Nobel laureate to give public talk
KALAMAZOO, Mich.—Nobel Peace Laureate Jody Williams will present a public talk Friday, March 18, as part of the opening activities for the 2016 Great Lakes PeaceJam Conference being held Saturday through Sunday, March 19-20, in Western Michigan University's Sangren Hall.
Williams and the International Campaign to Ban Landmines were co-recipients of the 1997 Nobel Peace Prize for their work to clear anti-personnel landmine fields and establish an international treaty to ban landmines. Her public presentation on "Creating True Human Security" is set for 7 p.m. in Schneider Hall's Brown Auditorium. It will be followed by a question-and-answer session.
About the Conference
The regional PeaceJam conference brings together hundreds of high school-age children throughout Illinois, Indiana, Michigan and Ohio for two days of youth leadership programming. The event is closed to the public but open to students ages 13 through 18 as well as their teachers and adult advisors.
During the conference, participants will interact with Williams as they take part in group activities, attend workshops that focus on current issues and engage in service projects.
The 2016 conference runs from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. March 19 and 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. March 20. The cost is $85 for those who register by Tuesday, March 1, and $100 for those who register by Saturday, March 19. To register or obtain more information, visit peacejam.org/affiliates/Great-Lakes-5.aspx.
About Jody Williams
Williams, chief strategist for the International Campaign to Ban Landmines, was a driving force in the launching of an international campaign against landmines. Largely through her efforts, the ICBL built a membership list in a little more than five years that included 1,000 organizations from 60 countries.
The work of Williams and the ICBL came to fruition in 1999 when the Ottawa Convention went into effect. Signed by 120 nations, it banned the use, production, sale and stockpiling of anti-personnel mines. In addition, it contained provisions concerning mine clearance and the obligation to provide humanitarian assistance. Williams went on to found the Nobel Women's Initiative in 2006.
About PeaceJam
The PeaceJam Foundation started in Denver and aims to create young leaders committed to positive change in themselves, their communities and the world. To accomplish that mission, it works through the inspiration of 13 living Nobel peace laureates, who pass on the spirit, skills and wisdom they embody.
Additionally, the organization has developed service-learning programs that can be used around the globe to provide the 21st-century and leadership skills youth need to create positive change in their communities.
The regional conference being held in Kalamazoo signals an increased involvement of WMU in the Great Lakes PeaceJam, says Dr. Jeffrey N. Jones, WMU associate professor of teaching, learning and educational studies.
For more information, contact Great Lakes PeaceJam at Western at wmu-peacejam@wmich.edu or (269) 387-3485.