IGE is a meeting place for community groups that share our concerns about human rights and education for multicultural and religious awareness. We promote peaceful conflict resolution through training, workshops with youth and adults, and ongoing community discussion.

In Our Backyard: Human Trafficking in America and what we can do about it

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Love in action will change the lives of women who are survivors of addiction, prostitution, and human trafficking. Our Sisters and the Institute for Global Education invite you to hear author Nita Belles speak of a way out of exploitation. Ms Belles is the author of In Our Backyard: Human Trafficking in America and What We Can Do to Stop It.
We’re changing location this time only — we’ll meet Monday, May 1 from 7-9 p.m. at Baker Book House, 2768 East Paris Ave SE, in the meeting area at the west end of the building. If anyone would like transportation, please inquire.
You have heard the stories and are aware of the scandal of modern slavery. Would you respond to a woman in severe and chronic distress? Find out about Our Sisters’ project to reach women who want to change their lives.

The U.S.-Cuba friendship caravan cancelled, stay tuned for mid-May event

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IGE cancelled this event because Gladys Abella suffered a mild heart attack and is now recovering.  Moon Vazquez was going to take her place but a family member died and she is in mourning. Please stay tuned for a rescheduled event in mid-May when Cheryl LaBash returns from her trip to Cuba.

Inquiring minds want to know: What is education, health care, housing, and food like in Cuba? How is it different? What about jobs? Does everyone get the same pay? Is there equality for women, LGBTQ people, Afro-Cubans? What type of jobs and opportunities do women have in Cuba? Bernie Sanders praises Cuba, what is socialism like there? Is the U.S. blockade finished? Can we travel to Cuba under Trump?

Cancelled at the Institute for Global Education

1118 Wealthy Street SE, Grand Rapids, MI

IGE Talks presents: Building the movement against Trump’s attacks

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IGE Talks presents:  Building the movement against Trump’s attacks

There is a rising movement opposing the racist, anti-woman, anti-Muslim, and anti-worker attacks of Trump and the Republicans. Can we turn it into a force that will actually make gains for women, oppressed nationalities, immigrants, and working people?

 

Monday, February 27 at 7:00pm at the Institute for Global Education

1118 Wealthy Street SE, Grand Rapids, MI

 

All are welcome to participate in this one hour plus discussion and to present their views to be aired on Grand Rapids cable television.

Please make a donation to keep the Institute for Global Education moving forward. We need it now more than ever. https://www.igegr.org/

Hosted by Tom Burke and Barbara Howard

Produced by Chuck Neller

Fred Van Liew on Restorative Justice

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fred van liew photoFred Van Liew will be speaking in Grand Rapids on restorative justice on November 16, 2016.

The first talk will take place at noon at the Kent County Courthouse and the second will take place at 7:00pm at the Dominican Center at Marywood.

Please see the flyers for more information:

Fred Van Liew – lawyer, mediator, consultant, community organizer, and writer:

“I write about ordinary people and their experiences with the justice system, with the professionals – the police, prosecutors, judges, those who run our jails, prisons and correctional programs, those who defend the accused and, most importantly, those most adversely effected by the system.” from The Justice Diary – An Inquiry into Justice in America by Fred Van Liew

IGE Altar-Dia de los Muertos at Grand Rapids Library

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Photo of the IGE Altar at Día de los Muertos in honor of peacemakers at the Grand Rapids Public Library.  It will be open during library hours thru Tues Nov 1.

Please donate to IGE in honor of the people who proceeded us in the peace and justice movements.

Support Our Rapid Bus Drivers!

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We invite you to our next Talk at a slightly later time, at 7:30 pm on Thursday, Oct. 27 at IGE, 1118 Wealthy SE.
Hear from union bus driver Jay DeShane of ATU Local 836. Why is the Rapid Board (Interurban Transit Partnership) taking over a year to give the bus drivers a contract? Why is the Rapid trying to take away the workers’ pension and downgrade their health insurance? We will hear from union members, riders, and community leaders who are organizing to get a fair contract and social justice for workers in Grand Rapids and the surrounding towns.
Hosted by labor activist Tom Burke.

IGE Annual Meeting on Nov. 15 5:30pm dinner, 7pm program

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You are invited to the IGE Annual Meeting

“Seeking peace and justice in a time of war and austerity under President Trump”

With guest speaker Mark Kane, PhD at 7pm

Tuesday, November 15, 5:30pm with good food and socializing–potluck and beverages

The Library Room at Trinity United Methodist, 1100 Lake Drive SE (west of Fuller), Grand Rapids, Michigan

RSVP at email hidden; JavaScript is required or IGE office 616 454 1642

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IGE Day of the Dead altar–honoring those who came before us

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The Institute for Global Education will do an altar for the Grand Rapids Public Library Día de los Muertos (Day of the Dead).

Altars are built on October 26 and will be on display from October 27 to November 1.

There will be a workshop at IGE (1118 Wealthy St SE) on Saturday October 22 at 2pm to design our altar. Isabel Villaire will help.

We need names of people to include with days of birth and death, pictures, a few sentences on how they were important to IGE and ideas of what we should include (e.g. books, globes).

Please email to email hidden; JavaScript is required or drop off at the office.

 

So far people who have been suggested include:

Betty Reid Ford

Constance Powell Locke

Ed Prong (9/29/1918 – 9/16/2016)

Jesu Malinowski (spelling needs to be corrected)

Phillip Villaire (2/6/1936 – 2/4/1993)

Sr Hellen LaValley

Sr Jackie Hudson

 

Donations to IGE in their honor are welcome.  Use PayPal on the Web Site or send checks to

Institute for Global Education

1118 Wealthy St SE

Grand Rapids, MI 49506

 

Please pass this on to friends and encourage them to participate, give us names and visit the library for the event.

 

Thanks

Freethought Cafe–report back on Jim Crow Museum, Sun. Oct. 9

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Last time, we traveled to the The Jim Crow Museum of Racial Intolerance in Big Rapids.  The intent of the museum is to promote healing, social activism, and the discussion of race and relations.

Since it is difficult to process alone and frankly upsetting, let’s talk about it. Let’s think deeply about better ways and places to live, learning from the ugliness of the past rather than dwelling upon it, while potlucking with coffee and good people.
 
We will be asking:  What has changed in your lifetime?  What did your elders tell you?  Does discrimination alter what we actually, physically, perceive?  Do we live in a police state now?  Are we, or can we be, post-racist?  How does racism compare to sexism, nationalism, immigration or homophobia?  Where does policy and poverty factor in to all of this? What are we hardwired to do and what can we do about it? What are your thoughts on social engineering (for good)?  
If you are white and full of yourself, we might throw peanuts at you! 
Then we will go forth, braver and more buoyant, tummies full (maybe with peanuts). B(us)YOB if it helps!
Freethought Cafe is at Institute for Global Education, 1118 Wealthy St. SE noon – 2 p.m. Sunday Oct. 9
 Oct 16 we will meet at 1819 Oakwood for a special Halloween screening of Arsenic and Old Lace, with “elderberry wine” for everyone!  Coming in costume encouraged!  Cary Grant lookalikes encouraged to attend!
immigrants

Fighting cancer fundraiser for Chester Lowe, showing “Free State of Jones”

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Fighting Cancer Fundraiser for Chester Lowe

Institute for Global Education Office, 1118 Wealthy Street (just west of Wealthy Theater)

showing “Free State of Jones”

offering pizza and beverages   

Sunday Oct 9, 2 PM

Discussion following film. Call IGE at 454 1642 or write to us at email hidden; JavaScript is required