Africa faces changes 20 years of work give professor insight on continent By Dane Stickney Staff writer As the United States tries to aid Africa with environ mental, economic and political problems, it continues to risk infringing on Africans’ rights, a UNL anthropology professor said Thursday. Robert Hitchcock, chairman and associate professor of anthropology at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, discussed the status of Africa on Thursday at the Lied Center for Performing Arts. Hitchcock has worked on conservation and develop ment projects in Africa for more than 20 years. He has seen firsthand the problems that are facing the continent. Hitchcock focused on the attempt to conserve African wildlife, resources and economy while respecting the human rights of its citizens. Hitchcock said Africa has often been described as a “squandered Eden” because its wealth of natural resources has gone undeveloped for years. However, in the past decade, Africa’s nations have been moving toward democratic governments, which has resulted in an improved economy and a more peaceful continent, Hitchcock said. Hitchcock also gave many examples of Nebraska’s support in the effort for a better Africa. Nebraska corn was distributed throughout Africa to help eliminate the continent’s malnutrition. Omaha’s Henry Doorly Zoo also provided help in protecting and controlling the elephant population. Despite the improvements, Africa still faces many problems. The water supply is diminishing and many towns and villages are without any clean water, Hitchcock said. Because of the attempts to work toward stronger gov ernments and steady economies, Hitchcock said, some human rights of Africans have been ignored. Mainly the poor, women and children have been neglected and deprived of equal rights, he said. ■ a I saw how closely related environmental concerns and human rights are.” Jake Messersmith sophomore advertising major Hitchcock put a particular emphasis on women’s fight for equal rights. He described how women have bonded together and gained equal opportunities in employment and social positions. Molly Ruhlman, a freshman anthropology major, said she was most concerned with Hitchcock’s insights on African women’s struggles. “I learned a lot about the gender rules in Africa,” Ruhlman said. Ruhlman said it is easy for students to forget that there are people on campus who are experts on world issues. Hitchcock said that with continuing support from the rest of the world, Africa can continue to improve the rights of its people and the overall state of its countries. Sophomore advertising major Jake Messersmith said the forum opened his eyes to an important international issue. “I saw how closely related environmental concerns and human rights are,” Messersmith said. Hitchcock is the first UNL faculty member to speak in an E.N. Thompson Forum on World Issues. He spoke in the third lecture in a series of five. The forum was created 10 years ago to provide an opportuni ty for Nebraskans to learn about global issues. Messersmith said he thought the forums were a good program to make students consider the diversity of issues in the world. “We all need to be aware of international issues.” I StarTran to give holiday tours of lights, displays Because it’s dangerous to ogle while driving, people can tour Lincoln’s holiday light spectacles next month with getting behind the wheel. The sixth annual Lincoln Holiday Light Tour will be held on the nights of Dec. 9, 11, 15, 18 and 22. Tickets go on sale from 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Nov. 16 at StarTran’s offices, 710 J St Transit Manager Larry Worth said tickets go fast and usually sell out in a day. The buses tour areas of town with concentrations of holiday light displays. Buses load at 6:30 p.m. at StarTran depots near Gold’s Galleria, 11th and N streets. Tickets are $2 per person. Twenty buses leave each night with an aver age of 30 people on each bus, Worth said. Telephone reservations will not be accepted. Photos with Santa Claus available for pets, owners Get out the dog and goldfish and tell them to say cheese. The Capitol Humane Society will hold “Pet Pictures with Santa” Sunday, Wednesday and Thursday to fill those stockings with holiday cheer. The society will have photogra phers from the Photo Factory on hand at Capital Humane Society, 2320 Park Blvd., to take pictures of man’s best friend and other pets with Santa Claus. Photos are $20 for one pet and $5 for each additional pet with proceeds benefiting the humane society. For more information or to sched ule a photo session, call the Lincoln Humane Society at (402) 477-7722. Sheldon to sell artwork created by students, faculty As a source of high-culture Hanukkah and Christmas gifts, prints of artwork created by UNL students and faculty will be on sale this week end to support the Sheldon Art Gallery and Sculpture Garden, and the Lincoln Print Group. Prints of original works can be purchased in the Sheldon’s Great Hall today and Saturday, 10:30 am. to 4:30 pm. Buffett to play Daddy Warbucks OMAHA (AP) - Searching for an actor to play billionaire philanthropist Daddy Warbucks, the Omaha Theater Company looked to hometown bil lionaire investor Warren Buffett. The chairman of Berkshire Hathaway Inc. agreed to wear a bald cap and appear for the Dec. IA musi cal production of “Annie” at the Rose Blumkin Performing Arts Center. But there’s a catch. Buffett accept ed the role on the condition that the Omaha Theater Company for Young People reaches its annual sustaining drive goal of $150,000. Donors who give $100 or more will be invited to Buffett’s performance. Roberta Wilhelm, executive direc tor of the theater company, said there’s a parallel between Daddy Warbucks and Buffett, considered America’s second wealthiest man behind Microsoft Chairman Bill Gates. “They both have philanthropic sides. Daddy Warbucks falls in love with Annie and wants to bring the orphan to his home. Buffett has done a lot for the Omaha Theater Company Child Call the Child Abuse Hotline AbllSe •'800-653-1999 in