Dates: September 21-28

For the second Earth Charter Community Summit (ECCS), UW Oshkosh decided to create a week-long event, from September 21-28, and it was a tremendous success. Thirteen different events and more than twenty speakers or performers attracted standing-room-only audiences. More than a thousand people attended the lectures and panels, and at least that number attended the Green Fair that was the first event. Other events included an Oxfam Dinner, featuring speaker Deborah Toler, and speakers on the politics of food production, the state of democracy in Wisconsin, the aftermath of the Exxon Valdez disaster, and much more. For the full program, including links to the speakers and/or their organizations, see below.

The experiment of having a larger event was clearly a great success. Some of the speakers were able to visit classes as well as give their presentations, and the audience came from as far away as Milwaukee and Madison. The event was sponsored by the Chancellor’s Office at UW Oshkosh and by the UW Oshkosh Foundation.

Saturday, September 21

• 12:00 Noon - 5:00 "GreenQuest"
  Part of Fall Fest on the Fox and located on the UW Oshkosh Campus, GreenQuest is UW Oshkosh’s first environmental fair and will include representatives from the local business community and non-profit organizations.  Hands-on experiences, food and entertainment can all be found at GreenQuest. For more information on GreenQuest and Fall Fest on the Fox, call 424-0344 or visit us on the web at www.uwosh.edu/chancellor/fallfest.

Monday, September 23

• 4:00-4:50 p.m. "Drum Circle led by Bill Kehl "
  Located on the Polk Library mall, Monday’s events kick-off with some exciting musical entertainment.  Extra drums will be provided; please join us.
• 5:00-7:00 p.m. " Hunger Awareness/Oxfam dinner "
  Oxfam dinners have become a popular way to promote awareness of world hunger and poverty, and our dinner speaker, Deborah Toler, is a former member of Oxfam. This event will be held in Reeve Union, Room 227C.
• 7:30-9:00 p.m. “ Social and Economic Justice Forum ”
  A key plank of the Earth Charter is that social and economic justice are linked to environmental protection and democracy.  Tonight’s forum, led by Sr. Michelle Balek of Franciscans International and Lakshmi Bharadwaj of UW Milwaukee, will explore these crucial issues. Reeve Union, Room 306.

Tuesday, September 24

• 5:00-6:30 pm “ Politics of Food Production ”
  This panel discusses some of the key political problems in food production and distribution, including national and international controversies over food safety. Join John Stauber (Center for Media and Democracy) and Deborah Toler (Institute for Public Accuracy) in Reeve Union 306.
• 8:00-9:30 p.m. “ Ecological Integrity & Environmental Conservation in Wisconsin ”
  Karen Bassler, Curt Meine, and Rob Nelson will discuss biodiversity and conservation policy. Chaired by Michael Nelson.  Reeve Union 306.

Wednesday, September 25

• Earth Charter Teach In
  Several speakers will visit classes during the day.
• 3:30-6:30 p.m. “ Organization Tables ”
  Ballroom, Reeve 227 B and C.
• 4:00-5:15 p.m. “ Earth Charter Teach-In ”
  This teach-in will feature Doug LaFollette (Secretary of State, Wisconsin), Sr. Michelle Balek (Franciscans International), and Bron Taylor (University of Florida).  Ballroom, Reeve 227 C. Hosted by Provost Keith Miller.
• 5:30-6:30 p.m. Teach-In Breakout Sessions: Ballroom, Reeve 227 B and C
• 7:30-8:30 p.m. Keynote Speaker:
  The evening will be capped by a keynote speech from John Hart who has been a contributor to the Earth Charter movement.  Ballroom, Reeve 227 B
• 9:00 p.m. " Dana Lyons "
  Dana returns to Oshkosh with his highly entertaining and sometimes controversial music featuring environmental themes.  Titan Underground, Reeve Union.

Thursday, September 26

• 2:00 p.m. Opening of Sheldon Nature Center and Environmental Charter School
  Oakwood School will be opening its new nature area outdoor classroom.  The nature area will be open for tours, and Oakwood students will bury a time capsule.
• 5:00-6:30 p.m. Democracy Forum
  The Earth Charter calls for the strengthening of democratic institutions at all levels. Mike McCabe, John Nichols, and Marty Farrell  will take a critical look at democracy on local, national, and international arenas. Wisconsin Room, Reeve 306.
• 7:00-9:00 p.m. Non-Violence and Peace Forum
  Barbara Hoffman, Lakshmi Bharadwaj, Donna Van Grinsven, and Bob Poeschl discuss peace issues and non-violence in today’s world. Wisconsin Room, Reeve 306.

Saturday, September 28

• 9:00-9:45 a.m. Keynote Speaker
  Steven Picou, from the University of South Alabama, presents “Exxon’s Corporate (legal) Response to the Contamination of Prince William Sound by the Exxon Valdez.”  Theatre, Reeve Union. Introduction by Chancellor Richard Wells.
• 10:00-11:00 a.m. Earth Charter Community Summit International Webcast
  This international webcast links all the communities that are hosting Earth Charter Summits around the country, and will be seen internationally.
• 11:15-1:00 p.m. Buffet Lunch, Environmental Audit, and Keynote Speaker
  11:30-12:00 noon: UW Oshkosh students Angela LeNoble and Mike Greene discuss the campus environmental audit.  
  12:15-1:45 Keynote speaker Bron Taylor will speak on “Global Ethics and the World Summit on Sustainable Development: Johannesburg and the Future of Sustainability Politics.”  Presentation to Dr. Taylor and celebration of new Environmental Studies Major. Theatre, Reeve Union 3rd floor.
• 1:05-3:00 p.m. Last of a week-long  planting of Burr Oaks on campus