Programs for the Week of 3/5

We’re dedicating our programming all this week in honor of International Women’s Day, March 8th, this Thursday. Upcoming Event: I also have to say that I thought Green Islam with Cal De Wit and Anna Gade was one of the best programs to date in our three-year running series on Inside Islam, and a great prelude to our upcoming live event to be held this Tuesday, March 6, at the Pyle Center from 6:00 to 8:00pm. Anna M. Gade will keynote, and I’ll be moderating an interfaith panel representing four different faith traditions.

Jean’s Pick of the Week (watch video): Green Faith: I’m a bit torn this week because I’m strongly drawn to Panther Baby, our show last Tuesday featuring former Black Panther leader Jamal Joseph, which was such a classic Here on Earth story of redemption. But I simply have to give 5 stars to our interfaith conversation on Green Faith, Wednesday’s show exploring the connection between faith and eco-consciousness with Evangelical environmental activist Cal DeWitt and the amazing Islamic scholar Anna M. Gade, surely one of our best Inside Islam shows ever. Very dense, very illuminating, and a great prelude to our culminating Inside Islam live event coming up next Tuesday evening at the Pyle Center when I’ll be moderating a panel of faith-based environment activists. It’s free and open to the public and I hope to see many of you there!

Monday: Can something as simple as ringing the doorbell stop domestic violence?: Bell Bajao, which means Ring the Bell in Hindi, one of the projects of Breakthrough, a human rights group that operates in both India and the US, is an award winning media campaign promoting public awareness of domestic violence in India. Its simple message: you can stop violence by just ringing the doorbell. Bell Bajao is now in Vietnam, China and Canada.

Tuesday: The Afghan Women Writers Project: In a country where women have been told their stories do not matter, and have been threatened for telling them, women still muster the courage to write about themselves, even at the risk of severe punishment. The Afghan Women Writers Project is a US based organization dedicated to bringing their stories to light.

Wednesday: Update on the Worldwide Status of Women: Every year, representatives of Member States gather at United Nations Headquarters in New York to evaluate progress and formulate policies to promote gender equality and women's empowerment worldwide. The 56th session of the UN Commission on the Status of Women is taking place all this week. We talk with three participants in this year’s conference.

Thursday: From the Frontlines of Hunger: The World Food Program: Every year, the United Nations’ World Food Program feeds over 90 million people worldwide. From Darfur to Haiti, Afghanistan to Sri Lanka, when disaster strikes, they are the first ones in, and the last ones out. Bettina Luescher, WFP’s chief spokesperson, joins us to talk about the global fight against hunger. This program is part of Ms. Luescher’s two-day visit to UW-Madison

Friday: The Food of Morocco: Standing at the crossroads of Europe and Africa, Moroccan food is a mouthwatering blend of spice and color, flavor and texture. From Berber skillet bread and spiced harira to lamb stuffed with couscous and dates, James Beard Award-winning author, Paula Wolfert, takes us on a culinary journey across the Moroccan foodscape.

March 1 is the first day of the last month of Here on Earth. We have some very special programming planned throughout the month. Keep checking the bulletin for updates. Almost time to start blowing kisses!

Jean