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.

Please donate to IGE

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The Institute for Global Education stands for peace and justice here in Grand Rapids. Please make a donation to keep the Institute for Global Education moving forward.

Every penny goes towards stopping attacks on women, immigrants, unions, African Americans and other oppressed peoples. IGE marched at the airport against Muslim ban. IGE hosts the International Day of Peace where over 150 people participated. IGE supported our union bus drivers of ATU in the struggle to preserve pensions, keep health care benefits, and win a good contract here at the Rapid. IGE rallies and protests against putting children in cages, and taking babies from their parents at the border to ship them to Bethany Christian Services here in Grand Rapids. IGE supported the Young Lords 50 Years Conference in Chicago. IGE has participated in Day of the Dead, Mandela Day, and many other efforts. Together we can build strong movements.

Please donate now! We need your donation more than ever.

IGE Supports the Young Lords

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Institute for Global Education supports Young Lords 50 Years Commemoration

More than 1000 people gathered at DePaul University in Chicago to hear Jose “Cha Cha” Jimenez, founder of the Young Lords and Oscar Lopez River, freed political prisoner who spent 34 years in U.S. prison for supporting Puerto Rican independence. The Institute for Global Education funded seven members travel and participation in the Young Lords 50 year events. There was also a conference at DePaul University and a lively march through the Lincoln Park neighborhood with signs, “Free Puerto Rico!” and “Remember the victims of Hurricane Maria and Trump!”

The Young Lords 50 Year Memorial tour honored and remembered the Reverend Bruce and Eugenia Johnson, as well as five members of the Young Lords and Black Panthers who gave their lives for freedom and liberation.

The Rev. Bruce Johnson and his wife Eugenia, of the People’s Church, were murdered in the most horrible way due to their selfless and unwavering support for the Young Lords in the struggle against neighborhood displacement, racism and poverty. In their honor, we gathered at the former site of the People’s Church to rededicate ourselves to their mission for a society with peace and justice!

Power to the people!

50 Years of Young Lords

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SEPTEMBER 21, 2018

50 Years of Young Lords

 · Hosted by National Young Lords
SEPTEMBER 21, 2018
50 Years of Young Lords
September 21, at 7:00 p.m.  to September 23, 2018 at 2:00 p.m.
Sep 21 at 7 PM to Sep 23 at 2 PM
Lincoln Park, Chicago
We are coming back to Lincoln Park to celebrate the birthplace of the Young Lords Movement and their achievements, and to re-commit to continue going forward for self determination for Puerto Rico, all Latino and other oppressed nations, and for neighborhood empowerment.

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.

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

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.

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

Freethought Cafe field trip to Jim Crow Museum of Racial Intolerance

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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

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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