Faculty members from colleges and universities nationwide will be hosted by the University of Notre Dames Center for Social Concerns for a meeting of the North American Action Research Alliance (NAARA) on Friday and Saturday (Nov. 30 and Dec. 1).

NAARA was established in March 2006 when some 25 scholars from across the nation met at the University of Cincinnati to form a network of university and college faculty engaged inaction research,or scholarship supporting community organization and development.

Examples of such scholarship at Notre Dame include studies of predatory lending practices and of potential strategies to prevent lead poisoning of impoverished children.Those projects were administered by the Center for Social Concerns and funded by local entrepreneur and former Notre Dame faculty member Rodney F. Ganey, co-founder of Press Ganey Associates.

Developing a strong network of action researchers and engaged scholars from across North America will help us to share resources and to learn from one anothers experiences,said Mary Brydon-Miller, director of the University of Cincinnatis Action Research Center and one of the meetings organizers.We appreciate Notre Dames hospitality and look forward to having the opportunity to learn more about the many community-based research projects currently under way there.

_ Contact: Paul Horn, director of communications for Center for Social Concerns at 574-631 3209 or_ " phorn@nd.edu ":mailto:phorn@nd.edu

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The University of Notre Dames Center for Social Concerns has received an award from the United States Catholic Mission Association (USCMA).

Rev. William Lies, C.S.C, executive director of the center, and Rev. Don McNeill, C.S.C., who founded the center in 1983, received the award at a Monday (Oct. 2) evening banquet concluding the USCMAs annual conference, which was held this year at Notre Dame.

The awardhonors the centerfor 23 years of cross-cultural global mission in service to the Church and the world.

Established in 1983, the center provides Notre Dame students educational experiences in social service inspired by Gospel values and Catholic teaching.In association with academic departments throughout the University, it assists and encourages students, faculty, staff and alumni in critical reflection on social realities and the responsibilities attending them.

The USCMA is a network of Catholic organizations, religious communities and lay persons based inWashington,D.C.It unites and supports people committed to the cross-cultural global mission of Jesus Christ in service to the Church and the world.

* Contact: * _Paul Horn, director of communications for the Center for Social Concerns, at 574-631-3209 or phorn@nd.edu
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