Nobel Peace Prize Tour
December 1997 is the 50th anniversary of the awarding of the Nobel Peace Prize to Quakers in 1947 for their consistent involvement in working for peace through the years and for the spirit in which the work was done.
This work continues today at home and overseas. Quaker Peace & Service is commemorating the anniversary with a series of public meetings in co-operation with local Friends. A pair of former Quaker workers, one of whom served in the 40s and 50s, the other a recent worker, will address each meeting.
The Nobel Peace Prize Speakers Tour continues until March 1998. For more information contact Peggy Lewis, Nobel Peace Prize Speaking Tour, Friends House, Euston Road, GB-London NW1 2BJ.
Quaker News, Oct 97, No 25
Events
European Peace Congress '98 in Osnabrück
to Focus on CO Issues
A full program of discussion fora, working groups, exhibitions, a social evening and an open-air concert is planned for the European Peace Congress '98. The Peace Congress will take place 29-31 May 1998, in Osnabrück, Germany, on the 350th anniversary of the Peace of Westphalia.
The three main focal points of the event are
-"War Refugees and Conscientious Objectors - The Situation in Eastern / South-Eastern Europe"
-"Political and Pacifist Concepts of Peace"
-"Conscientious Objection as a Human Right"
In addition to discussion regarding these themes, peace groups and initiatives from across Europe will have an opportunity to present their activities. A social evening is planned for Friday as a chance to get to know congress delegates. An open air concert on Saturday will feature prominent musicans Joan Baez, Youssoun Dur, Miriam Makeba and Mercedes Soza.
Member organisations of the Congress Foundation include the International Fellowship of Reconciliation, the German sections of both Pax Christi and the Society of Friends, War Resisters International , the Women's International League for Peace and Freedom and the European Bureau for Conscientious Objection.
Terri Miller
In October the Administrative Committee decided it would be advantageous for representatives of Church & Peace to take part in the Peace Congress and to maintain a small information stand. Persons interested in attending the Congress should contact the international office in Laufdorf as soon as possible.
Events
Summer Peacebuilding Institute
The Summer Peacebuilding Institute (SPI) is a programme of the Institute for Peacebuilding at Eastern Mennonite University (EMU) in Harrisonburg, Virginia. SPI courses are designed to provide specialised, intensive training in conflict transformation and peace-building to practitioners world-wide in an atmosphere of mutual respect and learning.
The Summer Institute offers a sequence of courses in seven-day intensive formats, which may be taken for graduate academic credit or as professional training (non-credit). The sequence includes workshops for peacebuilding practitioners at various experience and skill levels. Featured speakers, open forum evenings, interest groups and colloquia are among the other events and activities planned.
The 1997 Summer Institute attracted 163 participants from 43 countries, representing various ethnic, religious and political groups. Participants came as representatives of conflict trans-formation/peacebuilding centres; religious, ecumenical and multireligious bodies; and as private mediators/con-sultants.
In addition to several introductory and basic skills courses, topics for the 1998 Institute include
-Trauma Healing and Reconciliation;
-Identity-based Conflict: Race, Gender and Ethnicity;
-Restorative Justice;
-Religion: Source of Conflict, Resource for Peace.
Barry Hart, Ron Kraybill, John Paul Lederach, Cynthia Sampson and Howard Zehr are among the scheduled instructors.
Cost for one course (7 day intensive session) taken as professional training (non-credit) is US$ 450. Application deadline is February 1, 1998.
For more information contact:
Summer Peacebuilding Institute
Eastern Mennonite University
1200 Park Road
Harrisonburg, VA 22802-2462
Tel: +1 540 432 4490
Fax: +1 540 432 4444
E-mail: [email protected]
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