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New: Election Experts 2008

Cyclone-ravaged Myanmar refusing foreign aid, earthquake stricken China welcoming it
May 14, 2008

A cyclone in Myanmar and a massive earthquake in China have killed tens of thousands and left millions homeless, hungry and stranded. Massive international efforts to send food, medicine and aid workers are quickly finding their way to the nations, but, while China is accepting the help with open arms, the ruling military authorities in Myanmar are refusing almost all outside assistance. A University of Minnesota foreign policy and aid expert who can discuss the two different situations is:

J. Brian Atwood, dean of the Humphrey Institute of Public Affairs Atwood has extensive experience in the fields of foreign policy and aid and can explain why humanitarian efforts to Myanmar are facing such stiff roadblocks compared to China’s. He can also give first-hand insight into the logistical and diplomatic process of coordinating aid work. Before serving as dean, Atwood served for six years as Administrator of the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) during the administration of President Bill Clinton. He has led presidential delegations to Haiti, El Salvador and East Africa and was a special presidential envoy to Eastern Zaire during the exodus of refugees caused by the Rwandan genocide. He was the first American official to meet with Israeli prime minister Yitzhak Rabin, foreign minister Peres and chairman of the Palestinian Authority, Yasir Arafat, after Arafat’s return to Gaza and the West Bank in 1994.

During the Kosovo Crisis he was President Clinton’s humanitarian relief coordinator.

To interview Atwood, contact Drew Swain at (612) 625-8962 or dswain@umn.edu; or Elizabeth Giorgi at (612) 624-0214 or egiorgi@umn.edu.

7.8 magnitude earthquake hits China
May 12, 2008

With the death toll expected to reach into the thousands, China is searching for survivors after a 7.8 magnitude earthquake struck the western part of the country. A University of Minnesota earthquake expert is:

Justin Revenaugh, University of Minnesota Geology and Geophysics professor
Revenaugh can explain the cause of earthquakes and discuss the history of large earthquakes in western China and why they occur there.

To interview professor Revenaugh, contact Drew Swain at (612) 625-8962 or dswain@umn.edu; or Elizabeth Giorgi at (612) 624-0214 or egiorgi@umn.edu.

Target market: motherhood
May 8, 2008

This Mother’s Day, marketers and politicians alike might be reminded of the powerful demographic of moms. A University of Minnesota expert who can explain more is: Mary Vavrus, University of Minnesota Communication Studies professor Vavrus can discuss how mothers are viewed as a niche market and are precisely targeted by advertisers and marketers. Additionally, they often work as a swing voting bloc during political campaigns. Vavrus can also dissect how media representations of mothers and mothering has changed over time.

To interview Vavrus, contact Drew Swain at (612) 625-8962 or dswain@umn.edu; or Elizabeth Giorgi at (612) 624-0214 or egiorgi@umn.edu.