• Summit on diaspora meets June 18 • Journey of a Brown Girl begins June 19 • Smithsonian opens search for interns

Loida Nicolas Lewis. Photo by Carissa Villacorta

Loida Nicolas Lewis, chairperson of the U.S. Pinoys for Good Governance, invites the community to the Mini-Global Summit in New York: Diaspora to Development.

The event will be held June 18, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., at the Lovin’ Life Learning Center on 4 West 43rd Street.

Topics up for discussion include Jose Rizal as an overseas Filipino; the Overseas Voting Act: repeal the three-year promise to return to the Philippines; dual citizenship; and how to bring our U.S.-gained expertise to help the development of the Philippines.

The event is organized by the U.S. Pinoys for Good Governance, the National Federation of Filipino American Associations, and the Commission on Filipinos Overseas. To register, please email USP4GGMiniSummit@gmail.com.
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The grassroots organization Ugnayan is hosting a performance workshop called The Journey of a Brown Girl on June 19 as part of a continued campaign for youth empowerment.

The event will be held at 410 West 40th Street, between 9th & 10th avenues: 7 train to 42nd Street-Times Square; A/C/E to 42nd Street-Port Authority. Doors open at 3 p.m. Performance starts promptly at 3:30 p.m. Refreshments will be available.

The Journey of a Brown Girl is an experimental theatre piece that examines the exploration of the Pinay Body and how the Filipina’s journey starts in being aware, owning, and loving her physical being.

The dialogue began in the summer of 2010, when a collective of “Pinay womyn” from New York and New Jersey met in solidarity and sisterhood to examine the experiences, perceptions, struggles and triumphs of the Filipina body and spirit. From their exploration this piece has been developed as a means of reflection, confrontation and healing. The community is encouraged to join in the promotion of awareness about the cultural struggles of Philippine society on the mindset of young Pinays.

For more information on how to volunteer or participate, contact Chevy Evangelista, mass campaigns officer, at 347-298-7964 or ugnayan.nynj@gmail.com.
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The Smithsonian Asian Pacific American Program in Washington D.C. announces internship opportunities for Fall 2011. The deadline to apply is Thursday, June 30, 2011.

Selected interns will be provided with an office space equipped with a computer, phone, access to Smithsonian collections, libraries, and other resources, as well as advice and research guidance from the APA Program and other Smithsonian staff. Smithsonian interns have the opportunity to develop both research and professional skills and to participate in numerous intern activities and events at the Smithsonian.

Applicants will be chosen based on their scholarly qualifications, experience working with APA communities, and the quality of the research project proposed and its suitability to the APA Program’s missions and goals. Eligible applicants must be a current college student, recent college graduate (within one calendar year), and/or have been accepted to enter an advanced degree program. Most interns are at the senior or junior undergraduate level, though strongly qualified sophomores and freshmen will be considered. Graduate students are eligible to apply.

To apply, register on the Smithsonian Online Academic Appointment System through its website’s left navigation, follow the instructions there, and choose the APA Program’s internship option. Please note that accepted applicants will need to submit background check forms one month before their start date. Accepted applicants are responsible for arranging their own housing during their appointment.

Most internships at the Smithsonian are unpaid, but interns may receive academic credit through their universities. Students are encouraged to apply for independent grants or scholarships through their schools or outside sources to financially support them during their internship appointment. Funding is available on a competitive basis through the Minority Awards Program from the Smithsonian Institution’s Office of Fellowships.

Contact Krista Aniel, internship coordinator, for more information: 202-633-2691