News

‘Celebrating Canadian-American Friendship’ COEUR D’ALENE March 20-26

2004-03-20 08:00:00
Coeur d’Alene Inn

Popcorn Forum to start with a bang

By JOE BUTLER
Staff writer

http://www.cdapress.com/articles/2004/02/14/news/news02.txt

2004 theme focuses on ‘Celebrating Canadian-American Friendship’

COEUR d’ALENE — Traditionally, the Popcorn Forum at North Idaho College starts out with a series of presentations about whatever that year’s topic is.

Over the course of the week, the theme is built upon and examined from different angles, ending with a speaker who brings everything together.

The formula has worked well for the last 33 years.

This year, however, the excitement will begin even sooner and include all sorts of fanfare as Coeur d’Alene welcomes its neighbor to the north.

"There will be more than 200 flags waving, national anthems and things like that at the opening ceremonies," said Tony Stewart, a political science instructor and lead organizer of the annual convocation series symposium, which runs March 20-26. "I don’t think we’ve ever opened the forum with so many visual elements before."

The 2004 theme is "Celebrating Canadian-American Friendship," and will give perspectives on the differences and similarities between Canada and the U.S.

All that week, visitors can learn everything from geography to history to Canada’s views on education, human rights, and public policies.

There will be programs especially for political leaders from both countries, along with students from both cultures. Living history presentations will also illuminate the early days of Coeur d’Alene and Cranbrook, British Columbia.

"There are some very serious issues, but overall, the tone is very light," Stewart said. "It will be a celebration with friends."

The schedule for each day varies slightly and could include a morning or evening keynote presentation, panel discussions, even musical entertainment. Three of the days will also include intramural sports with U.S. and Canadian players.

The week wraps up with the seventh annual Human Rights Banquet at the Coeur d’Alene Inn, featuring U.S. Sen. Mike Crapo, a member of the Senate Subcommittee on International Trades and Finance.

Stewart said every Canadian he contacted was excited about taking part, including the mayor and council of Cranbrook, University of Calgary student leaders, and a veteran of the Calgary Police Service.

NIC received some assistance this year from the Northern Idaho Center for Higher Education, a collaborative educational entity that includes NIC, the University of Idaho, Lewis-Clark State College and Idaho State University.

"I look at this as a festival of ideas," Stewart said. "I hope our friends go home and say Coeur d’Alene is a good place to visit."

All sessions except the banquet are free and open to the public. The banquet costs $25 per person.

Information: 769-7764

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