PATT MORRISON SCHEDULE
Monday, July 4, 2011
1-3 p.m.
1:00 – 1:20
From the UN: What’s the world body’s communications strategy…to the world?
The United Nations has never been the most popular or well understood body in the United States, nor the rest of the world. Hesitant at some points to definitively act (Rwanda, Serbia) and seemingly impotent at other times (the entire Iraq war controversy), the UN is both distrusted and looked upon to make some sense in a constantly conflicted world. How can the UN walk a fine line in sanctioned operations like in Libya, where the official goal is protect Libyan civilians but the unstated purpose seems to be getting rid of Muammar Gaddafi? Did the UN act quickly enough to stop bloodshed in the Ivory Coast after a disputed presidential election turned bloody? How will the body handle a potentially inflammatory vote to recognize a state of Palestine expected to come in September? We get an insider’s view on the complicated tight wire act that is communicating the agenda and decisions of the United Nations from their director of communications who not long ago used to be on the other end of this equation, reporting on the UN for Newsweek.
Guest:
Michael Meyer, communications director & chief speech writer for the Secretary-General, United Nations; member of the Council on Foreign Relations; former Europe editor for Newsweek International
1:20 – 1:40
From the UN: Could the fate of Pakistan be the most important question in the world?
Perhaps that’s a bit of hyperbole, but consider all of the combustible elements that make up Pakistan: bordering Afghanistan and heavily influencing its government for generations; bordering the world’s largest democracy in India with the constant threat of all out warfare hanging over both countries; in possession of nuclear weapons; ruled by a shaky civilian government and a strong military with contradictory allegiances and priorities; urban and educated in some areas of the country, tribal and religiously extreme in others; a ally of the United States in some senses and one of its biggest threats in others. Pakistan is a dangerous enigma, and given its size, its location and its nuclear weapons, the future of the country is of vital interest to the entire world. The aftermath of the killing of Osama bin Laden illustrates the conflicts Pakistanis are confronting—many in the country expressed embarrassment that the al Qaeda leader was living such a normal life in the military town of Abbottabad, but they were equally embarrassed that the U.S. military could enter their country with impunity. American drones patrolling their skies and bombing their tribal areas is infuriating and yet the U.S. showers billions of dollars in foreign aid on Pakistan’s government. Given all of these complicated contradictions, what can Pakistan hope for the future?
Guest:
Ambassador Abullah Hussain Haroon, Permanent Representative of Pakistan to the United Nations
1:40 – 2:00
From the UN: Is a viable international deal on climate change & carbon emissions possible?
In recent years the devastating effects of global warming have become increasingly apparent: from the tsunami in Japan, to scorching droughts in Africa. The Kyoto Protocol, once known as an outdated failure, is now fueling some regained momentum. The World Bank has recently agreed to fund the climate-change projects of 40 of the world’s largest cities. Will developing and established industrial nations be willing to trade current economic prosperity for future environmental health? Who will orchestrate such a deal, and what will be the new standards for carbon emissions? Join Patt for a conversation with Janos Paztor, executive secretary of the UN Secretary-General’s Global Sustainability Panel.
Guest:
Janos Paztor, executive secretary of the UN Secretary-General’s Global Sustainability Panel
2:00 – 3:00
Take a walk through Boyle Heights and see the problems & the promise of L.A.
Walk through the neighborhood of Boyle Heights, just east of downtown Los Angeles, and you see the history of the city unfold before your eyes. From the Boyle Hotel built in 1889 to historic synagogues and Mariachi Plaza. The cultural, religious and ethnic melting pot that is Los Angeles starts in Boyle Heights and emanates outward. The challenges facing the residents of Boyle Heights are familiar: access to affordable housing and high-quality health care, but some are unique. Boyle Heights has a disproportionate share of public housing developments, some of which were at one time the largest west of the Mississippi. The conversion of those units to private ownership threatens the low-income residents who inhabit the decades-old buildings adorned with vibrant murals. Boyle Heights is faced with mitigating the environmental health impacts of its surroundings—freeways and rail lines that run next to children’s playgrounds, housing and schools and diminishing the influence of gangs and helping to heal the psychological wounds of violence. But the promise of Boyle Heights is unmistakable and hopes are high as crime is down, education reform comes into focus, middle class families work to gain prominence and economic and cultural development begins to blossom. Join us as we take a walk through Boyle Heights and take in the past, present and future.
Guests:
Antonio Villaraigosa, Mayor of the City of Los Angeles
Maria Cabildo, president and co-founder of the East L.A. Community Corporation
Jose Huizar, L.A. City Councilman representing the 14th District, including Boyle Heights
Father Gregory Boyle, founder & executive director of Homeboy Industries & pastor of Dolores Mission in Boyle Heights
George Sarabia, former gang member and current gang interventionist for Legacy LA
Lou Calanche, executive director of Legacy L.A
David Kipen, owner of Libros Schmibros bookstore & lending library in Boyle Heights
Dr. Astrid Heger, pediatrician and executive director of the Violence Intervention Program in East LA
Josefina Lopez, artistic director or Casa 0101, theater and art space in Boyle Heights
Sanford Riggs, housing services director for the Housing Authority for the City of Los Angeles (HACLA)
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