NYU Wagner

News & Events

Events Archive, 2006

 

Spring 2006

January

Friday, January 20
Anniversary Celebration of Roe V Wade

Women of Color Policy Network and the National Latina Institute for Reproductive Health presented the film Rosita. Rosita traces a young girl's journey from innocent victim to unwitting victor. When a nine-year-old Nicaraguan girl becomes pregnant as a result of a rape, her parents � illiterate campesinos working in Costa Rica � seek a legal "therapeutic" abortion to save their only child's life.



Tuesday, January 24
Building Community through Social Entrepreneurship: A Discussion with the Experts

The Non-Profit Network hosted a panel discussion on "Building Community through Social Entrepreneurship" with Ami Dar, the founder of Actions without Borders/Idealist.org; David Bornstein, author of "How to Change the World: Social Entrepreneurs and the Power of New Ideas"; and, other speakers.



Wednesday, January 25
The Future of Health Care in New York State

Part of the Public Service Today series, the panel featured experts who spoke about the purposes of NYS Commission on Health Care in the 21st Century; what changes are to come in the health care delivery system; and, the future of Medicare, Medicaid, and private insurance.



Thursday, January 27
Finance Fraud: What You Don't Know Can Hurt You

Moderated by Professor Steven Finkler, this event featured Andrew Levine, Deputy Counsel from the Independent Inquiry Committee into the United Nations Oil-for-Food Programme; Philip Michael, Esq. of Council at Troutman and Sanders and former head of New York City's Office of Management and Budget; and, Lourdes Martinez, Esq., Partner, Garfunkel, Wild and Travis. Participants discussed how to be an ethical financial professional in an age of ambiguity.



Tuesday, January 31
Is Intelligent Design For Real?

The Wagner Education Policy Studies Association (WEPSA) presented a panel discussion on one of the most controversial issues in education today: Intelligent Design. Should it be taught in public schools? Is there any scientific validity to the theory or is it a disguised form of creationism? How does evolution work?

February

Friday, February 10
All University Games

Wagner students competed against students from other NYU schools and colleges in this annual sporting contest which included basketball, volleyball, donut eating, tug-o-war, and other events.



Thursday, February 16
IPSA Brown Bag: "Accidental Policy: Migration and Skill Development" with incoming Assistant Professor Natasha Iskander

The International Public Service Association (IPSA) hosted incoming Assistant Professor Natasha Iskander in this brown bag lunch, examining the linked issues of migration and development.



Tuesday, February 28
The 2006 Annual Leadership in Transportation Awards Reception

Each year, the Rudin Center for Transportation Policy & Management, in conjunction with the Council on Transportation, honors individuals who have made a significant contribution to the field of transportation within the New York metropolitan region.



The Hurricane and New Orleans Urban Planning: Challenges and Congressional Decision Making

Professor Mitchell Moss moderated a panel featuring Dr. Lionel McIntyre, Director of the Urban Technical Assistance Project, and Dr. Mindy Fullilove, author of Root Shock: How Tearing Up City Neighborhoods Hurts America and What We Can Do About It.

March

Wednesday, March 1
Ambassador John Bolton: Is Iran a Nuclear Threat?

The NYU Bronfman Center organized a discussion with United States Ambassador to the United Nations, John Bolton, on U.S. Policy on Iran. This was the inagural lecture of Selma Ruben Distinguished Lecture Series.



Thursday, March 2
School Nutrition: The Way a School Lunch Should Be

The organizing student groups, WEPSA and NYUPHA, invited guest speaker Ellen Fried, Research Associate at the Rudd Center for Food Policy and Obesity at Yale University, to speak about her research. Ms Fried's current research includes studying state-wide efforts to improve school nutrition by limiting or eliminating sugary soft drinks and foods of limited nutritional benefit from school lunch programs and vending machines. She is also measuring the effectiveness of industry self-regulations created by the Children�s Advertising Review Unit (CARU), and studying whether government regulation of advertising to children is both warranted and achievable.



Monday, March 7
A Talk by Dr. Isaac Maya, CREATE's Director of Research

NYU Wagner's Institute for Civil Infrastructure Systems (ICIS) is a co-partner in the Center for Risk and Economic Analysis of Terrorism Events (CREATE) at the University of Southern California. CREATE was the first homeland security center of excellence selected from over seventy applicants in 2004, and ICIS has been a partner since its formation. The work of ICIS focuses on the protection of critical infrastructure services nationwide. Dr. Maya has over 26 years of experience in research and development in both academic and industrial environments. The talk focused on the Center's work on port security, dirty bombs, and other projects. ICIS also presented its work for the Center.



Wednesday, March 8
Policy Considerations in Non-Profit Cultural Management

The event featured a special guest lecture from Dr. Paul Warwick Thompson, Director of the Smithsonian Institution's Cooper-Hewitt National Design Museum, NYC. Paul Warwick Thompson, Ph.D., was appointed Director of the Cooper-Hewitt National Design Museum by the Secretary of the Smithsonian Institution in 2001.



Thursday, March 9
Furman Center for Real Estate and Urban Policy Breakfast with HPD Commissioner Shaun Donovan

The Furman Center for Real Estate and Urban Policy first policy breakfast of the Spring semester featured New York City's Department of Housing Preservation and Development Commissioner Shaun Donovan. Commissioner Donovan spoke about his agency's efforts to deal with the "expiring use" problem. Numerous federally- and state-subsidized housing developments in New York City and around the country are now at risk of converting to market rate housing as the long-term subsidies and agreements that have guaranteed affordability expire.



"Out with the Old": Radical Possibilities in Educational Leadership and Policy

Jean Anyon, CUNY Graduate Center, discussed ideas from her recently released book Radical Possibilities: Public Policy, Urban Education, and a New Social Movement, posing the question "What might shift away from a focus on school reform alone, towards a combined focus on school and social reform from below that is connected to a social movement, mean for school leaders and teachers?"



Tuesday, March 21
Mental Health: Comparisons of 9/11 and Katrina

The Wagner School, the Women of Color Policy Network, and the Taub Urban Research Center continued their Hurricane Katrina lecture series with panelists Dr. Paula Madrid, Director of the Resiliency Program at the National Center for Disaster Relief; Oma Holloway, Executive Director of Family Dynamics and New Orleans evacuee coordinator in New York; and, Dr. Erin Brewer, Assistant Director of LA Public Health.



Wednesday, March 22
Talk: Less Traffic, More Life

NYU Wagner Rudin Center for Transportation Policy & Management in concert with Transportation Alternatives hosted a breakfast with Enrique Pe�alosa entitled "Less Traffic, More Life" at NYU Kimmel Center. Mr. Pe�alosa, renowned urban planner, economist, and former Mayor of Bogot�, Colombia, will discuss why he chose to improve the streets to make spaces for pedestrians and bicyclists. He will explain how these changes led to less traffic and more productivity and human happiness.



"Looking Ahead in Politics: 2006-2008" An Evening with Bob Shrum

The Princeton Club of New York, where NYU alumni are welcome to become members, hosted a dynamic lecture and reception with Robert M. Shrum, Senior Fellow at New York University's Robert F. Wagner Graduate School of Public Service.



Friday, March 24
Protecting Children in Emergencies: The Role of NGOs

International Public Service Association (IPSA) and the Office of International Programs (OIP) invited Dr. Charles MacCormack, President and CEO of Save the Children to discuss the challenges, conflicts and role of NGOs in protecting children before, during and after emergency situations.



Saturday, March 25
The 47th Annual Forum of the Transportation Research Forum (TRF)

NYU Wagner Rudin Center for Transportation Policy & Management co-sponsored the 47th Annual Forum of the Transportation Research Forum (TRF) on March 23rd, 24th, and 25th at NYU Kimmel Center. The Annual Forum showcased a diverse set of papers and presentations that provide a unique perspective on the issues facing the transportation system today. Major themes of the conference included breaking down institutional barriers to better transportation policies, making more efficient use of our transportation system, the public/private choice in the ownership and operation of transportation systems, and accommodating the explosive growth in global trade.



Sunday, March 26
"Educational Equity as a Civil Right: Building the Social Movement of our Generation"

The Wagner Education Policy Studies Association (WEPSA) and BRIDGE, a Student Social Entrepreneurship Group at Wagner, presented "Educational Equity as a Civil Right: Building the Social Movement of our Generation." Panelists included Eva Moskowitz, Executive Director of Harlem Success Charter School; Former New York City Council Member & Chair of Education Committee; Iris Chen, Executive Director, Teach For America New York City; Vanessa Rodriguez, Executive Director, New Leaders for New Schools New York; and, Mora Segal, Vice President of Growth and Strategy, College Summit. The event was moderated by Norm Fruchter who is the director of Community Involvement Program, Steinhardt School of Education.



Monday, March 27
Global Oral Health: Why Does it Matter?

NYU Master's Program in Global Public Health presented the third in a series of Conversations on Global Public Health. Featured speaker: Dr. Poul Erik Petersen is the Responsible Officer for Oral Health, World Health Organization, Geneva, and former Dean and Professor of Community Dentistry at the University of Copenhagen. He is well known for his work as a Director for the WHO Collaborating Centre for Community Oral Health Programmes and Research, and has worked closely with numerous WHO Collaborating Centres in the field of oral health. As a Consultant for the WHO Regional Office for Europe he has assisted ministries of health, health authorities and health care planners throughout the world. Dr. Petersen has an extensive list of scientific publications in epidemiology, health sociology, health systems research, disease prevention and health promotion, and international health.



Tuesday, March 28
NYU Wagner Environmental Justice Forum

The Wagner Environmental Policy and Action, NYU Public Health Alliance, Institute for Civil Infrastructure Systems, Urban Planning Student Association, Wagner Transportation Association, Alliance of Latino/Latin Studies organized a forum on environmental justice. Speakers included haking Alston, New York City Environmental Justice Alliance; Kellie Terry-Sepulveda, The POINT CDC; Daniel Kass, Director, Environmental Surveillance and Policy, NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene.



Wednesday, March 29
Safeguarding New York City�s Children: A Conversation with New York City's Administration for Children's Services Commissioner John B. Mattingly

As part of the signature Public Service Today discussion series, NYC's Administration for Children's Services Commissioner John B. Mattingly spoke on March 29th. Commissioner Mattingly provided an update on Children's Services' commitment to strengthening child safety and discuss agency efforts for the department to achieve long-term reform in child welfare.



Microfinance in the United States: A Panel Discussion with Accion and Trickle Up

Sponsored by MicroNexus, the NYU Wagner Nonprofit Network, and the NYU Wagner Finance Society, this event explored how the social and economic context for microfinance in the United States differs greatly from that of the developing world. While microfinance has been practiced in the U.S. for years, very little is known about its development and its special nature. The panelists gave insight into the issues and challenges that face microfinance institutions on the U.S. and their clients.



Thursday, March 30
A.C.H.E. Breakfast Talk with Professor Finkler

This breakfast talk hosted by the Wagner A.C.H.E. Student Chapter and the Wagner Finance Society allowed students to engange on the topic: "Understanding Hospital Cost Shifting: What is it, and why is it done?"



New Yorkers for Ending Homelessness Event

The event was sponsored by New Yorkers for Ending Homelessness, a network of advocates, service providers, academic leaders and other New Yorkers created to support efforts to end homelessness and bring significant research and successful strategies to the attention of the wider public. Ellen Schall, Dean of the Wagner School, served as host for the event.



"Educational Equity as a Civil Right: Building the Social Movement of our Generation"

Presented by the Wagner Education Policy Studies Association (WEPSA) and BRIDGE, a Student Social Entrepreneurship Group at Wagner, the event featured panelists who gathered to spark an important discussion about the state of public education in the United States.

April

Wednesday, April 5
IPSA Brown Bag: New Frontiers in Micro-Finance

IPSA hosted Donna Katzin, the Executive Director of Shared interest, a New York-based nonprofit organization that established the Thembani International Guarantee Fund which is used to guarantee loans issued by South African banks to low-income South Africans. Students were able to learn about and explore internship opportunities with Shared Interest.



The 10th Annual Kovner/Behrman Lecture: Implementing Rapid Cycle Change Strategies in Health Care Organizations

Professor Tony Kovner moderated a discussion between Bruce Siegel, Research Professor, Department of Health Policy at George Washington University, Elizabeth Bradley, Professor & Director, Health Management Program at Yale University, and David Hnatow, Medical Director & Professor, Emergency Center at University Health System.



Thursday, April 6
The Furman Center for Real Estate and Urban Policy Housing and Land Use Policy Breakfast Series

The Furman Center for Real Estate and Urban Policy held its second policy breakfast in the Spring series. A panel of distinguished speakers discussed strategies to address threats to New York City's stock of HUD-assisted and Mitchell Lama developments. The panel of experts included: Marc Jahr, Vice President, Citibank Community Development Bank; John Kelly, Partner, Nixon Peabody LLP; Deborah VanAmerongen, Director, Multifamily Housing Division, United States Department of Housing and Urban Development; and, Emily Youssouf, President, New York City Housing Development Corporation.



Tuesday, April 11
Charles Murray: In Our Hands

Charles Murray discussed his new book, In Our Hands: A Plan to Replace the Welfare State, in which he proposes to eliminate all entitlements and all welfare programs, replacing them with a cash grant of $10,000 a year to every American adult beginning at age twenty-one. Murray argues that his plan would end poverty, but that's not the main point. In his words, "In Our Hands is not a book about poverty. It�s about building a society in which people can run their own lives."



Monday, April 17
Does No Child Left Behind Leave Children Behind?

The No Child left Behind Act will come up for reauthorization next year. WEPSA organized an interactive discussion on what has worked and what hasn't worked about NCLB. In addition, participants discussed policies that the national government can pursue to reform public education.



Tuesday, April 18
The Hurricane and New Orleans Civil and Environmental Infrastructure

NYU Wagner, the Women of Color Policy Network, the Taub Urban Research Center, and the Office of Special Events hosted another event in the Hurricane Katrina series. Panelists included Dr. Laura Steinberg, former Professor of Civil and Environmental Infrastructure at Tulane University and Aaron Viles, Campaign Director at the Gulf Restoration Network.



Wednesday, April 19
"The Coming Transformation of Travel"

The NYU Wagner Rudin Center for Transportation Policy & Management in concert with the Council on Transportation and the NYU Wagner Transportation Association presented A Policy Maker Breakfast featuring John Poorman, Staff Director, of the Capital District Transportation Committee. Mr. Poorman presented the results of a national colloquy held to identify key demographic, technological, and economic changes anticipated over the next 30 to 50 years and their implications for metropolitan planning in the United States.



Thursday, April 20
"Smart Growth, Smart Transportation"

The NYU Wagner Rudin Center for Transportation Policy & Management with American Planning Association, New York Metro Chapter, NYU Wagner Urban Planning Student Association, and NYU Wagner Transportation Association hosted a breakast with Larry Silani and Jim Yanchula. Mr. Silani, Director of Planning of LaSalle, Ontario, discussed innovative approaches to planning aimed at creating livable neighborhoods, mixed-use town centers, and a well-planned transportation system. Mr. Yanchula, Manager of Urban Design and Community Development of Windsor, Ontario, addressed Windsor's plans for integrating planning and design measures as a means to promoting economic growth, diversifying residential developments and redesigning its downtown.



International Public Service Association's Spring 2006 Conference: "The Reality of Human Rights in International Development: Academic and Field-Based Perspectives."

The annual IPSA conference provided an opportunity for students, academics and practitioners to explore critical policy questions surrounding international development and trans-national public service. Many leading NGOs and donor-organizations have adopted a Human Rights Based Approach (HRBA) to international development. Rejecting previous approaches defined in terms of economic growth, HRBA places NGOs in the role of promoting the economic, social and cultural rights of underdeveloped communities. Keynote address by Dr. Paul Farmer, Director, MD, PhD, Director, Program in Infectious Disease and Social Change, Harvard University, Founding Director, Partners In Health.



Trends in the Federal Budget: The Long-Term Challenge

The Wagner Finance Society presented a discussion with Director Donald D. Marron of the US Congressional Budget Office. Donald D. Marron became CBO's Acting Director as of December 30. Previously, Dr. Marron served as Chief Economist for the President's Council of Economic Advisers.



Friday, April 21
"Participatory Action Research": Does it bring new value to the social sciences?

Innovations in participatory action research (PAR) highlight opportunities for community-based, collaborative research linking academics and practitioners. Yet some claim that such localized approaches are limited for generating broader public knowledge. Participants heard about the potential of this new research paradigm for addressing pressing social issues while staying true to a social science perspective.



Monday, April 24
The Hurricane and the New Orleans Public Health Systems

Another in the Hurricane Katrina series, this event was moderated by Professor Jo Ivey Boufford and presented talks by Jimmy Guidry, Director of LA Dept of Public Health; Ellen Lukens, VP for Policy at the National Assoc of Public Hospitals; and, Ed Thompson, Deputy Director, The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).



Does Humanitarian Aid Fund Terrorism?

NYU School of Law Professor Noah Feldman discussed the intersections of humanitarian aid and terrorism. The event Taub was part of the Israel Advocacy Series.