Northern Illinois University, located outside of Chicago,  has welcomed its second international resident scholar.  Ilpo Laitinen, Director of Administration at the city of Helsinki and Lecturer at the University of Lapland is completing research comparing the structure of learning networks in Helsinki and Chicago.  Laitinen is looking at the inclusion of community stakeholders as regions move forward in sustainable economic initiatives.  Chicago is home to some of the most well-known community organizations including those of Jane Addams, Saul Alinski and John McKnight.  President Barack Obama and Mrs. Obama served as community organizers in Chicago prior to their national service.