| Emory Report | August 4, 1997 |
Volume 49, No. 36 |
From current projects and travels of a former U.S. president and first lady to eradicating disease in Africa-such is the topical gamut offered through the yearly series, "Conversations at The Carter Center."
Consisting of four programs highlighting center activities, "Conversations" was started in 1991 to provide the Emory community and general public with an opportunity to learn about The Carter Center's work and to interact with its leading associates, including President and Rosalynn Carter. "One of the most interesting parts of 'Conversations' is the lively exchange of thoughts and ideas between the audience and our panelists," said the event's coordinator, Michelle Riley. "Because we always allot time for questions, people attending have input into the program and can share views with our speakers in a give and take format."
Each year's series begins in September with "A Conversation with Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter." Fresh from summer excursions, the Carters share aspects of their latest initiatives and trips. "We have covered a number of unique and fascinating subjects in the last five years," said Riley, "from former White House staff such as Jody Powell and Hamilton Jordan recounting their days in the Carter administration to presentations by Rod Steiger and Kathy Cronkite [daughter of Walter Cronkite] relating [their] experiences overcoming chronic depression.
"But despite the wide range of topics," she added, "the initial event each fall with President and Mrs. Carter is always the most popular."
In addition to the Carters' talk this September 18, programs for the 1997-98 series include an examination of the political, economic and social issues of China, a discussion by Nobel Peace Prize winner Norman Borlaug on the challenges of producing an adequate global food supply and an exploration by Senator Max Cleland regarding answers to this country's epidemic of gun violence against children.
"Everyone at Emory can get to know The Carter Center better by attending the 'Conversations' series," said President Bill Chace. "A unique feature of Emory is its strong relationship with the center," he continued. "No other American university has as its working partner, an entity so focused on activities directly and practically related to two great scourges of humankind: epidemic disease and internecine conflict. 'Conversations' brings to public attention the work of experts, enabling attendees to get a deeper understanding not only of the center's mission, but of some of the deeper and more intractable problems the world community faces."
Tickets to "Conversations" are available to the public for $6 each. Starting this year, the price of individual tickets for Emory students, faculty, and staff has been lowered to $4; that price is available also to the general public in groups of 25 or more.
Each "Conversations" event is held at The Carter Center from 7:30 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. Brochures for the 1997-98 series, complete with registration forms, are available at numerous campus location including the Dobbs Center, the post office lobby and all libraries. Tickets may be purchased at the door on the night of the program. Call 420-3804 to determine availability.
"Listening to prominent and influential national leaders such as President and Mrs. Carter-and the many interesting and accomplished men and women we are fortunate to have as panelists each year-is undoubtedly a great learning experience for students of any age or discipline," said Riley. "I hope to see even more Emory students taking advantage of this opportunity to enjoy an educational and fun evening at The Carter Center."
1997-98 "Conversations" program series:
Ann Carney is communications associate at The Carter Center.
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