The Answer to Darfur
February 1, 2007, 2:30pm – 4:30pmAs the ruling National Congress Party in Sudan pursues a military solution in Darfur and expands its support for armed groups committing atrocities in Chad and the Central African Republic, the international response to the crisis in Darfur lacks coordination, focus, and a clear vision for the way forward. Occasional rhetorical condemnations and unenforced or unenforceable Security Council resolutions have resulted in a collective failure to negotiate a durable peace deal, protect civilians, and hold the perpetrators of atrocities responsible for their crimes. This policy inertia can only be overcome if the international community adopts a coherent and synchronized strategy.
The Center for American Progress and the International Crisis Group invite you to a presentation of a comprehensive plan to bring about lasting peace to Darfur.
The Answer to Darfur is the first in a series of events sponsored by the newly created ENOUGH: the Project to End Genocide and Mass Atrocities. The mission of ENOUGH is to end crimes against humanity in Darfur, northern Uganda and the Democratic Republic of the Congo, and to prevent future mass atrocities through a "3P" strategy which protects the vulnerable, punishes the perpetrators, and promotes peace. ENOUGH, a joint initiative of the International Crisis Group and the Center for American Progress, will utilize field research, sophisticated analysis and recommendations, and targeted messaging to end this scourge on humanity once and for all.
Governing for the Common Good
February 2, 2007, 2:00pm – 3:00pmGovernors Janet Napolitano and Kathleen Sebelius have used pragmatic, common-sense leadership to move their states forward on energy, education and a host of other issues that benefit the common good. Their ability to build coalitions across partisan and ideological lines has allowed them to implement effective progressive policies that improve the lives of their constituents. That's one reason each enjoys broad support within their states, and it's why they represent a new generation of strong, progressive female leaders.
Please join the Center for American Progress for a conversation with these remarkable governors as they discuss approaches to effective progressive governance that transcend political ideology and work for the common good.
Teacher Compensation in Charter and Private Schools
February 6, 2007, 9:00am – 10:30amDecades of research suggest that teacher quality accounts for more variation in student performance than almost any other characteristic of a school. Yet across the country, states and districts are strug¬gling to attract, support, and retain high-quality teachers. The limitations of the traditional salary schedule in attracting and keeping good teachers have prompted policymakers to search for alternative ways of compensating teachers. Experimentation has been limited in the public schools and models to help district schools depart from structures solely based on degrees and experience are still emerging.
Charter and private schools, on the other hand, have greater latitude in their compensation practices. While they are a small sector of schools, pay policies in these institutions may provide some useful lessons to inform future efforts in traditional public schools to reform the way teachers are paid.
There are many open questions about how to use teacher compen¬sation most effectively to draw and keep high-quality teachers. Join us for a discussion as educators consider a new paper by Public Impact authors that provides a snapshot of compensation practices in several charter and private schools and an analysis of potential lessons for traditional public schools.
The State of the Americas
February 8, 2007, 9:00am – 10:30amAfter a historic wave of presidential elections throughout the Americas, the countries of the region find themselves, in many respects, at a set of inter-related crossroads. Drawing on his wealth of political, diplomatic, and governing experience, OAS Secretary General José Miguel Insulza will help illuminate the often over-simplified meaning and implications of political developments in the region and the challenges that lie ahead. An expert panel will expand upon that analysis to focus on how changes throughout the region affect the United States and U.S. policy toward our hemispheric neighbors.
Does Corporate Social Responsibility Work?
February 9, 2007, 12:30pm – 2:00pmOver the last decade, progressives have embraced the notion that huge, multinational corporations can be pressured into good behavior – that every company can be like Ben and Jerry’s. But how successful has that movement been? And is it the best way to tackle important challenges going forward: from worker rights to global climate change? Please join the Center for American Progress and Democracy: A Journal of Ideas for this lively discussion on the record and future of corporate social responsibility.
The Terrorism Index
February 13, 2007, 9:00am – 10:30amThe Center for American Progress and Foreign Policy have teamed up for the second time to ask more than 100 of America’s top terrorism and national security experts for their assessment of the war on terror and the state of U.S. national security. The bipartisan Terrorism Index again shows consensus among participants and some surprising results.
Please join us for a discussion of America’s priorities in combating international terrorism.
Addressing Climate Change: Good Politics, Good Economics
February 13, 2007, 6:00pm – 7:00pmThe British government has long been at the forefront of international action to address climate change and the Rt. Hon. David Miliband MP, “Labour’s Rising Star,” is now leading that effort as Secretary of State for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs. Late last year, Secretary Miliband introduced legislation in Parliament that would reduce greenhouse gas emissions 60% by 2050 with hard five-year benchmarks to ensure action is taken in the short and long-term. The recent release of the Fourth Assessment Report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change and the Stern Review on the Economics of Climate Change, an influential report published by the British Treasury that examined for the first time the devastating impact climate change could have on global economic output, only underscore the importance of this and other efforts to address the causes of climate change.
Keeping the Promise of Stem Cell Research
February 15, 2007, 9:00am – 10:30amCongress is once again considering legislation to expand the federal policy guiding embryonic stem cell research. The Stem Cell Research Enhancement Act, identical to a bill Congress passed a year ago with broad, bipartisan majorities in both houses, would create an ethical construct for stem cell research conducted through federal funding and provide scientists with access to better and improved stem cell lines that could lead to cures for diseases and injuries that affect millions of Americans. Scientific advances continue to demonstrate the promise of this research, and the American people continue to demonstrate their widespread support for pursuing the research as well. Please join the Center for American Progress as we present Congresswoman Diana DeGette (D-CO) and Congressman Mike Castle (R-DE), tireless champions of stem cell research and the authors of the Stem Cell Research Enhancement Act of 2007, who will discuss the necessity of supporting this research and the political means to do so. Following their remarks will be a distinguished panel of stem cell researchers who will examine the importance of vigorously pursuing embryonic stem cell research, particularly in light of recent discoveries in stem cell science.
Latino Voters: Misconceptions and Reality
February 16, 2007, 9:00am – 12:00pmLatinos are the fastest growing major segment of the U.S. population. As a result, Hispanic electoral participation stands to have a profound effect on the policy direction of our country in the years and decades to come. Despite this dynamic, there is a great deal of misinterpretation about the precise contours of the Latino electorate and the issues that resonate with Hispanics. To delve into these important and timely issues, the National Council of La Raza (NCLR) and the Center for American Progress will convene a group of nationally renowned experts who have dedicated significant portions of their careers to better understanding Latino demographics, registration and voting patterns, and the multitude of issues that motivate Latino voters.
Reducing Racial Health Disparities through Community Interventions
February 26, 2007, 11:00am – 12:30pmFor too many racial and ethnic minorities in the U.S., good health and health care is elusive. Life expectancy and overall health have improved for Americans collectively, yet the prevalence of preventable diseases among racial and ethnic minorities persists. Although guaranteeing health coverage for all is a sure way of reducing health inequities, altering unhealthy lifestyles and environments are also effective. Community interventions focusing on altering unhealthy behaviors have been effective in reducing modifiable risk factors associated with preventable chronic conditions and therefore health disparities.
Leaders and Laggards: A State-by-State Report Card on Educational Effectiveness
February 28, 2007, 10:00am – 11:30amThe Center for American Progress invites you to the release of a new U.S. Chamber of Commerce report, Leaders and Laggards: A State-by-State Report Card on Educational Effectiveness.