Honors Seminar Series Promotes Interactive Discussions on Paradox of Affluence
Taping for Phi Theta Kappa's 2009 Honors
Seminar Series is complete, and DVDs featuring presentations
by Ralph Nader, Ray Suarez and Jessica Jackley will be delivered to subscribers
in October. Subscriptions
are still being accepted.
The Honors Seminar presentations
are moderated by Phi Theta Kappa Executive Director Rod Risley and focus
on issues related to the current Honors
Study Topic, The Paradox of Affluence: Choices, Challenges,
and Consequences. Subscribers will receive DVDs and information
for web downloads.
"Subscribing to the Honors Seminars provides
an affordable means to bring internationally known speakers to your campus
and initiate debate and discussion of crucial issues," said Risley.
"These
three speakers offer provocative, enlightening insights on the global
economy, and also suggest solutions for many of the challenges we face,
both as a nation and within our day-to-day lives. These seminars are sure
to evoke spirited and effective dialogues on your campus and in your classrooms."
Ralph
Nader, internationally known consumer advocate, drew a record studio
audience for his presentation on the need to return power now held by U.S.
corporations to the public. Such a move would lead to free universal health
care, free higher education and improved child care, and would increase
citizens' involvement in government, he said.
"I want to see
a vibrant democracy where apathy is dull and civic responsibility becomes
exciting," Nader said.
His audience included two Phi Theta
Kappa members from Tyler Junior College in Texas, who volunteered to make
their 15-hour round trip drive to attend the Nader presentation. Darren
Vanmeter and Jeremy Glasscock braved inclement weather and traffic delays
to attend the presentation, which Glasscock termed "awesome."
Ray
Suarez, a correspondent for PBS' nightly NewsHour, spoke about
Americans' preoccupation with material wealth and the resulting affect
on the global community. He also discussed the relationship between wealth
and happiness.
Affluence has certainly not made the majority
of Americans happier than their counterparts in other countries, Suarez
said, responding to a question by series moderator Risley.
Jackley
told how after working in developing countries, she and a friend wanted
to share some success stories of struggling but optimistic small business
owners. Their website eventually became Kiva.org, which connects entrepreneurs
and persons willing to make loans - which can be as little as $25 - to help people
lift themselves out of poverty.
Risley compared Jackley's
efforts with Kiva.org to Phi Theta Kappa's Honors in Action initiative.
"You saw a need, did the research, and implemented a solution," said Risley,
who noted that to date more than $67 million has been loaned to fund small
businesses. In response to a question from Risley, Jackley also described
plans to make Kiva.org's assistance available in the United States.
Honors
Seminar subscribers also receive promotional materials and a guide to
plan seminar presentations on their campuses and in their communities.
Learn more.
