Civil Society in America
A Study Tour for Students from the University of Macau
Organized by the Hong Kong America Center
Swarthmore College PA and Adelphi University NY
June 19 – July 5, 2010
Draft Program as of March 16, 2010
Saturday, June 19
Depart Macau and HK for USA
Arrive at Dulles Airport, Washington, DC in evening
Group will be met at the airport by local program organizers
Transportation to George Washington University dormitory
Sunday, June 20 - ORIENTATION
8- 9:30 AM - Breakfast at university. Free morning
12:00 Welcome lunch near campus. Introduction to program and short
presentation on history of the city.
2:00 PM - Leave lunch site for introductory van tour of downtown Washington.
(Will pass and/or visit the White House, various federal departments, lower federal courts, city government offices and courts, US Capitol, and the Supreme Court, plus Lincoln, Jefferson and Washington monuments, and certain other monuments highlighting the diversity of American society.)
6:00 PM - Return to campus.
Evening free for food shopping at nearby supermarket or visit to the nearby Kennedy Center
Monday, June 21 - INTRODUCTION TO US SOCIETY AND NON-GOVERNMENTAL
ORGANIZATIONS; VISIT TO NATIONAL LABOR ORGANIZATION
9:00 AM - Overviews of American society with emphases upon historical and
contemporary cultural mores, the rights and responsibilities of individuals, and the importance of community endeavors at all levels.
10:15 AM - Break
10:30 AM - Continuation of presentation, including the role of special interest groups in
federal legislation and the recent Supreme Court ruling on expenditures by corporations and labor organizations in election campaigns.
12:00 Noon - Lunch on campus
1:15 PM - Leave by subway for downtown Washington
2:00 PM – Visit a national labor organization such as the Service Employees
International Union (SEIU) or the United Auto Workers (UAW)
4:30 PM Return to campus
Evening free
Tuesday, June 22 - VISITS TO NATIONAL TRADE ASSOCIATION AND TO
NATIONAL NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATIONS
9:00 AM – Leave by subway for downtown Washington
9:30 AM - Visit the headquarters of a trade association such as the National
Association of Manufacturers or the National Bankers Association
11:00 AM –Visit the headquarters of a national consumer protection organization
such as Consumers Union.
12:30 Noon - Lunch
2:30 PM - Visit to a national non-profit organization such as the AARP (American
Association of Retired Persons) for discussion of advocacy work on legislation (e.g. health care, investment protection, etc.)
4:00 PM - Visit to second national non-profit organization such as the National
Wildlife Fund’s Advocacy Center (e.g., environmental legislation}.
Evening free
Wednesday, June 23 DIVERSITY IN US SOCIETY AND HISTORY
9:00 AM - Presentation and panel discussion on diversity in the US; panel to include
Persons from at least four racial and ethnic groups who together form
the country. Discussion will identify possibly different perspectives on
national issues and the work of non-profit organizations that represent one or
more of the groups represented.
10:30 AM - Break
10:45 AM - Continuation of presentation/discussion, including time for questions
12:00 PM - Leave by subway for the Museum of the American Indian. Lunch at
the museum (said to be “the best lunch in town”). Guided tour of exhibits.
Rest of afternoon free to visit museums on the National Mall
Evening free
Thursday, June 24 – ADVOCACY ON CAPITOL HILL
9:00 AM – Leave by subway for Capitol Hill
10:00 - Visit Capitol Hill, including tour of Capitol Visitors Center and the
Capitol Rotund and visit to the chamber of the US Senate or the US House
of Representatives. Visit to the Library of Congress, if time permits.
12:30 – Lunch at a US Senate cafeteria
2:00 PM- Attend a Congressional hearing to hear testimony on legislation by special
interest representatives and/or meet with Congressional staff about visits they receive from such representatives.
.
4:00 PM - Visit the Capitol Hill office of a faith-based organization to discuss the types
of national issues being addressed and the office’s participation in networks or coalitions with other religious and secular organizations to maximize advocacy potentials.
Evening free
Friday, June 25 – FROM WASHINGTON DC TO PHILADELPHIA
AM Travel to Phila on Megabus/ Transfer to Swarthmore College. Met by Fred Armentrout
PM Orientation to Phila. Lecture by Dr Kendall Johnson of Swarthmore College
Saturday, June 26 Phila DIVERSITY STUDIES DAY
AM Walking tour of the Old City. Visit sites related to the Underground Railroad and the abolition of slavery in the US Civil War. Focus on the legacy of the Quakers in Phila.
PM African American Museum in Phila. Also visit to Italian quarter in south Phila.
Evening free
Sunday, June 27 Phila CRADLE OF LIBERTY
AM Independence Visitors Center and museum. Films: “Independence” and “Choosing Sides.” Visit Quaker meeting.
PM Walking tour of Independence Mall. Liberty Bell. View “Tyrants and Treason” performance.
Evening free
Monday, June 28 Phila
AM Seminar with Dr Kendall Johnson to review Saturday and Sunday activities
Visit to Senator Arlan Spectre’s office. “All politics are local.”
Meet with NGO advocating for immigrants and immigration law reform
Noon Lunch in Chinatown
PM Ben Franklin’s legacy. Visit to Free Library and the Library Company
Review of Philadelphia segment
Evening free
Tuesday, June 29 Phila to NYC/ hosted by Adelphi University
AM Phila to NYC by Megabus
PM Transfer to Adelphi University campus in Garden City, NY
Orientation to NYC program. Welcome dinner at Adelphi
Wednesday, June 30 NYC
AM Lecture and discussion with Adelphi professor on NGOs and international relations
Visit to UN Plaza (tour if renovation allows)
PM Visit to Institute of International Education at UN Plaza for briefing about graduate study in the USA
Visit to an NGO active in the UN and/or visit observation deck of Empire State Building
Thursday, July 1 NYC
AM Meet with CARE International
PM Visit to Amnesty International
Visit to the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island
Friday, July 2 NYC
AM Meet with American NGO Coalition for the International Criminal Court at UNA-USA
PM Meet with Hague Appeal for International peace
Circle Line around Manhattan Island
Saturday, July 3 NYC
AM Presentation by Adelphi professor on role of NGOs in international relations
PM Discussion about NYC visits led by Dr Katie Laatikainen
Evening farewell dinner at Adelphi U
Sunday July 4 (Independence Day) NYC
Free day for shopping and sightseeing and fireworks in evening
Mon July 5
From NYC/ JFK airport to HK and to Macau.
Tuesday July 6
Arrive in HK and then Macau
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