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Democracy in Focus: A Season of Critical Conversations and Global Perspectives
Dear Members, Supporters, and Community Partners,
As we enter a new season of engaging discussions and insightful programming, we are thrilled to present a series of events exploring the intersections of democracy, media, and global culture. From thought-provoking film screenings to in-depth panel discussions, our upcoming programs are designed to bring the world to Iowa City and foster a deeper understanding of the challenges and opportunities facing democracies today.
We are also excited to welcome our Fall 2024 interns, Sofia Manzano and Khatri Pratibha, whose passion for cross-cultural understanding and community building will undoubtedly enrich our work and bring fresh perspectives. Be sure to say hello when you see them at our events!
None of this would be possible without the generous support of our community. We want to express our heartfelt gratitude to Woody and Ruby Watson for their continued commitment to the Iowa City Foreign Relations Council. It is through the dedication of individuals like them that we can continue to bring these vital programs to our community each season.
We look forward to seeing you at our upcoming events, whether you're joining us in person or online. Let's continue to explore the pressing issues of our time and deepen our understanding of the world around us.
Looking forward to seeing you there!
In partnership,
Peter Gerlach
Executive Director
Iowa City Foreign Relations Council
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UPCOMING EVENTS AT A GLANCE | |
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The Monk and the Gun Film Screening w/POPCORN
SUNDAY SEPTEMBER 15, 2024, 3:30 - 5:30PM
FilmScene at the Chauncey
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Writing, Democracy, and Global Threats to Both w/ LUNCH
WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 18, 2024, 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM
Iowa City Public Library
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South African Democracy: Lessons from 30 Years w/LUNCH
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 16, 2024, 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM
Iowa City Public Library
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WELCOME TO THE TEAM SOFIA AND KHATRI! | |
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Please join us in welcoming Sofia Manzano and Pratibha Khatri, our Fall 2024 interns, and be sure to say hello when you see them at our upcoming programs!
Sofia is a Senior at the University of Iowa pursuing Spanish and International Studies degrees. She is passionate about fostering cross-cultural understanding and global awareness about community building and creating an inclusive environment for everyone.
Khatri is a senior at the University of Iowa pursuing degrees in international relations and international studies, with a minor in political science and public policy and a human rights certificate. She has always had a passion for working with non-profits and being able to make an impact on the community.
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The Monk and the Gun Film Screening w/POPCORN
SUNDAY SEPTEMBER 15, 2024, 3:30 - 5:30PM
FilmScene at the Chauncey
Hosted by ICFRC Executive Director Peter Gerlach, PhD
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PRESENTED IN PARTNERSHIP WITH FILMSCENE
AND IOWA CITY WELCOMING WEEK
In the context of global democracy and the upcoming U.S. elections, The Monk and the Gun provides a nuanced reflection on the value of democratic participation and the influence of external cultural forces. It invites viewers to consider the complexities and consequences of political and cultural transitions, making it a relevant and engaging piece for discussions on the state of democracy worldwide and the factors that shape electoral processes and outcomes.
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Writing, Democracy, and Global Threats to Both w/LUNCH
WEDNESDAY SEPTEMBER 18, 2024, 12:00 - 1:00PM
Iowa City Public Library
Hosted by Thais Winkleblack, ICFRC Board Member
Also Streaming Online: https://lp.constantcontactpages.com/cu/LxO7kkV
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PRESENTED IN PARTNERSHIP WITH THE UI INTERNATIONAL WRITING PROGRAM AND IOWA CITY WELCOMING WEEK
Join International Writing Program (IWP) director Christopher Merrill and 2024 Fall Residents Lyuba Yakimchuk (Ukraine) and Tabish Khair (India/Denmark), three writers with unique voices and experiences, offering fresh insights into how democracy shapes and is shaped by culture, identity, and the written word. In this engaging conversation, the panel will discuss how poets, playwrights, screenwriters, performance artists, academics, and others view democracy, as well as how they persist during the most difficult of times. The trio will share why creative expression is vital for democracy in their home countries as well as the risks to artists’ lives and the societies in which they live when authoritarian leaders seek to limit democratic freedoms. Yakimchuk and Khair will read from their original work.
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Election Watch 2024: Journalistic Experience From the Global Stage w/LUNCH
MONDAY SEPTEMBER 23, 2024, 12:00 - 1:00PM
Iowa City Public Library
Hosted by Christine Shea, ICFRC Board Member
Also Streaming Online: https://lp.constantcontactpages.com/cu/PA4Wrv
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PRESENTED IN PARTNERSHIP WITH THE WORLD PRESS INSTITUTE
AND STANLEY CENTER FOR PEACE AND SECURITY
Join us for a compelling discussion featuring the 2024 WPI international journalists as they share their experiences covering elections in various political environments. The panel will explore the critical role of the media during tense electoral periods. The conversation will explore how they navigate political pressures and the ethical challenges they encounter while reporting on elections worldwide.
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THANK YOU WOODY AND RUBY! | |
This month, ICFRC extends a heartfelt thank you to Woody and Ruby Watson for their generous yearly support. As a community-supported organization, ICFRC brings valuable programs to the community each season solely because of the dedication and contributions of individuals like them. Your commitment plays a vital role in advancing ICFRC's mission, making it possible to foster global understanding and dialogue in our community. | | |
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10/9 - Manufacturing Consent: The Failure of EU Elections, Media, and the Public Sphere w/LUNCH
Europe still lacks a "European" public sphere and a media system that serves it. As was the case during the 2019 EU parliamentary election, the 2024 contest exhibited regional differences in the themes covered by national media and their emphasis on European-wide issues. Most voters' choices of representative MPEs reflected national politics and perceived interests, and relatedly, the ideological divides that positively or negatively assessed European-wide problems, e.g., climate change, ongoing wars, and EU expansion.
Also Streaming Online: https://lp.constantcontactpages.com/cu/Z4zJULC
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10/16 - South African Democracy: Lessons from 30 Years w/LUNCH
Expectations for democracy in South Africa have been shaped by a longer history of citizenship linked to white supremacy. Moreover, the concept of relational citizenship, a concept explored in this talk, is an important way of thinking about political belonging. The national context of South Africa, then, requires reflection on the different kind of political imagination people in places like South Africa have who have experienced sustained oppression and how we might learn from it in the US.
Also Streaming Online: https://lp.constantcontactpages.com/cu/NffxqJC
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FEATURED PROGRAM RECORDING | |
A STORY OF POLITICAL AWAKENING AND ACTIVIST ARCHIVES IN SOUTH AFRICA
Debora discusses the many roads she has traveled as a middle class Afrikaans woman. In this quest she continues to better understand her Afrikaner roots, as well as better understand the decades of racial segregation under Nationalist government rule. She has come to terms with these two things through her work with activist archives as she continues to better comprehend the injustices done to millions of South Africans during apartheid. Her talk is a glimpse into some of the most exciting and prolific activist archives in South Africa.
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When: March 1, 2018
Speaker: Debora Matthews
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THANK YOU TO OUR SUPPORTERS! | | |
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Our programming is made possible by our supporters just like you who have helped us reach communities across Iowa for nearly 40 years. Learn more about how your support is helping uplift communities and raising awareness about issues affecting our world. | |
Are there topics and speakers you would like to see brought to our community? Are you interested in being one of our speakers? | | | | |
