Saturday, April 12, 2003

The Youth Forum for Global Peace:

"Creating Sustainable Peace"

Previous generations say they'll never forget the day John F. Kennedy was assassinated. The same is true for our generation regarding September 11. All of us living in California woke up to the news. In other parts of the country, people learned of the attacks while sipping their morning coffee.

Regardless of when or how we learned of the disaster, the events of September 11 demonstrated that the deep blue oceans that surround our country cannot always protect us from external violence. Even before September 11, our nation was reeling with the pain of the internal bloodshed that endangers our streets and homes. The tragic events of that day expanded our vision so that we become aware of the violence that pervades this fragile planet we call home.

Now people throughout the country are asking: How can we stop the violence? How do we bring about world peace?

For several months now, a group of student leaders has been organizing an event to address precisely these questions. This innovative event -- The Youth Forum for Global Peace -- will be held from 8am to 4pm on Saturday, April 12, 2003, at USD's Joan B. Kroc Institute for Peace & Justice.

The organizing committee for the event is a model of student cooperation. Under the skilled leadership of Juana Purchase, an international student from South Africa, the planning committee meets every Tuesday evening to plan the day's events.

Creative student leaders have designed four interactive workshops for the day oriented toward developing peacemaking skills: "Imagining Peace" (Jorge Silva-Banuelos and Ellen Costanza), "Experiences of Peace and Violence" (Karla Espinoza), "Exploring Issues of Sustainable Peace" (Louie Favela and Dr. Woods), and "Tools for Peace" (Adam Case and Heather Lima). The opening ceremony will include Interfaith perspectives and the view of an internationally recognized human rights expert.

Students for a Free Tibet have invited monks from Tibet to construct a Sand Mandala for World Peace which will be on display from April 10 to 12 in Forum E of the IPJ. Other campus organizations are responsible for publicity, budget, logistics, educational materials, and community networking.

USD students are encouraged to spread the word of this free event to friends at other schools. This is an opportunity for students from various colleges and high schools in the San Diego area, from diverse ethnic, religious, and cultural backgrounds to meet together in a community of safe inquiry and an atmosphere of open exploration to discuss issues that will affect us for generations to come.

This event is co-sponsored by the Joan B. Kroc Institute for Peace & Justice, USD Associated Students, Mortar Board, United Front, University Ministry, Filipino Ugnayan Student Organization, Students for a Free Tibet, Just Cause, and The Environmental Action Group.