Child Labor: Protecting Children &
Educating Consumers

Stephanie Odegard

Founder, Odegard, Inc.

Monday, November 27, 2006

12:00 - 1:00 P.M.

Faegre & Benson LLP

The Century Room

2200 Wells Fargo Center ■ 90 South Seventh Street ■ Minneapolis, MN 55402

Stephanie Odegard will stress the critical importance of ongoing commitment to consumer education in the fight against child labor. Stephanie will introduce RugMark, a foundation which maintains the only recognized certification program ensuring the carpets, which bear their symbol, are totally child labor-free. RugMark funds are specifically targeted for the use of loom monitoring, carpet labeling and the reinstitution of children's education in cases in which it has been interrupted or terminated because the children are working.

Biographic Information

Stephanie Odegard, Founder of Odegard, Inc., has been involved in assisting developing countries promote and preserve their traditional artisanal crafts since she served in the Peace Corps in Fiji in 1976. After working for the United Nations and the World Bank, she founded Odegard, Inc., a revolutionary company renowned for its inspired designs, high production standards and luxurious knotted carpets. Much of her work is done by Tibetan weavers in Nepal, for whom she is a major and socially responsible employer. Now an internationally recognized leader in contemporary design, Stephanie has garnered numerous accolades and awards that acknowledge both her design talents and her commitment to social progress and philanthropic accountability. In June 2001 she was honored by the Peace Corps, which cited her as a former volunteer who promotes international economic development, exemplifies respect for cultural diversity and provides a model workplace for employees. Today, in addition to heading Odegard Inc., Stephanie is a Director of the RugMark Foundation and an active member of the board of directors of The Crafts Center in Washington, DC.

Please RSVP to Min Chong at Minnesota Advocates by noon on Tuesday, September 26
(612) 341-3302 ext. 115 or mchong@mnadvocates.org.
Lunch will be provided for those who RSVP. Application will be made for one CLE credit.

The bi-monthly Children's Human Rights Speaker Series will be held throughout 2006 and 2007.

Lectures are free and open to the public (registration required).