The 2009 CEES Energy Justice Conference took place at Colorado Law on October 23rd and 24th, 2009. It featured 11 sessions, more than 40 speakers, and attracted over 200 attendees. The Conference brought together leading international and U.S. decision-makers in politics, engineering, public health, law, business, economics, and innovators in the sciences to explore how best to address the issue of Energy Justice through long-term interdisciplinary action, information sharing, and deployment of appropriate sustainable energy technologies (ASETs).
This section contains information on conference speakers, down-loadable power point presentations, and video recordings of the conference proceedings.
Interactive Musical Prelude: Nii Armah Sowah
Nii Armah Sowah is a Ghanaian born arts educator. He earned his first degree in Theatre Arts with a focus on dance at the University of Ghana in 1987. After graduating from the African Center for the Training of Performing Artists in Bulawayo, Zimbabwe in 1991, he obtained a Master of Arts in Expressive Arts Therapies at Lesley University in Cambridge, MA in 1997. Over the years, Nii Armah has worn many professional hats including Actor (television, film and stage), choreographer, dancer, singer, massage Therapist and Expressive Arts Therapist. Nii Armah was the 2008 “Excellence in Teaching Award” recipient at the University of Colorado at Boulder, where he teaches courses in African Dance and Music. He has also taught at Naropa University in Boulder, CO, Metro State University in Denver, CO, Lesley College in Cambridge, MA, New England Conservatory of Music in Boston, MA, UC Irvine and the University of Ghana. He has conducted workshops for schools, communities and organizations across the U.S., Canada, Africa, Europe and the Caribbean.
Introduction of the Chancellor: Regent Joe Neguse
University of Colorado Regent Joseph Neguse is a CU alumnus and civic leader who has spent years advocating for public higher education. A Democrat, he was elected in 2008 to the CU Board of Regents to represent Colorado’s 2nd Congressional District. Neguse co-founded and directed the Fund Our Future Campaign, a grassroots effort aimed at increasing state funding for public higher education. Recognized widely for his efforts, Neguse became the first CU student to be bestowed with an “emeritus” standing by the Board of Regents. In May of 2009, Joe graduated from CU Law School. During law school, Joe served as Class President and worked as an extern in Gov. Bill Ritter’s Office of Legal Counsel. He also was a member of the CU Rothgerber Moot Court Team, and received the Austin W. Scott Jr. “Best Oralist” Award.
Welcoming Remarks: Chancellor Phil DiStefano
Dr. Philip P. DiStefano is the Chancellor at the University of Colorado at Boulder. He has served CU-Boulder since 1974. In the past 35 years, DiStefano’s career with CU has included multiple academic and administrative positions: Professor, Associate Dean, Dean and Vice Chancellor. As Chancellor, he works closely with students, faculty, staff, alumni, donors, governing officials, business and community leaders in extending CU’s legacy as a preeminent research University. DiStefano earned a B.S. from Ohio State University, and a M.A. in English Education from West Virginia University. He also holds a Doctorate in Humanities Education from Ohio State University.