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Rick Steves--author
of 30 European travel guidebooks and host of the PBS-TV series,
Rick Steves' Europe-- believes that thoughtful travel expands
our world view and shapes how we address the challenges
confronting our nation politically. Having spent four months a
year overseas for the last 25 years, Rick feels that travel
helps us “challenge truths we were raised to think were
self-evident and God-given.” His classes have helped millions of
Americans not only enjoy maximum travel thrills per mile, minute
and euro…but become better citizens of our planet. Rick shares
how the other 96 percent of humanity sees our nation and
explores how his social activism has grown naturally out of his
travel experiences. He’s fresh back from lots of travels
(including a TV production trip to Iran) and will be on hand
after his talk for questions and autographs.
Several Orange County members will be driving in. Call
714/538-5689 or email
info@una-oc.org for more information or to arrange
carpooling.
UNAUSA
Orange County Chapter members and friends are invited to any of
the daytime sessions of the 43rd Annual Conference of the Asian
Studies on the Pacific Coast held at Soka University
June 19th (Friday)
- 2:00 - 5:00 pm
June 20th (Saturday) - 8:30 am - 5:00 pm
June 21st (Sunday) - 8:30 am - 3:00 pm
The theme of the Conference is The Dynamics of Culture and
Environment.
ASPAC is the Pacific Rim conference of the Association for Asian
Studies. It is dedicated to promoting a better understanding of
Asia. By holding an annual conference, graduate student prizes,
teacher training, and two publications, the ASPAC Occasional
Papers series and E-Aspac, a peer-reviewed electronic journal.
Begun in the late 1960’s and incorporated in 1992, ASPAC is
nonpolitical, nonprofit and works completely through volunteer
effort.
More information and directions can be found at
http://aspac09.soka.edu/Home.html. For specific information
email Nalini Rao
at
nrao@soka.edu.
Recent
Chapter Activities
May 2nd -
International Fair, Soka University
April 15th
– 2009 UNAUSA/OC Coffee Talk #2 in recognition of Earth Day
 The
state of the world's oceans:
Why sharks are in danger
... and why we should care
Jenny
Miller Garmendia
Director, Project AWARE
Ms.
Garmendia spoke on international fishing disputes, marine
policy, and international law and aquatic environment issues at
international conferences. She has traveled extensively, and has
lived in Hong Kong, the Philippines, Singapore, Indonesia, Guam,
Liberia, and Okinawa, and is currently based in Orange County.
Many shark
species are endangered and could soon become extinct. Why this
matters, and what is being done about it, were the focus of this
provocative talk by internationally recognized marine expert
Jenny Miller Garmendia. The
Project AWARE Foundation is an inter-national non-profit
organization that works in partnership with divers, surfers, and
water enthusiasts across the globe to conserve underwater
environments through education, advocacy, and action.
March 9th - 2009 UNAUSA/OC Coffee Talk #1 in recognition of
International Women’s Day
 Congresswoman
Loretta Sanchez sent a brief DVD with one of her aides speaking
directly to us about her concern for Human Trafficking and
thanking us for having a program educating about this issue
 “Sandie
Morgan, Administrator of the Orange County Human Trafficking
Task Force, gave the first UNA critical issues presentation of
2009 on March 9 at Soka University, in Aliso Viejo, to an
interested group of UNA members and supporters from other local
local NGOs. This presentation was given in recognition of
International Women’s Day.
Her presentation provided an overview of human trafficking in
Orange County, with an emphasis on gender perspectives in our
changing global community. Since California is part of the
Pacific Rim, she gave special attention to the connection
between Orange County and Southeast Asia; and emphasized the
relationship of the law of supply and demand to the prevalence
of human trafficking locally. Just as Orange County has a task
force to counter human trafficking, the United Nations also has
a task force to counter human trafficking in Southeast Asia,
called the United Nations Inter-Agency Project on Human
Trafficking in the Greater Mekong Sub-Region (UNIAP)
UNA co-president Ken Tye welcomed the audience and said a few
words about the UNA. After a brief video of support provided by
Congresswoman Loretta Sanchez, Gaye Christoffersen, UNA Vice
President for Programs, introduced the speaker. More information
about the OC Task Force can be found at
www.ochumantrafficking.org
More background:
- UN Office of Drugs and Crime -
Global Report on Trafficking in Persons
-
Actress Mira Sorvino named UN Goodwill Ambassador to combat
human trafficking
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