Upcoming screening of "The Human Spark"

--Thursday, Feb 17, 730pm


Screening of PBS series episode "The Human Spark," directed by SOC Prof. Larry Engel, and awarded the AAAS Science Journalism prize for in-depth TV reporting followed by panel discussion.

Weschler Theater, 3rd Floor, Mary Graydon Hall. Co-sponsored by the College of Arts & Sciences.

Screening will be followed by discussion of key issues related to media, communication, and the debate over the teaching of evolution with Larry Engel, AU film professor and Human Spark director; Eugenie Scott, Executive Director of the National Center for Science Education, and Jay Labov, Senior Advisor for Education and Communication at the National Academies. Discussion moderated by AU science communication professor Matthew Nisbet.

The 6th Annual Spring 2011 Film Series

AU’s Center for Environmental Filmmaking

and Filmmakers for Conservation

Present:

The 6th Annual Spring 2011 Film Series

Hosted by Chris Palmer and Justine Schmidt

Free and Open to the Public

No Reservation Required

Wechsler Theater, 3^rd Floor, Mary Graydon Center
American University

For more information, please contact:
Chris Palmer 202.885.3408 or palmer@american.edu
Justine Schmidt 202.413.4490 or justineschmidt2002@yahoo.com

Or visit environmentalfilm.org or filmmakersforconservation.org

Tuesday, February 8 at 7 p.m.
National Geographic Society’s landmark series Great Migrations

Series Producer David Hamlin will show excerpts from the stunning footage he and a team of world-class filmmakers shot over three years in 20 countries and talk about the challenges they encountered. Great Migrations is the most ambitious series in the history of the National Geographic Society -- a seven hour exploration of the millions of creatures who wage tortuous journeys every year for the sake of themselves, their families and even their species.

Tuesday, February 15 at 7 p.m.
Using Satellite Images to Protect our Environment
An illustrated talk by John Amos, the Founder and President of SkyTruth

SkyTruth, a nonprofit organization based in Shepherdstown, WV, uses satellite images to investigate and illustrate the many ways in which human activity is changing our environment. We'll look at the impacts of mountaintop removal of coal in Appalachia, natural gas drilling in Wyoming, and oil pollution in the Gulf of Mexico from last year's tragic BP spill. And we’ll enjoy a few images that remind us what a beautiful and fascinating planet we live on.

Note: The March 17-24 events are also part of the Environmental Film Festival in the Nation’s Capital (www.dcenvironmentalfilmfest.org)

Thursday, March 17 at 7 p.m.
On Coal River (2010, 80 minutes)

Viewers embark on a gripping emotional journey into the Coal River Valley of West Virginia, a community surrounded by lush mountains and a looming toxic threat. Local people fight against the destructive practice of mountaintop removal and confront Massey Energy.

Monday, March 21 at 6:30 p.m.
The River Why, followed at 8:15 p.m. by Greenlit
Screening followed by discussion with Chris Palmer and Larry Engel

The River Why depicts a man’s love for the wilderness and his love for a beautiful woman who comes to share it with him. Greenlit explores the damaging effects of the film business on the environment by following the crew of The River Why as they try to “green” their film.

Tuesday, March 22 at 7 p.m. (Reception with drinks and food at 6:30 p.m.)
An Evening with Chris Palmer: The Impact of “Shooting in the Wild: An Insider's Account of Making Movies in the Animal Kingdom”

When Chris Palmer’s book Shooting in the Wild was published last May, it sparked praise, great interest, and controversy after he appeared on ABC Nightline, Good Morning America, NPR, and many other programs. Chris will discuss the controversy and sign books after his presentation. He will also announce the winners of the Eco-Comedy Video Competition (co-sponsored with the Sierra Club) and show the winning entries.

Wednesday, March 23 at 7 p.m. (Reception with drinks and food at 6:30 p.m.)
Student Environmental Short Film Festival (co-sponsored by REI)
Screenings hosted by Professors Chris Palmer and Sandy Cannon-Brown

More than ten short student films will be shown, followed by a discussion with the filmmakers.

Thursday, March 24 at 7 p.m.
“OK, I’ve Watched the Film, Now What?”

Panel Discussion featuring Maryanne Culpepper, National Geographic; Jason Robey, Animal Planet; Diane MacEachern, author and founder of Big Green Purse, and Vanessa Serrao, founder, producer and host of NatureBreak.org. Moderated by Chris Palmer.

How do we produce films that make a difference? This panel, punctuating their remarks with clips of inspiring films, explores ways we can turn films into action at both the policy and personal levels. Our panelists consider the challenge of producing films that have a tangible, palpable, and measurable impact on their audiences.

Tuesday, April 12 at 7 p.m.
“Duck! (a duckumentary)”
Screening and presentation by AU/SOC alum Danny Ledonne

They swim, they waddle, and they fly. They are the subjects of art, science, history, and popular entertainment. They are cartoons, stamps, carvings, pets, and even dinner. They are ducks! Across America, their quirky and often comical interactions can teach us about our feathery neighbors, our planet, and ourselves. Danny Ledonne will premiere his thesis film about these extraordinary and often humorous birds. After the screening, he promises not to duck any fowl questions.

Feeding the Future: African Hunger, American Business and Gobal Stability

ActionAid, Alliance to End Hunger, CARE, ONE, Oxfam America, Partnership to Cut Hunger & Poverty in Africa, TechnoServe, World Food Programme-USA

*RSVP by COB Thursday, February 3* Congressional Lunch Briefing: Feeding the Future: African Hunger, American Business and Global Stability Monday, February 7, 2010 12:00-1:30pm Cannon House Office Building, Room #121 Capitol Hill, Washington, DC Agenda Introduction: Rick Leach, President and CEO, World Food Program USA, Moderator - Overview of Key Budget and Policy Issues Critical for Alleviating Global Hunger & Empowering the Poor Featured Speaker: Gayle Smith, Senior Director, National Security Council (Invited) - Advancing Economic Opportunity and National Security: How the U.S. is leading global efforts to promote food security and why this leadership is Good for the World’s Hungry and Global Stability Discussants: Florencia Cipriano, Mozambique Poultry Industry Impact of US Support on Farming, Poverty and Stability in Mozambique Devry Boughner, Director of International Business Relations, Cargill Agricultural & Economic Development: Implications for U.S. Business Jim McLaughlin, President, McLaughlin & Associates Global Hunger & Food Security: Public Opinion and Voter Attitudes Question & Answer Closing Remarks: James Kimonyo, Ambassador of Rwanda to the United States (invited) A light lunch will be served at 11:45am. To register for this event, please click here.

Partnership to Cut Hunger and Poverty in Africa. 499 S. Capitol Street S.W. Suite 500B, Washington, D.C. 20003 | (202) 479-4501 This is an automated message; do not reply. Please direct questions or feedback to Rachel Voss at rvoss@partnership-africa.org

Book Release Party @ Busboy's and Poets

Friday 1/28th 6:30pm @ Busboy's and Poets (14th & V. - 2021 14th St, DC)

DC Release Party w/author Daniel Tucker

co-sponsored by the National Family Farm Coalition

Featuring a discussion and slideshow about:

Farm Together Now: A portrait of people, places and ideas for a new food movement

By Amy Franceschini & Daniel Tucker, with a foreword by Mark Bittman

Photography by Anne Hamersky & Illustrations by Corinne Matesich

Published by Chronicle Books (December, 2010).

RSVP on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=172222726148950

More info on the book: http://farmtogethernow.org/about/

* * * *

in bookstores: http://farmtogethernow.org

German and American Authors Compare Political Consumerism

Between Currywurst and Tofu: How Good Food Makes a Difference

German and American Authors Compare Political Consumerism

(Washington, DC, January 13, 2011) – Is what we eat still something we decide ourselves? Does the food industry control what will end up on our plates and what we are allowed to know about our food? On Wednesday, February 2, at 6:30 pm, the Goethe-Institut Washington will host “Between Currywurst and Tofu: How Good Food Makes a Difference,” a panel discussion by American and German authors who have written on this topic. The session will examine some of the food industry’s promises, what a balanced and sustainable diet looks like, and ways for consumers to keep having the last word about food.

Panelists:

Tanja Busse, freelance journalist for Die Zeit and Germany’s Greenpeace magazine
Mark Winne, food activist and former executive director of the Hartford Food System from 1979 to 2003
Moderated by Erik Assadourian, Senior Fellow, Transforming Cultures Project; Director, Worldwatch Institute

Tanja Busse is the author of the German non-fiction bestseller Die Einkaufsrevolution (2006), dealing with political consumerism, along with other publications dealing with agriculture and scandals in the food industry.

Mark Winne’s latest book, Food Rebels, Guerilla Gardeners, and Smart-Cookin’ Mamas: Fighting Back in an Age of Industrial Agriculture and Closing the Food Gap, challenges us to go beyond eating local food to become part of a larger solution that demands a system that sustains not just our bodies, but also our souls.

Reception follows with organic foods. This is part of the “Green Living” series of discussions organized in cooperation with the Heinrich Böll Foundation. No charge. RSVP to 202-289-1200 ext 163 or rsvp@washington.goethe.org

More: www.goethe.de/ins/us/was/ver/en6959906v.htm

About the Goethe-Institut:

On behalf of the Federal Republic of Germany, cultural institutes around the world provide cultural programs, language courses, support to educators, and up-to-date information on Germany in the context of Europe. Founded in 1990, Goethe-Institut Washington, DC is a center for German culture and language, and for the coordination of media projects for all of North America. From its location in the revitalized Downtown, the Goethe-Institut Washington reaches out to both individuals and organizations in the community, bridging the past, present, and future with high-quality events.

About the Heinrich Böll Foundation:

The Heinrich Böll Foundation is a political non-profit organization striving to promote democracy, civil society, equality and a healthy environment internationally. Headquartered in Berlin/Germany, the Heinrich Böll Foundation has 28 offices worldwide and cooperates with more than 200 partners in more than 60 countries.

Address:

812 Seventh St. NW

Washington, DC 20001

Metro: Gallery Place/Chinatown

202-289-1200

www.goethe.de/washington

Spring 2011 blog is open

Hello and welcome to SIS 388! This blog will be used to keep you up to date on events and internships that we find along the way that you will find interesting in your careers, and to bring you further exposure to food and agricultural policy and practices. If you have an event that you'd like to spread, please let Peter know at pm9175a@american.edu and he'll be happy to post it for you.

"Innovations that Nourish the Planet"

I believe the RSVP for this event has passed, but note the website will have a broadcast.

15th Annual State of the World 2011 Symposium

"Innovations that Nourish the Planet"

Date: Wednesday, January 19, 2011
1779 Massachusetts Ave, NW
Washington, DC 20036-2103

Time: Briefing: 1:30pm - 5:00pm;
Reception: 5:00 - 6:30pm

Venue: Carnegie Endowment for International Peace,
1779 Massachusetts Avenue, NW, Washington DC

Video of the event will be broadcast on www.NourishingthePlanet.orgg

Speakers:
Kathleen Merrigan, Deputy Secretary of the U.S. Department of Agriculture
David Beckmann, President, Bread for the World
Hans Herren, President, Millennium Institute
Christopher Flavin, President, Worldwatch Institute
Danielle Nierenberg, Senior Researcher & Co-project Director, Worldwatch Institute, Nourishing the Planet
Sara Scherr, President and CEO, Ecoagriculture Partners
Edward Mukiibi, Co-founder and Project Coordinator, Developing Innovations in School Cultivation (DISC), Uganda
Sithembile Ndema, Natural Resources and Environment Programme Manager, Food and Natural Resources Policy Analysis Network (FANRPAN), South Africa
Meera Shekar, Lead Health & Nutrition Specialist with the Human Development Network at the World Bank
Stephanie Hanson, Director of Policy and Outreach, One Acre Fund

About the Event

Agricultural development has come to a crossroads. Nearly a half-century after the Green Revolution a large share of the human family is still chronically hungry. At the same time, investments in agricultural development by governments, international lenders, and foundations are at historic lows. But recently, a new generation of innovative approaches to hunger alleviation has emerged from farmers groups, private voluntary organizations, universities, and agribusiness companies.

Please join the pioneers of environmentally sustainable agriculture practices for an afternoon briefing that will explore the innovative next steps required to create a sustainable food system.

*Please RSVP by January 12, 2011 to astone@worldwatch.org or call Amanda Stone at 202.452.1999 ext 514