Education is an important component of Pangea's work. Part of our mission is to inform ourselves and others about global problems and possible solutions to them. We are also learning about effective grantmaking. Each year as part of our process to narrow our focus and identify potential projects and regions, we host a series of seminars such as those described below. - March 10, 2008 - Human Trafficking, Migration and Globalization in Southeast Asia Therese Caouette, who teaches at Seattle University and the University of Washington, introduced us to the complex issues of human trafficking and cross-border issues of human rights in Southeast Asia.
- November 12, 2007 - Creating an African Green Revolution Joshua Machinga of Common Ground Program (Kenya) and Dr. Don Doering of the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation discussed different perspectives on how to promote food security in sub-Saharan Africa.
- September 24, 2007 - The Changing Face of Nepal Rita Thapa, founder and CEO of Nagarik Aawaz (Nepal) and Pam Elardo, founder of Living Earth Institute, discussed the historical and political background of today's Nepal and the challenges of carrying out development work in the midst of conflict.
- May 21, 2007 - Land Ownership for the Poor: A Cornerstone of Economic Development Lincoln Miller (COO Rural Development Institute) and Greg Rake (President of Agros International) talked about how their organizations have used land ownership as a strategy for development in Central America and Asia.
- March 19, 2007 - African Children in Crisis Rhoi Wangila, Executive Director of the Ark Foundation of Africa helped us understand the dire challenges faced by AIDS orphans, other vulnerable children, and their caregivers/grandmothers in the wake of the HIV/AIDS epidemic. Since 1991, the Ark Foundation has sponsored programs to help these forgotten children, including day care centers, secondary schools, youth prevention programs, and support groups.
- October 3, 2006 - The Challenge of International Giving Karen Ashmore, Executive Director of The Lambi Fund of Haiti, talked about the difficulties of funding programs in politically unstable and/or dangerous places. The Lambi Fund supports economic justice, democracy, and sustainable development through partnerships with peasant organizations in rural areas. She told about the success of a Pangea-funded sugar cane mill in the central plateau region, which increased income for 80 families in the region. Following Karen's presentation, two Pangea members summarized the lessons learned during this summer's site visits to Kenya and Tanzania. To read a summary of those lessons, click here.
- June 5, 2006 - Empowering Women and Youth in the Fight Against AIDS in Africa Two outstanding speakers gave us a first-hand account of grassroots efforts that are underway in Kenya and Southern Africa, efforts that are making a difference and that are being supported by the international community.
- April 17, 2006 - Politics, Policy and Prevention in the Battle Against AIDS in Africa Three speakers discussed the impact that recent U.S. government policy has had on AIDS programs in Africa. Both the "global gag rule" and restrictions imposed on PEPFAR funds (President's Emergency Plan For AIDS Relief) have had the unintended consequence of limiting access to condoms, limiting AIDS awareness and prevention programs, and reducing already meager reproductive health services for women.
May 9, 2005 - How Communities Deal with HIV/AIDS Two speakers talked about programs in Eastern Africa that help communities cope with the impact of HIV infection and the high death rate, especially the burden of caring for the sick and for the orphaned children, and about some programs that have been successful. April 4, 2005 - The State of Public K-12 Education in Eastern Africa A panel of five educators with experience living and teaching in eastern Africa reviewed the current status of education and the issues with which educators and governments are grappling , then shared information about some educational programs underway. Feb 7, 2005 - Aid, Trade, and the Mighty Dollar A discussion of how US economic and social policies affect our ability to achieve sustainable economic development in underdeveloped countries. Fall 2004 - Introduction to Africa An overview of sub-Saharan Africa—its demographics, socioeconomic status, political history, and the enormous problems facing it. Fall 2004 - Democracy and Human Rights in Palestine The challenges facing Palestine today, including providing essential services, building a democratic society and working for a just peace with Israel. Spring 2004 - Economic development Two sessions on small-scale income-generating projects, including micro credit lending. Spring 2003 - Global water issues Two sessions on global fresh water issues such as water security, water-related disease, conflicts over water, privatization, and environmental impacts. Fall 2003 - Grantmaking information The nuts and bolts of international grantmaking.
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