be introduced by their faculty/thesis advisor. 
Applications should include a cover letter stating the student was enrolled at UW-Madison during the academic year. Only electronic submissions are accepted. Deadline for submissions is May 12, 2017. Please direct questions and send electronic submissions to sjalbuqu@wisc.edu.

Guest Bloggers Sought for LACIS Blog!
Did you study abroad or intern in a LACIS country? Are you following a particular current event? Did you attend a LACIS event? We want to hear what you think! Write a brief post, include pictures or videos, and we will share it on the LACIS blog! (Please note that your blog posting may be edited down for size or content, if needed.)
 
Contact the LACIS social media intern, Jesus Del Toro (jdeltoro@wisc.edu), with any questions or with your finished product! 
Get Involved with Colombia Support Network! 
Want to get more involved with international advocacy on the UW-Madison campus?
 
Colombia Support Network-UW Badgers serves to bring awareness on the UW campus about the human rights atrocities occurring in Colombia, encouraging UW students to become educated and engaged in the CSN solidarity mission through volunteering, spreading our peaceful mission, and sending student delegations to peace communities in Colombia.
 
The Colombia Support Network was created in 1989 to provide support to Colombian communities and organizations in areas of conflict which seek to construct a just social and economic order using non-violence means. There are more than 6 million displaced persons in Colombia, and more than 31,000 persons have "disappeared" since 1990s. Peaceful civilians have faced attacks from rebel groups such as the FARC, as well as paramilitary forces which are indirectly - and sometimes directly - aided by a government which serves to protect solely the interests of the wealthy. This March, important peace talks between the Colombian government and FARC forces are likely to reach a deal, making the current issues in Colombia especially relevant.
 
Engagement with CSN-UW Badgers can be as simple as liking our Facebook page [Colombia Support Network-UW Badgers], and considering attending future CSN events, such as movie series or speakers!  We're also looking for new leaders who are passionate about human rights and might one day go on a delegation to Colombia with CSN.
 
  For more information on the Colombian peace process, you should find this website very helpful:  www.peaceinsider.com 
 
Questions? Please contact Samantha Strok @ sstrok@wisc.edu.
Apply for a grant! 
International Division, IRIS award seed grants for interdisciplinary research

Six interdisciplinary research projects that blend place-based scientific inquiry with international expertise have been awarded incubator grants by the International Division and the Institute for Regional and International Studies (IRIS) at the University of Wisconsin-Madison.
 
These projects focus on Africa, South Asia, Eurasia, and Latin America, in fields as diverse as public health, child development, civil engineering, climate science, archaeology, genetics, virology, and environmental studies.
 
Offered this year for the first time, the grants are aimed at bringing together faculty in STEM fields who are conducting place-based research abroad with experts from regional and area studies centers within IRIS.
 
Funding for these awards, of up to $50,000 each, comes from the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation and other International Division funds.



Spanish Conversation Table
La mesa de conversación

  
Time
5-7 p.m. (Every Tuesday)

Location
The Sett, 2nd floor, Union South

Description
All levels of Spanish speakers are welcome at this informal weekly conversation table, sponsored by the Department of Spanish and Portuguese. On Facebook: La mesa de conversación - UW Madison. On Twitter: @UWMesa.

Portuguese Conversation Table
Bate Papo (Portuguese)
Any question, please contact Ellen Sapega.

  
Time
Thursdays 4:30pm-6:30pm

Location
Kollege Klub

Description
All levels of Portugese speakers are welcome at this informal weekly conversation table, sponsored by the Department of Spanish and Portuguese.  

Any question, please contact Ellen Sapega at ewsapega@wisc.edu 
 
International Reach
I nternational Reach is a unique volunteer program that places international speakers in schools, campus venues and community organizations for short presentations. It provides interesting opportunities for individuals to share perspectives on their home countries with teachers, students and area residents for the purposes of furthering global education and intercultural dialogue. International Student Services (ISS) coordinates the International Reach Program.

BRIDGE International Friendship Program

 BRIDGE

BRIDGE (Building Relationships in Diverse Global Environments) pairs new international students with American students for a whole semester based on similar interests, personalities and needs. BRIDGE provides new international students with a friend, ally, resource person, and cultural navigator. The program offer numerous cross-cultural activities, learning experiences and fun. To learn more, visit www.iss.wisc.edu/bridge.

Millennium Development Goals Awareness Project

 MDGAP

MDGAP educates the campus about eight United Nations development goals on poverty, hunger, education, gender eqaulity, global health and the environment. The project also links students with hands-on , goal-related research, internships and volunteer opportunities in order to further job skills, foster global competency, and advance the goals. For details, visit www.iss.wisc.edu/mdgap.

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