Forum to examine next steps for tsunami-ravaged South Asia

A forum on April 18 will draw upon diverse expertise at UW–Madison to discuss the future of countries that were devastated by the December 2004 tsunami in South Asia.

“Multiple Perspectives in the Aftermath of the Tsunami: A Public Education Forum,” will be held from 4-6 p.m. on Monday, April 18 in Great Hall of the Memorial Union. The event, which is free and open to the public, is sponsored by International Student Services and the Center for South Asia.

Presenters include:

Fadjar Thufail, a Ph.D. candidate in the Department of Anthropology and research associate at the Indonesian Institute of Sciences, will present on trauma and human rights in pre- and post-tsunami Aceh.

Richard Brooks, a consultant for Sarvodaya, a grassroots development movement in 15,000 villages, recently returned from Sri Lanka and will discuss “village to village” partnerships with communities in the United States.

Arne Winguth, an assistant professor of atmospheric and oceanic sciences and environmental studies, will discuss his research on the geochemical cycles in the ocean and its relation to past, present and future climate.

Michiko Tsuneda, a Ph.D. candidate in the Department of Anthropology, has conducted two years of field work in Thailand. She will discuss the social and cultural diversity in southern Thailand, the political conditions of the region, and the ramifications the tsunami may have for the future.

For more information, contact Rachel Weiss, associate outreach specialist for the Center for South Asia, at (608) 262-9224, rweiss@facstaff.wisc.edu.