Professionals in the field of social work
Morning Plenary: An injury to one is an injury to all.
Elaine Bernard, Ph.D., Executive Director of the Labor and Worklife Program at the Harvard Law School
In her remarks Dr. Bernard will address organized labor's role in promoting the general welfare of the nation.
The following presentations will run 75 minutes and be repeated three times during the conference:
Examining "the other" and its historical role in denying human rights in the United States.
Steven Pitts, Ph.D., Center for Labor Education and Research, University of California at Berkeley
The U.S. was founded on some remarkably positive democratic values. Our history has been one of finding ways of extending to all who live here the inalienable rights with which we are all endowed. Dr. Pitts will examine "the other" and the damage it has done and continues to do by creating divisions in our nation and in retarding the promotion of equal rights beyond those who enjoyed them when our nation was founded.
Exploring the promise of green jobs and a sustainable environment.
Kate Gulley, Regional Program Manager, Blue Green Alliance
Americans have been told that one of the strategies for coming out of the recession is the creation of green jobs. What exactly those are, what promise they hold in helping bounce out of this economic slump and how they7 might provide an opportunity for creating a sustainable environment inside and outside of the U.S. is a largely untold story. Ms. Gulley will explain the hope that green jobs hold for our nation's future.
Teaching labor studies in our schools.
John Kretzschmar, Director, UNO William Brennan Institute for Labor Studies
Over 90 percent of Nebraskans sell their intelligence, experience, and strength to employers in order to earn a living. The employer/employee relationship directly and indirectly affects workers' quality of life and the quality of the neighborhoods in which they live. Mr. Kretzschmar will explore why teaching the history of the evolution of the employee/employer relationship in the U.S. is important to preparing our children for their civic and economic responsibilities in creating a society that promotes the general welfare of the nation.
Closing Plenary: putting it all together - finding ways to make a difference.
Kent Wong, J.D., Director, UCLA Center for Labor Research and Education
Dr. Wong brings with him a lifetime of experience working to empower the disenfranchised and expand democracy in and out of the workplace. He'll share insights into how we cn use the knowledge we've gained to become more effective agents for change.
