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Bar's
Open Justice Commission Hosts First Michigan Conference on Racial and
Ethnic Fairness in the Legal System
3/18/03 The State Bar of Michigan's Open Justice Commission will host the First Michigan Conference on Racial and Ethnic Fairness in the Courts from April 9 - 12, 2003 in downtown Detroit. The event will be held in conjunction with the 15th Annual Meeting of the National Consortium on Racial and Ethnic Fairness in the Courts. The conference, which will bring together leaders at the state and national level from courts, bar associations, academia and community organizations will be held at the Detroit Marriott Renaissance Center. The event will provide an opportunity for these leaders to discuss challenges and opportunities in the area of racial and ethnic fairness and the law and to develop effective strategies for assuring fairness within the legal and judicial system. "Now, more than ever, issues of racial and ethnic fairness are dominating the national agenda. Our courts and the legal profession are in the center of controversies, and are involved in making decisions and policies addressing under-representation, accessibility and equal application of the law," said Open Justice Commission Co-Chair Justice Marilyn Kelly of the Michigan Supreme Court. " Historically, the judges and lawyers of Michigan have stood at the forefront of initiatives designed to insure the fair and equal application of the law and access to all rights and benefits afforded by our system of justice. As officers of the courts, guardians of the law, advocates for the under-represented and teachers of fairness, it is both our privilege and our obligation to continue these efforts. This Conference will provide a place for us to renew our commitment to these principles and to actively develop strategies to address the problems that have been identified," Justice Kelly added. The conference includes a wide selection of substantive programs and cultural events as well as social networking opportunities. One of the highlights of the program will be a banquet dinner dance on Thursday, April 10th honoring Dennis Archer, President-Elect of the American Bar Association, former Mayor of Detroit and Justice of the Michigan Supreme Court, for his commitment to community service and to issues of fairness and equality in the justice system. On Friday, April 11th, Detroit Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick will be the luncheon speaker. Also that day, a reception will be held to kick-off the Michigan Civil Rights Commission's 40th Anniversary celebration. A day-long training institute entitled "Building Cultural Competency" designed to enhance participant's understanding of cross-cultural issues and the challenges of a multi-cultural society with an emphasis on professional and work environments will also be offered. Over 23 substantive programs will be offered over the 2-½ days including such topics as:
In addition to the substantive programs, the diverse ethnic communities of Michigan will be showcased as part of the Conference through a variety of multicultural presentations, including the Mosaic Youth Theatre, the "Splendors of the East" Dance Troupe and the Arab American Traditional Ensemble." To register or for more information: call Linda Perkins (lperkins@ncsc.dni.us) or Stacey Smith (ssmith@ncsc.dni.us) at the Conference Planning Office, National Center for State Courts at 800-616-6165.
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