Southeastern NEWS
          Southeastern Louisiana University
          Public Information Office
          SLU 10880, Hammond, LA 70402
          504-549-2341/fax 504-549-2061
                    
      Date:    4/16/02
      Contact:      Rene Abadie     


PANAMANIAN ARTISANS TO BE ON CAMPUS APRIL 21-27; INTERNATIONAL
LECTURE SERIES SCHEDULED
     
     HAMMOND - More than a dozen Kuna Indian artisans from Panama will be on the
Southeastern Louisiana University campus April 21-27 to participate in seminars and workshops
designed to assist them in marketing their products in the United States.
     International speakers for the program include representatives of the Organization of
American States and the Inter-American Development Bank. Also speaking to the artisans will
be representatives from the Louisiana Office of Economic Development, Louisiana Office of
Culture, import and export professionals, and international banking officials. The artisans will
also have the opportunity to meet with importers from throughout the region at a special
reception and showing scheduled Tuesday, April 23. 
     "Our goal in developing this program is to provide a practical orientation that these
artisans can use to expand trade opportunities beyond their country's boundaries," said
Southeastern President Randy Moffett. "In addition, it provides another cultural exchange
opportunity for our faculty and students, giving them opportunities to interact with individuals
who represent a truly unique and foreign culture."
     The program is sponsored by the Institute for Global and Domestic Development, a
non-profit organization founded to foster the university's global mission, in cooperation with
Southeastern's Center for Ibero-American Cultures and Business Development and
Southeastern's Center for Youth Leaders of the Americas.
     The Kuna Indians come from an area of Panama that is composed of more than 30 islands
and 200 islets, many of which are unnamed. The Kuna Indians are known widely for the creation
of "molas," the richly colored cloth panels that make up their traditional clothing. Made primarily
by the Indian women, molas are now considered an art form, depicting people, birds, flowers,
fish, and other designs.
     In conjunction with the visit, the artisans will sponsor craft sales April 22-25 from 9:30
a.m - 4 p.m. in Southeastern's Student Union mall. Items being sold include sculptures, clothing,
jewelry, purses, artworks, bags, baskets and hats, many featuring handmade molas. The artisans
will also be displaying their products in the Hammond Square Mall April 26, 9 a.m. - 7 p.m. and
in the Hammond Market, April 27, 8 a.m. - noon.
     As part of the visit, Southeastern is sponsoring its second annual lecture series on
international issues. All lectures are open to faculty, students and the public and will be held in
the Southeastern Room of the Student Union (2nd floor). The lecture schedule and speakers
include:
     Monday, April 22, 2 p.m., "Development and Culture in Latin America," Dr. Susan
Benson, Organization of the American States.
     Tuesday, April 23, 9:30 a.m., "Participation of the Inter-American Development Bank in
Latin American Development," Eduardo E. Linares, Inter-American Development Bank; 11 a.m.,
"The Inter-American Development Bank and Artisans Programs in Latin America," Maria T.
Villanueva, Inter-American Development Bank; 2 p.m., "How to Succeed in the Global Market:
A Cultural Vision," Dr. Rochelle Beck, Artisans Enterprise Network; 3 p.m., "Trade Commerce
and Economic Development in Louisiana," Felipe Martinez, Louisiana Department of Economic
Development.
     Wednesday, April 24, 9 a.m., "New Developments in the Former Panama Canal Zone,"
Alberto Navarro, AICA Panama.
     Thursday, April 25, 11 a.m. "The Role of Panama in the Organization of the American
States," Ambassador Juan Manuel Castulovich, Organization of the American States.
     For additional information, call 985-549-2341.
-SLU-
Press release available online at www.selu.edu/news/spring02.html