From Russia With Love: Combating Human Trafficking from Post- Soviet Region to Central Illinois

The World Affairs Council Central IL in partnership with NPR Illinois presents "From Russia With Love: Combating Human Trafficking from the Post- Soviet Region to Central Illinois" on Wednesday, May 23, 2018, 7:30 pm at the  Hoogland Center for the Arts, 420 S. Sixth St, Springfield IL. Our featured speaker is Dr. Laura A. Dean of Millikin University.

When folks think of this sensitive topic they don't realize it's happening in their own backyard so to speak, as It's often thought of being prevalent in really big cities. Dr. Laura A. Dean researches gender and politics issues focusing on public policy, migration, and gender-based violence in the former Soviet Union and is an Assistant Professor of Political Science at Millikin University. Her talk will focus on her current book project, which examines policy adoption and implementation in the Post-Soviet region and research based on fieldwork and interviews with policy-makers in Ukraine, Latvia, and Russia.  Dr. Dean will also discuss the work of the Central Illinois Human Trafficking Task Force combating the issue in this region

More information on Dr. Dean can be found at http://www.lauraadean.com/. For more information on this event and the World Affairs Council Central IL please see http://mywacci.org/ This program is open to the public. 

Dr. Dean is available for interviews and can be reached at ldean@millikin.edu.  (217) 425-4699.

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Overland: Romantic Adventure by Mark Stephen Levy

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After Danny Benson finishes medical school he wants nothing more than to start his residency and settle down to marry his fiancée, Heather. But on the day of his final exam, Danny receives a letter. The engagement is off. Heather's baffling explanation: she's going to London where she will travel overland on the Magic Bus to Kathmandu. His plans shattered, Danny finds himself on a journey thousands of miles from home, in search of the woman he loves. When he discovers her on a bus somewhere east of Europe the reunion is less than stellar. They spend the entire ride to Afghanistan debating whether to stay together or break up forever. Now, arriving in Kabul, exhausted from their long bus trip, fate will decide their dispute for them. The following day, December 27th, 1979, the Soviet Union invades Afghanistan. What happens next is their moment of truth as Danny and Heather collide with history.

About the Author
Mark Stephen Levy was inspired by some of his adventures while traveling throughout Europe, India, Nepal, Tibet, China, and other exotic locales. He drew upon some of those adventures to create portions of the story within OVERLAND. He is a native of Los Angeles and currently lives in Denver, Colorado with his wife and daughter.