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The Impact of Fair Trade on Culture

Join us at Ten Thousand Villages, located at 2424A Rice Boulevard (in Rice Villageon Wednesday, December 5, from 6:00 to 9:00 pm, for a provocative and inspiring talk on The Impact of Fair Trade on Culture + enjoy a private Shopping Night at the store. 15% of net sales during the Shopping Night will be donated to SIETAR Houston and the charity of our choice - more on that later. Ten Thousand Villages is a nonprofit, self-supporting, non-governmental, and fair trade organization, designed to benefit artisans, not to maximize profits. They market hand-made products (jewelry, toys, musical instruments, and household accessories) from artisans in low income countries and provide consumers around the world with products that have been fairly purchased from sustainable resources. Refreshments will be provided for this special evening event.

IRAQ - BEHIND THE HEADLINES .

Sami Tawfiq attempts to address some of the gaps in today's news and introduces a present day context to the headlines through a review of Iraq's history and culture. This dialogue will share views and experiences that we don't often see on the news.

ICT - Connect: A Communication Lifestyle

Dr. Dick Huiras will share his research, approach, instrument and insights about our communication styles and how we connect with others, especially in the frame of building trust. He and others around the world have found that his model both underpins and transcends cultures Mark your calendars and stay tuned for more information.

The Multicultural Family - Tamales with Chopsticks?

Winston Huh, a Korean-American and Elizabeth Escobedo, a Mexican-American, take you into their world as they raise their two Mexican-Korean-American sons, Christopher and Benjamin. How do they celebrate holidays? How do they handle the differences in the cultures of their in-laws? What do they have on their dinner table? Find out as they talk to you about what it is like living in a multicultural family. Winston and Elizabeth will explore the joys and challenges of living in a multicultural family and identify the decisions and key issues they face. Don't forget our free Welcome-Back Lunch and Special Membership Meeting, immediately following the presentation.

Intercultural Tool Kit workshop

This very practical, fun, hands-on 2-day workshop will give you the opportunity to participate in and experience, from the perspective of a learner, a repertoire of intercultural games and activities. We will also discuss how to facilitate the activities, including purposes, sequencing, debriefing, and how to customize.

Hofner Saphiere, Dianne
Cultural Detective
Internationally known speaker, author, consultant, trainer and creator of the Cultural Detective. Diane is generously donating her time and talents to SIETAR Houston as a fundraiser for our organization.

Reflections on four decades in Japan

Glenn Davis will share his over 40 years experience as a professional journalist and professor in Japan. There is no better authority on contemporary Japan.

West Bank Story and SIETAR Members Speak

Join us for the complete showing of the cross cultural comedy WEST BANK STORY, the 2007 Academy Award winning musical comedy set in the fast paced world of competing falafel stands in the West Bank. David, an Israei soldier, falls in love with the beautiful Palestinian cashier, Fatima, despite the animosity between their families' dueling restaurants. Can the couple's love withstand a century old conflict ? And once a year, we come together to decide what topics, themes, speakers and events we want to experience in the coming SIETAR Houston program year. This day will be a time to share and provide input for the 2007-08 calendar of events. Please come and make your voice heard.

Body/Soul: The Healing Journey

Choreographer Sara Draper and writer/performance artist Elizabeth Gilbert perform an excerpt of their 2006 collaborative work, Body/Soul, which serves as a springboard for the discussion that follows. The poetry in this collaboration speaks to those who struggle with limitations. Draper’s choreography embodies the words of the poems which detail Gilbert’s journey and are performed by Gilbert and Draper together in wooden chairs and using the wheelchair. This work addresses the human capacity to embrace drastic, uninvited change and to recover using body awareness and inner vision.

Developing Spiritual and Cultural Competency

Spiritual/cultural competency is the capacity to read the fabric of one’s own life narrative and hear the life narrative of another. Explore with Chaplain Stephen Findley the Five Step Framework for Spiritual/cultural competency: Personal Awareness, Knowledge, Skills in multicultural competency, Passion, and Action. Clinical narratives from a healthcare setting will be used to illustrate and illuminate the work of pastoral care in a multicultural and interfaith environment.

Mitakuye Oaysin - We are Related

A descendent of the Choctaw tribe and a leader of the Lakota Inipi ceremony, Ronnie Smith will 'travel the red road' with us, that is, share his personal experiences of the Native American cultures he is a part of. Following Native American traditions, we will learn about the philosophy of relations, the significance of key ceremonies such as the Purification ceremony, communication style and norms in the Native American cultures, and experience how to be open to outcome.

Putting a Face on the Undocumented

undocumumented , a film produced solo by Jesse Salmeron tracks the protests and demonstrations over proposed immigration reform that took place in Houston in Spring 2006. Jesse's goal in the film is to put a face to the undomented worker, to tell their stories and to show their struggles. The 1 hour 20 min film will be screened in full and will be followed by discussion.

Seasonal Energy with WonLandé West African Dance & Drum Company

The title WonLandé is a phrase in Susu, the maternal language of Artistic Director and Master Drummer, Mohamed Diaby, and it means “Let’s Come Together”. WonLandé strives to broaden the understanding of African music as not only a means of entertainment but as a cultural entity which promotes the individual’s and the community’s life-long development and vitality by encouraging unity, morality, and positive social values. Bring family and friends Come join in the fun, learning and energy WonLandé will perform, share insights to the importance of the drum to the West African Culture, and teach us songs and dance. Participation required.

Negotiating International Business

Author and international business advisor, Lothar Katz leads this entertaining and thought-provoking session on cultural and ethical aspects of international business negotiations. Discussing practical examples from around the world, this session will give hints on how to deal effectively with unfamiliar negotiation tactics and ethical conflicts, explore requirements for effective cross-cultural negotiators, and review cultural traits that all need to remain aware of when negotiating international business.

A Night in Turkey by Dr. Kamuran Kadipasaoglu

The first SIETAR Houston special event Wednesday, Nov 8, 6pm - 9pm+ Surrounded by Turkish collectibles, our senses will be completely entertained as we listen to Dr. Kamuran Kadipasaoglu, President of AsiaMinor Collectibles, share the past and present of Turkey, and sip Turkish wine as well as enjoy other foods of this fascinating country.

Palestinian-Israeli Performing Arts Programs

The Performing Arts as a Vehicle for Intercultural Understanding: Palestinian-Israeli Performing Arts Programs by Dr. Sharon Joy, founder and facilitator of the Houston Palestinian-Jewish Dialogue Group.

Iran Today: Current Events and the Iranian Perspective

Dr. Masoud Shafiei, Director of the Intensive English Program and coordinator of International Education at Kingwood College, will present an overview of the government structure in Iran and discuss the current status of democracy in Iran. He will touch on some of the key current events, such as the nuclear energy, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad presidency, the relationship with the United States, relationship with the rest of the world, people's perspectives on the current events, and the youth in Iran. Masoud's recent trip to Iran provides the current pulse and today's perspective. In this interactive presentation, the audience can raise the questions they always wanted to have answered but never had the opportunity to ask.

Portable Identity

Would you like to explore how moving to live overseas profoundly affects our identities and learn more about successful strategies for coping with the inevitable changes involved in relocating to a different culture? This session will deepen understanding of how identity is affected at each stage of an overseas move, highlight why difficulties and challenges may arise and give insight into how the individual can decide to take charge of the changes that occur and make choices that will make the overseas experience a happier, successful and more meaningful experience. The focus for this session will be the book A Portable Identity, written by Debra Bryson and Charise Hoge, which was presented during a workshop at the Families in Global Transition Conference held September 2005 here in Houston. ‘This book is not just about coping with change, but how to get back to that person (yourself) you feel you may have lost in the move’.

Verity, Jackie
Kaleidescope Careers
Jackie Verity, owner of Kaleidoscope Careers, has over 20 years experience in human resources and career consulting, much of it gained in an international environment. Since 1998, Jackie has lived and worked in Houston, Texas. She was born and educated in the UK and has worked in France, Germany, Belgium and the US. Jackie is experienced in the design and delivery of group workshops and her particular strength lies in working one-on-one with clients in transition. Jackie graduated with a BA Honors degree in Modern Languages from Oxford University in the UK. While in Houston, she has completed her MBA by distance learning with the UK’s Open University. She is Myers Briggs (MBTI®) Qualified and is a member of the Society of Human Resource Management, the American Society for Training and Development, the Society for Intercultural Education, Training and Research and the Association for Psychological Type.

Africa: Dispelling the Myth

Global interdependence and integration is an existing reality today. It is no longer possible for organizations of any type to avoid the issue of globalization. Corporations, agencies, non-governmental organizations – all must face the challenges of international competition, population mobility, multicultural workplaces and classrooms. Furthermore, many of the great problems that humankind faces today are global in scope. Environmental pollution, epidemic diseases, poverty, and terrorism affect people everywhere regardless of their geographical location or national identity. The realization that we are part of an interdependent and interconnected global system calls for the development of a global perspective that is responsive to the complex intercultural dynamics of globalization.

Kamaria, Muthoni
North Harris Community College
Muthoni Kamaria is an adjunct faculty at North Harris Community College who was born and raised in Kenya. Over the years he has acquired a wide range of cross-cultural experience living and studying in different countries. He earned his bachelors degree in French and History from Kenyatta University in Kenya, Masters degree in English from the University of Manchester in the United Kingdom and is currently pursuing a doctorate in Education Leadership. He has also had short stays in other countries both in Africa and Europe. Muthoni has taught English and intercultural communication at the university of Nairobi and at the United States International University.

Jouneys of Migration

They came by force, in the holds of ships, for false promises made in India but never redeemed, and from Europe seeking a new life where they could define themselves away from the structure of Old World family patterns. They came as deportees from the rigid laws of Britain, for hunting a hare, or stealing a chicken; and created a place called the southern Caribbean. Today, their wanderlust takes them to far places, including Houston and every major city in the English speaking world.

Edwards, Linda

Linda Edwards is a student of history, educator, and writer. She holds a B.A from the University of The West Indies, and a M.Ed. from the University of Delaware. She is a dual citizen of the US and Trinidad and Tobago and lives in Houston. Linda is also an active member of SIETAR Houston.

Effective Negotiation Techniques: Negotiation Across Cultures

Are you an effective negotiator? You get lots of opportunity for practice. You may negotiate with your family on what activities to do each night. Maybe you negotiate with your team at work on assignments and deadlines or with clients on contract terms. And let's not forget negotiating with co-members in volunteer organizations. And just as you feel you're getting the hang of it, you find yourself negotiating with an outsourcing firm on another continent or with a half-dozen contractors from a different culture. Whether your negotiations are contractual, project-related, or personal, this session enables you to become an effective negotiator, especially when multiple cultures are represented. Among the key topics are the differences between skilled and average negotiators, characteristics of negotiations that effective negotiators can influence, and the effect of culture on negotiations.

Hinkle, Chuck

Chuck Hinkle has been speaking on team-building and diversity issues since 1990. He has led seminars on these and related topics at companies such as Shell Oil, Dow Chemical, Marathon Oil, Tanox, and The United Way. Chuck has been working in the IT field since 1977 and is currently a Product Manager with PROS Pricing Solutions. As the Gulf Coast Division Governor in Toastmasters, he led a division of 600 members, and was the honored as Southeast Texas' very first Distinguished Division Governor.

Why History Matters: White Supremacy Yesterday and Today

People tend to be selective about how they use history. When people want to invoke some grand and glorious aspect of the past, then history is all-important. But when one brings to a discussion of history those facts that contest the celebratory story and make people uncomfortable -- such as the deeply racist history of the United States -- one common response is, Why do you insist on dwelling on the past? Ironically, the same people who extol the virtues of knowing history and highlight the importance of that knowledge for contemporary citizenship suddenly argue that we shouldn't spend too much time thinking about history, or at least some aspects of history. In this presentation, Jensen will discuss the three holocausts of U.S. history and connect them to the system of white supremacy in which we still live.

Jensen, Robert
UT Austin
Dr. Robert Jensen joined the UT faculty in 1992 after completing his Ph.D. in media law and ethics in the School of Journalism and Mass Communication at the University of Minnesota. Prior to his academic career, he worked as a professional journalist for a decade. He teaches courses in media law, ethics, and politics. Jensen also is director of the Senior Fellows Program, the honors program of the UT College of Communication.

In his research, Jensen draws on a variety of critical theories. Much of his work has focused on pornography and the radical feminist critique of sexuality. In more recent work, he has addressed questions of race through a critique of white privilege and institutionalized racism.

A Dialogue on Diversity - Living One Life

Through his experiences working for a global energy company, Rick Schroder will introduce the audience to some of the challenges facing people who are gay, lesbian, bisexual, or transgender (GLBT) in the U.S. and around the world.

Schroder, Rick

Rick Schroder is a Global Sustainability/Social Performance Consultant. His interests focus on helping businesses assess and identify strategies and appropriate metrics for their efforts in the areas of sustainable development, social performance, and diversity & inclusion.

Rick specializes in the design and delivery of interactive education modules and interventions appropriate for all levels of an organization. For most of his 20 year career, he has worked in corporations as a consultant embracing organizational change management models and infuencing business approaches to becoming more sustainable and socially responsible. He has worked with businesses to assess their baseline in these areas and the development of appropriate metrics for score-carding progress.

Rick has degrees in Geology from Idaho State University and Eastern Kentucky University. He is a former member of the US Business Council for Sustainable Development and the Human Rights Campaign Business Council.

The Wisdom of Facilitators

Most Trainers have learned their facilitation techniques through trial and error and with hindsight being 20/20 - wish they hadn't. In this energetic and interactive session participants will identify nine types of interventions, revisit the guiding principles and ethics of facilitation and use the collective wisdom of the participants to strengthen existing skills and address the dilemmas that some facilitators may face.

Jacobsen, Merna
Texas A & M University
Merna Jacobsen is an independent consultant/trainer and the Coordinator of Organizational and Staff Development for the Division of Student Affairs at Texas A&M University. Merna has worked in the fields of training, consultation, facilitation and mediation for twenty years. Her work takes her throughout North America and to such international arenas as Bosnia-Herzegovina, Qatar, Canada and Mexico. She consults and mediates for institutions of higher education, businesses, government agencies, and civic and nonprofit organizations. Her international work as a trainer and facilitator has focused on assisting non-governmental agencies. As a certified mediator, Merna not only conducts mediations, but trains others in beginning and advanced mediation and facilitation skills. She conducts train-the-trainer workshops and assists organizations in establishing in-house training departments. She holds a B.S. in Education from Montana State University, an M.A. in Speech Communication from the University of Northern Colorado, and is in the dissertation stage of her PH.D. in Educational Administration & Human Resource Development at Texas A&M University.

Designing Training for Specific Cultural Groups

This presentation will present the findings of Chris Deal's dissertation research and discuss ways SIETAR members (and others) may be able to use those findings. My research focused on the process of designing training when the trainer and participants are from different cultural backgrounds. I gathered information on the national cultures of China, India, and Mexico; the information is both culture-specific and training-specific. The framework that emerged from this research can theoretically be applied to the design of training for any group. The purpose of the research was to help improve training effectiveness by taking culture into account during the design process.

Deal, Christopher
Deal Intercultural
Christopher Deal holds a Ph.D in Intercultural Communication from the University of New Mexico and an M.A. in International Communication from American University. He has fourteen years of experience in the Intercultural field as a teacher, trainer, consultant, manager, and researcher. He has lived and worked abroad for five years, in Taiwan and the U.K., and speaks Mandarin Chinese. He currently manages a training and consulting firm called "Deal Intercultural." His previous clients include DuPont, Ericsson, Seagram, Philips, AIG, Eli Lilly, Scott Paper, the Taipei City Government, the University of New Mexico Health Sciences Center, and Louisiana Tech University's Center for Educational Excellence. His specialties include training trainers and teachers, intercultural training, training design, and chinese language and culture. Christopher has taught or tained people from thirty-three countries.

Where Men are Wives and Mothers Rule

The cultures of Western Africa have contributed much to the Americas. Among those contributions is the development of the religions of Santeria, Voudou and Candomble. An interesting feature of all of these traditions is the preponderance not only of female adherents but also of female clergy. I have argued that these traditions are female-normative, that is that female gender roles are the model for all practitioners. In this presentation I will introduce the Yoruba culture that forms the basis of these traditions and discuss how these Yoruba ideas lead to the beliefs and practices of these traditions in the Americas.

Clark, Mary Ann
Rice University
Dr. Mary Ann Clark has published widely on the religion of Santeria including her recent book "Where Men are Wives and Mothers Rule." She teaches Religious Studies at the University of Houston Central Campus and Humanities and Anthropology courses at the University of Houston, Clear Lake.

Raising Our Voices

“One of the lessons that the events after 9/11 have taught us is that we must come together to raise our voices against discrimination and bias.” The South Asian American Leaders of Tomorrow (SAALT) has taken steps to create awareness among policymakers, community members, and the media on the impact of the post September 11th environment on South Asians. Events over the last few years have shattered the perception that South Asians are not affected by hate. They have also heightened the need to set into place infrastructures and initiatives that address bias within U.S. schools, neighborhoods, workplaces, the media, and the justice system. In early 2002, SAALT launched a campaign to raise awareness around the increasing trend of hate crimes, which included the production and screenings of a 26-minute documentary entitled Raising Our Voices: South Asian Americans Address Hate. Participants of this presentation will view the documentary followed by and in-depth discussion led by Aabha Davé.

Aabha Davé is a licensed master social worker who has worked in the social service field in various capacities since 1998. Her interests involve the intersection of personal and political issues as well as the manners in which race allow or impede individuals and groups from navigating complex social systems.
She currently serves as Public Policy Analyst for CHILDREN AT RISK, a local child advocacy organization and serves on the board of the Center for the Healing of Racism.

"Raising Our Voices" is SAALT's (South Asiam American Leaders of Tomorrow)national campaign to raise awareness of the problem of hate crimes in the South Asian American community. Hate crimes have been a growing problem for the community, with South Asians reporting the highest number of incidents in the Asian American community. Following the video, there will be an in-depth discussion facilitated by Aabha Davé, LMSW.
The campaign centers around a 26-minute video featuring interviews with victims, advocates, and law enforcement officials. The video is accompanied by an educational resource packet with detailed information about hate crimes and prevention strategies. The video and the packet have been designed to help community organizations run workshops for their members about this problem and strategize solutions.
The video, produced by documentary filmmaking company, Omusha Communication, in addition to addressing hate crimes in a historical context also examines the impact of the Sept. 11th attack and the resulting backlash against South Asians.

Ghosts of Rwanda

In what may be one of the most horrific acts of genocide this century, the Rwandan massacre of 800,000+ people in 1994, virtually went unnoticed by the rest of the world. This session will examine the genocide, the global response, and absence of support from the superpowers. And in particular, why the average American knew so little of the atrocities. Following the success of the Academy Award Nominated film Hotel Rwanda, participants will view the video Ghosts of Rwanda, a documentary detailing the series of events surrounding the massacre, followed by an in depth discussion.

Russell V. Richard, LCSW, is a clinical social worker/psychotherapist. He maintains a part time private practice focused on helping men and women become fully engaged in all aspects of their lives by identifying and moving through the blocks to success and fulfillment. Russell received a Bachelor of Science in Psychology from the University of Louisiana, Lafayette in 1992 and a Master’s in Social Work from Louisiana State University in 1996. Following graduate school, he was awarded Fellowship in Clinical Social Work at the Baylor College Medicine Department of Psychiatry from 1996-1997. He is a member of the Center for the Healing of Racism, the Men in Mission New Warrior Houston Community, and the Houston Association of Marriage and Family Therapy. Along with involvement in these organizations, he has written articles on spirituality, African American empowerment, and diversity. He is engaged in an ongoing quest for expanded consciousness and is committed to ongoing spiritual, psychological, and personal growth.

Cross Cultural Mediation

In an increasingly diverse and cross cultural society with an overburdened legal system, the need for mediation techniques and the application of mediation skills in a diverse workplace are essential to personal and professional success. This workshop facilitated by Michael McMullen, PhD, will cover the history of mediation and conflict resolution whild providing participants with hands-on skills training in the process of mediation.

Dr. McMullen is an associate professor of scoiology at the University of Houston-Clear Lake. He received his doctorate from Emory University, and his bachelor's degree in sociology and mathematics from the University of Kansas. His areas of interest include conflict resolution and mediation, organizational development and change, and religious mediation. He does academic research into various conflict resolution programs in the corporate and nonprofit sectors, as well as the public schools. Mike got his start in conflict resolution working with Do Kirk, an internationally known mediator who works with children in the inner city to teach them mediation and dispute resolution skills. He also worked for 5 years at the Martin Luther King, Jr. Center for Nonviolent Social Change in Atlanta, Georgia as a researcher and workshop facilitator, training youth in conflict resolution techniques as well as civil rights history.

Cross-Cultural Contact: Bringing the World Home

Most interculturalists have extensive and varied experience with living and working abroad, however, we struggle to find ways to share these experiences with our extended family and friends and often times our own children. This session will introduce (or reintroduce) new opportunities for study, work, and volunteer abroad for the young and/or young at heart, as well as invite you and yours to serve as an international host family or simply link you with international students looking to make U.S. friends.

Panelists:

Chow, Sarah
STA Travel
Sarah is a native Houstonian with a Bachelor's Degree in French Literature. After graduation she spent time volunteering in France, then moved to China to teach English. She taught at both the No. 1 Middle School of Schijazhuang and at Nanjing University of Economics.

Day, Jason
STA Travel
A graduate of Texas A&M University, Jason has worked with STA Travel for nearly four years in various capacities. During that time span, he has traveled extensively throughout the world including a six month work abroad stint in Australia.

Listenberger, Janet
University of Houston
Janet is Coordinator of the International Friendship Program at the University of Houston. She comes from a wide background of cross-cultural experience. She and her family lived in northern Canada for over five years and Bangladesh for over eight years. She has a Bachelor's degree and has been working with International students at the University of Houston for nearly 18 years. She has also taught conversational English.

Personal Leadership: The Artistry of Crossing Cultures

Interculturalists as a rule tend to be very well intentioned. We want to withhold judgement, want to tolerate ambiguity, we want to describe rather than evaluate, want to not misattribute meaning. When it comes right down to it, however, this is much more easily discussed in theory than lived in daily life.

This session offers specific practices for creating shifts in viewpoint, and for exploring from a deep place of personal vision the possibilities that arise when we move beyond expectations, limitation, and fixed identities. It positions Personal Leadership as a heart-centered practice that cultivates an experience of internal mindfulness, and will include short presentations and opportunities for discussion as well as self-reflection.

Jan O'Brien is an intercultural trainer and consultant who has studied Personal Leadership with the Crestone Institute for several years. She is a past president of SIETAR Houston and board member of SIETAR USA

Race - the Power of an Illusion, Episode #3

The film, Race - The Power of an Illusion questions the very idea of race as biology, suggesting that a belief in race is no more sound than believing that the sun revolves around the earth. Yet race still matters. However, because race doesn't exist in biology doesn't mean that it isn't real. It influences life chances and opportunties. By asking, What is this thing called 'race'? a question so basic it is rarely asked, Race - the Power of an Illusion helps set the terms that any further discussion of race must first take into account. Episode 3 - The House we live in asks if race is not biology, what is it? This episode uncovers how race resides not in nature but in politics, economics, and culture. It reveals how our social institutions make race by disproportionaltely channeling resources, power, status and wealth to white people.

Spiral Dynamics - Integral

Cindy Wigglesworth, Co-author of Grown-Up Children Who Won't Grow Up (as seen on Oprah) will guide participants through the Spiral Dynamics-Integral model that sheds light on clashing world values (which are painfully in our awareness since September 11, 2001) and on conflicts within Christian denominations; within corporations, and between family members. This workshop will include some fun exercises to help absorb the information and learn to use it constructively. Come learn about the impacts of this very expansive and helpful way of looking at yourself, your kids, organizations, countries and clients. You can be a better leader, coach, consultant, parent or peace activist after learning about this way of seeing the deeper issues involved in disagreements.

Archie Bunker's Neighborhood: A Diversity Simulation

Have you ever wondered what it would be like to be a member of a cultural group other than your own? This domestic diversity exercise will give you that chance. Come and experience what it is like to begin building the perfect African American, Anglo American, Latin American, Asian American, Muslim American and GLBT American community. This activity is designed to give participants exposure to a simulated American society. Come change perceptions about your assigned cultural group, come change your perspective of America, come change.

This activity will reveal personal prejudices and biases and the affect of oppression on underrepresented populations and those of the dominant group. Participants will have an opportunity to “wear the shoes” of another cultural group and, as a result, gain an intimate (though brief) knowledge of what it’s like to be the “other.”

Kelli McLoud-Schingen is independent Consultant/Trainer who specializes in Domestic Diversity, Cross-Cultural Communication, Healing Racism, Teambuilding, Conflict Resolution and Mediation. She has provided training, workshops and presentations for 15 years.

Many Women Many Voices - Research on Expatriate Accompanying Spouses

Brenda Hagen, Director of Global Workforce Development for Prudential Intercultural, will present highlights of key findings, statistics and recommendations from the recent study, Many Women Many Voices: A Study of Accompanying Spouses Around the World. Commissioned by Prudential Financial, with research conducted by the The Interchange Institute, the survey explores what affects spouses’ international experiences at a deeper level, the experiences of accompanying spouses from their own points of view, and factors central in successful family adjustment. A few of the key findings of the study showed that only 6.2% of the participants said they were consulted by their husbands’ employers and that women with prior international experience found some aspects of international living easier than those in their first international assignment, but they were not necessarily better adjusted. Everyone in attendance will receive a complimentary copy of the 82-page study.

Insights Discovery System: Learning to Speak in Colors

For centuries, philosophers have identified four broad types of energies. The psychologist Dr Carl Jung further developed this idea in the 20th Century. He suggested that all four energies are present in all of us and the different balances between them are what make us unique. At its simplest Insights identifies four groups or quadrants - at Insights we call them Fiery Red, Sunshine Yellow, Earth Green and Cool Blue. All of us will have one of these color energies as our dominant, preferred style of thinking, working and interacting with others. Dick Huiras, President of H & A International and accredited Insights Learning and Development Facilitator will facilitate this interactive program. Dick presented this program in Cypress to an audience of 160 people representing twenty-two different countries. One of the most memorable comments he received at the completion of the three hour program was “You have truly bridged the cultural gap.”

Religion, Culture and Politics: The Explosive Mix

Why do we avoid discussions of religion and politics at parties? Because otherwise calm, rational people suddenly get angry and hostile when the conversation turns to these topics. In this presentation we will look at the ways in which the big three - religion, politics and culture - intersect in ways that are often conflicting and explosive. We will pay particular attention to recent theories suggesting the existence of a handful of mega cultures in the world which represent vastly different world views on the part of major chunks of the global population. Dr. Jill Carroll is the President of Religiosities, Inc. (www.religiosities.net), a company committed to facilitating understanding and tolerance among the people of the world s religions. She is a Lecturer in Religious Studies and Humanities at Rice University. She also teaches at The Women s Institute of Houston and at the Jung Center. Dr. Jill Carroll is Lecturer in Religious Studies and Humanities at Rice University.

June 12, 2004

Intercultural Dilemmas

In an interactive session, we will look at some of the key dilemmas common to intercultural interactions. The goal is to attain greater understanding of common dilemmas and the activities needed to reconcile them. Emphasis will be placed on finding practical solutions that have application in everyday interactions. The presenter, SIETAR Houston Board Member David C. Wigglesworth, Ph.D., is a retired interculturalist with a wide range of consulting experience to clients in international and national organizations. In addition, he has taught at universities and colleges both abroad and at home and is a widely published writer and frequent conference presenter on intercultural issues.Objective: Understanding the dynamics of intercultural dilemmas.

May 8, 2004

Western Europe and the USA: Vive la difference?

"England and America are two countries separated by the same language". So wrote George Bernard Shaw - an Irishman - nearly 100 years ago. The USA and the UK may have been able to broaden and deepen their "special relationship" over the last century but what about the USA and Western Europe as a whole? This volatile relationship has vacillated between the giddy heights of cooperation and good feeling during the Marshall Plan era to the ugly disputes and mutual recriminations over the Iraqi war and trade in the last year or two. How much do they want each other in future? How much do they need each other in future? This interactive presentation and dialogue will be led Jeremy Solomons, an international business consultant who was born, raised and educated in the UK; has lived and worked in four other countries in Western Europe for 8 years; and has lived and worked in five states in the USA for over 15 years. He is also president-elect of SIETAR USA and president of SIETAR Austin.
Program Objective: To look at how close Western Europe and the USA really are and stimulate participants' thinking about what their relationship might look like in future.

April 3, 2004

Marketing Across Cultures: Perspectives and Practices

The increasing cultural diversity of the U.S. domestic economy and the allure of developing international markets present both opportunities and challenges for businesses of all types – both U.S.-based and foreign. What does a company have to do to succeed with customers of different cultures? How important is it to take account of cultural differences in marketing products and services across cultural divides? What roles do ethnic and national cultures play in market segmentation? How does a marketer address issues created by cultural differences to gain acceptance of a product or service? A panel of industry representatives from the Houston area will discuss these and other questions and share their perspectives on cross-cultural marketing and the practices they use. Houston SIETAR member, Dr. Charles McCabe, is recruiting the panel and will moderate the discussion.

March 13, 2004

The Power of Connection

Michelle Lynskey, Ph.D., & Wayne Dorris, Ph.D., Organizational Psychologists and partners in the Organization Development consulting firm People-People, will present an interactive program focused on the art and power of connecting with other people. “Connection” is a central focus of the interculturalist’s work: to help others connect across cultures. The concept of connection is seemingly simple, but the process of connecting with others can be difficult even within the same culture, and takes on added complexity across cultures. The extent to which we can connect with others is critical to our success as coaches, business owners, professors, or students. How can we create sustainable relationships, based on mutual understanding and a genuine interest in, and curiosity about, each other and what each of us brings to the relationship? This presentation will help you to make a self-assessment of how “connected” you are, and will discuss some tools to help you build more powerful connections.

February 14, 2004

The Golden Door: Open for Whom?

U. S Immigration issues are the gist of constant, and often rancorous, political debate. Longtime SIETAR Houston member, Joyce Sauter and distinguished attorneys Magali Candler and Richard Sindelar III from the law firm of Tindall & Foster will give an introductory overview of current U.S. Immigration policies. We will explore non-immigrant and immigrant categories, and the processes that shape our county's immigration. We will close with a group discussion of how immigration policies affect our local community. Please note that this session will be informational only and that specific legal advice for individual issues will not be available.

January 12, 2004

Anything But Black

" There was a time when I wanted to be anything but black…" Unfortunately this statement has been uttered from the mouths of many African Americans and this dramatic presentation is an exploration of one woman's journey to self-love. The character shares funny, painful and enlightening moments in her life when she received messages about blackness and how that shaped her perception of herself and others. Kelli McLoud-Schingen is an independent consultant who specializes in Domestic Diversity. She has studied theatre at the Oxford School of Theatre, Roosevelt University and Aurora University. She holds an M.A. in Cross Cultural Studies from the University of Houston, Clear Lake, and a B.A. in Communications from Aurora University.

December 13, 2003

From Caste to Race to Ethnicity

Is caste synonymous with race? This presentation by Dr. Deepa Reddy, Assistant Professor of Anthropology and Convener of Women's Studies at University of Houston - Clear Lake, is an exploration of the relationship between these two social categories and the increasingly politicized identities to which they correspond. The presentation draws on what have come to be known as the "Durban debates," that emerged in the context of the 2001 UN World Conference Against Racism, Xenophobia and Related forms of Intolerance (WCAR) held in Durban, South Africa, when the Indian government’s refusal to include caste on the agenda spurred a massive Dalit (lower caste) opposition campaign, and several heated debates about the relationship (or lack thereof) of race to caste. The presentation reflects on the use of such categories of social classification in political struggle, and on the deployment of strategically essentialized identities in liberal-multicultural politics.

November 18, 2003

The United States and the Middle East: Where We Go From Here

Dr. Mohamed Zainuba, Associate Professor of Managerial and Intercultural Communication at Texas Southern University’s Jesse H. Jones School of Business, Houston, Texas, will discuss recent developments in the Middle East and its impact on future trade relations between Arab countries and the United States. The presenter will draw on his personal experiences as an international consultant in the Middle East and Africa. Participants will have an opportunity to share their own experiences and take part in the discussion.

October 11, 2003

Tools from the "Culture Bump Toolkit"

Carol Archer, Ed. D of the University of Houston's Language and Culture Center will present an overview of the "Culture Bump Toolkit" - a multi-media approach to developing interpersonal, intercultural communication skills - designed to move individuals beyond diversity and into community. By presenting culture bumps (or cultural differences) in a new and positive way, this approach differs from most multicultural presentations in that it acknowledges and validates cultural differences while creating community. Participants will have the opportunity to experience selected activities from the toolkit and view a fifteen minute videotape of a culture bump encounter that embodies problems and possibilities of cross cultural encounters. The Culture Bump Toolkit, written and developed by Dr.Carol M. Archer is available from the University of Houston Office of intellectual Property Management. Carol M. Archer, Ed. D, is a long-time SIETARian who has taught cross culture communication for over 25 years and has given cultural communication trainings for businesses and organizations for over 20 years.

September 13, 2003

The Yin and Yang of American Culture: A Paradox

Applying the unique Chinese principle of yin and yang (coexisting complementary opposite poles), Dr. Eun Y. Kim will facilitate an examination of American culture. Employing multicultural anecdotes and proverbs, personal experiences, and universal wisdom, Dr. Kim will discuss Asian perceptions of American culture and share insights on American culture from the perspective of a new American. Dr. Kim is President of CEO International, a cross-cultural management and communication consulting firm based in Austin and author of the book, “The Yin and Yang of American Culture: A Paradox”.

June 14, 2003

10th Anniversary Celebration

Coffee and conversation 9:30 am -10:00 am

Barnga - A Simulation Game on Cultural Clashes 10:00-12:00

Camilla McGill of WorldWide Synergy and Board Member of SIETAR Houston and Beverly Zimmerman, Intercultural Trainer, will lead the popular simulation, BARNGA. Barnga places people in a situation where they actually experience the shock of realizing that in spite of many similarities, people from another culture have differences in the way they do things. The simulation is unique because of its usefulness with large and small groups composed of a wide variety of participants: students, business people, diplomats and uni and multicultural groups. Barnga is considered one of the most successful simulations to date partially because of its short duration and limited need of physical resources, but primarily because the simple card game can pack a wallop when raising intercultural awareness.

International Potluck Lunch and Anniversary Celebration 12:00 - 2:00 pm

You are invited to bring an international food of choice to share with others at the celebration.

May 10, 2003

White Privilege and Internalized Racism

The Center for the Healing of Racism will explore the sensitive issue of "white privilege" - institutional advantages based on historic factors that have given an advantage to White Americans. Part Two of the presentation will look at Internalized Racism. What happens when the anger, hurt and frustration turns inward and the targeted groups act out their rage upon themselves, their family members, and other people in their group. We will explore what happens when people that have been told repeatedly by every institution of society that they are inferior, come to believe it.

We need your ideas for future programs !

Prior to the presentation there will be an interactive exercise asking YOU to share your ideas and suggestions for future SIETAR Houston programs! Please come ready to brainstorm new and interesting topics that you would like to learn more about. Bring along names and contact information of speakers you'd like to recommend. Your participation will help us continue to provide intercultural programming which meets the needs of our members and addresses a variety of interests in intercultural education, training and research. See you there!

April 12, 2003

Beyond Stereotypes: Moving Toward Effective Multiculturalism

In traditional multicultural education, the complexities of cross-cultural communication are often ignored. This interactive presentation will go over the main concepts of Multicultural Education and Cross-cultural Communication, establishing the basis for a “new” approach to multiculturalism. Participants will discuss concepts of traditional and modern multicultural education, and will review a small number of critical incident scenarios dealing with intercultural exchanges in different communicative contexts: the business/management world, the educational setting, and the counseling intervention.

The presentation will be facilitated by Federico Salas-Isnardi, an educator, linguist, trainer, and interculturalist, currently serving as Director of Adult Education at North Harris College in Houston. Active at the state and national level in the TESOL organization, he served as newsletter editor, advocacy representative, and president of the local TESOL affiliate.

March 8, 2003

Managing Inclusion

Today, most managers understand why it is important to manage diversity, but too few understand how. Bruce Bramlett, Client Services Manager for J Howard And Associates, will demonstrate tools that enable managers to create the kind of inclusive environment in which all employees-regardless of race, gender, age, disability, sexual orientation, language or culture-can perform their best work. The presentation will emphasize that inclusion of all employees is directly connected to organizational strength and competitiveness. Methods of training managers to build the skills they need to eliminate obstacles to incorporating diversity into their day-to-day work will be discussed as well as common misconceptions about Diversity Programs.

February 8, 2003

Working Cross Culturally in Complex Emergencies in the Balkans, Africa, and Asia

Dr. Daniel Creson, Professor of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences at the University of Texas-Houston Health Science Center, will address the inevitable complexities at the cultural interface between expatriate humanitarian workers and an indigenous population in the midst of military conflict or natural disaster. The presenter will draw on his personal experiences in the Balkans, Africa, and Asia. Finally, a role playing exercise will attempt to demonstrate difficulties that eventuate from diverse cultural beliefs and practices in such situations.

January 11, 2003

It's 2003 - Do you know where your profession is? Who is saying what about culture?

What are thinkers outside the intercultural field saying about culture and what is our response as interculturalists? Dr.Carrie Cameron of Culture and Communication will present the ideas of two of the more influential schools of thought on culture and societal development - Jared Diamond (Guns, Germs and Steel), and Lawrence Harrison and Samuel P. Huntington (Culture Matters) - then open the discussion to the participants. Questions to be raised include: What do these ideas mean and why are they important to us as practitioners of intercultural communication? How can we more adequately respond to the questions of those we teach and train? What are the implications for our field as a whole, and how can we grow and develop in response?

December 14, 2002

Dying and Death Across Religious Cultures
Presenter: Dr. Jill Carroll

Dying and death may be universal human phenomena, but the ways in which people think about them is anything but universal. Most often, people are informed by their religious traditions and beliefs when faced with death and dying. In this presentation, we will explore the ways in which some of the major world religions interpret dying and death: what it means, how people should handle it, how it fits within the larger religious worldview, and how the process should be handled in a medical setting. Dr. Carroll is a Lecturer in Humanities and Religious Studies at Rice University. She lectures at the Women's Institute and will be teaching next spring at The Jung Center. She also works as a corporate trainer for Conscious Pursuits, Inc., a Houston-based consulting firm which focuses on integrating spirituality in the workplace.

November 9, 2002

Identity and Culture

Presented by David C. Wigglesworth, Ph.D. We all have multiple identities and they have an inter and intra relationship to our cultures. This session will look at the factors and kinds of identity and will examine how we decide who we are as individuals and as groups. In a series of interactive exercises, we will address why and how as individuals and groups we behave towards each other as we do. We will pursue the relationships of our cultural specialness to what we have in common. And we will delve into how we respect our cultures and their legitimate aspirations to find the balance between culturally diverse richness that is spread by today's mobility and globalization and the banal sameness that our media and thin thinking seem to engender instead.

October 5, 2002

Globalizing China: The WTO and New Leaders

How is China's continuing integration into the international economy affecting its political, economic and social systems? Dr. Steven W. Lewis will discuss the many ways that China's gradual liberalization of its political and economic systems is creating new challenges and opportunities for a quarter of humanity. The focus will be on the recent policy reforms necessary for membership in the World Trade Organization, and the upcoming leadership changes in the Communist leadership. Dr. Lewis is Senior Researcher in Asian Politics and Economics at the James A. Baker III Institute for Public Policy. As director of the Transnational China Project at the Baker Institute since 1997, he has worked with Rice University faculty across many disciplines to explore the changes in contemporary Chinese culture associated with globalization.

September 14, 2002

Global Ethics

Ethics and morals have always been prominent issues in both the working and private lives of many US Americans. However, the tragedy of September 11, 2001 and its aftermath have forced a much broader population to consider the weighty matters of Right and Wrong and Good and Bad, not just on a national level but on a global one as well. International business consultant and SIETAR USA board member, Jeremy Solomons, will lead an interactive discussion of how this year has changed US Americans' views of Global Ethics and how interculturalists can continue to play a vital role in helping to shape globally ethical practices in future.

June 1, 2002

Police Officers and the International Experience

Local police officers, John L. Young and Walter B. Redman accepted the challenge offered by the United Nations to assist in the training of Democratic Policing to Police Officers in Bosnia-Herzgovinia in 1998/99. They have also prepared new officers as they begin their mission. Redman and Young found the challenge of training Serbians, Muslims, & Croatians to be an enriching experience which was enhanced by working side-by-side with police officers from over 40 countries throughout the world. They will share their insights and experiences. July, August 2002 No meetings during July and August

May 11, 2002

Management Across Cultures

Roger N. Blakeney, Ph.D, of the C.T. Bauer College of Business, University of Houston, will conduct MAC, an interactive workshop dealing with how culture impacts management. It utilizes a one-page case to engage the audience in discussion. It focuses on Germany, France, Spain, the UK, and the USA, but discussion can be expanded via the interaction to include other countries and cultures. Two dimensions of culture, power distance and uncertainty, are used to help understand how culture impacts management with special attention to the organizing function.

April 6, 2002

Health Issues and Cultural Implications

Judith Morris, Associate Regional Director for Medical Social Services at TDH, Region 6/5S will lead a panel of health professionals from Texas Department of Health in a discussion on some of the health concerns affecting diverse populations in the Houston area. Cultural issues involving education, treatment and prevention will be addressed. Childhood immunizations, HIV/STD (Sexually Transmitted Disease), dental care, childhood obesity and tuberculosis will be some of the concerns discussed. Judith Morris is a licensed master level social worker advanced clinical practitioner with 2

March 2, 2002

Interactive Exercises for Cross-Cultural Education and Training

Intercultural consultants Camilla McGill and Joyce Zafar will demonstrate a variety of interactive exercises which build intercultural communication skills and understanding. Effective methods of presenting and debriefing interactive exercises will be modeled and discussed as well as how to select and adapt each exercise for use in intercultural training programs.

February 2, 2002

Au Contraire! Figuring Out The French

Au Contraire! authors Gilles Asselin and Ruth Mastron draw on their firsthand experience to offer analysis and advice on intercultural relations with the French. They explore what lies behind what we see: the assumptions, attitudes, patterns of thought and beliefs that make the French so uniquely French. The focus of their presentation is on French-American relations and interactions and will include guidelines for mutually satisfying relationships between French and American people.

January 12, 2002

Going Beyond Words

The knowledge of cultural differences can help us avoid traps of misconceptions and misunderstandings when we communicate with people of other cultures. In this program Syed Zafar, a trainer and speaker on cultural diversity, will outline the differences between Low-Context and High-Context cultures. Syed has given more than 200 programs on cultural diversity during the last 10 years. He regularly presents cross cultural awareness programs for ExxonMobil in the US and overseas, and his programs are often remembered by personal stories and humor.

December 1, 2001

The ABC's of Global Fundamentalism

Many scholars of the modern period predicted that strong religious movements would die out gradually in the wake of secularism and the rise of science. Those that remained, scholars argued would be fossilized relics of religion's glorious past and would have no real current cultural significance. Yet, the 21st century finds us living in a world where various forms of religious fundamentalism hold tremendous political and cultural sway that seems to be increasing. Dr. Jill Carroll, lecturer in both Religion and Humanities at Rice University, the University of Houston and the University of Houston-Clear Lake will define the chief characteristics of world fundamentalism, using current movements as examples.

Note: Program will be followed by a potluck lunch

November 3, 2001

Cross-Cultural Conflict: A Historical Approach

Room B141

The recent tragedies highlight the importance of cross-cultural understanding at all levels of society. Maybe the most important (and difficult) time to have this understanding is when conflict arises between cultures. Throughout history, different cultures have developed various ways of dealing with conflict, including everything from warfare to the Olympics. This presentation will focus on a historical approach to dispute resolution, with a particular emphasis on the present situation in the Middle East and Central/South Asia. John A. Elsner is an attorney/mediator and Sr. Vice President/General Manager of Logistical Solutions International, a company that provides logistical support and cross-cultural consulting services to the oil and gas industry in Houston.

The room number will be Room B145 (first floor),

October 6, 2001

Asian Priorities in Dispute Resolution

Room B141

Cultural and ethnic differences can play major roles in dispute resolution such as formalized mediation. Asians, the newer Texans, have introduced a wide variety of cultures, languages and religions to the already diverse Texas cultures. Enhanced understanding of basic priorities of these newcomers can make mediators better facilitators and employers more effective managers. Presenter Saadat Syal is an independent mediator, diversity trainer and marketing consultant to foreign companies and agencies.

September 15, 20001

Intercultural Issues in International Mergers and Acquisitions: Panel discussion

Nearly 60% of all mergers and acquisitions are viewed as failures. One of the principal reasons for this is cultural differences, both organizational and national. A panel of experts with direct experience in a variety of industries will be asked to address the various ways in which cultural factors, particularly differences in national cultures, have affected international mergers and acquisitions, both during the negotiating / closing stages and the actual blending of the two organizations. The panel discussion, moderated by Chuck McCabe, Instructor of Managerial Communications at the Jones Graduate School of Management of Rice University, will explore how the merging or acquiring organizations addressed the cultural issues that arose.

June 2, 2001

The Psychology of Hate

Hate has been described as intense animosity or aversion toward an object, comprising simultaneous feelings of disgust, fear, and contempt. Clint Stevens, MS, Doctoral Student in Community Health Sciences at the University of Texas-Houston School of Public Health, will explore hate and hatred as part of human existence and history, and examine the contemporary issue of hate and bias crimes, using a context of "ingroups" and "outgroups." The perpetration of hate by "hate groups" on the Internet will be scrutinized, and educational programs which have been developed to counter hatred and prejudice will be presented.

May 5, 2001

Houston's Ethnic Communities: Findings from Twenty Years of Survey Research

Dr. Stephen Klineberg, Ph.D., Professor of Sociology at Rice University and author of "Houston's Ethnic Communities (1996)", will summarize the central findings from two decades of systematic survey research conducted annually in Harris County. Dr. Klineberg will present a compelling picture of a city in the midst of fundamental redefinition. The findings help to clarify the challenges and opportunities inherent in Houston's expanding ethnic and cultural diversity in the new century.

April 7, 2001

Generation X as Consumers of Intercultural Services

In the past, intercultural training methods were generally designed for -and by- the white male baby boomers who dominated U.S. business. Now that diverse and highly educated young professionals are becoming leaders in the global marketplace, how will they respond to traditional training practices? Edward Retta and Cynthia Brink of Cross Culture Communications will question current thinking and promote discussion of possible modifications to training methods, tools and models to connect with this new audience.

March 3, 2001

Intercultural Issues in Community Development

Cultural contrasts can lead to misunderstandings among people working to improve the quality of life in communities throughout the world. Leslie Uljee, Ph.D., who teaches Urban Sociology and Cross-Cultural Communication at University of Houston Clear Lake, will discuss her experiences as a partner of Woman Spirit, Inc., a community development organization in St. Louis MO, in the context of intercultural theory.

February 10, 2001

Global Team Building

David C. Wigglesworth, Ph.D., president of D.C.W. Research Associates International, will address the cultural determinants of team building within organizations. Emphasis will be on the development of guidelines for more effective communication and negotiation within multicultural groups. Some of the topics to be discussed include intercultural learning, the roots of cultural differences, the constraints of language, and the dimensions of personal, interpersonal, professional, corporate, ethnic, gender, and national cultures within organizations.

January 6, 2001

Time Orientation Across Cultures

Time Orientation Across Cultures How does the perception of time change across cultures? Syed Zafar, a speaker and trainer on intercultural understanding and president of Cultural Diversity Group, will discuss two cultural concepts of time (Monochronic and Polychronic) in a program full of examples and personal stories.Mr. Zafar is a member and past officer of SIETAR Houston.

December 2, 2000

Intercultural Career Development: Working Across Cultures

An interactive, experiential workshop to help new graduates and career changers answer the following questions: What is an intercultural career? Is it right for me? What are the domestic and international options? How do I become qualified? How do I get a job as either an independent or in-house consultant or trainer? How do I develop my career?

SPEAKER: Jeremy Solomons, UK-born cross-cultural coach, consultant, speaker, trainer and writer on international business and intercultural career/life planning issues.

November 11, 2000

Teaching in Azerbaijan: Cultural Values and their Impact on the Transfer of Technology

Professor Curtis Johnson of the College of Technology of the University of Houston will discuss contrasts in the culture of higher education between the United States and Azerbaijan, based on his experiences teaching and introducing computer literacy into Azerbaijan. Dr. Johnson has also been involved in projects and conferences in Algeria, Poland, China, Ecuador and Mexico.

October 7, 2000

Diversity Initiatives in the Houston Area

Roger Rosas, Diversity Director of the Houston Human Resource Management Association, Beverly Woodard, Diversity Specialist of the US Postal Service, and a representative from higher education will describe the accomplishments and goals of diversity programs designed and delivered by Houston area employers and identify and describe successful strategies in a variety of organizations. Larry Livingston, President of International Training Resources, will facilitate the panel discussion.

September 9, 2000

Secrets of Effective Intercultural Communicators

Intercultural communication experts will share their knowledge, skills, and techniques in presentations and a panel discussion. Professor James Copeland, recently retired chair of Linguistics at Rice University; Dr. Carrie Cameron, consultant in intercultural relations for corporate, government, and not-for-profit organizations; and Camilla McGill, intercultural training consultant to globalcorporations and past president of SIETAR. Moderator, Joyce Zafar of YMCA International Services.

June 3, 2000

Recovering a Mexican American West

Dr. Jose F. Aranda, Professor of Chicano/Chicana Literature at Rice University, will discuss literature of "the Old West" from Anglo and Mexican historical and cultural perspectives. Professor Aranda will emphasize the need to approach western American Literature in a comparative fashion and the importance of historicizing side by side, both Anglo and Mexican literary tradition. Dr. Aranda's current book-in- progress, a comparative study of early U.S. and Chicano literatures, is forthcoming in fall 2001.

May 6, 2000

Interpretation in Health Care: The Critical Role of Language in Cultural Issues

A panel, to be comprised of a health care interpreter, a consumer of interpretation services and a representative from an interpreter agency, will present and lead a discussion on the role of an interpreter in a health care setting. Similar to the field of cross-cultural communication, health care interpretation is struggling to establish professional guidelines and to make the public aware of their unique skills and knowledge.

April 1, 2000

African-American Healing Practices: Rites, Rituals and Ceremonies

Dr. Dorothy Franzone, Phd. in African-American Studies and Professor of Speech Communication at Texas Southern University will discuss African healing practices.

African medicine or healing is a holistic process which does not separate the body from the mind, the body from the spirit, nor healer from spiritual leader. Therefore, according to the African holistic approach to healing, there can be no healing of the body until the Spirit has been healed. Dr. Franzone will elaborate on the purpose of ritual in healing and the traditional use of fire, earth, water, minerals and nature. Referring to the Garifuna of Belize, Afro-Cubans, and African-Americans, Dr. Franzone will present examples of how these practices have been incorporated into the healing practices of Africans in the Americas.

March 4, 2000

God and State in Islam: When Religion and Politics are not separate

Dr. Jill Carroll, lecturer in both Religion and Humanities at Rice University, the University of Houston and the University of Houston-Clear Lake, will discuss the relationship between religion and politics in Islamic nations. Information spread through the popular media fails to give an accurate account of how religion and state function together in many Muslim nations. The presentation will explore these subjects in an effort to further our understanding of this powerful religion.

February 5, 2000

Ethnocentrism and Teachers

Carol Archer of the Language and Culture Center, University of Houston will discuss the natural tendency for teachers of all levels to avoid alternative ways of reaching students of minority cultures. Teaching according to the culture in which one is raised and educated is an unconscious tendency which a teacher must first recognize and then closely monitor.

January 8, 2000

Raising Bicultural Children: A parent's perspective, A child's perspective

A panel of parents and an anthropologist will share their experiences and observations while raising children in bicultural families. The topic will be examined from the perspective of children who have been raised in households that are bicultural and from the perspective of parents. The presentation will explore the impact of cultural differences on family units in which there are differences in nationalities, religious beliefs or ethnic origins.

Holiday Culture Bumps

A panel of couples will describe their first holiday season in the USA. They will discuss differences and similarities in cultural celebrations compared to those in their native lands.

Culture and Psychotherapy, Commonalities between The East and The West

Dr. Tulsi Saral, Clinical Psychologist, University of Houston, and past board member of the International Journal of Intercultural Research, will discuss the main components of Asian psychology.

Negotiating Business with the PRC Chinese

Roger Blakeney, Associate Professor, and former director of the Center for Executive Development, College of Business Administration, University of Houston will discuss intercultural business negotiation. He will describe the key determinants of successful negotiation using the cultures of China and the USA as an example. The audience will have the opportunity to learn on hands-on activities and discussion.

Essentials of Intercultural Knowledge

David Wigglesworth, President of DCW Research Associates International, will employ a ranking instrument as a catalyst for an exploration of the basic issues in intercultural communication. The focus will be on the key skills which intercultural practitioners use within culturally diverse organizations in the USA or in offshore locations.

Refugee Resettlement in Houston

Joyce Sauter, Operations Director, and Ferol Beer, Citizenship Program Coordinator, both of the Refugee Services Alliance, a Houston community-based non-profit organization, will present on the world's refugee situation and statistics, the political processes that generate refugees, the United Nation's definition of a refugee, and the various agencies in Houston which resettle refugees under the auspices of the U.S. Department of State.

Impact of Cultural Differences on Consumer Behavior

April 3, 1999

Intercultural Training at the NASA Johnson Space Center

March 6, 1999

Cultures of Southern Africa, Houston International Festival

February 6, 1999

Collectivism and Individualism Across Cultures

Syed Zafar, president of Cultural Diversity Group and a National Speakers Association member, will explore the ways that group-oriented cultures and individual-oriented cultures organize themselves to achieve similar objectives. His presentation will incorporate experiential exercises, personal experience for Pakistan and Saudi Arabia, and current intercultural theories.

January 9, 1999

Beyond Kwanzaa

Sylvia Ryce Cornell, a SIETAR Houston member and principal of Creative Concepts, will focus on the meaning and cultural significance of each of the seven elements of Kwanzaa (Swahili for first fruits). Increasing numbers of community-based organizations and social activists have adopted the elements of Kwanzaa as guiding principles to implement change. SIETAR members and guests can then use this philosophy to meet other ethnic communities on common ground.

December 5, 1998

Religion and Culture: Anecdotal Reflections

Brother Mark Gruenke, a Maryknoll Missionary of the Roman Catholic Church, will discuss how culture and religion affect each other in non-industrialized societies. Brother Mark was born in Minnesota, but has lived thirteen years in Brazil, five in San Paulo and eight in the Amazon basin. He returned to the USA a a year ago after working in Guatemala and Nicaragua.

November 7, 1998

India, an Arranged Adventure

Felicia C. Eppley, teacher of history at Lamar High School, will describe her experiences in the Indian school system as part of a group of U.S. educators. She will relate interesting and innovative ideas and attempts being made in India to educate a society which is multicultural and multilingual.

Third Culture Kids: "Home is in My Backpack"

Sam Britten, a third culture kid himself, is an intercultural trainer with Pentris Associates. Dr. Thomas Patton is the father of several third culture kind and Professor of Psychology and Intercultural Studies at Abilene Christian University.Mr. Britten and Dr. Patton will relate the special adjustments which face third culture kids and their families because of their parents' resistance in multiple countries.

Anecdotal Views of International Training

Asian-Indian Management Styles – in the Home and Workplace

Ecotonos, a Multicultural Problem-Solving Simulation

The Caribbean: Cultural Waves over Thirty-five Islands

January 1998

June 7, 1997

Intercultural Marriage

East Asian Patterns of Communications

Annual Workshop: Working in Russia

From Hip-hop to Hope and Interest

Cross Cultural Conversations of Hope

The European Union: Uniting from Diversity

Holiday Culture Bumps from Around the World

How the American Media has Affected China-Taiwan Situation

How Cultural Dynamics Affect Health Care

What did you do for your summer vacation?

Women's Issue on an International Level

by Dr. Joanne Lin

Multicultural Resources on the Internet

by Dr. Ken Bowers and Pascal Hythier

Former Yugoslavia and the Enduring Conflict among the Ethnic Groups

by Dr. Jozica Gabitzsch

Intercultural Skills in the Mental Health and Human Services Field

by Dr. Frank Montalvo

Conflict Resolution: Dynamics Involved in Resolving Conflicts

by Xavier Lemond

Native American Culture

by Otilia Sanchez, Pres., American Indian Chamber of Commerce

Winter Holidays in Various Cultures

by a panel of 5 people from different cultures

Invisible Minorities: Gays and Lesbians

by Mende Snodgress

Understanding Audience Response

by Ana Eigler

Native American Culture

by Larry Morningstar

Education and Community Outreach

by Carlos de la Torre

1995 Spring event - The Pacific Rim: The Shifting Center of World Dominance

by Dr. Kohls

Cajun Culture

by Elaine Clements

TBA

Diversity Training

by Nadir Muwwakkil

Pakistani Culture

by Syed Zafar

Holidays and Culture Bumps

by a panel of 5 people from different cultures

Latest Trends in Design of Cross-Cultural Training for International Corporations

by Kathy Spicer

Southeast Asian Culture

by Dr. Tuan Nguyen

Competency and Ethics in Cross-Cultural Training

by Moira Delgado

TBA

Albatross, as simulation in Cultural assumptions

by Jane Dunham

Southeast Asia

by Dr. Sherilyn Wood

The School Model to Reduce Racism and to celebrate Student Diversity and speak on facing diversity issues in school districts

by Dr. Ken Bower

Publishing with a particular emphasis on book publication

by Tom Finlay

Asian Culture

by Yun Chen (Grace) Li and Barbara Busbey

Training Design for International and Muticultural Programs

by Joe Fernandez and Kathy Garcia Spicer

International Team Building

by Carol Archer and Larry Livingston

The Cultural Quilt of the US

by Sylvia Ryce Cornell

Arab Culture

by May Kamalick