BEGIN:VCALENDAR
VERSION:2.0
PRODID:-//The Harkin Institute - ECPv6.17.0//NONSGML v1.0//EN
CALSCALE:GREGORIAN
METHOD:PUBLISH
X-WR-CALNAME:The Harkin Institute
X-ORIGINAL-URL:https://harkininstitute.drake.edu
X-WR-CALDESC:Events for The Harkin Institute
REFRESH-INTERVAL;VALUE=DURATION:PT1H
X-Robots-Tag:noindex
X-PUBLISHED-TTL:PT1H
BEGIN:VTIMEZONE
TZID:America/Chicago
BEGIN:DAYLIGHT
TZOFFSETFROM:-0600
TZOFFSETTO:-0500
TZNAME:CDT
DTSTART:20250309T080000
END:DAYLIGHT
BEGIN:STANDARD
TZOFFSETFROM:-0500
TZOFFSETTO:-0600
TZNAME:CST
DTSTART:20251102T070000
END:STANDARD
BEGIN:DAYLIGHT
TZOFFSETFROM:-0600
TZOFFSETTO:-0500
TZNAME:CDT
DTSTART:20260308T080000
END:DAYLIGHT
BEGIN:STANDARD
TZOFFSETFROM:-0500
TZOFFSETTO:-0600
TZNAME:CST
DTSTART:20261101T070000
END:STANDARD
BEGIN:DAYLIGHT
TZOFFSETFROM:-0600
TZOFFSETTO:-0500
TZNAME:CDT
DTSTART:20270314T080000
END:DAYLIGHT
BEGIN:STANDARD
TZOFFSETFROM:-0500
TZOFFSETTO:-0600
TZNAME:CST
DTSTART:20271107T070000
END:STANDARD
END:VTIMEZONE
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20260311T080000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20260311T170000
DTSTAMP:20260310T161456Z
CREATED:20260114T194052Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260310T161456Z
UID:13046-1773216000-1773248400@harkininstitute.drake.edu
SUMMARY:2026 Harkin on Wellness Symposium: The Treatment and Prevention of Cancer
DESCRIPTION:Overview\nPlease join the Harkin Institute for Public Policy and Citizen Engagement for an important event highlighting the challenges we’re facing and the progress being made across the nation in the fight against cancer\, with a specific focus on environmental health and lifestyle medicine. The 2026 Harkin on Wellness Symposium will take place on March 11\, 2026\, focusing on the Treatment and Prevention of Cancer. \nThis year’s theme was chosen to explore the comprehensive landscape of cancer care today—from the environmental determinants that impact our health to the lifestyle and clinical interventions saving lives. Clean water and a healthy environment are fundamental to public health\, yet the emerging link between environmental pollutants and cancer remains a critical challenge for our communities. The 2026 symposium will feature two distinguished keynote speakers: \n\nDr. Ricardo Salvador\, co-founder and board member of the HEAL (Health\, Environment\, Agriculture\, Labor) Food Alliance\nDr. Jesse Bell\, University of Nebraska Medical Center expert on nitrate pollution in drinking water.\n\nIn addition to our keynotes\, the event will feature two panel discussions: \n\nWhere We’re At: The Battle Against Cancer in 2026: A comprehensive look at the current state of treatment and prevention.\nReporting on the Drinking Water and Cancer Crises in Iowa: A deep dive into the local environmental challenges and the role of journalism in public health.\n\nThis year’s event will also recognize the recipients of the Harkin on Wellness Award\, honoring those who have made significant contributions to the prevention and treatment of cancer. \nAttend In-Person or Online\nThis is a hybrid event. Attendees have the choice to attend in person at Drake University in Des Moines\, Iowa\, or virtually. Register here. \n\nIn-Person: The event will take place at Parents Hall in the Olmsted Center at Drake. Lunch will be provided.\nOnline: Attendees will watch a live stream of all general session content and will have the opportunity to participate in real-time Q&A.\nCost: There is no cost to attend in person or online\, but a donation is encouraged and greatly appreciated to help continue this important work.\n\n  \nAgenda for the 2026 Harkin on Wellness Symposium\n\n\n\nTime\nSession\nSpeakers\n\n\n9:00 a.m.\nWelcome Remarks\n\n\nAdam Shriver\, Director of Wellness and Nutrition Policy\, The Harkin Institute\n\n\n\n\n9:10 a.m.\nMorning Keynote\n\n\nIntroduction by U.S. Senator Tom Harkin (retired)\nDr. Ricardo Salvador\, co-founder and board member of the HEAL (Health\, Environment\, Agriculture\, Labor) Food Alliance\n\n\n\n\n10:00 a.m.\nBreak\n\n\n\n10:10 a.m.\nPanel 1: Where We’re At: The Battle Against Cancer in 2026\n\n\nModerated by Drake University Provost Dr. Sue Mattison\nDr. Richard Deming\, Medical Director of MercyOne Richard Deming Cancer Center and Oncologist\nJoe Garcia\, Aflac Regional Vice President for the Northwest Region\nDr. Greg Kennedy\, UnityPoint Health Chief Medical Officer – Oncology Service Line\nJean McGinnis\, Physician Assistant-Certified\, clinician and educator\n\n\n\n\n11:30 a.m.\nLunch\n\n\n\n12:20 p.m.\nAfternoon Keynote\n\n\nIntroduction by Audrey Tran Lam\, University of Northern Iowa Environmental Health Program Director\nDr. Jesse Bell\, University of Nebraska Medical Center expert on nitrate pollution in drinking water\n\n\n\n\n1:10 p.m.\nBreak\n\n\n\n1:20 p.m.\nDesignee Presentations\n\n\nJohn Stoddard Cancer Center | Meals That Matter and Meals That Matter at Home\nAbove + Beyond Cancer\nFaces of Courage Foundation\nCancer Screen Iowa\nHelen G Nassif Community Cancer Center\nIowa Cancer Consortium\nCancer and Environment Network of Southwestern Pennsylvania (CEN) – Project REACH & The Environmental Justice Summit Series\nOurWaters & OurSoils (OWOS) – Integrated Nutrient\, Organic Load\, and Environmental Exposure Reduction Program for Cancer Prevention\nPolk County Health Department – Ribbons of Hope\nBlueprint\, LLC (operating as BlueprintNav)\n\n\n\n\n2:30 p.m.\nBreak\n\n\n\n2:40 p.m.\nPanel 2: Reporting on the Drinking Water and Cancer Crises in Iowa\n\n\nModerated by Jason Clayworth\, staff writer at Axios Des Moines\nNina B. Elkadi\, Editor-at-Large for Sentient Media\nCarey Gillam\, Managing Editor of The New Lede and contributor for the Guardian\nDan Keating\, staff writer at The Washington Post\n\n\n\n\n4:00 p.m.\nAn update on the Cancer and Environmental Risk Factors Report in collaboration with the Iowa Environmental Council\n\n\nThe Iowa Environmental Council\n\n\n\n\n4:30 p.m.\nClosing Remarks\n\n\n\n\n\nAccommodations\n\nASL & Captions: American Sign Language (ASL) and live captions in English will be available for all general session content for all attendees.\nBreakout Sessions: ASL interpretation for in-person breakout sessions is available upon request.\nContact: If you have any questions regarding accommodations\, please contact us at harkininstitute@drake.edu or 515-271-3623.\n\nParking\n\nIn-person attendees will be able to park in Lot 24\, located next to the Tom and Ruth Harkin Center.\nDetailed information regarding a visitor parking pass will be emailed to all registered in-person attendees prior to the event date.
URL:https://harkininstitute.drake.edu/event/2026-harkin-on-wellness-symposium-the-treatment-and-prevention-of-cancer/
LOCATION:The Olmsted Center at Drake University\, 2875 University Avenue\, Des Moines\, IA\, 50311\, United States
CATEGORIES:Harkin On Wellness Symposium
ORGANIZER;CN="The Harkin Institute":MAILTO:harkininstitute@drake.edu
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20260312T190000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20260312T200000
DTSTAMP:20260227T221518Z
CREATED:20260227T221002Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260227T221518Z
UID:13176-1773342000-1773345600@harkininstitute.drake.edu
SUMMARY:2026 Sussman Spring Lecture: Social by Nature: Environmental Photojournalism for a More Hopeful Future
DESCRIPTION:Join us for the 2026 Sussman Lecture featuring photojournalist and educator KC McGinnis\, whose work has been published by leading national outlets and takes him across Iowa and the country to document the complex relationship between people and the environment. In his talk\, “Social by Nature: Environmental Photojournalism for a More Hopeful Future\,” McGinnis explores the stories behind his compelling images—from industrial agriculture and family farms to environmental justice movements and communities shaped by the land. \nDrawing from years of field reporting\, McGinnis examines how environmental narratives emerge through everyday lives\, cultural traditions\, and the natural places people depend on. His work offers an honest yet hopeful lens on the challenges and possibilities that define the future of our shared environment. \nThe lecture will also feature a selection of McGinnis’s photographs\, accompanied by detailed captions that illuminate the context and human stories behind the images. \nREGISTER HERE
URL:https://harkininstitute.drake.edu/event/2026-sussman-spring-lecture-social-by-nature-environmental-photojournalism-for-a-more-hopeful-future/
LOCATION:Tom and Ruth Harkin Center\, 2800 University Avenue\, Des Moines\, IA\, 50311\, United States
ORGANIZER;CN="The Harkin Institute":MAILTO:harkininstitute@drake.edu
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20260414T090000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20260414T161500
DTSTAMP:20260227T221714Z
CREATED:20260227T221714Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260227T221714Z
UID:13182-1776157200-1776183300@harkininstitute.drake.edu
SUMMARY:2026 Harkin Retirement Security Symposium
DESCRIPTION:The 2026 Harkin Retirement Security Symposium will focus on a broader financial wellness theme supported by panels along the continuum of retirement security policy issues. The speakers will discuss policies supporting retirement savings access and accumulation\, navigating Social Security and Medicare\, and the intergenerational impacts of these programs\, access to retirement planning\, retirement income decisions\, and long-term care policies and supports. The symposium is a hybrid event\, with in-person and virtual options for attendance\, and will be available for free on The Harkin Institute YouTube channel after the event. \n\n\n\nREGISTER HERE
URL:https://harkininstitute.drake.edu/event/2026-harkin-retirement-security-symposium-2/
LOCATION:The Olmsted Center at Drake University\, 2875 University Avenue\, Des Moines\, IA\, 50311\, United States
ORGANIZER;CN="The Harkin Institute":MAILTO:harkininstitute@drake.edu
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20260415T193000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20260415T203000
DTSTAMP:20260312T192705Z
CREATED:20260312T192425Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260312T192705Z
UID:13329-1776281400-1776285000@harkininstitute.drake.edu
SUMMARY:An Evening with Charlie Cook: Spring 2026
DESCRIPTION:An Evening with Charlie Cook will take place on Wednesday April 15\, 2026. The event offers an opportunity to hear insight and analysis on the state of American politics from one of the nation’s leading authorities on the U.S. political landscape. As the country moves through another pivotal election cycle\, Cook will share his perspective on the 2026 primary elections\, emerging political trends\, and the broader forces shaping the national political environment ahead of the general election.  \nCook is a political analyst for National Journal\, founder of the Cook Political Report\, co-author of recent editions of the Almanac of American Politics\, and a member of the National Advisory Council for The Harkin Institute. Known for his nonpartisan analysis and deep understanding of electoral politics\, Cook regularly provides insight on the evolving dynamics influencing campaigns\, parties\, and voters across the country. \nRegister for the free event \nAn Evening with Charlie Cook is made possible by a generous gift from friends of The Harkin Institute and Drake University who wish to remain anonymous.
URL:https://harkininstitute.drake.edu/event/an-evening-with-charlie-cook-spring-2026/
LOCATION:Sheslow Auditorium\, 2507 University Ave\, Des Moines\, 50311\, United States
CATEGORIES:An Evening with Charlie Cook
ORGANIZER;CN="The Harkin Institute":MAILTO:harkininstitute@drake.edu
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20260908T193000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20260908T203000
DTSTAMP:20260715T231050Z
CREATED:20260715T200501Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260715T231050Z
UID:13735-1788895800-1788899400@harkininstitute.drake.edu
SUMMARY:Fall 2026 Sussman Lecture: Pulitzer Prize-winning author Brian Goldstone on the new American homelessness
DESCRIPTION:Brian Goldstone\, author of the Pulitzer Prize-winning book There Is No Place for Us: Working and Homeless in America\, will deliver the fall Sussman lecture\, presented by The Harkin Institute for Public Policy & Citizen Engagement in partnership with Anawim Housing on Tuesday\, September 8\, 2026. \nGoldstone’s presentation will highlight how the working poor have been pushed out of affordable housing in Atlanta and what risks the rest of our nation’s capital cities face as well. \nREGISTER HERE \nBrian Goldstone is a journalist and author of There Is No Place for Us: Working and Homeless in America. Told through the lives of five families in Atlanta\, the book traces the rise of America’s “working homeless\,” exposing the forces—gentrification\, racialized displacement\, precarious low-wage labor—fueling a growing housing insecurity crisis. The book was a finalist for the Carnegie Medal for Excellence in Nonfiction\, was named one of the 10 Best Books of 2025 by The New York Times and The Atlantic\, and was selected as one of Barack Obama’s favorite books of the year.
URL:https://harkininstitute.drake.edu/event/fall-2026-sussman-lecture-pulitzer-prize-winning-author-brian-goldstone-on-the-new-american-homelessness/
LOCATION:Sheslow Auditorium\, 2507 University Ave\, Des Moines\, 50311\, United States
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://harkininstitute.drake.edu/wp-content/uploads/sites/103/2026/05/SussmanLectureBrianEventBrite-scaled.jpg
ORGANIZER;CN="The Harkin Institute":MAILTO:harkininstitute@drake.edu
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20260909T180000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20260909T193000
DTSTAMP:20260716T163252Z
CREATED:20260715T200124Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260716T163252Z
UID:13732-1788976800-1788982200@harkininstitute.drake.edu
SUMMARY:Bolstering the System: Strengthening Social Security for All
DESCRIPTION:Join the Harkin Institute for Public Policy & Citizen Engagement for a policy discussion on the challenges for the Social Security program and reforms to strengthen it for future generations. \nThe Social Security program is the main retirement security pillar for Americans\, paying guaranteed lifetime income protected from inflation for everyone eligible for Social Security benefits. \nFormer Commissioner of the Social Security Administration Martin O’Malley will keynote the conversation on the state of the Social Security program and how we can reform the system to best serve retirees now and in the future. \n\n\n\nREGISTER HERE\nWHAT: A roundtable policy discussion on the challenges for the Social Security Program and reforms for the future \nWHEN: Wednesday\, September 9\, 2026 from 6:00 p.m. – 7:30 p.m. CDT \nWHERE: The Tom and Ruth Harkin Center\, Drake University in Des Moines\, IA \nLIVESTREAM: The Harkin Institute YouTube channel \n\n\n\nConfirmed speakers\n\nFormer Commissioner of the Social Security Administration Martin O’Malley (keynote)\nRebecca Vallas\, Chief Executive Officer at the National Academy of Social Insurance\nMax Ritchman\, President and CEO of the National Committee to Preserve Social Security and Medicare\n\nAdditional speakers to be announced in the coming weeks. \n\n\n\n\nAccommodations\nAmerican Sign Language (ASL) and live captioning (CART) will be provided. Further accommodations can be requested on your ticket order form or by emailing harkininstitute@drake.edu \n\n\n\n\nAccessing the event\nEveryone who registers will receive additional information on how to access the event.
URL:https://harkininstitute.drake.edu/event/bolstering-the-system-strengthening-social-security-for-all-2/
LOCATION:Tom and Ruth Harkin Center\, 2800 University Avenue\, Des Moines\, IA\, 50311\, United States
CATEGORIES:Retirement Security
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://harkininstitute.drake.edu/wp-content/uploads/sites/103/2026/07/SocialSecurityRoundTableEventBrite-scaled.jpg
ORGANIZER;CN="The Harkin Institute":MAILTO:harkininstitute@drake.edu
END:VEVENT
END:VCALENDAR