Events - Fall 2008
UNH Manchester Event Schedule
MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 22, 1:00 - 2:00 PM
A TWO-PART LECTURE
Part I: Who Shall Assist the Poor? An Inquiry into the Role of Markets, Private Charity and Government
Preceding Dustin's talk, Dr. Birch will give an overview of a paper he wrote dealing with the problems associated with assisting the poor. The paper uses the writings of Adam Smith, The Wealth of Nations and The Theory of Moral Sentiments, to frame some of the economic, psychological and ethical issues regarding how best to assist the poor. Using Smith's own economic and ethical thought and invoking the work of modern economists (e.g., the concept of "public goods") a case is made for the government to assist the poor although the precise type of assistance and the complementary role of private charity and markets is a fertile topic for debate.
Presented by Tom Birch, Associate Professor of Economics
Part II: Children Are Poor Because the Mothers Are Poor
Drawing upon 25 years of welfare advocacy work in NH, Sara Dustin will discuss the interplay between the very low status our society assigns to welfare mothers and the increasing poverty of their children. To bring the attitudes and prejudices that underlie our current public welfare policies to light, Dustin will conduct some interactive thought experiments with the audience during her talk. For example, she will ask the audience to think about how our welfare policies would change if we came to view young women raising small children alone as performing a vital labor service that is fundamental to the functioning of our economy and society.
Presented by Sara Dustin, UNH Manchester student
WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 24, 1:00 - 2:00 PM
A Home for Everyone - NH's Plan to End Homelessness
Over the past two decades, the words homeless and homelessness have become part of the American political and social vocabulary. The good news is that, through research, technology, and broader communication, we are becoming more aware of the causes and results of homelessness, and we have come to realize that these formerly invisible people are part of the fabric of our communities. The bad news is that every year there are more and more people in our state who are chronically or temporarily homeless. Learn more about NH's 10-year plan to end homelessness.
Presented by Keith Kuenning, Executive Director of the NH Coalition to End Homelessness