This weekend on the Hill

Tufts is playing host to a number of conferences this weekend, ranging in focus from microfinance to energy. "Microfinance from Below: The Power of Savings and Savings Groups in Frontier Economies" Details: Speakers from many different sectors have come to the Hill for a conference on the role of savings groups in microfinance. The conference began yesterday and will continue today, with an optional third day for practitioners. For more information, see front page. When and Where: Friday, 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.; Cabot Auditorium Sponsors: The Center for Emerging Market Enterprises at the Fletcher School, the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, Oxfam America and the Feinstein International Center at the Friedman School of Nutrition Science and Policy "US-China Relations Symposium" Details: In this three-part symposium, speakers will address the future relations between the United States and China, focusing on China's current economic and environmental issues. Following opening remarks at 1:30 p.m., economic experts will spend the first part of the day discussing China's role in the global recession. In the second panel that begins at 3:30 p.m. and ends at 5:30 p.m., policy writers and researchers will switch the focus to environmental issues, including China's pressing energy concerns. Retired Navy Adm. Eric McVadon will conclude the symposium with a keynote address at 5:30 p.m., which will be followed by a question-and-answer session. When and Where: Friday, 1:30 p.m. to 7 p.m.; Cabot Intercultural Center Sponsors: The Institute for Global Leadership's Alliance Linking Leaders in Education and the Services and the International Relations program "New Strategies for the Obama Era" Details: Noam Chomsky, author and linguist, and political activist Bill Fletcher, Jr, will kick off the opening session of the "New Strategies for the Obama Era" conference today at 6 p.m. in Pearson Hall. They will be joined by several other notable speakers. The event will focus on grassroots initiatives and opportunities for the Obama administration and Congress to deal with challenges while staying centered on peace, justice and environmental sustainability. Students can register at www.afsc.org/newstrategies2009. When and Where: 5 p.m. Friday to 9 p.m. Sunday; Pearson Chemical Laboratory and Cabot Intercultural Center Sponsors: The American Friends Service Committee and Peace and Justice Studies "Global Green Infrastructure: Powering the 21st Century" Details: The fourth annual Tufts Energy Conference will tackle the challenge of creating a sustainable energy network. The conference will examine sustainable energy infrastructures in the United States and developing countries. Three panel discussions will look at new technologies, revitalizing the national infrastructure and powering the developing world. When and Where: Saturday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Sophia Gordon Multipurpose Room Sponsors: The Institute for Global Leadership's Tufts Energy Forum (TEF) and the Tufts Climate Solutions Coalition