Invitation to RadFest 2001

THE HAVENS CENTER

presents

RADFEST 2001:
ACTIVISTS AND ACADEMICS WORKING
FOR PROGRESSIVE CHANGE

Aurora University
George Williams - Lake Geneva Campus
Williams Bay, WI
May 18-20, 2001
www.ssc.wisc.edu/havenscenter

Dear friend:

I would like to invite you to RadFest 2001, an annual 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 the conference 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, economic, and political change. Last
year, 170 people from throughout the upper Midwest and beyond attended
RadFest. This year, we anticipate an even larger turnout. The conference
will take place on the weekend of May 18-20, 2001 at the George Williams
- Lake Geneva Campus of Aurora University -- 240 acres of rolling, wooded
hillside located on the shores of Lake Geneva, approximately 50 miles
southwest of Milwaukee and 70 miles southeast of Madison. 

The opening event of the program will be a keynote panel on Friday
evening, titled “Unleash Democracy! How to Realize America’s Most
Radical Promise.” The purpose of the panel will be to engage
activists, organizers, and intellectuals in a deep discussion of the
challenges and experiences of pro-democracy campaigns in four
interrelated arenas or dimensions of contemporary American life: the
labor movement; the political system; corporate power and the legal
system; and education. The panel will be composed of David Cobb
(Program on Corporations, Law, and Democracy); Ben Manski
(180/Movement for Democracy and Education); Robert Miranda
(Milwaukee County Social Development Commission); and Jane
Slaughter (Labor Notes). 

On Saturday evening, there will be a second plenary panel, titled
“Progressive Politics and the Electoral Arena.” The objective of
the panel will be to examine the possibilities for advancing a
progressive political agenda via the electoral arena, including an
evaluation of the Democratic Party and third party alternatives and an
assessment of the lessons learned from the 2000 election. The panelists
will be Ed Garvey (Democratic Party), Jesse Jackson Jr.
(Democratic Party) (invited), Brenda Konkel (Progressive
Dane), Karen Kubby (Independent Progressive Politics Network),
Cynthia McKinney (Democratic Party) (invited), and John
Nichols (The Capital Times). 

The remainder of the program will be primarily devoted to more than two
dozen workshops addressing a wide array of social, political, and
economic topics on Saturday and Sunday (please see the enclosed program),
including: “Student-Labor Coalitions” (with David Newby, Frank Emspak,
C.J. Wilson, Molly McGrath, Brad Monzolillo, and Leila
Pine); “Community Organizing” (with Jill Groblewski, Donna
Freeman, Janet Price, Paul Terranova, and Leah
Wallace); “Hip Hop 101” (with David Muhammad and Ben
Runkle); “Trust Us. We’re the Media Experts, Stupid” (with Robert
McChesney, John Nichols, and John Stauber); “Public Education:
Challenges and Solutions” (with Harriet Brown, Karen Grobowski, Jeff
Leverich, and Kelley Dawson); “Family Farm Stewardship
Campaign” (with Sam Gieryn); “Redefining the Free Trade Area of
the Americas” (with Mary Bottari, Steve Watrous, and
Alfonso Zepeda); “Grassroots Challenges to Corporate Domination”
(with Ed Garvey, Robert McChesney, and John Stauber); and
others on such topics as labor organizing, electoral reform, running a
successful progressive local campaign, coalition building, campaign
finance reform, welfare reform, housing, biotechnology, family and
medical leave, and prison reform. 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, rowing, kayaking, sailing, hiking,
tennis, and volleyball. And on Saturday evening, there will be a musical
performance by singer-guitarist and social activist Jim
Schwall.

The key to the success of RadFest 2001 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
(www.ssc.wisc.edu/havenscenter)
to obtain a registration form, a full conference program, and logistical
information. The cost for the conference (including lodging and meals) is
very modest and determined by ability to pay. Please note that the
early registration deadline is April 12 for overnight
participants and May 5 for commuters. We also encourage you to spread
the word and let us know of other people or organizations you think would
be interested in participating. If you have any questions, don’t hesitate
to contact us at this email address.

We hope you will contribute to making RadFest 2001 an exciting event and
help us in our efforts to build a progressive community. 

Sincerely,


Patrick
Barrett

 

        

        

        

Administrative Director
A. E. Havens Center


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