Recorded October and November, 2005 ~
As we shift into the 21st century, we are witnessing dramatic changes in our local and global identies. Today, one in 10 persons living in the United Staes is foreign-born. Our societies reflect a rich diversity of cultures in language, customs and activities. One hundred and eighteen languages are spoken in the home in King County, putting Seattle in the top five cities in the country for number of languages spoken ~
Audio Tape #1~ "Shifting World Powers" ~ Remember when you could easily name the most powerful nations on earth? The U.S. and the U.S.S.R., of course. Who would you name today? If Brazil wasn't on your list, it should have been. In this discussion, University of Washington faculty explore what worldwide advances in technology, education and economics are doing to shift the world's power centers. Panel members will articulate the significance and impacts of these developments ~
Audio Tape #2 ~ "Human Rights in Changing Contexts" ~ As Westerners, we often say that rights are "self evident" and "universal." Yet our own society is divided about who is entitled to varying degrees of rights protection, and under what conditions these entitlements may be modified or suspended. As physical and political borders around the world dissipate and differing ideologies clash or intersect, who decides what rights should prevail, when and how they are protected and for whom? In this panel discussion, University of Washington faculty highlight emerging issues related to human rights in a context of globalizing markets, unprecedented human migration, government transition and fears of terrorism ~
Audio Tape #3 ~ "Sustainable Development: Who's Responsible?" ~ As our world becomes a place less limited by borders and other artificial boundaries, how do we conceptualize the earth? As global partners, what agreements are necessary to take care of the air, land and oceans, and how are these agreements managed? Who is responsible and how do we decide? This panel of University of Washington faculty explores shared environmental responsibility, its progress, its limitations and its relationship to economic stability and justice ~
Audio Tape #4 ~ "Religions Across Borders and Time" ~ While we tend to think of globalization as a recent phenomenon, major religions have spanned the globe for hundreds of years. Religious communities have changed in size and scope, but religious identity has repeatedly defied borders through history. University of Washington faculty discuss Christianity, Islam, Judaism and eastern religions today from this perspective, sharing both local and global perspectives ~