Part of the Spring 2013 ISC Research and Learning Summit

Presented by Divya Padgaonkar

Cities have always been the center of commercial, scientific, political and cultural life. Despite being such diverse and dynamic places, cities often hold communities of poor health. Cities continually influence health behaviors such as food, physical activity, personal stress and access to health resources. With the growing amount of people now residing in urban areas, it has become the concern of public health professionals to increase efforts in health conscious urban planning.

This workshop will examine the problems affecting present urban areas, discuss current initiatives being taken to solve them, and propose further research and potential solutions. It is perfect for those interested in global and public health issues.

Wednesday April 24, 2013

2:00 pm Eastern

Divya Padgaonkar is a junior at The College of New Jersey and an ISC Intern. She is working towards her Bachelor’s in Sociology with a specialization in Health and Environmental studies and a minor in Public Health. She is passionate about volunteering and non-profit work. She has been involved in several non-profit organizations, including American Red Cross and MEDLIFE. Through her coursework, which includes health communications, cultural health perspectives, and qualitative and quantitative social research, Divya has learned about the correlation between society, its environment and its health.

Part of the Spring 2013 ISC Research and Learning Summit

Presented by Jacqueline Rhoden-Trader, Ph.D.

Although structured slavery has been abolished almost world-wide, remnants of its stench pervade Africa, Europe, the America’s and Asia. The present day form of slavery is known as human trafficking. Human trafficking is the recruitment, transportation, transfer, harboring, trading or receipt of persons within and across national borders by (a) The use of threats, force or other forms of coercion, abduction, fraud, deception, the abuse of power or exploitation of vulnerability, or (b) Giving or receiving payments and benefits to achieve consent (Ghana’s Anti-Human Trafficking Act , 2005).

Ghana is a sovereign nation which gained its independence from Great Britain in 1958 and is lauded as the first commonwealth nation to do so. However, today, Ghana finds itself faced with a new form of slavery hereafter referred to as human trafficking.
The phenomenon of human trafficking, especially of children, ‘has become a highly lucrative and exploitative business in Ghana.” (Ghana News, 2010). “Ghana is a source, transit, and destination country for trafficked children (US DOL, 2005). Although Ghana has been known mostly for intra-country human trafficking (source, transit point and destination) there are occasional cross-border human trafficking within the West African sub region (Doh, 2012). Internationally, children are trafficked to neighboring countries for forced labor, and young girls are trafficked to the Middle East as domestic workers, and to both the Middle East and Europe for purposes of commercial sexual exploitation (U.S. DOL, 2005). 

Human trafficking is a growing menace in Ghana and must be fought because of its national and global implications. This webinar will provide perspectives on human trafficking in Ghana, operationalization of human trafficking and the legislative, policy and institutional environment for dealing with human trafficking in Ghana. It is perfect for those interested in policy, human rights, social justice and migration.

Monday April, 22, 2013

3:30 pm Eastern

Dr. Jacqueline Rhoden-Trader is a social science researcher, policy analyst, professor and consultant. Having worked in both the private and public sectors, Dr. Rhoden-Trader brings creativity, sensitivity, and a wealth of experience in the areas of policy analysis, research and evaluation, systems and program development and training. She is passionate about enhancing the life chances of individuals, particularly children, youth and families and possess over 19 years of direct service and leadership experience working with and on behalf of those deemed “disadvantaged.” In addition, she has conducted qualitative and quantitative research on disadvantaged populations, written several articles which were published in scholarly journals, trained thousands of individuals nationally and internationally. Specific research interests include: race and gender disparities across the globe, at-risk/disadvantaged youth, crime and delinquency prevention through the use of spatial analysis, school retention, and youth development policy. As an academic, Dr. Rhoden-Trader serves as an assistant professor of criminology at Coppin State University in the School of Professional Studies’ Criminal Justice and Law Enforcement Department. She’s also a permanent part-time adjunct professor of criminology in the Sociology and Geography and Homeland Security Departments of Anne Arundel Community College. A graduate of Western High School in Baltimore, she received her Bachelor’s of Arts degree in Modern Languages and Linguistics from the University of Maryland Baltimore County, an Honors University, Master of Science degree in Criminal Justice Administration from Coppin State College, Baltimore, Maryland and a Doctor of Philosophy degree in Policy Sciences from The Union Institute, Cincinnati, Ohio. She was also a visiting fellow of the Alexis de Tocqueville Institute and delegate at the Oxford Roundtable on Criminal Law, Oxford University, UK and recipient of numerous awards.

Part of the Spring 2013 ISC Research and Learning Summit

Presented by Natalie Brown

A look at American evangelicals missionary work in Uganda and its political and cultural impacts as compared to other missionaries and NGOs within the region. This session will assist participants in questioning the objectives of missionary organizations with a goal of positively impacting a community or social problem. The discussion will focus on where is the social responsibility in supporting questionable “causes” working under a “missionary” banner.  Participants will leave with a strong sense of how to recognize faith based strategies that are designed to create sustainable impacts.

The webinar is perfect for those considering a missionary opportunity, faith based leaders wanting to design strong faith based strategies, and communities working with faith based groups.

Wednesday April 24, 2013

11:00 am Eastern

Natalie Brown is a PhD candidate at Nova Southeastern University majoring in peace studies and conflict resolution. She is a mental health counselor with a focus in community mental health. Natalie is an avid reader and devoted mother with a passion for peace, and conflict resolution through education, collaboration and communication. As an ISC intern Natalie researches issues related to religion, suicide and refugees.

Part of the Spring 2013 ISC Research and Learning Summit

Presented by Rajesh Gowan

The world has been providing aid to the region for decades and decades now, and it is appreciated. However there is a better way, a cheaper way. A way that will benefit everyone and final stop the dependency for Aid. At the end of the session participants will be able to distinguish between aid & investment that is self sustaining, They will come to realize that aid money can be and should be used effectively and efficiently to create lasting change.

Aid money is needed in times of crisis but , long term solutions have to be found. This webinar is perfect for those in international development, charity or economic development organizations targeting the horn of Africa.

Wednesday April 24, 2013

3:30 pm

Rajesh has an Economics degree from the University of South Africa and has also majored in Managerial finance and Risk management. He is a SISGI Group Consultant and has studied different risk management styles implemented around the globe. This gives him the unique ability to assist people from around the globe to implement their projects in the most efficient and economical manner possible to achieve great success.

Part of the Spring 2013 ISC Research and Learning Summit

Presented by Kristen Wendt

It’s clear that girls’ body image in the United States is in grave danger. 42% of first, second, and third grade girls want to lose weight. More than 50% of ten-year-old girls wish they were thinner. And more than 90% of girls want to change at least one aspect of their physical appearance, with body weight ranking as their first concern.

Part of the Spring 2013 ISC Research and Learning Summit

Presented by Elisabeth Arnold

The United States prison system is the largest in the world. It oversees approximately 7.1 million people; contains 1821 facilities; and employs 445,400 people nationwide. Needless to say, it has an incredibly broad reach and touches many lives. But unfortunately, it is in desperate need of reform. Currently, the U.S. prison system is facing rising populations, reduced funding, and high recidivism rates as a result of sentencing and policy decisions.

This presentation will focus on public policy and its impact on the prison population, as well as ways we can more effectively manage criminality in the general population. Information will include multiple case studies of the current prison experience and the ways it is impacted by the legal system. Current reform efforts in this area will also be assessed in order to find the most effective and positive approach to improving the prison complex.

This webinar is perfect for anyone interested in the prison reform movement including students, activists, lawyers, current or past inmates, law enforcement, or public policy makers.

Tuesday April 23, 2013
11:00 AM EST

Elisabeth Arnold is a senior at the University of Pennsylvania majoring in political science with a focus in American Politics and with a minor in Chinese. In her coursework, she has specialized in social movements, policy analysis, and legal studies. Her research as an intern with the SISGI Group focused on U.S. race relations and incarceration, women’s rights, and U.S. immigration policy. She is now a Featured Writer on similar topics for NotEnoughGood.com

Part of the Spring 2013 ISC Summit

Presented by Riddhi Desai

This workshop explores the concept of Integrated health services and its potential benefits and disadvantages. It has the potential to improve global health delivery and can help individuals living in developing countries access healthcare services easily in one place.

Learning Objectives

• Participants will learn about the benefits of integrated health services.
• Participants will learn about the impact of improving global health delivery
• At the end of this discussion, participants will understand the concept of integrated health services.

April 23, 2013

2:00 pm Eastern

Riddhi Desai is a junior at Rutgers University. She is double majoring in Public Health and Psychology and completing a certificate program in Public Health Administration and Health Education. As an Institute of Social Change Intern at the SISGI group, Riddhi has focused on global health, social good and international development issues.

Problems such as hate crimes, bullying and rising suicide rates, and discrimination …

Presented by Kristen Youngs

The United States has seen a number of equal rights movements throughout its history. We have progressed through both racial and gender equality battles in the past, among various others. The movement currently taking over the country is the gay rights movement, otherwise known as the LGBT social movement. The main topic in the news regarding the gay rights movement right now is marriage equality. Take a look at any news source, regardless of whether it is related to the LGBT community or not, and you will see at least one marriage equality headline.

This presentation addresses the fact that while marriage equality is what we are now constantly hearing about in the news and striving toward, gaining this right nationwide is not the only thing that will solve the problems of the LGBT community. Many other aspects outside of the right to marry must be taken into consideration for the LGBT social movement to keep progressing. Criticisms and suggestions are given about the best ways to reach full equality and acceptance of the gay community. Problems such as hate crimes, bullying and rising suicide rates, and discrimination are all discussed in terms of how they can be turned around in order to promote full equality, as well.

This webinar reaches out to activists, LGBT community members, those in opposition of equality, and anyone seeking knowledge on current events within the United States.

PART OF THE ISC RESEARCH AND LEARNING SERIES

]]> http://sisgigroup.org/isc/equality/feed/ 0 http://sisgigroup.org/isc/water-privatization/ http://sisgigroup.org/isc/water-privatization/#comments Wed, 25 Apr 2012 02:06:36 +0000 Robin http://sisgigroup.org/isc/?p=717

…raises important global concepts such as the right to water as a human right...

Presented by Sharon Grijalva

Water privatization is an extremely important topic in the global sphere that ties private and public sectors of different countries together.   It is connected with global institutions that play a very important role in water privatization such as the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund.  It also raises important global concepts such as the right to water as a human right and the effects this has on poverty, as global social issues.

The topic that will be covered in a webinar analyzing water privatization and the effects that this has had on different regions throughout Latin America.  Different case studies will show that water privatization has had a negative effect in different South American countries, rising water prices and limiting water accessibility to the poor.  These effects will be examined as well as the reasons why water privatization is implemented in the first place.  Water privatization often demonstrates the effect that the government or lack of government has on the public and how this affects poverty increases in Latin America.

This webinar is perfect for those who are interested in economic policies that affect the public sector and those interested in the effects of privatization in general, Latin America and poverty issues.

PART OF THE ISC RESEARCH AND LEARNING SERIES

…social corporate responsibility in the form of in-kind donations is creating greater profits for companies and creating bigger problems for the developing communities…

Presented by
Tracey Shipman

Social responsibility and humanitarian activism have become new concepts explored in the for-profit sector. Companies are increasing their involvement in charity work especially in developing countries, but how much of this increase can be attributed to altruistic motivations and how much can be linked toward profit-seeking incentives?  The 21^st century consumer demands a new marketplace for more charitable organizations, but when we explore the benefits of donation-based campaigns, it becomes evident that social corporate responsibility in the form of in-kind donations is creating greater profits for companies and creating bigger problems for the developing communities these companies are claiming they help.

This presentation will consider the marketing strategies and outcomes of big corporations’ donation campaigns as well as explore the pros and cons of start-up companies’ one-for-one donation mantras.  Criticisms, as well as suggestions for improvement, will offer more insight into how social responsibility and humanitarian aid can play an effective role in for-profit organizations.  If the appropriate balance can be struck then companies as well as developing communities can benefit.

This webinar is perfect for social entrepreneurs, international development activists, company owners, and general consumers.

PART OF THE ISC RESEARCH AND LEARNING SERIES