Human Rights Video Project
Co-sponsored by the Bismarck Human Relations Committee & Bismarck Public Library
This library project was created to increase the public's awareness of human rights issues through the medium of documentary films, which can serve as a catalyst for group discussion. The project was developed by the National Video Resources in partnership with the American Library Association with major funding provided by the John D. & Katherine T. MacArthur Foundation and the Ford Foundation. The Bismarck Public Library was awarded a grant for these 12 videos, which are available for checkout. For more information visit: www.humanrightsproject.org.
The Bismarck Human Relations Committee and the Bismarck Public Library are hosting a series of Sunday meetings to view and discuss these videos in the lower level of the Bismarck Public Library. The public is cordially invited to attend any one or all of the series. There is no charge, and the viewing of the videos and the discussion that follows run between two and three hours.
Life & Debt (86 minutes)
Sunday, January 21, 3:00-5:45pm
Bismarck Public Library, Lower Level
Explores the effect of the International Monetary Fund's policies on developing countries through Jamaica's experience when it entered into a tricky agreement resulting in the loss of jobs and economic self-reliance.
Behind the Labels: Garment Workers on U.S. Saipan (45 minutes)
Sunday, February 18, 3:00-5:45pm
Bismarck Public Library, Lower Level
Exposes the harsh conditions of the garment industry in Saipan, a U.S. territory in the Northern Mariana Islands of the Pacific. Although the island flies the American flag, it is not subject to U.S. immigration laws and is exempt from federal minimum wage regulations. Chinese and Filipino women, attracted by the idea of working in "America," pay high recruitment fees to attain contracts to work in Saipan. The result is years of debt.
Going to School (64 minutes)
Sunday, March 18, 3:00-5:45pm
Bismarck Public Library, Lower Level
Details the effort of the Los Angeles School District to include students with disabilities in the curriculum and provide them with the same educational opportunities as other students.
State of Denial (83 minutes)
Sunday, April 15, 3:00-5:45pm
Bismarck Public Library, Lower Level
Chronicles the AIDS epidemic in South Africa, which has 4.2 million people living with HIV/AIDS. Through personal portrayals of people living with AIDS, this documentary effectively addresses a global problem that can only perilously be ignored.
Promises (106 minutes)
Sunday, May 20, 3:00-5:45pm
Bismarck Public Library, Lower Level
Through the stories of seven children living in diverse areas of Israel/Palestine, the filmmakers interweave the complex political and geographic history of the region. The film was shot between 1997-2000.
Please join the Bismarck Human Relations Committee, the Bismarck Public Library and members of the Bismarck-Mandan community in a dialogue of sharing reactions to the videos, a variety of points of view and experiences.
Contact Information:
Mayor's Committee on Human Relations
City of Bismarck
PO Box 5503
221 N. 5th Street
Bismarck, ND 58506-5503
http://www.bismarck.org/