Conference on world development goals: March 25
A day-long conference March 25 will be held at USC to discuss progress on the United Nations Millennium Development Goals.

The eight goals set forth concrete, quantifiable and relevant targets ranging from eradicating extreme poverty and hunger; to achieving universal primary education; combating HIV/AIDS, malaria and other preventable diseases; empowering women; ensuring environmental sustainability; and developing a global partnership for development.

The "Keeping the Promise Conference" at USC is a collaborative event bringing together Catholic Relief Services, the archdiocesan Office of Justice and Peace, OXFAM, American Friends Service Committee, Amnesty International, The ONE Campaign, Bread for the World, and Be the Cause. Keynote speaker Thomas Awiapo of Catholic Relief Services in Ghana will speak to the power of education. Once a child orphan, Awiapo currently trains community leaders in Ghana.

The conference takes place from 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. It is free and open to the public. In addition there will be a free lunch included to the first 100 people who RSVP for the conference and lunch. To RSVP, or for more information, visit http://hbamnesty.com/keepingthepromise2006/main.htm.

Survivor of genocide in Sudan to speak: March 29
Mount St. Mary's College, Los Angeles, continues its global advocacy for children in crisis with guest speaker Alephonsion Deng, a survivor of the genocide in Sudan at 7 p.m. March 29 in the José Drudis-Biada Art Gallery on the Chalon Campus, 12001 Chalon Road, in Brentwood.

Alephonsion was 7 years old when his village in Southern Sudan was attacked by government troops. To avoid capture, he ran into the night with other boys. Without food, water, shoes, or adult help, he crossed more than 1,000 miles of territory. After five years of fleeing war, starvation, and wild animals, he reached the Kakuma refugee camp in Kenya and began his education.

In 2001, the United States government welcomed Alephonsion as one of the Los Boys of Sudan. His first job was at a Ralph's grocery store. He currently attends San Diego City College and works in the Medical Records Derpartment at Kaiser Permanente Hospital. Alephonsion, his brother, Benson, and a cousin wrote their memoir, "They Poured Fire on Us from the Sky."