PUBLIC POLICY: Indispensable or Over-stretched: The Sharpening Debate on the United States’ Role in the World
9:30-10:30 a.m.
Presidents’ Hall
Speaker: Thomas Hanson, Former United States Foreign Service Officer, Consultant for the Great Decisions Program, and Diplomat in Residence at the University of Minnesota Duluth
Amid post-2008 economic difficulties, voices on both sides of the political spectrum have begun to question the cost and priorities of recent United States policy. Is America really the “indispensable nation” as mainstream figures in both parties maintain? Do we have a “responsibility to protect” nations far from our own and, if so, by what right? Should we pursue a more “realist” policy and reach out to problematic countries such as Iran? Should we now shift our focus to “nation-building at home” as the only way to assure future global influence? This program will examine current national foreign policy in light of domestic pressures for and against change. -Marge Goldberg
WOMEN ROCK: Incarcerated Mothers in Minnesota: What Is Being Done?
10:45-11:45 a.m.
Presidents’ Hall
Speaker: Duchess Harris, JD, PhD, Macalester College
Incarcerated women face issues different from men when released from prison. In the state of Minnesota, what happens to a woman’s children when she is sent to prison and when she is released? How is a woman transitioned back into mainstream society? What is the rate of
recidivism in Minnesota? Harris will explain these issues and explore policy reforms and recommendations for incarcerated women who are mothers. -Mindy Rechelbacher
Announcements
11:45 a.m. – Noon
Luncheon
12:00-1:15 p.m.
Luncheon Hostess: Georgia Wiebe
Guest Hostess: Aleda Muller
- Headlines/Viewpoints – Fellowships Room
- House Management – Association Room
- Technology – Minneapolis Room
LITERATURE: The Book of Killowen
1:15-2:15 p.m.
Presidents’ Hall
Speaker: Erin Hart, Novelist
St. Paul author Erin Hart will do an illustrated book chat highlighting her latest mystery, The Book of Killowen. The story was inspired by the real-life discovery of a ninth-century book of Psalms in an Irish bog. Many of her mysteries have a St. Paul/Irish connection and a fascination with the history of old manuscripts. -Sheila Lind