While the arts swirl throughout the Biennial of the Americas, ideas will percolate in a series of dialogues at the Ellie Caulkins Opera House.
“The Americas Roundtable” will delve into topics as diverse as poverty, energy and philanthropy with an array of experts and dignitaries ranging from rock stars to heads of state.
“The whole notion here is that the Western Hemisphere really hasn’t been much focus of attention,” said Jim Polsfut, president of the roundtables, which run throughout July. “There are 35 countries that could benefit from having more cohesion and collaboration. The dialogues are a means by which there’s a call for action.”
With the help of the U.S. State Department and a long list of international agencies, organizers crafted discussion groups that aim to generate vibrant and spontaneous dialogue. They’ll incorporate what Polsfut calls the “crescendo format,” in which a moderator engages half the panelists for a period of time before introducing the other half of the group and continuing the discussion.
“The audience experiences a whole new surge of energy and focus when the second group comes to the stage,” he said. “It’s like being present at a dinner party, listening in to 12 people having a spirited, engaged dialogue. It’s much different than a staged, formal presentation.”
International notables like former Mexican President Vicente Fox will join such locals as Sen. Michael Bennet and former Denver Mayor Federico Peña in the events. One late addition is Juan Fonseca, the Colombian vocalist who melds pop/rock influences with Latin beats.
But in Denver, he’ll be talking philanthropy in a July 6 roundtable.
More than 6,000 tickets — available for $12 through the Biennial website (biennialof ) with senior, student and military discounts — have been sold, Polsfut said. That includes more than half the main floor seats of the Opera House for each roundtable. Balcony seating will be opened if needed.
Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts in uniform will be admitted free, along with two guests. A July 8 luncheon event featuring a Bilateral Summit of Ambassadors has sold out.
“People who have strong interest in the world around them and their local neighborhoods are the ones buying tickets,” Polsfut said, including educators, students and community volunteers.
Organizers are working on streaming some of the events live over the Internet — including to embassies across the Americas. All of the roundtables will be recorded and rerun on public-access television channels throughout the state, as well as on PBS affiliates.
“For those who experience it on the day of a roundtable,” he said, “the goal is that we’re invigorated, that we’ve learned and heard something that opens new interests and kind of incites in us a desire to learn more and to be more connected.”
The Americas Roundtables
All events scheduled for the Ellie Caulkins Opera House at the Denver Performing Arts Complex, 999 14th St. in Denver, unless otherwise noted.
Roundtable on education
July 6, 9 a.m.-11:30 a.m.
“The Achievement Gap.” Discussion addresses education disparity based on gender, socioeconomic status and ethnicity throughout the Western Hemisphere. Participants, including U.S. Sen. Michael Bennet, Microsoft community affairs director Andrea Taylor and Guatemalan ambassador to the U.S. Francisco Villagrán de Leon, will focus on where gaps exist and what measures governments and the private sector can take to close them.
Roundtable on philanthropy
July 6, 1:30 p.m.-4 p.m.
“Private and Public Collaboration.” At a time when many nations lack basic human services, panelists take a look at how philanthropists, government leaders and international aid agencies can work together. Guests include Rigoberta Menchú Tum (pictured) of Guatemala, a 1992 Nobel Peace Prize Laureate; Shaun Donovan, secretary of U.S. Housing and Urban Development; and Juan Fonseca, Colombian singer- songwriter.
Roundtable on women
July 7, 9 a.m.-11:30 a.m.
“Drivers of the New Economy.” With women now owning or operating an estimated one-third of all private businesses, panelists from business and government discuss how women are the new engine for economic expansion and how their businesses can continue to thrive. Panelists include Secretary Hilda L. Solis of the U.S. Department of Labor; U.S Ambassador to Argentina Vilma Martinez; and Rosa Rios of the U.S. Department of Treasury.
Roundtable on health
July 8, 9 a.m.-11:30 a.m.
“Transnational Threats.” As chronic diseases replace communicable diseases as the biggest threats across the Americas, what can the variety of health-care systems offer to improve conditions for everyone? The 10 panelists include Dr. Jose Ángel Cordova Villalobos of Mexico’s Ministry of Health; Dr. Jon Andrus, deputy director of the Pan American Health Organization; and Sandra Thurman, president of the International AIDS Trust.
Special luncheon event
at the Seawell Ballroom of the Denver Performing Arts Complex
July 8, 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m.
“Summit of Bilateral Ambassadors.” With several nations recently celebrating or about to recognize their 200-year anniversaries, panelists discuss the accomplishments and challenges facing the Americas. Panelists include Dr. Arturo Valenzuela, U.S. assistant Secretary of State for Western Hemisphere Affairs; Vilma Martinez, U.S. ambassador to Argentina; and Arturo Sarukhan, Mexico’s ambassador to the U.S. SOLD OUT
Roundtable on poverty reduction
July 8, 1:30 p.m.-4 p.m.
“Politics and Strategies.”Thirty-seven percent of Latin Americans live in poverty, and panelists will discuss how a variety of public and private efforts have addressed the issue. Among the participants are Harriet Babbitt, former U.S. ambassador to the Organization of American States; Alejandro Toledo, former president of Peru; Carlos D. Mesa, former president of Bolivia; and Jimmy Jean- Louis (pictured), television actor and founder of Hollywood Unites for Haiti.
Roundtable on trade
July 12, 8:30 a.m.-10:15 a.m.
“Leveraging Partnerships for Sustainable Economies.” The discussion will center on how to promote and further healthy economies through trade agreements, technology and other avenues. The roundtable will feature Alberto Alemán Zubieta, CEO of the Panama Canal Authority; Luis Alberto Moreno of Colombia, president, Inter-American Development Bank; and Jose Miguel Insulza of Chile, secretary general, Organization of American States.
Special event
July 12, 10:30 a.m.-Noon
“Summit of former heads of state.” More than a dozen former heads of state, no longer encumbered by politics, will talk about their countries’ priorities and a variety of topics including poverty, health, education and the economy. Among the dignitaries will be Vicente Fox, former president of Mexico, 2000-2006; Rodrigo Borja, former president of Ecuador, 1988- 1992; Hipolito Mejía former president of the Dominican Republic, 2000- 2004; Fernando de la Rúa former president of Argentina, 1999-2001.
Roundtable on energy and climate change
July 28, 1:30 p.m.-4 p.m.
“Designing Answers for Today’s Challenges.” Energy production is a common denominator for many nations in the Western Hemisphere, and with it come the challenges presented by climate change. A panel that includes Lenin Voltaire Moreno Garces, vice president (Ecuador); Ray LaHood, U.S. secretary of Transportation; and Gary Doer, Canada’s ambassador to the U.S., will explore the issues and possible solutions.
