Released March 28, 2008

National Hispanic Hall of Famer Dr. Guadalupe Quintanilla will deliver the keynote address at the 2008 Urban-Rural Interface Conference Thursday, April 24 at the Holiday Inn Downtown, Huntsville.

Quintanilla was the first United States Hispanic representative to the United Nations and was nominated for the position of U.S. assistant attorney general, a position she turned down. She will share her personal story on how to overcome adversity even when language is a barrier.

The URIC is an annual event coordinated by the Urban Affairs and New Nontraditional Programs unit of the Alabama Cooperative Extension System at Alabama A&M University. The conference is designed to educate urban and rural service providers and citizens about language and cultural barriers many immigrants face, particularly the nation’s growing Hispanic population. Invited speakers will engage the audience in various discussions about problems and potential solutions on how to develop better relations and enhance products and services to these audiences.

“Urban Affairs is doing something different this year,” says event chair, Dr. Julio Correa. “Instead of the typical panel discussion where speakers give a short presentation, followed by a question and answer period, these panels will function more like public forums. We want the audience to have time to ask our expert panelists specific concerns about serving immigrant audiences, particularly in the areas of health, education and community relations.”

Like the rest of the nation, Alabama has seen an influx of Hispanic and other immigrants that poses numerous challenges for communities and organizations. As America’s population continues to become more diverse, it is necessary for communities and organizations to develop viable relationships, products and services that will help these individuals adjust to living in a new country and to get the services they need to function in their daily lives.

The cost of the URIC is $75. Registration begins at 8 a.m. on April 24. To register, contact Susan Glover at (256) 372-4946. For general information, contact Dr. Correa at (256) 372-4173 or visit http://www.aces.edu/urban/. Contact hours and professional development units will also be available for health professionals, social workers, and family and consumer scientists.

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http://www.aces.edu/department/extcomm/npa/newsline/archives/003598.php

Contact: Donna L. Reynolds, (334) 844-5677, reynodl@aces.edu