Hosted by the Senator George J. Mitchell Center for Sustainability Solutions.

The feature keynote address will be Conserving Pools and Watersheds: Spanning and matching of scales, by Aram Calhoun, Professor of Wetland Ecology, Department of Wildlife Ecology, Fisheries & Conservation Biology, University of Maine

The Climate Table, founded by Cathy Lee, will be one of over 50 presenters who are working every day to build a new economy in rural.

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What Islam, Whose Islam?
The Struggle for Women’s Right to Equality and Justice in Muslim Context with Zainah Anwar

Register here

Ms. Anwar of Malaysia is a founding member of Sisters in Islam and is currently the Director of Musawah, the global movement for equality and justice in the Muslim family. She is at the forefront of the women's movement working towards an end of the use of Islam to justify discrimination against women. Sisters in Islam has successfully created a public voice through which women can demand equality and justice. Musawah has brought together scholars and activists from over 50 countries to produce new feminist scholarship in Islam, to train activists on women's rights in Islam, and to challenge the evasion of human rights standards. Ms. Anwar is a former member of the Human Rights Commission of Malaysia. She writes a column, "Sharing the Nation," for The Star. Her book, Islamic Revivalism in Malaysia: Dakwah Among Students, has become a standard reference in the study of Islam in Malaysia.

What is Islamic Feminism?

Islamic feminism aims for the full equality of all Muslims regardless of sex or gender in public and private life.
Islamic feminists are critical of the impact of Islamic law on women's rights and status, but deny that Islam is inherently biased towards men. They argue that Islam has historically been interpreted in patriarchal and often misogynistic ways.
Islamic feminists' work relies on two main tools: progressive interpretation of the Qu'ran and international human rights standards.

The objective of the conference is to offer women's stories as a backbone and grounding force that provides a context for the audience to integrate the resource information. A Resource Fair will follow, with exhibitors sharing information on their resources and services.

The evening Trailblazer Gala, with keynote speaker Maine Law Dean, Danielle Conway, will celebrate five women "Trailblazers" from Maine's immigrant communities. These women have been nominated by their peers as one who goes above and beyond in the way of educating, empowering and inspiring people around them.

Visit Empower the Immigrant Woman to register for the conference and gala.

This day-long event will celebrate rural Maine and explore its future.

The feature keynote address will be Building Unity to Unlock Maine's Rural Potential, by Paul Costello, Executive Director, Vermont Council on Rural Development and former President of Partners for Rural America.

There will be ten workshops covering farming, forestry, tourism, energy, education, broadband and why we need more 'people from away'.

REGISTER HERE