Workshop Descriptions

Maureen Ramirez

"The DREAM Act—Undocumented Students and Higher Education"

The DREAM Act is a federal legislation that would allow students the chance at legal status and citizenship. In Minnesota, other state level efforts have been successful in reducing some of the barriers to higher education that undocumented students face. This workshop will provide information on what are the legal educational rights of undocumented students. Information on what is the history of organizing work in Minnesota related to undocumented students and their access to higher education will be presented.

Rodolfo Gutierrez

"200 Years Later: What is Still There to do in Order to Achieve our Goals; Mexico and Latin America Now and Then"

In this workshop, we will be reflecting on time and on what have been the most significant historical events that have determined the current conditions in Latin America. We will discuss possible elements that have influenced Latin America culture, and people as both still seek to consolidated independence and many of the
problems from the past still persist (poverty, social conflicts, and lack of sustained economic development). Altogether, we will bring to the discussion the challenges that Latin America still has as a region, but will underline the differences among the countries in that region of the world.

Roberto Dansie

"The Secrets of Success"

During this session, drawing from the rich tradition of cultural wisdom and the latest discoveries of modern psychology, we will identify the ten principles of success in education.

"Mending a Broken Heart."

Using the concepts of cultural wisdom, we will identify the causes of a broken heart, its manifestations and the four steps to make it whole again.

"Land and Freedom"

During this session we will study the recurring dream of the Mexican people of land and freedom; the power of vision in individuals, groups and communities, and the three key elements to turn dreams into reality.

Erwin Grieshaber

“The Andean Indian Communities’ Relationship to the State: The Case of Bolivia”

A review of the history of Bolivian Indian Communities, and their changing relationship to the state, from the Incan period to the present.

Jose J. Lopez

"The Population Geography of Latinos in Minnesota"

The purpose of this presentation is to discuss the demography of Hispanics living in Minnesota in a geographical perspective. The presentation focuses on the characteristics of Hispanic population distributions that change in a spatial context within the boundaries of the North Star state. A series of thematic maps showing the spatial layout of Minnesota’s Latino population are part of the lecture. Areas that have experienced increase in Latino population are identified and described in the discussion.

Beatriz Torres & Jeffrey Rathlef

Brief description of workshop:

Traditional approaches to health promotion in the US have often fallen short of their desired objectives, particularly when working with the Latino community. Often times the intentions do not coincide with the impact. This workshop will present case studies and reflections on personal experiences working on health projects with the Latino community. The presenters will introduce strategies for how attention to the approach to the project and not just to the project itself increases potential for desired outcomes.