2009 Conference Highlights

PLENARIES

Thursday, April 2

Troubling Times Across Cultures
Harry Triandis

To find solutions to problems that emerge during troubled times we need to examine how cultural factors interact with the problems. Triandis will examine three problems: The Financial Meltdown, Population Explosion, and Terrorism. Each of these problems has cultural aspects and there is an opportunity for SIETAR members to contribute to the solution of the problems.

Dr. Harry Triandis is one of the world s leading scholars on cultural and cross-cultural psychology. He has authored seven books including Culture and Social Behavior and edited the six-volume Cross-Cultural Psychology. His latest book Fooling Ourselves: Self-Deception in Politics, Religion, and Terrorism (Praeger Publishers 2009) has been highly praised for contributing important insights on a major cause of human conflict. Triandis is Professor Emeritus of Psychology at the University of Illinois and a Fellow of three divisions of the American Psychological Association His many awards include APA’s Distinguished International Psychologist of the year, Distinguished Contributions to International Psychology. He is past president of the International Association of Applied Pshchology, the International Association of Cross Cultural Psychology.

Friday, April 3

Finding Anne Frank in Rwanda: A Diary of Universal Genocide
Drew Kahn

Genocide and Holocaust have become familiar words in our contemporary vernacular. From Nazi Germany to Armenia, from Cambodia to Bosnia, from Rwanda to Darfur, we have have become accustomed to viewing huge-scale, tragic events en masse. Ironically, it seems the sheer scope of the crimes committed in genocides draws the attention away from its most precious element: human lives. The international popularity of Anne Frank has catapulted her beyond a young girl desperately wanting to be a young girl. She has reached celebrity and fable status. We remember the story but can forget the human life, releasing ourselves from personal identification and responsibility.

To deliver Anne’s message of survival, determination and soaring humanity, Drew Kahn chose to connect Anne’s story with the more recent (but no less systematic) genocide of 1994 Rwanda where the Hutu majority exterminated 1,000,000 Tutsis in 100 days. His 2006 theatrical production cast two Anne’s: one, the young Jewish girl hiding with her family in Amsterdam during Hitler’s reign; the other, a young Tutsi girl hiding in a Hutu pastor’s bathroom for 100 days to escape her execution. The result was an extremely powerful production exposing simultaneously the hideous tragedy of universal genocide and the particular stories of hope and survival from the souls of two young girls. Most importantly, this experience provided the framework for an educational experience that armed the audience with a vocabulary to reach beyond the stage and into a world desperately in need of intercultural skills. Drew Kahn will use rehearsal preparations, research, directorial vision, design concepts and production video to share this rich educational approach to learning and teaching.

Drew Kahn is Chair and Professor of the Theater Department at Buffalo State College (Buffalo, New York) where he teaches acting and has directed over 20 productions. He was awarded the President’s Award for Excellence in Teaching in 2006. His direction and adaptation of Bertolt Brecht’s The Caucasian Chalk Circle won him national honors from the Kennedy Center/American College Theatre Festival. Professor Kahn is the founding Artistic Director of the Oasis Theatre Company, a summer professional theatre dedicated to presenting both classical and new plays with contemporary, multi-cultural emphasis. In Oasis’ debut season (1996) Kahn directed a critically acclaimed production of Death of a Salesman starring Broadway legend Andre’ De Shields (The Wiz, Ain’t Misbehavin’, The Full Monty). Professor Kahn lives joyously in Buffalo, New York with his wife Maria and children, Samantha and Nathan.

Saturday, April 4

Hip-Hop, Manga, Facebook, Twitter, Second Life, and Myth: Intercultural Tools for a New Century
Patti Digh

Patti Digh worries that the field of intercultural communication is largely irrelevant to the challenges of the 21st century. She asks, “Are we using old tools and models to grapple with intercultural realities vastly changed because of the new ‘mongrel, global Me,’ increased cultural ‘sampling,’ the leveling effect of technology, and the transparency of social media? In fact, are these challenges revolutionizing our very concepts of culture? And are we keeping up?”

What are the radically new tools we need to deal with these challenges? Digh believes they include Hip-Hop, Manga, Facebook, Twitter, Second Life, and myth, all rooted in one local simplicity: STORY. As Jerome Bruner has said, human beings are hard-wired for story. We know that. But the ways in which we are transmitting and learning from story are changing rapidly. Many of us are not keeping up. Some of us even disparage these new forms of learning, communicating, and building relationship across cultures.

This presentation will delve into the primacy of story, how central it is to intercultural learning and practice, and how new forms of story and new technologies can be important tools for interculturalists.

Patti Digh is a storyteller, author and facilitator. Digh’s first book, Global Literacies: Lessons on Business Leadership and National Cultures (Simon & Schuster, 2000), was named a Fortune magazine “best business book” for the year 2000. Her second book was The Global Diversity Desk Reference (Wiley, 2003), and her most recent book is the widely acclaimed Life is a Verb: 37 Days to Wake Up, Be Mindful, and Live Intentionally (Globe Pequot Press, 2008). Life is a Verb is focused on the power of story and is one of five finalists for the prestigious “Books for a Better Life” award,” to be awarded in February 2009. She and David Robinson are co-founders of The Circle Project, an innovative consulting firm focused on providing experiential learning experiences to help communities and organizations navigate differences.

DAILY PERKS

Health and Wellness Program

Each morning we offer new and traditional opportunities to excercise guided by SIETAR USA volunteers, activities like Yoga, Walking, Running and a SIETAR USA original, Globaerobics! You are also welcome to enjoy the Embassy Suites Fitness Center, basketball and tennis courts, swimming pool, and hot tub.

Complimentary Breakfast

With a complimentary buffet or cooked-to-order breakfast that’s strong on variety, you’re certain to find filling and delicious fare. From healthy options to more traditional selections, breakfast is truly a treat at the Embassy Suites Hotel!

Manager’s Reception

The Manager’s Reception at the end of each day allows you to enjoy some cold drinks and light refreshments on the house. Relax with a beer or enjoy a pre-dinner cocktail – it’s the ideal way to start the evening.

EVENING EVENTS

Wednesday, April 1

Conference Orientation and Opening Reception

The conference orientation will again offer unique and entertaining ways to get to know more about SIETAR and your fellow conference goers. The opening reception promises a lively and entertaining get-together, featuring the music of One Drum in a return engagement with SIETAR USA.

Thursday, April 2

Dine Around

This is a great opportunity to experience the range of local cuisine and enjoy an evening out with colleagues. You may sign up in advance for the restaurant of your choice. Transportation is provided and diners cover the cost of their own meals.

Friday, April 3

An Evening at the Movies

Story is universal. Feature films are narratives. The world comes to us in the shape of stories and narrative is common to all cultures. Film provides an opportunity to bring the community together to tell a story that will teach a lesson, expand a worldview, propagate a position, or encourage unity.

Join us as we go for an evening at the movies at the Galaxy Cinema known for what one patron summed up as “An absolutely fantastic independent theater. They have a sizable number of screens for such a “small” place, which is good since it’s often the only place in the area to see any given foreign, independent, documentary, or mainstream film. The staff is almost eerily friendly, like their night would have been ruined if you hadn’t come to see the show, but since you did they’re just thrilled! Their concession stand deserves mention – It sells coffee, beer, gourmet candy, brownies, the works.” It is too early to announce what films will be available but there is sure to be an appealing selection.

We hope you join us! Registration will include transportation and theater tickets.

Saturday, April 4

Closing Gala

Join us for this Gala evening with dinner and dancing.

We are proud to welcome back the One Drum World Ensemble. They were a highlight of our first SIETAR USA conference in 1999 and people still talk about how wonderful the music was and how great it made them feel.

Don your dancing shoes and your favorite clothing from around the world and join us for a World Music Celebration featuring “One Drum!” Music is a universal manifestation of culture and “One Drum” blends the music of multiple cultures proving to us that cultural harmony is possible and that music has the ability to unite us. We may all dance to the beat of different drummers culturally, but at the Gala we will all be dancing to the multicultural beats of “One Drum.”

One Drum is an eclectic multi-cultural ensemble which performs songs, stories & dances rooted in the cultures of Africa, the Caribbean, Australia, the Middle East & the Americas. With an extensive collection of aboriginal, ancient, modern & one-of-a-kind percussive, string & wind instruments, One Drum weaves a tapestry that illustrates the common cultural origins of music. Making use of oral traditions of call-and-response, sing-along, creative movement, dance & hands-on-learning, One Drum expresses a universal spirit that knows no boundaries.