The Goodspeed Update

For my work I am helping to develop the online education programs for a new youth leadership development initiative of People For the American Way called Young People For. We’re calling it a “Progressive Online Academy” and we are currently recruiting for the fall course. It is a 6-week course titled “Examining the Wal-Mart Economy” which explores the public discussion currently surrounding Wal-Mart, the largest company in the world by revenue.

We’ve lined up a stellar group of guest speakers to participate in the course each week. The group includes:

• Investigative reporter Liza Featherstone who published in 2004 a book titled “Selling Women Short: The Landmark Battle for Worker’s Rights at Wal-Mart “
• Terry Collingsworth, the Executive Director of the International Labor Rights Fund. Earlier this summer the International Labor Rights Fund filed a massive lawsuit against Wal-Mart on bahalf of employees on four continents, arguing the workers were denied basic rights.



• Legendary anti-sprawl activist Al Norman (right), who has helped hundreds of communities in the U.S. block unwanted Wal-Mart stores through his organization Sprawl Busters.
• Finally, we’ll also talk to Buffy Wicks, the political director of the Wake-Up Wal-Mart Campaign and Sally Smith from Wal-Mart Watch.

The course is open to students currently enrolled in 2-year and 4-year undergraduate programs, and the mandatory class conference calls will be held each week on Thursday from 4:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. EST until November 10. Feel free to contact me if you have any questions. To register, simply go to:
http://www.youngpeoplefor.org/academy