Past Events Archive

In what ways do artists of all disciplines from around the world dare still to dream of different, alternative futures for humanity, to envision previously unimagined paths forward? How does art furnish humanity with the means to mourn, mitigate, overcome, and bring solace and healing to the world’s deep antagonisms and conflicts?

In this lecture, Museo de Arte Moderno de Buenos Aires Director Victoria Noorthoorn will describe the values-driven transformation of this vibrant museum of modern and contemporary art in Buenos Aires throughout her leadership over the past 12 years. Noorthoorn has persistently worked towards creating a new model for a public museum in Argentina – and in doing so, she has created a new museum model – that positions art and artists as drivers of educational, social, economic, and civic development.

Running for six sessions from the MLK holiday through the end of Black History Month, this series bridges the gap between leadership scholarship and the urgent understandings required to navigate our modern political landscape. Participants will gain the essential tools and theoretical foundations needed to challenge the status quo and lead with purpose in today's society. Don’t miss this opportunity to transform your influence into a powerful force for democratic progress and social equity—register today to help solve the equation for a more just world.

When and why coffee became part of North American daily life is at the center of the recently published book, Coffee Nation: How One Commodity Transformed the Early United States, by Michelle Craig McDonald. Using a wide range of archival, quantitative, and material evidence, McDonald follows coffee from the slavery-based plantations of the Caribbean and South America, through the balance sheets of Atlantic world merchants, into the coffeehouses, stores, and homes of colonial North Americans, and ultimately to the growing import/export businesses of the early nineteenth-century United States that rebranded this exotic good as an American staple. The result is a sweeping history that explores how coffee shaped the lives of enslaved laborers and farmers, merchants and retailers, consumers and advertisers.

Messages emphasizing the life-saving impact of aid produced the strongest gains in overall support, particularly among Democrats, while economic impact frames were more persuasive among Republicans. Value-focused messages did not have an effect. This discussion will feature the highlights from the research as well as some background on USAID strategic communications and how practitioners might be able to use similar research going forward. Audience contributions to the discussion will be actively encouraged.

Register in advance for this meeting: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/12oUJgtBRhaNW8GNQaogkA

From Sheriff to Water Resources Commissioner, you'll learn about each elected offices’ responsibilities, importance, and reason for being an elected office. Participants will leave with an understanding of the structure of local governance in Washtenaw County, and skills you can use to interact with any local government. Whether you're new to U-M or looking to get involved in local decision-making, this session is for you!


This special session is open to students, faculty and staff.

For participants who are:
New to University of Michigan and/or Washtenaw County
Interested in deepening civic engagement
Voters seeking applicable knowledge
Interested in continued learning about Washtenaw County

https://sessions.studentlife.umich.edu/track/event/session/102935

Each session offers a space to pause, sort out what’s happening, and engage in thoughtful, civil discussion with peers. Bring your questions, your curiosity, and your perspective—no preparation required.

Josh Pasek is Professor of Communication & Media and Political Science, Faculty Associate at the Center for Political Studies, Institute for Social Research, and Associate Director of the Michigan Institute for Data Science at the University of Michigan

At a time when many of us are concerned about the strength of democracy in the U.S. and around the world, research – including CLOSUP's own – tells us that democracy remains strongest at the local level. Every day, in jurisdictions across the state, local officials interact with residents to help determine community priorities, allocate funds for services, hear complaints and resolve disputes, register voters, and much more.

Join the Center for Local, State, and Urban Policy (CLOSUP) Director Stephanie Leiser for a conversation with Michigan policymakers that explores CLOSUP's latest research on the health of local democracy and brings together a panel of four local government leaders from communities around Michigan to discuss their successes and challenges with resident engagement and participation, and to share ways their communities are working to encourage it.

SPEAKERS

Shea Charles, East Grand Rapids City Manager

Anne Marie Graham-Hudak, Canton Township Supervisor

Megan Sellers, Oakland County Deputy County Executive

Tom Stephenson, Elk Rapids Village President

Sponsored by the Year of Democracy, Civic Empowerment, and Global Engagement, and the Ford School of Public Policy.

Light refreshments will be provided.

The theme for this year's series is "Leadership for Democracy and Justice," a vital pillar of this year’s campus symposium theme: "Unbowed and Unbroken: The Enduring Struggle for Justice." (https://oami.umich.edu/mlk-symposium/)Running for six sessions from the MLK holiday through the end of Black History Month, this series bridges the gap between leadership scholarship and the urgent understandings required to navigate our modern political landscape. Participants will gain the essential tools and theoretical foundations needed to challenge the status quo and lead with purpose in today's society. Don’t miss this opportunity to transform your influence into a powerful force for democratic progress and social equity—register today to help solve the equation for a more just world.

Each session offers a space to pause, sort out what’s happening, and engage in thoughtful, civil discussion with peers. Bring your questions, your curiosity, and your perspective—no preparation required.

Josh Pasek is Professor of Communication & Media and Political Science, Faculty Associate at the Center for Political Studies, Institute for Social Research, and Associate Director of the Michigan Institute for Data Science at the University of Michigan