Conference to stress cultural awareness to Hoosiers
WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. – Purdue University Cooperative Extension Service is co-sponsoring the second, biannual Indiana MultiEthnic Conference.
Themed "Building Indiana's 21st Century Communities," the conference will take place from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on April 26 at the Sheraton Indianapolis Hotel and Suites, 8787 Keystone Crossing.
The conference committee started the event to explore ways to make Indiana a more welcoming place for diverse ethnic groups, said Carmen DeRusha, educator, Purdue Extension Marion County. It will feature workshops, networking opportunities and panel discussions.
Gov. Mitch Daniels will open the conference. Speakers from the National League of Cities will share their experiences and tools to assist cities in developing proactive strategies to integrate diverse ethnic groups -- a requirement to build thriving 21st century communities, DeRusha said.
"Do-It-Yourself Sessions" in employment, education and community/lifestyle and other subjects also are planned. The sessions will be focused conversations that can help attendees make statewide connections, share insights and discover new collaborators and resources.
"Another objective that we have for the conference is for people to get to know each other," DeRusha said.
There also is a preconference event, "Breaking Bread: Building Communities," from 5-8 p.m. on April 25 at the Eugene Glick Junior Achievement Center, 7435 N. Keystone Ave., Indianapolis. The event is a celebration of food and cultures from around the world, and it is sponsored by the Indiana Humanities Council. Registration for the preconference event only is $25.
Registration for both the conference and preconference event is $65, or $50 for the conference only. A student rate is available at $45 for both events and $30 for the conference. The events are open to everyone.
All registrations are due by April 16. To register and find more information, visit http://www.indianamultiethnic.org
Other conference sponsors include the Indiana Humanities Council, National League of Cities, Goodwill, Boyle Construction Management Inc., National City, Indianapolis Marion County Public Library, Eye2theWorld, International Center of Indianapolis and the Indiana Historical Society.
Writer: Julie Preble, 765-494-8402, jmpreble@purdue.edu
Source: Carmen DeRusha, 317-275-9253, cdrusha@purdue.edu
Ag Communications: (765) 494-8415;
Steve Leer, sleer@purdue.edu
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