 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
From the Summit... Our Story The idea of the Summit comes from Boulder, Colorado where for over 50 years the community has held the Conference on World Affairs. During the five-day conference the streets are full of visitors and speakers from around the world, demonstrating Japanese tea ceremony, debating airline security… So we asked ourselves, “can it happen here?” The answer: oh yes - and it will. For the last year we’ve been meeting at the News Tribune and in cafes and living rooms, planning the program, scoping venues and talking about promotion. Area universities asked faculty for ideas, we scoured speaker catalogues and called on what’s turned out to be a vast global network. 4 Goals First. To feed our heads. The Summit overflows with ideas, questions, challenges…everything a growing brain needs. (And a bit for the spirit too.) Second. To help the South Sound take its place in the world of affairs. We want people on the West Coast, around the Pacific and all over the world to think of this as a breeding ground for ideas, energy and innovation. Third. To add to the excitement of downtown Tacoma by bringing people to our streets, our shops, our restaurants - and to showcase our world class schools and cultural institutions. Finally. To connect an implicit community, to weave another strand in the network of people who share ideas and a passion for ideas. Our First Year It’s a lot like “we have a barn, let’s put on a show.” There’s no staff, no structure - just a group of friends and colleagues committed to making our community - and our world - a little better. You’ll find lots to improve, and we hope you’ll tell us. Even better, we hope you’ll work with us in the future. "The Summit is another very viable opportunity for Tacoma/Pierce
County to comprehend our role in the global community. I urge everyone
interested in the future of our region to take part." So from Dawn and all of us, c’mon down. We have a barn. Join the show.
|
 |
Carol Schillios.
"Carol Schillios opened the Hèrè jè
Center in March 2005 in response to her reaction to the poverty
and living conditions in Mali, Africa. Mali is one of the poorest
countries in the world with 70% of rural population below the poverty
line. The Hèrè jè Center is a skills training,
education and marketing cooperative. |
Here,
begging girls ages 12-25 are helped off the streets and immediately
receive a stipend of $20 a week to stabilize their food needs. This
stipend ensures they don't have to beg during training as they learn
skills to help them generate income and become micro-entrepreneurs.
Our goal is to reach the girls before they are forced into prostitution
because of extreme need (hunger). The first 10 girls graduated in
July 2006 funded almost entirely by Carol Schillios. Twenty new
girls have been recruited and we have begun the "Circle of
Friends Giving Thanks" to give you and others a way to participate
in changing the economic prospects for one woman in Africa." |
 |
 |