|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Order
CIE
Merchandise
Click
Here
| Return to CIE On Campus Activities & Biographies |
CIE Activities - Fall 2009 - Spring 2010
| Intergroup Dialogue Methods
|
Intergroup Dialogue Methods
Reported by Philip MangisOn November 10, 2009, Dr. Ximena Zuniga and graduate students Keri DeJong and Dre Domingue from the UMass Social Justice Education (SJE) program joined us for our Tuesday meeting to discuss intergroup dialogue,
Dr. Zuniga, Keri, and Dre explained the methodologies that they have been using for intergroup dialogue in helping groups speak across social identity differences. The presented some of their recent research findings from a national study that looked at engagement processes and learning outcomes of students who participate in race and gender intergroup dialogues. Their research suggests that intergroup dialogue as a methodology can foster critical and reflective conversations about difference and commonalities.
Center members participated in a few mindfulness and dialogic activities and learned about the difference between dialogue, discussion, debate, and intergroup dialogue.
The efforts of Dr. Xuniga, Dre, Keri, and several other SJE graduate students to spread awareness about the need and efficacy of Intergroup Dialogue in higher education have been instrumental in the establishment of the Intergroup Dialogue Initiative between the Five Colleges.
The Future of Digital Government
Reported by Laura Gluck
Professor Jane Fountain spoke at the October 6th CIE Tuesday meeting on the future of digital government. The Director of the National Center for Digital Government, Fountain joined the UMass community in 2005 after leaving Harvard's Kennedy School of Government. She is a member of the Global Advisory Council on the Future of Governments for the World Economic Forum. She is also a consultant for many diverse governments and organizations including the World Bank and the European Union.
After giving a brief overview of the literature in the field, including her own book, Building the Virtual State, Fountain explained that the term "digital government" is the use of information and communication technologies in government. Technology has evolved at such a rapid pace that it has been difficult to stand back and evaluate its impact on the private and public sectors. Some laud the progress of digital government as the answer to tyranny and political corruption, assuming that the vast amount of information available on the web will inevitably lead to democratization and government transparency. However, Fountain cautioned that this view of what is being called Government 2.0 is both damaging and dangerous. In fact, evidence suggests that when new technology is put into the hands of an authoritarian or semi-authoritarian regime, the result is actually more state control and centralized power.Professor Fountain argied that we cannot blindly promote and idealize the positive potential of digital government without understanding the possible negative consequences. Whereas one nation may use the internet to post new legislation and host live town hall meetings, another may be more interested in tracking the websites visited by each of its citizens. Electronic voter ballots may ensure more accurate tallies, but also provides the opportunity to document a person's identification information and voting record. Widespread surveillance may contribute to better state security- but who is monitoring and using that information?
Her presentation provoked a lively discussion of many related questions, particularly around how digital capacity would be used in developing countries with limited access to the web.
The annual fall reception was held on a rainy Friday afternoon which failed to dampen the spirits of those attending. An enthusiastic group turned out to help CIE begin its 42nd year of operation, including a number of graduates from years past who live in the area.
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
On September 29, 2009, our Tuesday meeting speaker was Reddad Erguig, a visiting Fulbright scholar from Morocco. Dr. Erguig's research and area of interest is women's literacy practices. He shared with us an ethnographic study he had conducted, in collaboration with "Imane", a woman who had participated in an adult literacy class. This research documented the ways she continued to practice literacy after completing the class, particularly in the family and religious domains.
Professor Erguig and the CIE members had a spirited discussion about everything from research methodology to the role of ethnographic research in policy making to the changing literacy environments in urban and rural areas. We thank him for his time, for sharing his findings with us, and for being open to an extended discussion of literacy research.
Konda Reddy Chavva, a CIE doctoral student, spent this past summer in Southern India working with World Education project staff and farmers to design participatory methodology for collection of baseline data on climatic variability. World Education assists the Andhra Pradesh Farmer Managed Groundwater Systems Project in the design and implementation of Farmer Water Schools. Konda has served as the project coordinator for the past four years.
Changes in rainfall patterns can have a detrimental effect on small and marginal farmers, who constitute close to 80% of Indian farmers. Involving farmers in baseline data collection, validation and analysis will build critical thinking and research skills within their communities. Engaging farmers in designing implementation strategies and ensuing project activities will increase their ownership of the process and enhance participation. In a Farmer Water School a group of men and women farmers belonging to one Hydrological Unit come together to observe and analyze groundwater availability and crop-water requirements, discuss the situation with co-farmers, and make individual decisions that affect the collective groundwater resource.
For his dissertation, Konda plans to focus on the role of nonformal education in promoting greater farmer awareness of crop-water management issues and collective data gathering and analysis by farmers.
After holding CIE's annual fall retreat in Camp Bement for over 25 years, the camp closed and we had to search for a new location for the retreat. We were fortunate in finding a very nice new location at Angel's Rest - a retreat center northeast of Greenfield in the beautiful hills of western Massachusetts. The setting, food, and accomodations were all of a standard that one would love to become accustomed to!
Retreat planning committee
Rebecca Paulson, Karla Sarr, Cristine Smith,
Philip Mangis, Sarah Kahando, Alicia FitzpatrickHonoring the Past - Reaching for the Future
Ex Com chose this theme based on students' desires to discuss what's great about CIE and thus worth keeping, but also what needs to be done to move CIE into the 21st century. Example? The resource center in the L-shaped room could use a LITTLE updating, perhaps. So, at the retreat, we first brainstormed a list of CIE traditions...Tuesday meetings, tag sale, retreat, receptions and picnics, peer advisors, etc. We then discussed what we should "keep" and what might be changed or "tweaked". While we didn't decide anything, it did give us a good feeling about the value of Center for International Education activities and also some ideas about updating them. Next, we envisioned Center for International Education in 2019; lots of fantasies about new and expanded space (Hills South is getting pretty old) and technology that we need.
Then, we used a discussion technique called "Open Space Technology" for a lengthy exploration into how we can move towards our vision. We have plenty of work cut out for us; ideas include a major push for 21st century technology (well, even a built-in projector in the classroom would be nice!), e-resources, publications, and plenty of ways to keep our spirit alive. Stay tuned!
