Celebrating Global Interdependence
September 2007

Interdependence Library Displays
September 2007  
All Lackawanna County Libraries 
All libraries in Lackawanna County will have a display of information about interdependence available throughout the month of September. This event is open to the public. For more information, contact each library individually:

• Abington Library, 570-587-3440

• Albright Library, 570- 348-3000

• Carbondale Library, 570-282-4281

• Dalton Library, 570-563-2014

• Green Ridge Library, 570-207-0764

• North Pocono Library, 570-842-4700

• Taylor Library, 570-562-1234

• Valley Library, 570-489-1765

Scranton Kiwanis Club - Interdependence Day Recognition featuring Sr. Margaret Gannon
Wednesday, September 5, 2007  
12:00 p.m.
Coopers Seafood House, Scranton
Sr. Margaret Gannon from Marywood University will address the Kiwanis Club on the topic of interdependence, particularly the mission of the African Sisters Educational Collaborative to Uganda, Kenya and Tanzania and leadership skill development. The meeting is open to members and their guests, as well as prospective members. The fee is $13 per person. To make a reservation, contact Bill Nellis at bnellis@adelphia.net. 

Interdependence Day Hexagon Project Exhibit 
Friday, September 7, 2007
6:00-9:00 p.m.
Melberger Arts Center @ Diversified, Wyoming Avenue, Scranton
Tessellated wall art/word art by students from Pennsylvania and beyond which creatively addresses issues of global interdependence. Guest speaker is artist Cindy Snodgrass with her installation "Leap of Faith in Gambler's Gulch." 
Participatory activities to include:

- Performance/Exhibit by students from Arts Alive;

- "Keeping the Balance," demonstration/workshop for students by actors from the Northeast Theatre

- "Add-On Polygon Collaborative" Stamp-a-Hexagon - Bring a Shirt!, a community contribution led by   

    Ms. Snodgrass and Heart to Art

Click here for more information about the Hexagon Project. 

Hexagon Project Workshop
Saturday, September 8, 2007  

1:00-3:00 p.m.
Melberger Arts Center @ Diversified, Wyoming Avenue, Scranton
A follow-up to the Hexagon Project Exhibit (see above), artist Cindy Snodgrass will conduct a workshop about Interdependence Day themes and their relationship to the Hexagon project. This event is open to the public. For more information, contact Beth Burkhauser at bburkhauser@msn.com.

Amer. Assoc. of University Women - Interdependence Day Recognition featuring Sr. Margaret Gannon
Saturday, September 8, 2007  
SCOLA Headquarters, 2013 Boulevard Avenue, Scranton 
Sr. Margaret Gannon from Marywood University will speak to the American Association of University Women about her upcoming trip to East Africa and its relationship to Interdependence Day. A reservation is necessary for attending the luncheon. For more information, please contact Dr. Elizabeth S. Bonczar, Co-President Scranton Branch of American Association of University Women, at 570-563-1417.    

Interdependence Religious Forum - The Connection between Interdependence Day & the Jewish High Holy Days

Saturday, September 8, 2007  

8:30 p.m.

Temple Israel, corner of Monroe & Gibson, Scranton (park in Moses Taylor’s parking structure)

This year, Interdependence Day falls on the eve of Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish New Year, emphasizing the connection these two observances have – community. Interdependence Day declares our interdependence as individuals and members of distinct communities and nations, while Rosh Hashanah starts an intense period of asking God for a good year in the book of life – for our communities. Both recognize that individuals need honest and appropriate interaction with others. It therefore seems appropriate that we hold our Interdependence Religious Forum at Temple Israel during the Jewish observance of Selihot – the night where Jews throughout the world ask God for forgiveness for the sins of intolerance, xenophobia, etc. 

Please join:

• Norman Stanton, Vice President for Seminary Relations at Union Theological Seminary, New York 1976-1981

• Dr. Carol Rittner, R.S.M., Interim Director of the MA Program in Holocaust & Genocide Studies and Distinguished Professor of Holocaust & Genocide Studies at The Richard Stockton College of New Jersey

• Dr. Mahmoud Fahmy, President of Education and Training Center and Dean / Professor Emeritus of Wilkes University

• “Rabbi Joe” Mendelsohn, Rabbi of Temple Israel and President of Scranton’s Central City Ministerium 

as they discuss the role of religion in an interdependent world. This event is open to the public.

Role of America in an Interdependent World
Interdependence Day Scranton 2007 Reception 
Speaker: Jill Dougherty, Director of US News for CNN
Tuesday, September 11, 2007
5:30-7:00 p.m.
William Nealon Federal Courthouse, N. Washington Avenue, Scranton

*** Interdependence Day Recognition***
Wednesday, September 12, 2007

Lackawanna County Library System Presents "Viewing Interdependency"
Wednesday, September 12, 2007  

Scranton Cultural Center
The public is invited to view the film "Beyond the Gates of Splendor." Mary Garm, Lackawanna County Library Administrator, will give a brief introduction on Interdependence Day and the nature of the film. This event is open to the public. For more information, contact Sandy Longo at the Abington Library at 570-587-3440 or Jeanie Sluck at the Taylor Library at 570-562-1234.

A Day for Darfur
Wednesday, September 12, 2007  
All day, culminating in a public program at 7:00 p.m.
Marywood University, several campus locations. Public program in Multimedia Room 160, Learning Resources Center
On September 12, Marywood University will be hosting a day-long series of events including a poetry jam, participatory art installation, hip-hop and gospel music, as well as a the unveiling of a student-designed wall mural. On the evening of September 12, Jen Marlow, Director of Darfur Diaries, will present and discuss her film. This event is open to the public. For more information, contact Dr. Laurie Cassidy at 570-348-6211 or lcassidy@marywood.edu.

Interdependence Day - Creating a Global Civic Society through Education
Wednesday, September 12, 2007  
10:00 a.m.
Penn State Worthington Scranton, Sherbine Lounge
This event will involve high school students. Organizers will promote various activities that focus on leadership skills, social consciousness, environmental awareness and personal responsibility. A speaker will address the topic of diversity and its effect on our local community. After the program is completed, students will go back to their schools and do a program on diversity and how it relates to their communities. For more information, contact Nanci Purcell at 570-963-2700. 

Why Don't We Know More About Rwanda?

Wednesday, September 12, 2007
10:30 - 11:30 a.m.
University of Scranton, Brennan Hall, Room 228
The panel discussion,  "Why Don't We Know More About Rwanda?" will feature Ms. Jacqueline Murekatete who will talk about the Rwandan genocide from the perspective of a survivor, and several higher education and K-12 faculty members. The discussion will focus on how, through curricular and extracurricular means, we can increase students' awareness of genocide and other of the world's tragedies, and prepare them for active and engaged citizenship in our increasingly interdependent world.  On-site attendance, as well as interactive participation of high schools and colleges through Internet2 video conferencing is encouraged. For more information contact Sondra Myers, Senior Fellow for International, Civic and Cultural Projects, University of Scranton at myerss2@scranton.edu.

Scranton Kiwanis Club - Interdependence Day Recognition featuring Dr. Richard Fitzsimmons
Wednesday, September 12, 2007  
12:00 p.m.
Coopers Seafood House, Scranton
Dr. Richard Fitzsimmons, Director of Library Services at Penn State Worthington, will address the Kiwanis Club on the topic of interdependence, particularly Interdependence Day in Paris, France and its impact on our community. The meeting is open to members and their guests, as well as prospective members. The fee is $13 per person. To make a reservation, contact Bill Nellis at bnellis@adelphia.net. 

Sibling Rivalry: Commonalities and and Tensions Among the Abrahamic Religions
Wednesday, September 12, 2007  
12:00 p.m.
Wilkes University, Henry Student Center - First Floor Rifkin Cafe
One-hour lecture by Dr. Luke [Chang-shin] Jih of the Intellectual Heritage Program at Temple University. Dr. Jih is an expert in comparative philosophy, inter-religious dialogue and Buddhism. Last year he received a teaching award from the Intellectual Heritage Program at Temple University. He is a certified instructor in Buddhist meditation and Tai-Chi-Chuan. There will be a question and answer period after the lecture. This event is open to the public. For more information, contact Maria Suarez, Ph.D., Special Assistant to the President for Diversity and Community Affairs, at 570-408-4001.

The American Constitution in Global Context

Wednesday, September 12, 2007
2:00 p.m.
Lackawanna College Student Union Building (former CYC), Jefferson Avenue & Vine Street
Lackawanna College will host a combined Interdependence Day and Constitution Day program. The main event will be a one-hour panel discussion featuring Lackawanna faculty members from the history, social science, and business divisions. The moderator of the discussion will be David Wenzel, former Mayor of Scranton. These panelists will highlight certain features of the U.S. Constitution (including the Bill of Rights) that give to Americans certain privileges, freedoms, and rights that are not conferred elsewhere in the world. But because we live in a “global village” that makes all of us interdependent to varying degrees, Americans must learn to work with and appreciate the traditions of others, however different they may be. We hope the discussion will stimulate student interest and comment as well as a response from the larger community, which we would like to reach through a Channel 61 taping and broadcast. This event is open to the public. For more information, contact Frank Goskowski, Academic Dean, at 570-961-7812 or goskowskif@lackawanna.edu.

Fall Harvest Festival

Wednesday, September 12, 2007
5:00 - 7:00 p.m.
SAGE (Scranton Area Garden Exchange), 300 Block N. Irving Avenue (between Linden & Mulberry Streets & Nay Aug Park Greenhouse
Take a tour of two of the University of Scranton's sustainability projects. SAGE, the University's organic community garden, is a thriving example of what can be done with abandoned city lots. And the EarthBox project, in conjunction with The Growing Connection at Nay Aug Park 's greenhouse, provides a display of alternative organic gardening techniques and how the EarthBox is being used locally and globally to educate and feed communities. This event is open to the public. For more information, contact Kristen Roberts at sagegarden1@gmail.com.

Interdependence and Leadership: Family, Community and Society 

Wednesday, September 12, 2007
6:00 - 8:00 p.m.
Keystone College, Brooks Theater

The focus of the program will be looking at ways that leadership can take more responsibility for working together on a local, national and global level to ensure that the “inalienable rights” of all citizens are protected. There will be a Keynote Speaker and four panelists. The speaker and panelists will have expertise and experience in community organization, religion, politics and education. Members of the Keystone College family and surrounding community members are invited to attend and participate in this free event. For more information contact Sharon Brittingham, Director of Multicultural Affairs at 570-945-8253 or sharon.brittingham@keystone.edu.

* * * 

Cultural Diversity in the Middle East 

Monday, September 17, 2007
College Misericordia, McGowan Room

Dr. Linda Trompetter will make a presentation about her experiences in the Middle East. She recently spent three weeks in the Middle East with working with  Israeli Jews, Israeli Arab Christians and Palestinian Arab Muslims and gained a deeper understanding to the diverse narratives which have fueled hostilities and military action. She will present her account of how she believes that peace is desirable and possible. Dr. Trompetter is the Director of Diversity Institute at College Misericordia and is the President of the Northeastern Pennsylvania Diversity Education Consortium. This event is open to the public. For more information, contact Dr. Linda Trompetter at ltrompet@misericordia.edu.

Scranton Kiwanis Club - Interdependence Day Recognition featuring Cara Sutherland
Wednesday, September 19, 2007  
12:00 p.m.
Coopers Seafood House, Scranton
Cara Sutherland, Director of the Everhart Museum, will address the Kiwanis Club on the topic of interdependence, particularly museum exhibit focusing on the Genocide in Rwanda. The meeting is open to members and their guests, as well as prospective members. The fee is $13 per person. To make a reservation, contact Bill Nellis at bnellis@adelphia.net. 

Intended Consequences: Genocide Mothers, Children of Rape

Friday, September 21, 2007 through Sunday, December 2, 2007
Everhart Museum of Natural History, Science & Art

In February 2006, photojournalist Jonathan Torgovnik traveled to East Africa to shoot a story for Newsweek on the 25th Anniversary of HIV/AIDS. While in Rwanda, he heard the testimony of Margaret Mukacyaka, a survivor of the Rwandan Genocide. Mukacyaka was one of thousands of women who was raped during the genocide in 1994 and, as a result of her ordeal, had a child and contracted HIV/AIDS. Deeply disturbed by her story, Torgovnik returned to Rwanda later in 2006 to begin work on documenting the stories of these women and shed light on the heinous crimes that had been committed against them. The result of his mission to bear witness is the exhibit "Intended Consequences: Genocide Mothers, Children of Rape," which will have its world premiere at the Everhart Museum of Natural History, Science & Art. For more information, contact the Everhart at 570-346-7186 or visit www.everhart-museum.org. 

Scranton Kiwanis Club - Interdependence Day Recognition featuring Leslie Collins
Wednesday, September 26, 2007  
12:00 p.m.
Coopers Seafood House, Scranton
Leslie Collins, Executive Director of Scranton Tomorrow, will address the Kiwanis Club on the topic of interdependence, particularly how various community groups partner on projects such as the Riverfront Redevelopment, Elm Street, Artspace, the Scranton Business Association, and First Night Scranton. The meeting is open to members and their guests, as well as prospective members. The fee is $13 per person. To make a reservation, contact Bill Nellis at bnellis@adelphia.net. 

The Importance of Intercultural Dialogue: Rumi's Perspective

Wednesday, September 26, 2007
5:30 - 7:30 p.m.
Marywood University, IHM Center

The Turkish Students at Marywood University are collaborating with other Turkish organizations to present Rev. Thomas Michel, SJ, Director of the Jesuit Secretariat for Interreligious Dialogue in Rome , the Ecumenical Secretary for the Federation of Asian Bishops' Conferences and Ex-Director of the Islamic Office of the Vatican 's Council for Interreligious Dialogue. The presentation and the discussion will begin at 5:30 p.m., followed by a reception with the Turkish students and community. This event is open to the public. For more information, contact 570-348-6237 or conted@marywood.edu.  

On Being a Citizen in an Interdependent World

Thursday, September 27, 2007
2:00 p.m.
Century Club, 612 Jefferson Avenue, Scranton

Sondra Myers, Senior Fellow for International, Civic and Cultural Projects at the University of Scranton will give a lecture entitled "On Being a Citizen in an Interdependent World." This event is open to the public. For more information, contact Louise Finetti at 570-342-1839.  

Community Interdependence

Wednesday, October 31, 2007
Johnson College, N. Main Avenue, Scranton

The students of Johnson College will present a program highlighting the theme of interdependence on a local level. As the region's only technical college, Johnson students and faculty have a unique opportunity to assist non-profits and human service agencies with valuable technical expertise. These projects assist the agencies in pursuit of their mission while instilling in students pride in their skills, loyalty to their community and an appreciation of the value of community service. Recent and upcoming projects include construction of a conductor’s podium for the Northeast Philharmonic; adaptation of toys for use by disabled children at St. Joseph’s Center; architectural drafting drawings for Nay Aug Park; Spay Day; machining of parts for the Lackawanna Coal Mine Tour; maintenance of vehicles for the Lackawanna County Humane Society; and participation of Student Ambassadors in United Way’s Day of Caring. For more information, contact Linda Learn, MSW, MBA, Assistant Director of the Department of Student Support Services or Mary Lou Miller, Director of Institutional Advancement at 570-702-8908 or mlmiller@johnson.edu.

Keep checking this page for the most up-to-date information about Interdependence Day Scranton 2007 programs and events. Information will be added as additional events are planned.