St. Lawrence’s Contemporary Issues Forum in 2009-2010 focuses on the theme of Civil Rights and Social Justice.  Faculty, students and alumni were invited to team up for panel discussions on topics that contribute to exploration of our theme.  Open to all.

October 23, 2009, 2:45 p.m. – 4:15 p.m.

Planning for Peace and Justice
Richardson 15

Peace only lasts where justice prevails, because injustice creates the suffering and anger that can grow into violent conflict.  But how is justice built?  Some theorists, such as Gene Sharp, argue that only nonviolent action has the power to transform an unjust structure of power into a just one.  Violence, in contrast, often only serves to keep unjust and oppressive systems in place.  Another theorist, Helena Meyer-Knapp, discusses how difficult it is to end a war and restore a lasting and just peace, because of all of the harm that war causes.  Not only do the difficulties that caused the war need still to be solved, but many other additional problems need also to be solved as well in the wake of the destruction of war.  Why not bypass all of the harm that wars cause, and try to address tensions and injustice before they escalate into violence? It is possible to do so, but it requires careful planning and an understanding of the methods and dynamics of nonviolent action.  The members of this panel will discuss the basic principles of nonviolent action, and dispel some common misconceptions about nonviolence, and will share real-life examples of various ways of working for peace and justice in today’s world.

Panelists:

• Tsewang Lama ’10, Davis United World College Scholar , Asian Studies and Government major from Nepal.
• Laura Rediehs, Associate Professor of Philosophy and Coordinator of Peace Studies.
• Steven Symansky ’73, Economist with the International Monetary Fund.  He has worked on rebuilding economic institutions after wars in Kosovo, East Timor, Afghanistan, Iraq, and Liberia.
• Eric Weinhold ’80, Associate Director of Admissions and Director of International Admissions.
• David Weissbard ’62, ’65 (MDiv), is a retired Unitarian-Universalist minister and works for a local nonprofit organization.  He was active in opposition to the Vietnam War and worked for other causes concerning peace and nonviolence.

We will provide handouts giving information about what Peace Studies is, how the minor here is structured, and what activities we are planning.  If you are interested in learning even more or getting involved, there are a variety of ways, from participating in a discussion group, to offering courses cross-listed into Peace Studies, to joining the Advisory Committee.  Full details will be provided.

If you are interested but cannot make this time, please be in touch, and we can send you information and/or meet with you individually to answer any questions you may have.

We plan to meet on Fridays at noon on the following dates:  February 20, March 6, March 13, April 3, and April 17.

We will read William Ury’s The Third Side, and parts of Gene Sharp’s The Politics of Nonviolent Action.

If you are a faculty member or staff member at St. Lawrence University, and would like to participate in this reading group, please contact Laura Rediehs for more information!

Defending Human Rights and Non-Violent Activism:
Saving Lives and Promoting Peace

(The Work of Peace Brigades International with focus on Nepal)

Featuring Krystal Mason, PBI-Nepal Field Officer, and Katherine Hughes-Fraitekh, PBI-USA Executive Director
- – - – -

This FRIDAY, January 23rd @ 5:30pm in the Winston Room
- – - – - -

With this visual, interactive and engaging presentation, students and faculty will learn about…

·         The critical work of Peace Brigades International

·         Using creative Non-violence to defend human rights

·         Nepal’s human rights’ issues and organizations

·         Nepal’s transition from a monarchy to a republic

·         Field Volunteer opportunities and other ways to help!
———————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
Sponsored by ASIA (Asian Students Intercultural Association), Literacy for Nepal, Amnesty International, History Department, Philosophy Department – Peace Studies, the Chaplains Office

SPECIAL THANKS to – Tsewang Lama ‘10 for organizing this event!