The U.S. Human Rights Fund just posted the video from January’s convening in New Orleans:
Posts Tagged ‘New Orleans’
There’s Nothing Like New Orleans
Monday, April 6th, 2009We had the pleasure of managing the logistics of the U.S. Human Rights Fund Global Strategy Exchange Convening held January 11-13, 2009 in New Orleans, Louisiana. The Convening brought together U.S. social justice and human rights activists and philanthopic donors and global human rights activists and experts to learn about human rights practices in other countries and forge international relationships.
The 80 person meeting quickly grew to 140 attendees in the final weeks before the event. The Loews New Orleans Hotel remained flexible, even when the southern winter wouldn’t cooperate with us and we had to move the welcome reception inside rather than hold it in the impressive Piazza d’Italia. Even so, the space was able to accommodate the well-attended event.
Bassist Sam Price solicited musicians to perform at the Welcome Reception as well as the group’s off-site dinner at Mulate’s Restaurant the following evening. The duo we requested for the first evening was joined by a clarinetist and bossa nova singer who donated their services while the New Orleans funk band on the second night easily pulled attendees from their chairs.
The meeting’s agenda was organized by a talented content manager who filled the two days with a few plenary sessions but more intimate breakout sessions where attendees could focus on the topics most relevant to their work.
The highlights of the event were site visits around New Orleans on the topics of criminal and juvenile justice reform, housing and the right to return, workers’ rights, and arts and social justice as well as a trip to Mississippi to learn about the community building work of the North Gulfport Land Community Trust.
For more information about the work of the U.S. Human Rights Fund, visit http://publicinterestprojects.org/projects/partner-and-collaborative-funds/ushrf
Human Rights Convening
Thursday, January 15th, 2009Public Interest Projects’ U.S. Human Rights Fund Global Strategy Exchange Convening held January 11-14, 2009 was an opportunity for the organization’s grantees to meet and learn from key international human rights activists. The event included hotel and travel arrangements for 140 attendees, two days of meetings, two days of site visits around New Orleans and Mississippi and all food and beverage, including an off-site group dinner.
The U.S. Human Rights Fund retained Ginger Donnan to help plan a convening we held in New Orleans, in January 2009. Participants included 130 U.S. based grantees and donors to the Fund, and international guests from 13 different countries. The program was a combination of on-site meetings and dinner receptions, four different half-day, off-site tours throughout New Orleans, and a full day’s trip to Mississippi’s Gulfport. I simply cannot overstate how critical Ginger’s involvement was to the success of our convening. Throughout the five month planning process Ginger kept our staff organized and attentive to key logistical and budgetary decisions, while independently handling a multitude of other details that I am sure I will never know about. She was without fail flexible, professional, and responsive with each and every one of our staff members and guests, and most importantly, despite the complications of international travel and such a diverse program, the logistics went off flawlessly over each of the four days. Without hesitation, I recommend Ginger for any event needs! -Puja Dhawan, Former Senior Program Officer, Public Interest Projects, January 2009
Photo credit: Jim Belfon
Vivez la Nouvelle-Orléans!
Monday, January 5th, 2009This Friday we’re headed down to New Orleans to arrange a client’s 3-day conference. A conference in New Orleans used to sound like an executive retreat in Vegas – a total boondoggle. If it ever was, it certainly isn’t anymore.
The group traveling in this weekend is focused on human rights efforts around the globe. A dozen international advocates will share their successes and challenges with another 125. The most interesting (and challenging!) part of the event is site visits to local organizations doing the on-the-ground work in New Orleans and Mississippi, including criminal justice, workers’ rights, housing, and arts and social justice. These four concurrent visits go to up to three locations each (there is only so much one person can control)!
After we return we’ll post photos on this here blog so you can experience it too. We can guarantee an outpouring of affection for the local folks. During the 24 hours in N’awlins for the site visit for this event, we learned that a truly friendly city makes each and every “tourist” feels welcome.
Bye for now and BONSWA!