The discussion will explore the economic and social climate that has kept the Occupy movement a front-page story around the world. The panelists will navigate through significant events marking the beginning and end of the Keynesian era, the rise of the neoliberal era, and the relationship between neoliberalism and the salience of Occupy.

Mike D. Haack is on the Occupy Our Homes committee at Occupy DC, which is gearing up to fight its first eviction. Professionally he is a freelance writer contracted to write the autobiography of the former executive director of Amnesty International. He holds an MA in International Affairs: Political Economy and a graduate certificate in International Economic Relations from American University. He interned at IPS in 2005.

Rooj Alwazir is Yemeni – American activist and accidental organizer with a deep commitment in social justice. She has an inordinate love for coffee, digital storytelling and social change. She is currently an active member of Occupy Our Homes at Occupy DC and Sisters to Decolonize and Liberate.

Jeremiah Lowery is a long-time Washington, DC activist, working in a number of fields from Campaign finance reform to human rights. Currently, he is a Programs Coordinator at Common Good City Farm. As a Coordinator, he works with and organizes low-income residents in the Washington, DC area to learn about urban gardening, nutrition food preparation, and food budgeting. He speaks at transitional homes, churches, women shelters, and different community events around Washington, DC. He also helps with the “Heal DC” radio show on WPFW 89.3fm, hosts food justice and environmental films at a community art space, and is helping create a food policy council in Washington, DC. He interned at IPS in 2008.

Please RSVP to adwoa@ips-dc.org.