International

National Voter, Jan-Feb, 2003

An exciting workshop entitled Telling A New Story: Americans and Global Issues was held in Washington, DC from November 13-15. Funded by the Global Interdependence Initiative (GII) of the Aspen Institute, the workshop utilized GII research on building trust for joint action and a new way of affecting change. The research had shown that a good global interdependence story should highlight solutions and effectiveness, teamwork and partnership, and emphasize principles rather than self-interest. The focus should be on communities and individuals, and the values held in common, and should offer meaningful ways Americans can act in support of these values as consumers, volunteers, advocates and voters.

Sixteen League members from across the country participated in this innovative workshop: Joyce Benson, Duluth, MN; Alice Berthelsen, Houston, TX; Luvenia Butler, Nashville, TN; Margery Cohen, LWV UN Second Alternate; Patricia Day, LWV UN Alternate; Sarah Diefendorf, San Francisco, CA; Jane Fix, Bridgeport, CT; Shirley J. Gold, Elkhart, IN; Anne Mychalus, Calvert County, MD; Tracy Pepper, Fresno, CA; Doris Schapira, LWV UN Observer; Helen Scholom, OR; Nadia Najarro Smith, Minneapolis, MN; Marguerita Swift, Oklahoma City, OK; Natalie Testa, Montgomery County, MD; and Norma Corey Tower, Media, PA.

David Devlin-Foltz, director of the Global Interdependence Initiative, Aspen Institute, and Zaida Arguedas, LWVUS deputy executive director and director of Global Democracy Programs, organized and led the workshop. The official trainers on the second day of the workshop were Douglas Gould & Co. Inc., Larchmont, NY. Ambassador Princeton Lyman, executive director of the Global Interdependence Initiative was a keynote presenter.

The League of Women Voters is very pleased to partner with the GII and other similar initiatives that will enhance the League's own advocacy efforts on global issues. This partnership also builds on League members' personal experiences in Africa, Latin America, and the Balkans, international women's issues, and the League's recently updated trade and UN positions.