CLEVELAND: Joyce Beatty, leader of the Ohio House Democratic Caucus, will speak about Ohio politics and the upcoming elections at noon on Friday, July 28, 2006, at The City Club of Cleveland.

Beatty, who was sworn in as leader of the Ohio House Democratic Caucus in January, is believed to be the first woman ever to lead Democrats in the Ohio House of Representatives. A representative of Ohio’s District 27 since 1999, she has made health care and personal financial literacy her legislative priorities. Beatty is the sponsor of legislation that would encourage high schools to teach students about personal financial decision-making and consumer credit. She is a member of the Democratic Women's Caucus and the Ohio Legislative Black Caucus.

Beatty is a small businesswoman who owns Joyce Beatty & Associates, Inc., a strategic planning and diversity training firm, and Pieces for Wear, a clothing store in downtown Columbus. She is the founder of African-American Businesswomen CEOs (ABC), an organization that offers entrepreneurs the opportunity to network and create strategic alliances.

Beatty’s community activities include the American Heart Association, the Columbus NAACP and the Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, where she holds a lifetime membership. She is also former chairwoman of the Columbus Urban League Board of Directors.

Tickets for this City Club Friday Forum are $18 for members and $30 for non-members. Lunch is included. Reservations are required at least 24 hours in advance of the event. They can be purchased by calling The City Club at 216.621.0082 or visiting the website at www.cityclub.org.

International Tribunals: A Cure for Genocide?

Christopher Rassi at The City Club of Cleveland

Christopher M. Rassi, associate legal officer for the International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda, will speak on the topic “Preventing Genocide and Crimes against Humanity: International Courts, Reconciliation and the Role of Public Opinion” at noon on Wednesday, July 26, 2006, at The City Club of Cleveland.

Twelve years ago, some 800,000 Rwandans were killed within the space of 100 days. Most victims belonged to the minority Tutsi ethnic group, but many from the Hutu majority who were perceived to be Tutsi sympathizers also were killed. The following year, the United Nations was charged with establishing an international tribunal—International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda (ICTR)—to prosecute the alleged high-level organizers of the Rwanda genocide. The UN promised to prevent future genocides and hold those accountable for the commission of such atrocities. The goal of the Tribunal was “never again.”

The ICTR is expected to complete all trials by the end of 2008 and all appeals by the end of 2010. What is its success, and what is the future of international criminal law? Is the ICTR worth it 12 years and one billion dollars later? What are the challenges facing international tribunals as they continue to develop around the world? What role does the ICTR, and other international tribunals, play in reconciliation? Confronted by similar circumstances in Darfur and elsewhere today, are governments responding effectively?

Christopher Rassi, on leave from the Thompson Hine’s Cleveland office, works in Chambers as a legal advisor and provides specialized legal research and advice regarding public international law, international humanitarian law, international criminal law and human rights issues, court proceedings and plenary meetings of the ICTR. He also serves as associate adjunct professor and deputy director of the Cox Center War Crimes Research Office at Case Western Reserve University School of Law.

Tickets for this City Club Special Program are $15 for members and $25 for non-members. Lunch is included. Reservations are required at least 24 hours in advance of the event. They can be purchased by calling The City Club at 216.621.0082 or visiting the website at www.cityclub.org.