THE HAVENS CENTER
presents
RADFEST
2000:
ACTIVISTS AND ACADEMICS
WORKING
FOR PROGRESSIVE CHANGE
Upham Woods, WI
May 19-21, 2000
Dear friend:
We would like to invite you to RadFest 2000, a weekend conference for
progressive activists and academics organized by the A. E. Havens Center
for the Study of Social Structure and Social Change at the University of
Wisconsin-Madison. The central goal of RadFest is to provide an
opportunity for progressive folks to come together to discuss issues of
mutual interest and concern, strengthen networks, and devise strategies
for progressive social and political change.
The conference will take place on the weekend of May 19-21, 2000 at Upham
Woods, a beautiful retreat located on the Wisconsin River just north of
Wisconsin Dells. The opening event of the program will be a plenary panel
on Friday evening, titled “Globalization, Democracy, and the
Construction of a Progressive Future,” the central focus of which
will be the challenges of building a progressive movement in the
contemporary social, economic, and political context. The panel is
composed of Jane Anne Morris (Program on Corporations, Law, and
Democracy), David Newby (President of the Wisconsin AFL-CIO),
Horace Small (National Director of the Democratic Socialists of
America), and Lori Wallach (Director of Public Citizen’s Global
Trade Watch).
The remainder of the program will be primarily devoted to a series of
workshops addressing a wide array of social, political, and economic
topics on Saturday and Sunday. Currently, approximately 20 workshops are
planned, including: “Media and Democracy” (with Bob McChesney, John
Nichols, and Margo Robb); “The New Wisconsin Idea: The Role of
the Bradley Foundation in State Public Policy” (with Phil
Wilayto); “Growing Disparities in Wealth, Income, and Job Quality”
(with Annette Bernhardt, Bonnie Block, Laura Dresser, and Erik
Wright); “Organizing and the Power of Culture for Social Change”
(with Si Kahn); “Progressive Politics and the Electoral Arena”
(with Betsy Hodges, Midge Miller, John Nichols, Jim Powell, Horace
Small, and Jim Young); “Health Security for All” (with
Linda Farley and Gene Farley); “Welfare Reform” (with
Carole Medaris and Vicky Selkowe); and about a dozen others
on such topics as labor organizing, coalition building, the environment
and the economy, youth activism, globalization, campaign finance reform,
and prison reform. In addition, any group or individual interested in
organizing a workshop is encouraged to do so. Those interested should
send a workshop proposal with a title, a short description, and a list of
participants to the Havens Center at the address below. We also encourage
organizations to take advantage of the logistical support RadFest
provides for the holding of membership meetings on Sunday afternoon.
Finally, because the building of a progressive community also requires
time for relaxation and strengthening social ties, we have devoted a
portion of the program to recreation and entertainment. On Saturday
afternoon, there will be a break in the schedule for recreational
activities, including canoeing on the Wisconsin River (a spectacular
sight), hiking on Blackhawk Island, and volleyball. And on Saturday
evening, there will be a bonfire with music and singing. The highlight
will be a performance by Si Kahn, the director of Grassroots
Leadership and author of Organizing who will perform songs from
his latest CD, I Have Seen Freedom.
The key to the success of RadFest 2000 will be the enthusiastic
participation of progressive individuals and organizations dedicated to
the construction of a more just world. If you would like to be a part of
this gathering, please visit the Havens Center website
(http://www.ssc.wisc.edu/havenscenter