Category Archives: Public Affairs
Honoring Activist Rosa Parks
Honoring Activist Rosa Parks By: Ellen Gutoske Interfaith Engagement Intern Rosa Parks is often credited as a tired old woman who didn’t want...
Bob Marley and the Politics of Labeling
Bob Marley and the Politics of Labeling By: Kristiana Peric, Interfaith Engagement Intern “Me only have one ambition, y’know. I only have one...
Safety vs. Freedom: Who Oppresses Who?
By: Joseph Birko, Communications Intern – [email protected] With the recent tensions regarding the terrorist attacks throughout Europe, many governments are wary of how...
Small Screen; Big Politics
By: Joseph Birko [email protected] Not only was the 2016 Emmys an award show that celebrates the best of television, but it also represented...
Failed Coup Attempt & Massive Purge: A Civil Society Perspective
Turkey-Israel Relations
What a week it’s been for Turkey. There’s no question – in my mind anyway – that the recent bombings of the Istanbul...
Journalists Targeted as Press Freedom Declines in Turkey
Journalists Targeted as Press Freedom Declines in Turkey By Deni Kamper Protests broke out in Istanbul on Tuesday after a court ordered the...
The Dangers of Trump’s Bigotry
The Dangers of Trump’s Bigotry By: James McLellan There’s (hopefully) no doubt in the minds of most people that Donald Trump’s rhetoric towards...
Niagara Foundation Condemns Government Takeover of Zaman
Niagara Foundation strongly condemns the Turkish government's aggressive takeover of one of the nation's largest newspapers.
| Tagged Erdogan, freedom of press, freedom of speech, government, government takeover, journalism, media, takeover, turkey, ZamanYemen, Iran, and Syria: The 2016 State of the Middle East Forum on the “Crisis in the Gulf”
On February 17, the Niagara Foundation hosted the annual “State of the Middle East Forum” at Roosevelt University’s Fine Arts Building. The forum...
| Tagged 2016 State of the Middle East Forum, Dr. David Faris, Iran, Middle East, State of the Middle East Forum, Syria, Yemen“Gloomy Days”: Brazil, the Olympics, and the Zika Virus
Brazil is going through a challenging period: it is facing an economic crisis stemming from record low oil prices and political corruption, and...
| Tagged 2016 Summer Olympics, Brazil, Dilma Rousseff, Olympic Games, Rio de Janeiro, World Health Organization, Zika virusClosing the 90 Mile Gap
This wonderful artistic collaboration proved Cubans will start to experience cultural changes in their lives, but how will this new US-Cuba relation will...
| Tagged Chicago Jazz Philharmonic, Cuba, Diplomacy, tourism, travel, United StatesJeff McCarter from Free Spirit Media Speaks on Importance of Diversity, Role of Urban Youth in Media
On January 21, the Niagara Foundation had the pleasure of hosting Jeff McCarter. He is Founder & Executive Director of Free Spirit Media....
| Tagged activism, chicago, development, Free Spirit Media, journalism, media, society, youth“This is Greece”: A Student’s Experience During the Debt Crisis
“Their economic crisis is making that country very unstable, it’s not a very safe place for travelers. You should go somewhere else!” I...
| Tagged austerity, bailout, finance, Greece, Grexit, policy, recession, tourism, valuesEvent Recap: John Sirek Speaks on McCormick Foundation’s Civics Program
Mr. Sirek stressed the McCormick Foundation’s mission: “to foster communities of educated and engaged citizens.” To achieve this goal, the foundation runs key...
| Tagged civics, Democracy, Education, government, John Sirek, journalism, McCormick FoundationToday is Constitution Day and Citizenship Day!
Today, September 17, 2015, marks the 228th anniversary of the signing of the United States’ most revered document: The Constitution! In the United...
| Tagged Citizenship Day, Constitution DayToday is the International Day of Democracy!
Every year, the International Day of Democracy is celebrated on September 15 to raise awareness about democracy. This year, in 2015, the theme...
| Tagged Democracy, United NationsNiagara Foundation Remembers 9/11
14 years ago on this day, terrorists launched four coordinated attacks against the United States, killing 2,997 people including 343 firefighters and 72...
| Tagged 9/11, Peace, September 11, terrorismA Nation of Immigrants: Why Multiculturalism Matters
Immigration today is by all means a controversial issue, but it is also the heart of this country. America is shaped and rooted...
| Tagged immigration, MulticulturalismEvent Recap: Chicago & Global Family with Jamil Khoury
On Tuesday, August 11th, Jamil Khoury joined the Niagara Foundation for a Chicago and Global Family event. As a theatre producer, essayist, playwright,...
| Tagged Asia, Middle East, Muslims, Silk Road Rising, TheatreEvent Recap: Chicago & Global Family with Charlene Carruthers
On August 12, Charlene A. Carruthers joined Niagara for a Chicago Global Family Event. Carruthers is the national director of Black Youth Project...
| Tagged Black Youth Project, Charlene Carruthers, leadership, Racial justiceRevisiting Resource Conflict in Ecuador
Ecuador is blessed with an abundance of timber, fish, and hydropower. Such a diverse landscape is fertile ground for resource conflict, particularly with...
| Tagged Economy, Ecuador, Indigenous peoples, Natural resources, Rafael Correa2015 Media & Ethics Forum Panelist Spotlight: Dr. Bastiaan Vanacker
By Josh Heine Communications and Membership Coordinator August 4, 2015 I had the pleasure of interviewing Dr. Bastiaan Vanancker, Associate Professor at Loyola...
| Tagged Dr. Bastiaan Vanacker, Ethics, Forums, ISIS, mediaSaturday was Nelson Mandela International Day!
By Jasmin Rojo, Communications Intern July 16 Nelson Mandela International Day was declared in 2009 by the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA). It...
| Tagged Nelson Mandela, United NationsMedia & Ethics Forum 2015: Democracy & Censorship in the Digital Age
Niagara Foundation is proud to present its 2015 Media & Ethics Forum: Censorship and Democracy in the Digital Age, co-sponsored by Loyola University...
Event Recap: Daniel X. O’Neil and “Making Lives Better Through Technology”
By Jihan Dubose and Brianna Deigan “In order to realize the value of technology, we must give up privacy; we must be more...
| Tagged Daniel X. O'Neil, Smart Chicago, technologyEvent Recap: Andrea Zopp and the Impact of the Chicago Urban League
By Brianna Deigan, Communications Intern On Wednesday, July 1st, the Niagara Foundation hosted the Chicago and Global Family event “The Impact of Chicago...
Today is Public Service Day!
By Alyssa Slager, Communications Intern Twelve years ago today, the United Nations updated the public administration and development resolution, stating that June 23rd...
| Tagged public service, Public Service Day, UN, United NationsEvent Recap: Dr. Dick Simpson and Thomas J. Gradel on “Corrupt Illinois”
By Brianna Deigan This past Wednesday, June 17th, Niagara Foundation was pleased to host a Chicago & Global Family roundtable discussion, where Dr....
Event Recap: Hon. Egyptian Consul on US Media Coverage of Middle East
By: Suzanne Warshell, Public and Global Affairs Intern On June 10th, Mr. Mageed Refaat Aboulmagd, the Honorable Consul General of the Arab Republic...
Event Recap: Brian Brady on Mikva Challenge
By Amanda Algarra, Public and Global Affairs Intern On Tuesday, June 2nd, Niagara Foundation was thrilled to have Brian Brady, Executive Director of...
| Tagged change, chicago, civic engagement, civics, community, Democracy, government, Mikva Challenge, politics, youthSuat Kınıklıoğlu on Turkey’s Upcoming Election: Event Recap
By Amanda Algarra, Academic Affairs Intern On Tuesday, May 12, the Niagara Foundation was pleased to have Suat Kınıklıoğlu, a Turkish politician, writer and...
| Tagged Democracy, elections, Suat Kiniklioglu, turkey, Turkish DemocracyDr. Alie Kabba on Immigrant Reform: Event Recap
By Brooke Moscow, Public and Global Affairs Intern On April 8, Niagara Foundation was thrilled to host Dr. Alie Kabba, Executive Director of...
| Tagged Alie Kabba, immigrant rights, immigration, immigration reform, reform, United African OrganizationChicago Community Trust’s “On the Table” Builds Strong Chicago Community
By: Kathy Bolano, Communications Intern In partnership with Niagara Foundation, the Chicago Community Trust and Affiliates will be hosting On the Table on...
| Tagged chicago, Chicago Community Trust, On the TableInterview with RealClearReligion’s Nicholas Hahn III
By: Kathy Bolano, Communications Intern Nicholas G. Hahn III will be joining us for a roundtable discussion about millennials and the church from...
| Tagged Catholicism, church, millennials, politics, religionWhere is Turkey Headed? Discussions with Rainer Hermann
By: Patrick Reilly, Academic Affairs Intern and Kathy Bolano, Communications Intern Rainer Hermann began his February 2nd discussion, hosted by Niagara Foundation and...
| Tagged book, Erdogan, fethullah gulen, government, hizmet, Rainer Hermann, turkeyFethullah Gulen on Turkey’s Eroding Democracy
Earlier today, Fethullah Gulen contributed an op-ed piece to the New York Times addressing Turkey’s current political and cultural climate. In the op-ed, Gulen notes...
Chicago Global Family: Get In Chicago with Toni Irving Event Recap
By: Joshua Heine, Public & Global Affairs intern On January 21 Niagara Foundation was pleased to welcome Toni Irving, the new executive director of...
| Tagged chicago, dialogue, Get In Chicago, inequality, mentoring, poverty, Toni Irving, youth, youth violenceNiagara Foundation Remembers Martin Luther King, Jr.
“Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that.” -Dr. Martin Luther...
| Tagged civil rights, equality, Martin Luther King DayYour Holiday Reading List…Part Two!
With the recent events in Turkey – the arrests of over 30 journalists and media officials and the unapologetic threats to free press...
For Your Holiday Reading Pleasure…
It is that time of year again! The school semester has come to an end, work responsibilities are dwindling, and many of us will...
Niagara Condemns the Unjust Arrests of Journalists in Turkey
Niagara Foundation denounces the recent actions of the Turkish Government, as they are incompatible with the freedom of the press, due process, and...
Our 10th Anniversary Gala: An Evening of Peace, Friendship, and Conviction
By: Maria Munoz, Academic Affairs Intern Edited by: Mignon Senuta, Director of Communications On December 4th 2014, the Niagara Foundation celebrated both its 10th...
What is all the fuss about? Our 2014 Awardees, that’s what!
On December 4th, Niagara welcomes you to celebrate our 10th Anniversary…but the night will be so much more! Ten years serving Chicago and...
Congratulations to Syrian American Medical Society & American Muslim Health Professionals!
Niagara Foundation was thrilled to learn that our close friend and President of Syrian American Medical Society (SAMS), Zaher Sahloul, will be awarded...
Let’s All Take a Closer Look at Chicago Public Libraries!
On Thursday, October 24th, Niagara had the pleasure of hosting Chicago Public Library (CPL) Commissioner Brian Bannon. We discussed the work of the...
The State of the Middle East Forum
Co-sponsored by Roosevelt University
Religious Tolerance Delegation from Republic of Georgia visits Niagara Foundation
In late September, a group of six community leaders from the Republic of Georgia packed their bags, headed to the Tbilisi International Airport, and...
Glory and the World Cup
Photo via Flickr (IsakFotografi) This is a blog post by one of our contributing authors. Dr. Martin Forward is a British, Methodist Christian...
The People Have Spoken – Martin Forward and the Indian Elections
This is a blog post by one of our contributing authors. Dr. Martin Forward is a British, Methodist Christian lecturer and author on religion...
Weekly Links
Here’s what piqued our interest this week! Special thanks to Edirin Davis, Communications Officer and Hannah Ward, Communications Intern in compiling this list. ...
Opposition, the AKP, and Democracy in Turkey
By: A.Kadir Yildirim Political life in Turkey is increasingly undemocratic and authoritarian. How can this institutional weakness be overcome? The latest episode in Turkish...
Recent Interviews with Fethullah Gulen
Recently, our honorary president, Fethullah Gulen, has given multiple interviews with international news agencies due to the recent upheaval in Turkey. Here are...
Weekly Links + Community Corner
WEEKLY LINKS: (PAYWALL) Turkey Needs a New Constitution to Save its Democracy by Fethullah Gulen (honorary president of the Niagara Foundation) in the Financial Times....