14th Annual International Day

Introduction | Schedule | Presentations | Sponsors

The Human Right to Well Being

When: Tuesday, November 16, 2010

Where: The Marriott Hotel and Conference Center, Coralville, IA

Contact: Teresa Garringer

The Annual International Day Human Rights Conference is a one-day event held each fall since 1997. The conference is designed to educate middle school students on topics related both to local and global human rights issues.

Schedule for the Day

Keynote Presentation

Dr. Youjia Hua
Not One Less: No Child Left Behind in China

Dr. Hua was born and raised in Shanghai, China. After his graduation from Shanghai University, he came to the United States and earned his master degree in special education from Mercyhurst College in Erie, PA and a Ph.D. from the Pennsylvania State University. He is now an assistant professor of special education at the University of Iowa where his research involves academic and behavioral intervention for students with learning and behavioral difficulties. Internationally, he continues his collaboration with special education agencies in China. This summer he was invited to give a keynote speech on behavioral treatment of children with autism at China’s First International Autism Forum. He is currently serving on the board of directors at Shanghai Ai Hao Autism Training Center.

Performances

Combined Efforts Theater
Sketches from the Fair

Combined Efforts Theater was created to provide an opportunity for students with disabilities to perform with peers.  Janet Schlapkohl is the founder. She is a member of the University of Iowa MFA playwriting program, a former special education teacher, and a drama director with a masters in education.
Performers with and without special needs from Iowa City and surrounding communities have added their talents and found it both fun and rewarding.

In 2010 Combined Efforts Theater assumed Section 501(c)(3) status as a non-profit theater. The plays have each been original works, written and directed by Ms. Schlapkohl in collaboration with a growing number of volunteers.

James Drier and members of the UI Afro-Cuban Drum and Dance Ensemble

James Dreier, along with Paul Cunliffe and Modei Akeya, will lead the UI Afro-Cuban Drum and Dance performance group in a demonstration of Afro-Cuban folkloric rhythms, dance and song.  The group will perform several pieces, both secular and sacred.  In addition, Dreier and his colleagues will discuss their visits to Cuba, the unique music found there and its relevance and importance to US music and culture.  Participants will have the opportunity to play some of the instruments, sing some simple songs and try some of the dance steps as well. 

The UI ACDDE performance group is a dance ensemble based out of the UI Dance Dept.  The group has been active since 2003, when Dreier and Cunliffe led a study abroad trip to Cuba with dance and music students from the UI.  The group has performed all over the State of Iowa, and was featured at the Percussive Arts Society International Convention in Nashville, TN.  The ensemble performs many outreach concerts through the UI Arts Share program.  Audition into the ensemble is open to all interested UI students.

Breakout Activity Presentations

 

 

 

 

 

Peg Maher, Iowa United Nations Association Board Member
Know Your (Human) Rights!

Human Rights belong to everyone and the United Nations has helped to define Human Rights and to protect them. Know Your (Human) Rights! will explore the definition of Human Rights with a slideshow, short film and an activity. The Universal Declaration of Human Rights will be made available to all students. Students will also discuss how the protection of Human Rights applies to people in Iowa and across the globe.

Graduate Students in the UI School Psychology program: Abigail Krame; Clark Kopelman; Amanda Osborn; with Faculty Sponsor: Ann Santos, Ph.D.
Making school a safe place for everyone: well-being and safety for LGBTQ students

This workshop will present the issues faced by students who identify as part of the LBGTQ community and the role we can play in making schools a safe and welcoming place. Students will leave the workshop with a better understanding of these issues and learn how our words and actions contribute to an unsafe and unhealthy environment for all. Finally, participants will be reminded and shown proof that things can get better. This workshop is meant for LGBTQ and non-LGBTQ students alike who want to make the move to a more tolerant and safe environment for all students.

Amnesty International
Mapping Out Human Rights

Using a method called tactical mapping, students will be able to identify internal and external factors that influence human rights violations.  They will be more able to identify the causes that lead to human rights violations, and by using tactical mapping, can more readily understand how these internal and external factors influence one another. 

Rudia Wairimu Kimani- Graduate Student, Special Education Department, University of Iowa
Attitudes, services and adaptations for teenagers with disabilities from Kenya, Britain, China, Brazil, Australia, and the U.S.

Various disabilities found among teenagers in the following countries: Kenya, Britain, China, Brazil, Australia, and the U.S. and the challenges the students face, the attitudes from the community and the human rights the teenagers have in each country.

Keith Ruff: Social and Educational Advocate; Co-Host “Access Iowa City”; Guest Lecture Kirkwood Community College; Motivational Speaker and Scott R. Gill: President of Iowa State Association of Independent Living; Executive Director of Access 2 Independence of the Eastern Iowa Corridor; Social Science Instructor at Kirkwood Community College; Co-host “Access Iowa City”; Father of a child with a disability
Rights and Responsibilities of Persons with Disabilities

This presentation will explore the contemporary and active lifestyles of some of today’s most talented and accomplished disabled teenagers. Referencing the trials, tribulations, and triumphs these amazing teens face we will discuss the Civil and Human Rights afforded all persons with disabilities and the responsibilities associated with such Rights.

Scott McNabb, Professor, UI College of Education
Why it isn’t a “Begging Bowl”: Monks’ Morning Rituals in Thailand

Early every morning throughout Thailand Buddhist monks make their daily rounds with alms bowls. Thais fill their bowls with food which they will share with their fellow monks in their temple, and the monks provide the Thais with a blessing. This simple practical and spiritual exchange captures a key element of Buddhism as practiced in Southeast Asia. In our session we will talk about Buddhism, pass around a monk's alms bowl and watch videos of this exchange from rural and urban Thailand.

Meredith Mahy Gall (University of Iowa Peace Corps Representative and Returned Peace Corps Volunteer) and Tia Huggins (Returned Peace Corps Volunteer)
Stories from the Peace Corps: School Life in a Developing Country

Returned Peace Corps Volunteers will share their stories and pictures of Botswana and Guatemala. How might your life have been different if you had been born in a developing country? Learn about the schools and children of these two countries. Since 1961, Peace Corps Volunteers have served in 139 countries providing assistance and sharing skills. Volunteers speak the local language and live as a member of the community so their presence strengthens the bonds of friendships and understanding between Americans and people of other countries.

Dau-shen Ju, Ph.D., Psychologist/Local Recovery Coordinator, VA Coralville Clinic
Faces of a Distant War

Children of deployed soldiers face tremendous challenge when their parents leave for combat missions. While parents’ homecoming is highly anticipated, adjustment to civilian life can be difficult and place a strain to the already fragile family relationship. This presentation is designed to explore how soldiers are changed by their experiences in battlefields. It is for children of deployed soldiers, as well as for those who seek to understand soldiers’ experiences.

Sunday Goshit, Ph.D. - Graduate Assistant, UI International Programs
The “Street Children” of Nigeria

The UN in its 1959 declaration of the rights of the child adopted the principles that a child shall enjoy the rights contained in the agreement without distinction or discrimination on account of race, color, sex, language, religion. Nigeria is a signatory to the convention on the right of the child but the right of the Nigerian child is violated every day. In this presentation I will explain to the students the concept of street children as a child or youth for whom the street has become their abode. I will address issues such as what the children do every day, and how they are deprived of their rights to be protected, right to education, right to good health care, right to shelter, and indeed right to daily livelihood and many forms of exploitation.

Dr. Jose Morcuende, Associate Professor, Dept of Orthopaedics, Medical Director of Ponseti International Association (PIA); Martha Greer, Associate Director of PIA; and John Buchanan, Member, Business Advisory Board PIA
Helping children to walk around the world

The workshop will introduce the students to the problem of clubfoot and how it affects the life of children. The story of a child with clubfoot in Uganda will be shown to demonstrate how difficult it is to live with this crippling deformity. We will then describe what we can do to treat these children and how it is done in real life with a practical session with models and casting materials. Finally we will explain how children can make the difference in the lives of other children around the world.

Dale Fisher, Director of Education, UI Museum of Art
African Art as Outreach

Fisher will give a brief description of outreach programs offered by the University of Iowa Museum of Art, focusing on the Discover Africa program. Using art objects and powerpoint, he will draw cross-cultural comparisons between African and Western cultures, illustrating how universal themes find expression in art.

Deb Downey, M.A., CCC-SLP
Everyone can communicate using technology, but what is technology?

Well, machines, of course, and computers, software and networks are all forms of technology. But don't let these images confuse the issue. Does technology have to be a machine? No, technologies can include a pencil, book, or chalkboard. Remember that technologies are reflections of ourselves, since they are our creation. Technologies, in general, have both good and bad consequences, just as we as people have good and bad qualities. We invite you to come and explore current technologies used by people today to communicate.

Dr. Julia Shaw, Ph.D., Academic Coordinator and Ben Morgan, M.S., Program Specialist for REACH
College Experience for Everyone

REACH is a unique living-learning, college experience for young adults with multiple learning, cognitive and intellectual disabilities. REACH, a non-degree program, provides integrated campus, community, and career opportunities. Improved self-determination, interpersonal skills, daily life competencies, and career readiness result from this post-secondary experience. This multimedia presentation describes the students, program and lessons learned. REACH staff and students will share their experiences about college life for REACH students at The University of Iowa. You will learn about challenges and opportunities for students with disabilities.

Gretchen Waech, Consultant
Say What? Sign Language as a Human Right

One of the basic human rights which is often overlooked is communication. Deaf persons worldwide, in particular, often must fight for access to information. Workshop participants will learn a little American Sign Language, talk about what makes a Deaf culture a culture, and learn how they can communicate better with people who are deaf or hard of hearing.

Christopher Squier, Director of the Global Health Studies Program , University of Iowa
Big tobacco and the right to health and well being

Despite the enormous health problems caused by infectious disease, poverty and starvation, smoking remains the most preventable cause of death and disease world-wide. As smokers in the west quit or die from their habit, the tobacco industry has moved into developing countries to recruit replacement smokers and most of these are young people and children. This presentation will describe the health problems caused by tobacco use, show the techniques used by tobacco companies to addict new users and introduce you to a global initiative, the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control, that attempts to deal with the problem.

Large Group Closing Presentation

James Stachowiak, Associate Director of Iowa Center for Assistive Technology Education & Research
Assistive Technology

Advances in technology have made life easier for everyone, but especially for people with disabilities. Assistive technology is any type of device that is used by a person with a disability to accomplish a task. This presentation will look at assistive technology that is used to help people with physical, visual, and learning disabilities to access computer related activities. We will look at a head controlled mouse, speech recognition software, and text reading software as well as assistive technology applications for the iPad.

Please thank our sponsors for the 14th Annual Internation Day

And also...

UI Office of Admissions
UI Office of Equal Opportunity & Diversity
UI International Programs
UI College of Education Diversity Committee
UI Belin-Blank Center
UI Center for Human Rights
Coralville Marriott Hotel & Conference Center