The Carrie Chapman Catt Center for Women and Politics will be celebrating and continuing the Women’s Rights Movement with its sixth annual conference this Friday and Saturday at the Scheman Building.

This year’s conference is titled “Civic Discourse in a Global Community: Creating Cross-Cultural Connections,” and all events are free and open to the public.

The conference will focus on “how we communicate as citizens,” said Dianne Bystrom, director of the Catt Center.

“[It’s meant] to raise awareness of women’s issues,” said Cambre Pickell, senior in political science and a member of Catt Associates, a group that helped organize the conference.

Though the conference will focus on women’s issues, it is not exclusive to women, Pickell said.

“Women’s accomplishments are to be celebrated by all,” Pickell said.

Everyone, regardless of discipline, is affected by these issues, said Lynette Hornung, program assistant at the Catt Center.

The keynote speakers for the event are Ann F. Lewis, director of communications for the White House, and Robin Wright, a journalist who covers foreign affairs for The Los Angeles Times.

Lewis also is co-chairwoman of the president’s Commission on the Celebration of Women in American History.

Lewis’ speech is titled “Looking Back, Moving Forward: A Millennium Proposal” and will be held Friday at 8 p.m. in the Scheman Building.

Wright, an award-winning journalist who has reported from more than 70 countries, will be speaking about “Women of the World: Achievements and Challenges” Saturday at 2 p.m. in the Scheman Building.

Bystrom said the department has tried to create a compelling format for the conference.

“[It’s] a great opportunity for students to interact with these individuals,” she said.

Bystrom said there will be chances for participants to interact with the speakers following the lectures and during other events.

All events are scheduled to be held at the Scheman Building. Other highlights of the weekend include:

• On Friday, at 4 p.m., “Women’s Political Discourse in the United States: Past to Present,” with Kappie Spencer, Sheila McGuire Riggs and Rep. Janet Metcalf.

• On Friday, at 5 p.m., “Jumping in Feet First: Perspectives of a Newcomer to Iowa Politics,” presented by Sally Pederson, democratic candidate for lieutenant governor of Iowa.

• On Friday, at 5:30 p.m., a reception celebrating 150 years of the Women’s Rights Movement sponsored by Dwight Ink and Dona Wolf. A dinner and presentation of the Carrie Chapman Catt Prize for Research on Women and Politics also will be held.

• On Saturday, at 9:30 a.m., “Strategies for Effective Campaign Communication” by Bystrom and members of the League of Women Voters will be held.

• On Saturday, at 1:15 p.m., Almo Hawkins, republican candidate for lieutenant governor of Iowa, will make a presentation.

For more information on the Carrie Chapman Catt Center for Women and Politics conference, call the center at 294-3181.