The Twin Cities is a hotbed for groups seeking positive directions for economic globalization. A conference this weekend in the Macalester neighborhood will provide students and community members with a special opportunity to interact with the leaders of many of these campaigns as well as hear from a national expert on the current impacts of economic globalization. Beginning with a keynote speech on Friday night, the conference will address the current shape of economic globalization and then through panel discussions and workshops on Saturday morning, address the shape of resistance and the development of "a better way."

The conference will provide a forum for such groups as the Minnesota Fair Trade Coalition, the Institute for Agriculture and Trade Policy, the Resource Center of the Americas and campaigns such as Sweat Free Minnesota, the World Bank Bonds Boycot, and Global Friendly Families. Macalester students, alums, faculty, and staff members have provided and continue to provide much of the energy and brainpower behind these organizations and campaigns through internships, volunteer activities and professional positions.

Sarah Anderson, co-author of Field Guide to the Global Economy and Director of the Global Economy Project of the Institute for Policy Studies in Washington D.C., will be the keynote speaker. She will speak at 7:30 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 22, at Unity Church-Unitarian at 732 Holly Avenue in St. Paul. Also on the program for the evening is the acclaimed local artist and writer, Juliana Pegues, who will do a spoken word performance. A reception will follow the program.

The conference will continue on Saturday, Nov. 23, at 9:30 a.m. with a panel discussion on "Economic Globalization: What's to be Done?" Panelists will be Mark Ritchie, President of the Institute for Agriculture and Trade Policy; Larry Weiss, Coordinator of the Minnesota Fair Trade Coalition; Teresa Ortiz, Director of the Centro de Derechos Laborales at the Resource Center of the Americas; and Brett Smith, Macalester professor and Chair of the Economic Globalization Group of the Metro Unitarian Universalist Social Justice Alliance, the conference sponsor. Workshops led by each of the panelists and others will follow the discussion; lunch will be served.

Attendance is welcomed on just Friday night (free, no registration required) or Saturday or both. For the Saturday workshops ($10 registration includes lunch), please register by Nov. 22 by e-mailing Brett Smith at smithb@macalester.edu or calling x6405.