Wednesday, July 5, 2006
We landed in Bamako, Mali in the early night. It was a warm welcome, both the temperature and the greeting of the very friendly people. By first impression the pleasant temperament of the people must help maintain a peaceful society.
We opted to stay in a hotel used by local people. The hotel itself is quite charming. Tomorrow morning we will meet with the National Democratic Institute. 
Our Hotel, Hotel Al-Mounia
Thursday, July 6, 2006
This morning we met with the National Democratic Institute in the capitol of Mal, Bamako. Their charge is to increase access to democracy focusing on women. Dr. Raphael Outtara, Representant Resident described their efforts to educate, register and encourage women to participate in the democratic process. He feels that our interest in micro credit and the success of elections are codependent on creating understanding that equality is important. There are dissenting voices on this matter. Elder, traditionalist feel is that it is against their Muslim religion. Dr. Oattara explained that this is an uneducated view and that any religion can be twisted to suppress women or minorities.
We heard a heart felt story from Mrs. Maiga Fotou. She was fortunate to be educated. Her husband studied in the United States and "allowed" her to go to school also. She grew up in a small village where only 1% of children attend school. She was to be married at 13, as is normal. Her mother prevented it fro, occurring. But at 17 she had to marry. At that point she would have become a critical concern to the family, if still unwed. Her sister still lives in the village with 4 children. Maiga requested for her niece to come live with her in Bamako and to go to school for the chance of a better life. Her brother refused.
We presented gifts from the Women League of Voters of Washington. They exchanged the voter education materials they provide to Malian women.
Delegation at NDI
Maiga and Dr. Outtara
Friday, July 7, 2006
We visited the Here Je Development Center, the central interest of our
trip. The center provides training to girls that were beggars. At their
graduation next week they will be given micro loans to start their own
businesses. Linda Danforth and Ruth Clapp gave the instructors at the
center new jewelry making supplies and rotary cutters and provided instruction.
The instruction will increase the quality of the finishings of the Here
JE products to make them marketable in the United States. The rotary
cutters will increase their production, by saving them time. The girls
maybe the hardest working people I have ever met. Our group agreed that
we hope importers and retailers in the Puget Sound have the opportunity
to see their products and to sell the high quality items these girls
are producing. It was 8:00 PM when we departed the center. The girls
were still working, finishing the products for their graduation. They
received good news. There will be eight cabinet ministers in attendance
at the ceremony along with the Madame Presidentè. 
Linda teaching earring finishings.
Ruth Clapp instructing on our rotary cutter.
Saturday, July 8, 2006
Rural Mali
We traveled north today through the countryside of Mali visiting small villages. Truly we could not have prepared ourselves for their basic, simple traditional lifestyle. We are pleased to see the culture maintained, not gentrified. They live in square mud structures. Goats, donkeys and chickens roam almost freely. Donkey carts are the primary means of transportation of goods. Crowded buses are used by individuals.
The rural Malian people are very poor. The Héré Jé girls are from these small villages. They were sent to Bamako by their families to beg for money. We met many young women their age.
Outside educational efforts to increase the health of rural people is apparent everywhere. Sun bleached billboards from Rotary International and World Vision spread messages about Polio vaccination, AIDS prevention and to stop the mutilation of women.
The economy is based on agriculture in these villages. Cotton is a primary export. Apparently, Malian farmers get pennies on the dollar for the cotton. One American professor we met hypothesized that the low cost of cotton is a primary reason of poverty in Mali.
During our visit to the village of Korokoro we studied the production of their main export, Shea butter. They pick the fruit, let it rot and then roast it, before it is milled. A Swiss grant provided the village the funds to purchase the small milling machine. Like the NGO billboards, there are an abundance of signs from foreign governments supporting the development of Mali. This is perhaps due to it being a beacon of hope for the spread of Democracy. What our country hopes for Iraq is being successfully accomplished in Mali. The world is observing and assisting.
The Port of Mopti
On the road to the city of Mopti, we stopped to join a rural credit union. Linda, Patrick and Jamie wanted to become members, to support the micro-loans given to local businesses. We did not have a spare photo to leave on file. After much discussion about our intent never to return to withdraw the money, the fifteen dollars (or 15,000 CFA) was warmly received as a non-member deposit. This community was prosperous. Issa Bengaly, the director of the credit union, explained that the economy was growing because of the small loans the credit union gave to support the transport of critical goods including food and soap. This business is very good between the cities of Bamako, Djenne and Mopti. Other financial institutions, like in America, were not interested in giving the smaller business loans, because they were unprofitable. 
Making our deposit outside of the Credit Union. Next we proceeded to Mopti to see the port city on the Niger. From here goods are transported by river to the mysterious city of Timbuktu, the end of the world. Boats also transport goods to Bamako. This was a very exciting day. We met local merchants and were caught in a dust storm with an ominous cloud and fury that Hollywood could not reproduce. The people of Mali ran through the streets, hurried to cover their river side merchant huts and boats. Patrick compared the scene to the movie Godzilla. Port of Mopti The dust storm approaches. Sunday, July 9, 2006
The End of the World
We made it to the end of the world. The Tuareg people, nomads, live in huts framed with agile sticks, covered with woven plastic and fiber with the consistency of burlap. Salt is the primary import from the desert tribes. The tribesmen travel on camels for two weeks to bring salt to the city of Timbuktu. We met several Tuareg salt importers and even tried a camel ride before having tea with a Tuareg family.
Monday, July 10, 2006
Company Town
The landscape of Mali is as diverse and vivid as the individual personalities of the girls at the Hére Jé Center. The girls are busy making final preparations for their graduation ceremony, which is now being held at the Centre De Congress. The event continues to grow, due to the expected presence of the President’s wife and several cabinet ministers.
As the Héré Jé girls worked late into the night, we visited villages in the Dogon Country. The roads are the deepest burnt sienna, following meandering streams that feed the Niger River, the fields vibrant green spotted with mysterious acacia trees (balanzan, the local Bombaran name). The people live in mud homes in the river valley under the cliff dwellings built by their ancestors. Prior to visiting, one might think this to be a fabricated tourist destination. But life in the many villages consists of a daily routine of onion farming, millet grinding and goat herding. The simplicity is surreal.
We were honored to participate in meetings with the town elders in the small village of Sanga. Patrick and Jamie asked the elders how they felt about the young people leaving to work in the city. One man, Baruba, played an ancient game with us called Wali. He explained that he is too old to work in the fields. Now he sits, thinks and plays Wali. He feels he is a burden, because the village needs money and he is not a contributor. For this reason, he supports the young people going to the city, because they send money back to the village. The oldest man in the village is called the Hogan. We met with him briefly. He wished us much success and a healthy, long life. 
Dogan elder Baruba plays traditional Malian game with Jamie and Patrick.
Separately we met with the elder woman. The translator explained that they were honored to have us sit with them. The oldest woman grasped Jamie’s hands and repeated thanks in the local dialect repeatedly. We asked how they felt about young women owning businesses. To our delight and surprise, they were pleased by the idea. Although we noted their deference to the one man sitting with the group before they replied. He made some small talk, teased and they laughed. At that point the women felt free to speak their mind. All of the children were sitting with these women. Their parents were working in the fields. We asked these elderly women if they had any dreams when they were young. They replied that the only thing that they think of is the crops. It is the only thing they have known. This was a fortunate opportunity to gain understanding of their economy. The oldest woman described their current situation.
It is reminiscent of the company towns of the coal mining villages in Appalachia. The village of Sanga is indebted to the merchant traders. The traders loaned each family 30,000 CFA (60 dollars) to purchase the seeds to plant the crops this season. These same traders provide the critical goods the families need to survive. The women explained that even if they have a good crop it will not be enough to pay the traders. In these remote villages there are no banks or credit unions.
Tuesday, July 11, 2006
Knowing Other People 
Malian child in front of the largest mud structure in the world.
The problem is Americans don't know other people," said Yusuf Mariko, our Malian guide and translator.
With Yusuf’s help we’ve come to better understand some Malian customs and the people. Their native traditions at times both assist the communal economic structure and prevent individual advancement. Similar to the complexities of developing new regulations in the United States, advancing the Malian quality of life is not a simple task with clear answers.
NGOs, women’s associations and the Malian government continue to be successful in educating the public about the negative physical and emotional impact of female mutilation. They are making strides to reduce the practice.
It is difficult and perhaps not our place to pass judgment on norms through the perspective of Westernized social and economic standards. While materialism is a non-issue in rural Mali, urban Malian youth who spend frivolously on material goods are derogatorily labeled “American.”
Today in the village of Sanga, we visited Ogal Lay, the neighborhood which houses the Women’s Private Quarters. No man is permitted to enter these quarters, the only circular buildings in the Dogon country. The buildings house women each month during menstruation when they are considered both sacred and impure.
We asked the women in residence during our visit if they felt isolated. They said they did not mind. As a result Linda, Jamie and Ruth pondered with humor if a break from the back breaking agricultural work, household chores and men might actually be a pleasure. For reference, the average Malian woman bears 6.8 children.
There are other unusual mythological practices in rural Mali. Although many of the 350,000 people in the Dogon country converted to Islam, there are some that still practice Animism. This practice attributes animal souls to non-living objects and phenomena. In Songo, the cliff paintings detail circumcision still practiced on boys age 7-11. The rejected skin is not discarded. It is believed to turn into a lizard. 
Circumcision paintings
What does this have to do with trade? As Yusuf pointed out, we must first know the people. Understanding the individual practices of every village is not critical to increasing economic conditions and trade. However, identifying repeated patterns, challenges and opportunities, including land rights is important to US AID, the Malian government and others like us helping these hard working farmers to help themselves. Other projects have come before and failed (unused fertilizer expired) when loans and products were give to men, for example, for women's work. Resources sat, unused and spoiled.
Having learned about the varied lifestyles and often minority beliefs of the rural people of Mali, we traveled back towards the larger city of Segou. On the way, outside of Bandiagara, we visited a traditional medicine laboratory. The buildings are described in books as an "extra-terrestrial colony" and resembling "Star Wars." Great work is being done here to preserve stocks of endangered native plants. During the colonization of Mali by the French, Malian farmers were encouraged to plant cotton. The cotton depleted nutrients from the soil. Simultaneously, the wild native plants were over consumed by rural families.
Additionally, the center tests and produces natural medicines to treat diabetes, malaria and other ailments. This center is an example of Mali's ability to leverage natural resources and use science to responsibly benefit the economy. The production of solar power is another example of Malian success in this field.
We visited a solar powered site built by the World Bank. There was a strange irony in seeing the hi-tech solar cells and equipment permanently built into rooms with mud floors. Wednesday, July 12, 2006
The Cooperative Trickle
We are returning to Bamako soon for the Here Je graduation. Our last stop before Bamako is in the Bambara region, the city Segou. It is 235 km from Bamako on the bank of the Niger River. It is considered the capitol of this region and by some Mali's second city.
It is the headquarters of the Office du Niger, which is a central component of the Millennium Challenge Account-Mali's grant proposal to provide irrigation for 15,000 hectares of farmland. This project is one of two under feasibility study for U.S. investment of $300 million. We will meet with the Malian government's director of these projects on Friday.
While in Segou we visited two cooperatives -- one business run by and for women and the other by men, both producing textile arts. The women's cooperative, The Club des Meres de Bougoufie, started as a program to combat illiteracy and evolved into a clothing design and production facility. Women share sewing machines. For 40 cents a month they have access to all the equipment. The center receives ten percent of the proceeds from any product they make and sell. All of the training is free, including literacy courses.
Like the founding of the financial cooperative BECU, which started when several Boeing employees pulled $6-$8 together in a tin box, this cooperative started when several women each carried five bricks to the plot of land to construct the center.
The men's cooperative is a Bogolon dying and painting center. Together the men produce amazing dyed and painted fabrics. "Bogo"=clay and "lon"=fabric. They use no chemicals in the fabric coloring and have created a niche market by giving their workshop an educational and very entertaining focus. Along with several European and Peace Corps visitors, our group went through a well thought out assembly line of activities. First we received instruction on the meaning of traditional bogolon symbols, next was a session on the plant and clay extracts used to produce specific colors. We received hands on dying and painting instruction and produced our own work. Our last stop was at the center's cooperative display room. Ingenious, beyond their products, it was more like a science and industry museum, showcasing the stages of the fabric dying process. The host even quizzed the group. We can only hope Here Je will meet and exceed the results achieved by this cooperative. It is evident that the men who own and work at this center are healthy and happy.
Other encounters in Segou included meeting an American man who owns a tannery that employs 45 Malian people. We were also pleased to meet the President of the Trickle Up Program, William Abrams. Trickle Up, like Here Je is a non-profit focusing on micro-credit. However it grants funds instead of providing loans. Trickle Up is based out of New York and grants $100 to Malian entrepreneurs. The organization has made over 17,000 grants in five African countries, very impressive. Thursday, July 13, 2006
Fitting, Social Norms, and Your Place in Society
Back in Bamako, it is the day of the Here Je graduation. Our wake up call arrived a bit earlier than scheduled. We were contacted to be fitted for our traditional Malian attire to wear to the ceremony. However, there were no complaints about the early breakfast, because the tailor, Pop, our hosts Carol Schillios and her partner Kaaba Coulibaly Soumare went without sleep, making final preparations for the graduation.
Beyond the mountain of prep work, it would be difficult to sleep before such a monumental day. Their small development project for beggar girls is being blessed by the President’s wife, Mme Toure Lobbo Traore. Ambassadors, ministers and dignitaries will attend the event later today. Here Je will receive national television coverage, as it has all week. However, the reason for the media coverage has Jamie, a public relations professional and former PBS producer, in awe and disbelief. Jamie is burdened, weighing the pros and cons of a culture where pay for play coverage for feature news is a normal practice, even expected. In this case $200 ensured that a very good cause received public exposure to increase awareness of the program.
Before the Here Je graduation festivities, we attended a meeting with CAFO. It is an umbrella organization that coordinates the activities, advocacy and information sharing for 229 women’s organizations. CAFO works to analyze and influence Malian policy.
When the dictatorship of Mali fell, many organizations were established for women. They needed one organization to bring them all together. Voila, C’est CAFO.
Twenty women joined us to participate in a roundtable discussion at CAFO’s headquarters. The diversity of the attendees was very impressive. Several women represented surrounding rural villages. Their urban counterparts at the meeting are the presidents and directors of economic, multimedia and business associations.
Now that they are in the “peace millennium” their challenge is development. CAFO is very concerned with gender awareness, but even the leader of this organization Traore Oumou Toure hedges, “We must have a man to believe in us.”
The various organizations coordinate through CAFO a national awareness day and world march, but they fear they are not making progress changing the social norms of gender inequality.
“We have a problem in this country,” said Toure. “We do not know why the women in Mali do not want to change the social norms.”
The population of Mali is slightly skewed 51-52 percent female and the crops that women raise in rural areas are more profitable than the rice raised by their husbands.
“But nobody wants to change. In our group everyone wants to lead, but the women do not want to change.”
CAFO leaders described a culture where women close to power, elite women, do not prioritize advocacy for equality, educational and business opportunities for all women.
“They have money, status and the power to be a woman that can speak about the issues, but they do not,” said Toure.
Pomp and Circumstance
Mme Toure Lobbo Traore, Mali’s First Lady, entered the grand ballroom of the Palace du Congress serenaded by a sweeping orchestra of traditional Malian music that pierced the ears, and all senses. Drumming moved the ground as profoundly as the heart. Singers trilled lyrics announcing her entrance, while wildly dancing.
The event was truly one of pomp and circumstance. The protocol details, down to the seating arrangements, were intricately inspected by the First Lady’s staff. No one was permitted to enter the room after the first lady’s arrival.
The first lady did speak, but not immediately. The emcee introduced traditional celebratory theatrical, music and dance performances. He praised Kaaba, Carol and their amazing Here Je Center for the important work they are accomplishing for the future of Mali.
It was extraordinary and shocking when two men stood in the second row, shouting at the stage. Was it a protest? Their rhythmic, pungent words were tossed at the stage and Kaaba. She stood solemn.
The man is a griot and Kaaba’s family friend. Unexpected praise-filled outburst is not uncommon by griots during public events. Upon learning this, it was easier to interpret Kaaba’s stature as one of humble pride, as she waited patiently for the griot to finish.
It was now Kaaba’s honor to introduce the First Lady. The television cameraman raced quickly across the room to film her husband’s reaction, as the ambassador’s wives also nodded to Kaaba’s husband in approval of his wife’s position.
Beyond expressing heartfelt thanks, as is normal protocol in any ceremony to the dignitaries in attendance, Carol thanked her American friends in the audience, us, her partner Kaaba and praised the Here Je students.
Next Foutumata, the rising star of the young Here Je girls, took the stage. The girls, sitting beside the First Lady could not hold back their tears, when Foutumta said with charm, “Well aren’t we special today. Who would have ever guessed that me, a beggar girl, would be in the same room with the president’s wife?”
The First Lady gave Here Je a sizable, unexpected financial contribution during the ceremony, as well as handing out the girls’ diplomas.
Tears flowed freely on stage during the presentation of the diplomas. Two girls clenched their facial muscles and bit their lips to hold back tears. Others hid their emotions behind their diplomas. Our group was unsure whether the girls were joyful or sad.. It is possible they were not solely tears of joy. Coming of age and the next step of owning a business is scary. The girls would also leave Bamako immediately after the ceremony to return to their rural villages for the summer. They will return to the Here Je center to begin their cooperative business as the first graduates in September. Would they all come back to Here Je to take advantage of their micro-loans? Would their value as potential brides be higher now in their rural villages, because they have moved out of the beggar class? It was an emotional day. Jamie, Carol and Kaaba drove Awa home following the ceremony. She is one of the ten graduates, a deaf mute. During the graduation, she was reunited with her father after years of abandonment. The silent car ride home was appropriate.  The First Lady of Mali presents Foutumata her diploma
with Here Je founder Carol Schillios in the background.  Foutumata sniffles and Assa stands proud with her diploma. Friday, July 14, 2006
US Embassy  Carol Schillios; Linda Danforth; Patrick Hogan;
Alex Newton, Charge of the U.S. Embassy and Director of US AID Mali; Jamie Chase; and Ruth Clapp. Today was our busiest day of meetings. We met with US AID Director, Alex Newton, at the US Embassy. Newton is the acting charge of the Embassy. We were honored to receive so much of his valuable time and attention. Newton also attended the Here Je graduation. Carol Schillios attended this meeting with us. Newton asked about Carol’s intentions with the Here Je Center, Carol replied with a paraphrase of a Gandhi quote, “To be the change we want to see in the world.”
Newton described the future of Mali as on a positive trajectory. It is stable and has a well established democracy. He sees the country as remaining stable “forever – or a long time.” The economies growth rate is described as neither the best nor the worst. Mali does have a positive growth rate. However, in terms of literacy, the country is the third worst in the world. It is also at the bottom of the list for health and that has been the case for 30 years. The average woman in this country has 6.8 children. They have made almost no progress in reducing the birth rate. The schools today are worse than 20 years ago because there are twice as many children. Just to keep up with the increasing birth rate is a huge task for the Ministry of Education. Finding enough teachers is very difficult. Mali is becoming more urban but that is not reducing the birth rate as one would expect. Africa as a continent is 50% urban by population.
As for health, AIDs is less of a problem than most other African countries because Mali is predominantly Muslim. And the Muslim culture does not permit alcohol which can be a contributing factor to promiscuity.
The value of currency in Mali is closely tied to the Euro which overvalues the FCFA used in Mali. This currency valuation increases the cost of goods created with external (imported) inputs. As a result it is more difficult to export goods from Mali because they sell for an inflated price.
As for trade, gold mining produces Mali’s number one export, neck and neck with Ghana for the number two rank of exports for the continent. Cotton is a distant second export. The country receives tremendous monetary gifts from Europeans, Americans, World Bank and other NGOs. Over 80% of Mali’s development budget is provided by these groups. Infrastructure is a challenge to trade in Mali. Regional agricultural trade has more potential than foreign trade currently. To replace the trading route to Cote D’Ivoire, blocked due to political turmoil, an entirely paved road from Bamako to Dakar, a major port city, will be completed within the next nine months. Millennium Challenge Corporation
We met with, Moussa Ouattara, the Primature reporting to the Prime Minister, responsible for the Millennium Challenge Account Project. Outtara described two project proposals in the current Mali compact. This compact is expected to be ratified in the Fall.
The projects facilitate agricultural production and transportation to increase regional and international agricultural trade. The two primary components are an irrigation project for fifteen thousand hectares (75,000 acres) located 250 km from Bamako and the expansion of the runway at the Bamako airport. The building of additional storage and production facilities near the airport will support agriculture exports.
The comprehensive plan includes a percentage of the irrigated land be sold to women, title reform and land ownership, free market incentives, developing off-season crops, transportation infrastructure and agricultural production and storage facilities. It is clear that the goal is poverty elimination through economic development.
Our final meeting was with the Association, Femmes Des Partis Politiques (Women in Politics). This association represents over one hundred political parties operating in Mali. This is a forum where all women can come to shape political issues. They have a well developed declaration, code and two-year strategic plan to increase the promotion of women in political parties in Mali, educate women about political issues, increase women solidarity and choose female candidates for political office. Their number one priority is the passage of a declaration in parliament respecting gender equality. Their challenges include lack of financial resources, no physical headquarters and that women are simply not voting.
Also attending this meeting was a representative of the Minister of Culture responsible for booking the Palais de Congress, Marriko Korotoumou Thero. She recognized our group from the Here Je graduation and was pleased to see our broader interest in the quality of life for the Here Je girls and other women. Jamie was pleased to meet Mme Diop Binta Diallo, director for the trade association representing credit unions in Mali. Saturday, July 15, 2006
Removing Literacy and Language Barriers
Today is our last day of meetings in Bamako. We will fly home tomorrow night. The trip has been inspiring and exhausting.
Our meeting is with Group Pivot. It is a network of human rights organizations including eight NGOs and associations working on women’s rights.
This organization’s challenge is to defend women’s rights, their citizenship and the participation of women in the government, including elected office. Group Pivot has an established track record with both training women for public office and voter education. The organization trained nearly all of the women in the national assembly. They use a picture book for voter education in rural areas. We were amused by the photos of men lounging as women do back breaking agricultural work and care for the children. The book shows a role reversal with pictures depicting women reading, writing and voting. The end shows a woman lounging, while her husband is working.
Group Pivot also faces many challenges getting women into political office. They explained that women are the victims of poverty, more than men. This is due to many social and cultural factors.
“For a long time women have been behind the men,” explained Nana Traore Sissako. “Men for a long time have had the opportunity to go to school. This is why 90% of women are illiterate, while 35-37% of men can’t read.”
She explained that rural and urban women share this issue. Group Pivot is working with the Minister of Family and Children, CAFO and the Minister of Justice to combat the illiteracy of women.
The biggest challenge they face is that all of the text are written in French or English. They have to translate all of these texts into local languages. Even literate Malian people have challenges understanding the content in French. There are about 60 local languages in Mali. This is part of the problem. This number is equal to the number of political parties in Mali, Nano said with humor. If you multiply the number of languages (60) by two, representing two main political perspectives per language, the result is an average of nearly two political parties for each language. This does not mean it is the case, but it is an interesting math outcome.
There is one language nearly all Malian people speak, Bambara. It is the case however, that the national language is French. Beyond literacy, Group Pivot members described the huge task of making government accessible by translating all the national documents into all 60 languages. “It is a very big problem to explain the contents of national documents written in French to people who can’t read French, even the most educated.”
The language barrier is a major problem, preventing the people across Mali from participating in the government.
Nana is very interested in visiting the United States for the same purpose of our trip to Mali. She would like to receive an invitation from either the League of Women Voters or the Center for Women and Democracy. She already has a five year Visa. At least one person in our group wondered what Nana will think about women in the United States being the largest minority of unregistered voters. Women speak far less than 60 equally divided languages in the U.S., so that is not a barrier to participation. Sunday, July 16, 2006
What the Future Holds
We fly home tonight. The day is being spent at Kaaba's home. Her quality of life is rich compared to most Malians. However, her financial obligations to the Here Je Center, extended family and employees are enormous.
Her home is very American and clean. She was a gracious hostess, serving us the nation's favorite fish Capitaine. She made us as comfortable as if we were visiting a favorite Aunt.
We were also treated to an unusual social activity, shell reading. All of the women received predictions of a wedding in their future along with visions of children for the majority of the women.
Our group departed Mali with visions of a great future for the country, empowerment of women, increased trade with the United States, success for the Here Je Center and all of the new friends we've made during this journey.
Au Revoir, Mali!
August 10, 7:00 PM
Save the Date
Mali Goodwill Mission Debrief
The University of Washington, Tacoma
Carwein Auditorium
The event will include an interactive panel, Malian art and music, and examples of goods produced by the former beggar girls at the Here Je Center. Our photos will be shown in the background during the program. Goodwill Ambassadors: Linda Danforth, Patrick Hogan, Carol Schillios, Ruth Clapp, and Jamie Chase. U.S. Congressman: Adam Smith, briefly discussing the goal of global poverty elimination. Opening Remarks: Dr. Patricia Spakes, Chancellor of the University of Washington, Tacoma. Podcast available |
