Communication for Development A series of lectures entitled, "Communication for Community Development: Exploring Transnational Ties Among People Left Behind," (Feb. 17-Mar 3), focused on the use of communication technologies for community development and provided a crucial space for interaction among scholars, students, Tacoma residents, and community leaders. Organized by Dr. Divya McMillin, assistant professor of mass communication, the series featured speakers actively involved in community development projects. The first speaker, Dr. Evelyn Nodwell, an independent producer and research associate from the University of British Columbia, shared her experience working with women in Jhabua, a village in northern India. Nodwell’s presentation, "Video and Grassroots Development in India," (Feb 17), featured the efforts of women in this village to conserve the environment, create a banking and credit system, and assert their identities as strong, independent voices in both the private and public spheres. The efforts of the Jhabua women toward environment protection and community development resonated with the theme of the panel presentation on "Building Communities in Tacoma and Beyond" (Feb 24). Various community activists discussed their role in the revitalization of downtown Tacoma. Deborah Berglund, CEO of Advantage Marketing and Public Relations, discussed the importance of small businesses in downtown Tacoma, while Karen Clearwater, Program Officer of the Local Initiative Support Corporation stressed the need for affordable housing in the Hilltop area. Darren Pen, Outreach Coordinator for the Hilltop Action Coalition echoed this view and emphasized the need for a change in social perceptions about the Hilltop area. While small businesses and affordable housing provide impetus for a growing community, the homeless are considered a menace. Mike Lonergan, Executive Director of the Tacoma Rescue Mission stated that despite the general view that the Mission is a deterrent in the efforts to revitalize downtown Tacoma, this agency performed a crucial service to the homeless. The Mission should not be left behind in development agendas, but should continue to receive community funding and support, he said. The focus on the disempowered within the city was revived in Janeil Engelstad’s talk on "Connecting Youth Through Art and Technology" (Mar 3). Engelstad, an LA-based artist and the final speaker in the series, described her project with Art Works, an organization which paired inner-city youth with prominent artists. The collaborative projects were show-cased in prestigious galleries and provided aspiring youth an opportunity for further education and growth through scholarships and mentor programs. All the lectures were well-attended and sparked interesting questions and discussion from students, faculty, and community residents in the audience. The series began as an effort to broaden students’ learning experiences in Dr. Divya McMillin’s "Communication and National Development" class and grew into a forum for community participation within and without the UWT campus. Divya McMillin  Ph.D. 1998, Indiana University, (Bloomington)  M.A. 1994, Pittsburg State University, (Kansas)  International Communications and Cultural Studies  Office: GWP: 414  Phone: (253) 692-5651  Fax: (253) 692-5651  divya@u.washington.edu Divya McMillin Home Page