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.
You are invited to the IGE Annual Meeting
“Seeking peace and justice in a time of war and austerity under President Trump”
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
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
Freethought Cafe Field trip to the Jim Crow Museum of Racial Intolerance
Saturday, September 24, 2016
Carpool to Big Rapids (less than an hour drive) and tour the museum at Ferris State. We will meet to discuss what we saw and felt in two weeks on October 9.
Please RSVP to me, Laura email hidden; JavaScript is required for the museum’s sake! We may or may not qualify for a special tour.
Meet at 11 a.m. in the lot on the corner of Ann NE and Monroe NW. We will want to get to the museum before the homecoming football crowds come in.
Vision For Black Lives: Discussion & Action Group
Thursday, September 29 at 6:30 PM to 8:30 PM
at Institute for Global Education, 1118 Wealthy Street SE, Grand Rapids, MI
Centering Black voices, let’s come together to review the incredible document “A Vision for Black Lives”, a massive collaborative effort initiated by The Movement for Black Lives.
Let’s discuss how this could work in Grand Rapids based on priorities and goals of local Black leadership, and collaboratively work towards creating an action plan.
Please review the demands document at https://policy.m4bl.org/beforehand.
IMPORTANT: White SURJ participants: come to listen, bring a snack to share, drinks to share, and notepads and pens to share.
https://www.facebook.com/events/1679440722375882/
Contact Marie at (616) 446-3622
or email hidden; JavaScript is required
Justice for Rasmea Odeh–Tuesday, September 22 update, 7:00pm at IGE
Institute for Global Education is at 1118 Wealthy Street SE, Grand Rapids, MI 49506
Rasmea Odeh is the target of U.S. government repression because she stands for equality, freedom and justice. Rasmea Odeh is a “serve the people” leader of the Arab American community in Chicago, an icon of the Palestinian liberation movement, and a determined activist for equality and justice for women and all oppressed peoples.
Two years ago the U.S. government raided and arrested her, put her on trial for a minor immigration paper work problem, and is attempting to imprison and deport her. In an unfair trial where she was not allowed to talk about being tortured by the Israeli Military, she was found guilty and sentenced to 18 months in prison and then deportation to a country other than her own. This trial was overturned by an appeals court in Cincinnati. A victory for the movement in solidarity with Rasmea Odeh.
At 69, Rasmea Odeh embodies the life long struggle of the Palestinian people to be free from colonization and occupation. We ask you to come here a report on her case, build the solidarity movement with Rasmea Odeh, and attend her next court hearing in Detroit on Tuesday, November 29 in front of Judge Drain.
Tom Burke with the Committee to Stop FBI Repression at www.StopFBI.net will make a short presentation and then discuss organizing solidarity with Rasmea Odeh.
United Nations International Day of Peace
September 2016
Each year the United Nations International Day of Peace is observed around the world on September 21. It’s a day devoted to strengthening the ideals of peace both within and among all nations and peoples. The theme for 2016 is Sustainable Development, through 17 interrelated goals. Grand Rapids Mayor Rosalynn Bliss proclaims September 21, 2016 as the International Day of Peace in Grand Rapids.
International Day of Peace on September 21st:
1. Saturday, September 10, 2016, 9am-8pm: A Peace Festival at the entrance of the Eastown StreetFair where children and adults can participate in hands on activities based on the 7 Principles of Peace.
2. September 19th-23rd, 2016: A Week of Peace Education. The Grand Rapids Public Schools will participate by a resolution in appropriate activities from our Program Guide for observing peace and celebrating people of different cultures now in its 37th year.
3. Sunday September 25, 2016, a Gathering in St. Francis Garden on the front lawn of Dominican Sisters Grand Rapids, Motherhouse at Marywood (E. Fulton and Lakeside Dr.) from 1:00 p.m. to 1:45 p.m., sponsored by the Instruments of Hope. Fol- lowed by an Interfaith Peace Service from 2-3 p.m. at The Dominican Chapel at Marywood, and a reception.
UNIDP events are sponsored by The Institute for Global Education, the Dominican Sisters Grand Rapids and the Instruments of Hope
www.igegr.org • (616) 454-1642 • email hidden; JavaScript is required
Dunbar’s Number Theory on Sunday from 12-2pm
Does Dunbar’s Number theory offer insights into why humans act as we do?
Are there implications for our cities, workplaces, or government? This discussion will have no formal moderator and may go anyplace! Will Free Will be pondered? You bet!
Potluck as usual!
Everyone is welcome 🙂
Dunbar’s number is a suggested cognitive limit to the number of people with whom one can maintain stable social relationships. These are relationships in which an individual knows who each person is and how each person relates to every other person.
Upcoming Free Thought events:
September 25, 2016 we will road trip to the museum in Big Rapids
We will have a discussion on Sunday, October 9, 2016 from 12-2pm
IGE Talks -Thursday, Sept. 1 at 7 pm
“How to vote… step one, register.”
This IGE Talks follows up on our popular July IGE Talks, “Meet Your Candidates for the Aug. 2 Primary
Joy Murphy of the AARP voter education program and a precinct chairperson will tell you everything you need to know about the election process. The League of Women Voters is slated to appear also. We present no candidate or proposal information, just procedural information. There’ll be time for public questions and discussion and snacks. And we will have voter registration forms.
616-454-1642
Web site: www.igegr.org
www.igetalks.org
Email: email hidden; JavaScript is required
www.facebook.com/InstituteforGlobalEducation
Chris Hedges “The Algebra Revolution”
View this interesting talk by Chris Hedges about the times of revolution we are living in at this moment. There will be time for discussion before and after the video.
Hedges flyer
Thursday, Sept. 15, 2016
6:30pm at the IGE Office, 1118 Wealthy Street SE, Grand Rapids, MI 49506