EAU CLAIRE - The ninth annual Conference on Central America will be held May 1 and 2 in Davies Center at the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire.

The conference is a forum for the exchange of ideas concerning the history, culture, politics and economics of Central America.

Registration will begin at 6:30 p.m. Thursday, May 1, in the Dulany Inn, Davies Center. The conference opening will be presented by Dr. Roma Hoff and James Alexander at 7:30 p.m. in the Dulany Inn. At 7:40 p.m., Wilmer Fernandez, Honduran Fulbright Scholar and UW-Eau Claire graduate, will give his presentation "Central American Integration and Reconciliation."

Registration for Friday's speakers and panel presentations will begin at 8 a.m. Friday, May 2, in the Clearwater Room of Davies Center. At 9 a.m., three concurrent sessions will be offered including: "The Refugee Crisis in Belize," presented by Ian Gideon and Bill Ysaguirre, Belizian Fulbright Scholars; "Panama in the Year 2000," presented by Luis Cedeno, Panamanian Fulbright Scholar; and "Women in Nicaraguan Society - Change Makers: Fact or Fiction," presented by Dana Zuehlke.

The second session of presentations will begin at 10:10 a.m. and include: "The State of Elementary Education in El Salvador," presented by Carla Ramirez, El Salvadorian Fulbright Scholar; "The C.I.A., Nicaraguan Contra Rebels, and the Drug Trade: A Deadly Triangle?" presented by Felix Cisneros, Nicaraguan Fulbright Scholar; and "Discover Costa Rica: Opportunities for Study," presented by Jean Schoenberg, resident director to Universidad Nacional in Heredia, Costa Rica.

The third session of speakers will begin at 11 a.m. and include: "Economic Development in Central America," presented by Elaine G. White, professor of Central American political economy; "Indigenous Peoples of Central American: Focus on Guatemala," presented by Dick Bancroft, International Indian Treaty Council, Minneapolis; and "U.S.A.I.D. Children's Survival Project Update," presented by Sharin Bowen of Partners of the Americas: Wisconsin/Nicaragua.

A lunch break will be given at noon. At 1 p.m., the fourth session of presentations will begin. The three concurrent sessions include: "Looking for the Truth Revisited: The Case of the Disappeared in Honduras," presented by Josue Perdomo, Honduran Fulbright Scholar; "Nicaragua: Perspective of the Next Ten Years," presented by Felix Cisneros; and "Integrated Health Systems in Central America," presented by Dr. Bruce Barret.

The keynote presentation will begin at 2 p.m. with a presentation by Dr. Mannuel Ferandez, professor of history from Guatemala City, Guatemala. His presentation is titled "Guatemala: Scars of War and Dreams of the Future."

The final session of presentations will begin at 3 p.m. and include: "Model High School Project: Assisting Students in Diriamba, Nicaragua," presented by Venora Hung, Meg Dimpfel and Tulika Garg, of Memorial High School in Eau Claire; "Habitat for Humanity: Guatemala," presented by Dr. Calvin Eland and Eloise Eland; "Costa Rican Rain Forest Study Tour," presented by Virginia Hansis and Charlotte Hubert; "An Art History Tour of Guatemala," presented by Janet Carson; and "Empowering Women through Small Businesses: Sewing Cooperatives in Nicaragua," presented by Mary Kautz.

The conference is open to the public. General admission is $5. The students fee with a coupon is $1. A lunch sandwich buffet is offered, Friday, May 2, for $5. For more information about the conference or to obtain a brochure with a registration form, contact the UW-Eau Claire Arts and Sciences Continuing Education Office at (715) 836-2031 or by e-mail sneenl@uwec.edu.
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SRS/JB

Updated: April 16, 1997