Twin Cities Summer Course: Environment, Politics and Sustainable Development to Pilot in 2001

•  Addresses the social and economic underpinnings of conflict over natural resources and environmental quality, as well as policies, organizational strategies and community approaches to sustainable development along the Mississippi River Basin

•  HECUA invited to submit proposal to McKnight Foundation for planning initiative to join students, faculty and practitioners in river protection efforts

•  HECUA Awarded $50,000 Grant from Otto Bremer for Office Move Slated for
May 1, 2001

•  After a diligent yet unsuccessful effort to find space on one of our campuses, lease negotiations are underway for office space at 2233 University Avenue in the Wright Building

•  Good find - reasonable rent, fellow non-profit tenants, easy access for campuses and community, and many nice features - lots of light, room to grow, conference spaces and parking

•  Otto Bremer funds will help with build-out, move requirements, other expenses

Fall visit to Norway Allows Significant Exchange

•  Roger Miller, geography professor from the University of Minnesota and a member of HECUA�s Academic Programs Committee, along with MUST program director Phil Sandro, joined SUST program observing classes, talking with students and meeting with SUST program faculty on HECUA pedagogy

•  Miller provided a guest lecture on planning and suburban development and helped prepare students for their visit to Stockholm, Sweden Sandro provided a special session on citizenship and democracy; also conducted a curriculum development workshop for SUST faculty

Northern Ireland Program Moving Forward

•  Nan Kari, Director of Program Development, is planning a visit to Northern Ireland in coming weeks to solidify contacts in anticipation of Spring, 2002 program and developing other collaborative projects for faculty exchange and public scholarship

•  Lorraine Hefferman, M.Phil/D.Phil in peace and conflict studies will coordinate program in Northern Ireland. Dr. Hefferman works with the School of Education and the UNESCO Center (United Nations Education, Scientific and Cultural Organization), at the University of Ulster-Coleraine

•  Identification of a faculty team is underway including leading education reformers in the UK

Partners Internship Program Kicks Off

•  Past PIP advisory group members and other key contacts met with HECUA staff on the transition and future of PIP

•  Program promotion and application forms are being distributed via mail and the web site to non-profits throughout Minnesota, North Dakota and northwestern Wisconsin

•  Elizabeth Andress and Martha Malinski, current HECUA staff, will coordinate PIP in transition year, enhancing integration of PIP into HECUA work

HECUA Invited to Participate in U of M Civic Engagement Effort

•  HECUA's Nan Kari has been invited to serve on the Advisory Panel on Institutional Connections for the newly-formed University of Minnesota Task Force on Civic Engagement; Carl Brandt, Board Member, is serving on U of M team Kari will bring to the panel a focus on core questions such as how to create cultures that generate civic activity--environments that ask people to define work roles in public terms

HECUA Alum Pamela Costain, executive director of the Resource Center of the Americas, accompanies U.S. Senator Paul Wellstone to Colombia

•  Wellstone, a HECUA founder, visited Colombia to investigate U.S. plans for a military operation that includes destroying coca (drug) fields. While there Wellstone voiced support for human rights activities in the country.

•  Costain, a student in one of HECUA�s first programs, accompanied Wellstone to help in assessing the coca fields fumigation activities and their long-range environmental impact