Nonviolence focus of Peace and Justice Education Week
Sept. 21, 2001
KALAMAZOO -- Is there a peaceful way for America to react to the recent terrorist attacks in New York City and Washington, D.C.?
That will be one of many issues discussed during Peace and Justice Education Week at Western Michigan University Sept. 24-27. All events are free and open to the public.
Organized by WMU faculty members Dr. Ronald Kramer, professor of sociology, and Dr. Donald F. Cooney, associate professor of social work, the theme for the week is "Justice is the Way to Peace." Events will address a variety of issues, from terrorism to the human rights cost of the drug war in Columbia. A panel discussion Monday evening will focus on using peace and justice to deal with the terrorists.
Peace and Justice Education Week events
Monday, Sept. 24
An ecumenical spiritual gathering for peace and justice at noon in Room 204 of the Bernhard Center; and
A panel discussion on "Responding to the Terrorist Attacks: A Peace and Justice Approach," at 7 p.m. in Schneider Hall's Brown Auditorium, featuring Kramer, Susan L. Caufield, WMU associate professor of sociology, and the Rev. Roy Bourgeois, founder and co-director of the School of Americas Watch and leader of the movement to close that U.S. Army facility.
Tuesday, Sept. 25
A presentation on Amnesty International's work involving "Human Rights and the Drug War in Columbia" at 4 p.m. in Room 208 of the Bernhard Center; and
The Winnie Veenstra Peace Lecture featuring Bourgeois who will speak on "Crossing the Line: Moral Witness and The Struggle to Close the U.S. School of Americas," at 7:30 p.m. in Room 208 of the Bernhard Center. The presentation will be preceded by a showing of the film "School of Assassins" at 7 p.m. in the same room. Bourgeois' address is sponsored by the WMU Center for the Study of Ethics in Society.
Wednesday, Sept. 26
Cooney will address "Globalization and Its Discontents" at 7 p.m. in Room 208 of the Bernhard Center. His presentation will be followed by OxFam International's campaign kickoff for fair- trade coffee at WMU.
Thursday, Sept. 27
Kalamazoo Against Discrimination will present "Vote No on Discrimination (Proposal A this Nov. 6)" at 4 p.m. in Room 208 of the Bernhard Center; and
The Kalamazoo Living Wage Coalition and the Community Taskforce Against Poverty will discuss "Economic Justice in Kalamazoo and Beyond" at 7 p.m. in Room 208 of the Bernhard Center.
For more information on these events, contact Cooney at (616) 387-3190 or Kramer at (616) 387-5284.
Media contact: Marie Lee, 616 387-8400, marie.lee@wmich.edu