Students present stories of Brazil trip
September 9, 2005
KOKOMO, Ind.—In March 2005, students of the Indiana University Kokomo Division of Labor Studies traveled to the city of Porto Alegre, Brazil, for 11 days. They met with social, political, and labor leaders while visiting communities, factories, and sites of cultural and historical interest.
The travelers will share stories and photos from their trip during a public program, “Brazil Bound,” on Wednesday, September 14. Admission is free to the 6 p.m. program in the Kelley Student Center, Room 130B.
The students included Sue Ann Henson of Bringhurst, Kim Ford of Tipton, Susan Perry of Galveston, and Kokomo residents Todd Jordan, Amber Jordan, Wayne Conwell, and Tamara Biddler. Conwell and both Jordans work for Delphi Electronics and Safety; the others are employed by Daimler Chrysler. They are members of United Autoworkers Locals 292 and 698.
Coordinator of Labor Studies William Mello, Ph.D., said his students are eager to share with others what they learned on the trip. “Some of these guys had never left Kokomo before getting on the plane to Brazil,” Mello said. “Then a few hours later, they were experiencing a totally different part of the world and learning that they had things in common with Brazilian workers.”
“Brazil Bound” The Constitution Day presentation is part of the campus' American Democracy Project (ADP). A national initiative involving 200 campuses, including IU Kokomo, ADP offers academic and student life programs that explore civic activities vital to the life of a democracy—voting, volunteerism, and advocacy of social issues. ADP activities will take place at IU Kokomo through spring 2006. Visit www.iuk.edu/adp to see a schedule of events.
Persons without campus parking passes should follow signs to visitor parking for this event.
