Citizens for Global Solutions - Minnesota Chapter

Normally, when writing the President's column for this newsletter, I focus on a prominent global issue and try to provide a perspective on it that, in my view, reflects the distinctive approach of Citizens for Global Solutions. In this column, however, I think it fitting to talk about the sort of people we have attracted or seek to attract to our movement and why.

On the following page you can read a bit about the nominees for our offices and Board positions for the coming work year. Impressive though they are, these brief biographical notices do not begin to do justice to the rich background of the individuals selected. While the group is remarkably diverse in terms of age, gender, area of origin, ethnicity, occupation, experience, and philosophical orientation, all of the nominees have several traits in common: a global outlook, dedication to peace and justice, a commitment to grass-roots citizen action, and a belief that peaceful change for the betterment of the human family is possible at all levels from the local to the global. In short, even though six of the eight Board nominees are new to our organization, they are perfectly in synch with our approach to world affairs.

Citizens for Global Solutions seeks to "build peace, justice and freedom in a democratically governed world." It recognizes the interdependence of all peoples and nations and that "global problems require global solutions." Among these problems are global warming and other forms of environmental degradation, depletion of scarce resources (especially fossil fuels), over-population and over-consumption, the obscene North-South economic gap, endemic disease, massive violations of human rights (including genocide and ethnic cleansing), continued reliance on military force rather than on the force of international law, and, of course, WMD and both state and non-state terrorism. None of these is beyond our capacity to correct.

While recognizing the inadequacies of the United Nations, Citizens for Global Solutions is convinced of the necessity to strengthen that body and its affiliated organizations to enable them to play a larger role in addressing the world's problems. It has, for example, led the broad NGO coalition that helped bring about the creation of the International Criminal Court. It currently supports most of the recommendations recently put forward Secretary General Kofi Annan's High-level Panel on Threats, Challenges and Change. These recommendations relate not only to changes in the UN system, but to many other global concerns. It's a big and vital agenda and calls for the participation of ordinary citizens no less than of states.

If you are not already a member of Citizens for Global Solutions, we invite you to join. Relevant information is enclosed. And if, for now, you'd simply like to learn more about us check out our web sites, www.globalsolutions.org and www.globalsolutionsmn.org. We also invite you to attend our annual dinner on June 14 (see page 3). It is open to all and promises to be a stimulating event.

When? Thursday, May 19, 7:00-9:00 p.m.
Where? Hennepin Avenue United Methodist Church, 511 Groveland Ave., Minneapolis (at Lyndale and Hennepin)
FREE and open to all. Abundant parking in church parking lot.

Mr. Parmer has been President of the American Refugee Committee (ARC) since 2002. Previously he was a top official in the US government's bureau for humanitarian response and led relief operations in Central America, Kosovo, Ethiopia, and Eritrea. Ms. Striegel has been with ARC for the past 4 1/2 years and is its Director of Human resources and Administration. She has guided its work in Darfur and is responsible also for its efforts several other world regions.

President: Joe Schwartzberg, a retired professor of geography and South Asian studies at the University of Minnesota, has served several terms as Chapter President of the World Federalist Association / CGS and is among the founders of the Minnesota Alliance of Peacemakers.

Vice-president: Verlyn Smith, a retired pastor and college teacher, is a past President and Board member of WFA / CGS and a co-founder of the Vincent L. Hawkinson Foundation for Peace and Justice and of People of Faith Peacemakers.

Secretary: Mary Rose Goetz, a retired public health nurse and a past Secretary of MAP, Mary Rose's interest in peace and other global issues dates from the mid-1950s when she worked on US foreign assistance projects in the Middle East and East Asia.

Treasurer: Louise Pardee is a peace activist who served on the Boards of the MN Peace and Justice Coalition, Ground Zero MN and Global Education Associates for which she received the Hawkinson Award for Peace and Justice; she is a past Chapter President of WFA.

Cindy Anderson, a past Board member and Chapter President of WFA, Cindy holds a B.A. in political science and did graduate work in Women and Politics and Government; she works as a veterinary technician and is a member of Toastmasters International.

Jared Black is finishing his sophomore year as a political science and global studies student at the University of Minnesota, and is the President-elect of the recently formed U. of M. Chapter of Americans for an Informed Democracy.

Catherine Guisan, raised in Switzerland, Catherine earned her Ph.D. in 2000 from the University of Minnesota where she now teaches political science; her research focuses on reconciliation, peace-making, US-European relations, and European integration.

Todd Hierlmaier, a 2001 graduate of St. John's University, Todd has done research at Carnegie Mellon, is deeply involved with the Alternatives to Violence project and IMPACT (a corporate watchdog group); an avid runner, he works as a long-distance track coach.

Sam Imbo, raised in Kenya, and with a Ph.D. from Purdue, Sam is an associate professor of philosophy and Director of the African American Studies Program at Hamline University; his chief interests include comparative, African, and social and political philosophy.

Patricia Jurewicz works on support for the UN and multilateral diplomacy at the Institute for Agriculture and Trade Policy, is co-author of a major report on US global treaty compliance; she is fluent in Spanish and has an extensive background in Latino political outreach.

Cecil Ramnaraine, raised in Trinidad, Cecil is a retired high school social science teacher, a former WFA Minnesota Board member, and the author of many excellent teaching units on the United Nations, peace, human rights and related topics.

Wayne Wittman, a Korean War vet and a founder of Chapter 27 of Veterans for Peace, Wayne was also among the founders of the Minnesota Alliance of Peacemakers; he is a retired state rehabilitation professional and a very active trade union worker.

Whether you are or are not a member of Citizens for Global Solutions you are welcome to attend our annual dinner meeting. Our speaker, Tad Daley, is a terrific speaker and we believe that you'll be inspired by his message. The food, wine included, will be excellent and the service first rate. Attending the dinner will obligate you in no way; but, if you'd like to consider joining CGS, here are some of the benefits:

If you'd like to join, please send your name, address, and membership fee to Citizens for Global Solutions, 5145 16th Avenue South, Minneapolis, MN 55145. We'll do the rest. If you have questions, feel free to call me at 651-429-9562 (H) or 612-625-5578 (O).

Please reserve ______ dinners for me at $25.00 each ($12 for students and others with limited income. Bring a Friend. Non-members are welcome

______ Payment is by enclosed check, _____ Payment will be made at time of dinner.

If you wish to make an additional contribution to the Minnesota Chapter, you may include it in your check for the dinner reservations.

Mail to Louise Pardee, 5492 Bald Eagle Blvd. E., White Bear Lake, MN 55110 or call 651-429-9562 by Friday, June 10.

CGS OFFICERS (1-year terms) Vote for up to four.
_____ President: Joe Schwartzberg
_____ Vice-President: Verlyn Smith
_____ Secretary: Mary Rose Goetz
_____ Treasurer: Louise Pardee

BOARD OF DIRECTORS (3-year terms) Vote for up to eight.
_____Cindy Anderson _____Sam Imbo
_____Jared Black _____Patricia Jurewicz
_____Catherine Guisan _____Cecil Ramnaraine
_____Todd Hierlmaier _____Wayne Wittman

CGS-MN ANNUAL DINNER MEETING. Open to all.

"REINVENTING THE UNITED NATIONS: Toward Ending Genocide, Eliminating the Nuclear Danger and Abolishing War Itself"
KEYNOTE SPEAKER: TAD DALEY, J.D., Ph.D.
University of Minnesota Carlson School of Management, Dining room annex (basement)
321 19th Avenue South, West Bank, Minneapolis
6:00 Social Hour, 6:30 Dinner, 7:15 Program begins, 9:00 Adjournment

What kind of United Nations system would we now create if we were designing it from scratch? Is the present structure of the world order - nearly 200 sovereign nations, each with the right to possess its own army, navy and air force - the only possible structure of world order? We have city councils, state legislatures, national parliaments, and our own US Congress; why don't we have anything like a world legislature or a Parliament of Humankind? Ought we not to aspire to the ultimate goal - however distant it may seem - of abolishing war itself, a politically unified human community, a United Earth or a Federal Republic of the World?

Tad Daley has extensive experience both in practical politics and in articulating ultimate political goals. He spent much of 2003 and 2004 serving as Issues and Policy Director for the presidential campaign of U.S. Rep. Dennis Kucinich. For three years he served as chief deputy to the late Senator Alan Cranston (D-Cal, 1969-93) after he left the Senate, collaborating on his tireless crusade to abolish nuclear weapons. Dr. Daley ran for Congress himself in a 2001 special election in Los Angeles and received highly positive media attention for a platform that was in the words of the LA Weekly, "as sensible as it is unconventional." He spent 7 1/2 years at the Rand Corporation think tank. He has published numerous articles on politics and international policy in such media as the International Herald Tribune, Los Angeles Times, Christian Science Monitor, USA Today, Philadelphia Inquirer, Miami Herald, Bulletin of Atomic Scientists, United Nations Chronicle, Sojourners and various widely read web sites. (Many of these may be read at www.daleyplanet.org) Dr. Daley holds a master's degree in international relations, a law degree, and a Ph.D. in policy analysis. Presently he is a Senior Fellow in the Los Angeles office of Physicians for Social Responsibility, the Nobel Peace Prize winning antinuclear organization and is writing his first book, tentatively titled Ending the Nuclear Danger Forever.

PARKING: Open-air lot on 4th Street South between 19th and 20th Avenue, or in 19th Avenue Ramp (more costly). Both are across the street from the Carlson School.

COST: $25 per person, including wine; $12 for students and those with limited income.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Please reserve ______ dinners for me at $25.00 each ($12 for students and others with limited income). Bring a Friend. Non-members are welcome.

______ Payment is by enclosed check, _____ Payment will be made at time of dinner.

If you wish to make an additional contribution to the Minnesota Chapter, you may include it in your check for the dinner reservations.

Print and mail to Louise Pardee, 5492 Bald Eagle Blvd. E., White Bear Lake, MN 55110, or call 651-429-9562 by Friday, June 10.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Issues		Summer 2005 Newsletter
Programs		WHO AND WHAT WE ARE Normally, when writing the President's column for this newsletter, I focus on a prominent global issue and try to provide a perspective on it that, in my view, reflects the distinctive approach of Citizens for Global Solutions. In this column, however, I think it fitting to talk about the sort of people we have attracted or seek to attract to our movement and why. On the following page you can read a bit about the nominees for our offices and Board positions for the coming work year. Impressive though they are, these brief biographical notices do not begin to do justice to the rich background of the individuals selected. While the group is remarkably diverse in terms of age, gender, area of origin, ethnicity, occupation, experience, and philosophical orientation, all of the nominees have several traits in common: a global outlook, dedication to peace and justice, a commitment to grass-roots citizen action, and a belief that peaceful change for the betterment of the human family is possible at all levels from the local to the global. In short, even though six of the eight Board nominees are new to our organization, they are perfectly in synch with our approach to world affairs. Citizens for Global Solutions seeks to "build peace, justice and freedom in a democratically governed world." It recognizes the interdependence of all peoples and nations and that "global problems require global solutions." Among these problems are global warming and other forms of environmental degradation, depletion of scarce resources (especially fossil fuels), over-population and over-consumption, the obscene North-South economic gap, endemic disease, massive violations of human rights (including genocide and ethnic cleansing), continued reliance on military force rather than on the force of international law, and, of course, WMD and both state and non-state terrorism. None of these is beyond our capacity to correct. While recognizing the inadequacies of the United Nations, Citizens for Global Solutions is convinced of the necessity to strengthen that body and its affiliated organizations to enable them to play a larger role in addressing the world's problems. It has, for example, led the broad NGO coalition that helped bring about the creation of the International Criminal Court. It currently supports most of the recommendations recently put forward Secretary General Kofi Annan's High-level Panel on Threats, Challenges and Change. These recommendations relate not only to changes in the UN system, but to many other global concerns. It's a big and vital agenda and calls for the participation of ordinary citizens no less than of states. If you are not already a member of Citizens for Global Solutions, we invite you to join. Relevant information is enclosed. And if, for now, you'd simply like to learn more about us check out our web sites, www.globalsolutions.org and www.globalsolutionsmn.org. We also invite you to attend our annual dinner on June 14 (see page 3). It is open to all and promises to be a stimulating event. Joe Schwartzberg, President Peoples and governments cannot change the world by themselves. They need not only good ideas but also sustained pressure from internationalists in all countries - people who are both visionary and pragmatic. --Kofi Annan, UNSG THIRD THURSDAY GLOBAL ISSUES FORUM GENOCIDE, 2005: WHAT IS HAPPENING IN DARFUR? When? Thursday, May 19, 7:00-9:00 p.m. Where? Hennepin Avenue United Methodist Church, 511 Groveland Ave., Minneapolis (at Lyndale and Hennepin) FREE and open to all. Abundant parking in church parking lot. Presenters: Hugh Parmer and Colleen Striegel Mr. Parmer has been President of the American Refugee Committee (ARC) since 2002. Previously he was a top official in the US government's bureau for humanitarian response and led relief operations in Central America, Kosovo, Ethiopia, and Eritrea. Ms. Striegel has been with ARC for the past 4 1/2 years and is its Director of Human resources and Administration. She has guided its work in Darfur and is responsible also for its efforts several other world regions. Mr. Parmer will provide an update on the current humanitarian crisis in Darfur. Ms. Striegel will relate personal experiences from her service in Darfur last year. During the discussion period we will consider how to prevent future genocides. 2005 NOMINEES FOR OFFICERS AND BOARD MINNESOTA CHAPTER OF CITIZENS FOR GLOBAL SOLUTIONS OFFICERS: President: Joe Schwartzberg, a retired professor of geography and South Asian studies at the University of Minnesota, has served several terms as Chapter President of the World Federalist Association / CGS and is among the founders of the Minnesota Alliance of Peacemakers. Vice-president: Verlyn Smith, a retired pastor and college teacher, is a past President and Board member of WFA / CGS and a co-founder of the Vincent L. Hawkinson Foundation for Peace and Justice and of People of Faith Peacemakers. Secretary: Mary Rose Goetz, a retired public health nurse and a past Secretary of MAP, Mary Rose's interest in peace and other global issues dates from the mid-1950s when she worked on US foreign assistance projects in the Middle East and East Asia. Treasurer: Louise Pardee is a peace activist who served on the Boards of the MN Peace and Justice Coalition, Ground Zero MN and Global Education Associates for which she received the Hawkinson Award for Peace and Justice; she is a past Chapter President of WFA. BOARD (exclusive of eight returning incumbents): Cindy Anderson, a past Board member and Chapter President of WFA, Cindy holds a B.A. in political science and did graduate work in Women and Politics and Government; she works as a veterinary technician and is a member of Toastmasters International. Jared Black is finishing his sophomore year as a political science and global studies student at the University of Minnesota, and is the President-elect of the recently formed U. of M. Chapter of Americans for an Informed Democracy. Catherine Guisan, raised in Switzerland, Catherine earned her Ph.D. in 2000 from the University of Minnesota where she now teaches political science; her research focuses on reconciliation, peace-making, US-European relations, and European integration. Todd Hierlmaier, a 2001 graduate of St. John's University, Todd has done research at Carnegie Mellon, is deeply involved with the Alternatives to Violence project and IMPACT (a corporate watchdog group); an avid runner, he works as a long-distance track coach. Sam Imbo, raised in Kenya, and with a Ph.D. from Purdue, Sam is an associate professor of philosophy and Director of the African American Studies Program at Hamline University; his chief interests include comparative, African, and social and political philosophy. Patricia Jurewicz works on support for the UN and multilateral diplomacy at the Institute for Agriculture and Trade Policy, is co-author of a major report on US global treaty compliance; she is fluent in Spanish and has an extensive background in Latino political outreach. Cecil Ramnaraine, raised in Trinidad, Cecil is a retired high school social science teacher, a former WFA Minnesota Board member, and the author of many excellent teaching units on the United Nations, peace, human rights and related topics. Wayne Wittman, a Korean War vet and a founder of Chapter 27 of Veterans for Peace, Wayne was also among the founders of the Minnesota Alliance of Peacemakers; he is a retired state rehabilitation professional and a very active trade union worker. May 2005 Dear Friends and Fellow World Citizens, Whether you are or are not a member of Citizens for Global Solutions you are welcome to attend our annual dinner meeting. Our speaker, Tad Daley, is a terrific speaker and we believe that you'll be inspired by his message. The food, wine included, will be excellent and the service first rate. Attending the dinner will obligate you in no way; but, if you'd like to consider joining CGS, here are some of the benefits: You'll be helping the national organization in its diverse efforts to create a better world (e.g. promoting the International Criminal Court, advocacy of a UN rapid intervention force to prevent genocide, fostering the democratization of the UN, etc.) You'll get a subscription to the national and state newsletters. You'll be able to express your own views through a CGS national e-forum. You may join (at no cost) a nation-wide telephone hook-up, every other month, to discuss global issues on which citizen action is needed. You can, if you wish, get e-mail alerts on issues needing urgent citizen action. You can also get periodic e-mail notices of events sponsored by local peace and justice organizations. You will have an opportunity, should you wish, to interact with other Minnesotans committed to the cause of global peace and justice. Membership is remarkably inexpensive: individuals $25, married couples $30, students $10. If you'd like to join, please send your name, address, and membership fee to Citizens for Global Solutions, 5145 16th Avenue South, Minneapolis, MN 55145. We'll do the rest. If you have questions, feel free to call me at 651-429-9562 (H) or 612-625-5578 (O). --Joe Schwartzberg, President Citizens for Global Solutions Minnesota Chapter BALLOT AND ANNUAL MEETING INVITATION Tuesday. June 14, 2005 Please reserve ______ dinners for me at $25.00 each ($12 for students and others with limited income. Bring a Friend. Non-members are welcome ______ Payment is by enclosed check, _____ Payment will be made at time of dinner. If you wish to make an additional contribution to the Minnesota Chapter, you may include it in your check for the dinner reservations. Mail to Louise Pardee, 5492 Bald Eagle Blvd. E., White Bear Lake, MN 55110 or call 651-429-9562 by Friday, June 10. BALLOT (for dues-paying members only) Please see accompanying bios [above]. CGS OFFICERS (1-year terms) Vote for up to four. _____ President: Joe Schwartzberg _____ Vice-President: Verlyn Smith _____ Secretary: Mary Rose Goetz _____ Treasurer: Louise Pardee BOARD OF DIRECTORS (3-year terms) Vote for up to eight. _____Cindy Anderson _____Sam Imbo _____Jared Black _____Patricia Jurewicz _____Catherine Guisan _____Cecil Ramnaraine _____Todd Hierlmaier _____Wayne Wittman June 14, 2005 CGS-MN ANNUAL DINNER MEETING. Open to all. "REINVENTING THE UNITED NATIONS: Toward Ending Genocide, Eliminating the Nuclear Danger and Abolishing War Itself" KEYNOTE SPEAKER: TAD DALEY, J.D., Ph.D. University of Minnesota Carlson School of Management, Dining room annex (basement) 321 19th Avenue South, West Bank, Minneapolis 6:00 Social Hour, 6:30 Dinner, 7:15 Program begins, 9:00 Adjournment What kind of United Nations system would we now create if we were designing it from scratch? Is the present structure of the world order - nearly 200 sovereign nations, each with the right to possess its own army, navy and air force - the only possible structure of world order? We have city councils, state legislatures, national parliaments, and our own US Congress; why don't we have anything like a world legislature or a Parliament of Humankind? Ought we not to aspire to the ultimate goal - however distant it may seem - of abolishing war itself, a politically unified human community, a United Earth or a Federal Republic of the World? Tad Daley has extensive experience both in practical politics and in articulating ultimate political goals. He spent much of 2003 and 2004 serving as Issues and Policy Director for the presidential campaign of U.S. Rep. Dennis Kucinich. For three years he served as chief deputy to the late Senator Alan Cranston (D-Cal, 1969-93) after he left the Senate, collaborating on his tireless crusade to abolish nuclear weapons. Dr. Daley ran for Congress himself in a 2001 special election in Los Angeles and received highly positive media attention for a platform that was in the words of the LA Weekly, "as sensible as it is unconventional." He spent 7 1/2 years at the Rand Corporation think tank. He has published numerous articles on politics and international policy in such media as the International Herald Tribune, Los Angeles Times, Christian Science Monitor, USA Today, Philadelphia Inquirer, Miami Herald, Bulletin of Atomic Scientists, United Nations Chronicle, Sojourners and various widely read web sites. (Many of these may be read at www.daleyplanet.org) Dr. Daley holds a master's degree in international relations, a law degree, and a Ph.D. in policy analysis. Presently he is a Senior Fellow in the Los Angeles office of Physicians for Social Responsibility, the Nobel Peace Prize winning antinuclear organization and is writing his first book, tentatively titled Ending the Nuclear Danger Forever. PARKING: Open-air lot on 4th Street South between 19th and 20th Avenue, or in 19th Avenue Ramp (more costly). Both are across the street from the Carlson School. COST: $25 per person, including wine; $12 for students and those with limited income. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - REGISTRATION FORM Please reserve ______ dinners for me at $25.00 each ($12 for students and others with limited income). Bring a Friend. Non-members are welcome. ______ Payment is by enclosed check, _____ Payment will be made at time of dinner. If you wish to make an additional contribution to the Minnesota Chapter, you may include it in your check for the dinner reservations. Print and mail to Louise Pardee, 5492 Bald Eagle Blvd. E., White Bear Lake, MN 55110, or call 651-429-9562 by Friday, June 10. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Send checks to Louise Pardee, 5492 Bald Eagle Blvd. E., White Bear Lake, MN 55110. Reservations should be made by June 10. QUESTIONS? Call Louise at 651-429-9562. POPE JOHN PAUL II AS A HUMANE GLOBAL THINKER The independence of states can no longer be understood apart from the concept of interdependence. All states are interconnected -- both for better and for worse. - July 2003. New realities, which are forcefully affecting the production process - such as globalization of finance, of the economy, of commerce and of work - should never be allowed to violate the dignity and centrality of the human person or the democracy of peoples. - February 2000 In the twenty-first century, more than ever before, no State can stand wholly alone. Collective strategies. collective institutions and a sense of collective responsibility are indispensable. --Report of the High-level Panel on Threats, Challenges and Change

Calendar

Resources

Newsletter

Quotes

Join

Citizens for Global Solutions Citizens for Global Solutions-Minnesota Chapter 5145 16th Ave. South Minneapolis, MN 55417 info at globalsolutionsmn.org