University and community groups will come together this weekend to discuss local and global issues in the wake of Sept. 11. While not focused exclusively on America’s response to the terrorist attacks, the conference, “Peace, Justice and Globalization: Community Responses to September 11,” will present speakers, panels, debates, music, video and theater through the lens of U.S. relations with the Middle East.
The event will start with a lecture Friday night at 7 p.m. at the McDonald Theater followed by a benefit concert. The conference will then continue with Saturday and Sunday workshops at the University.
With an aim to promote student awareness, the conference will focus on a number of issues, including racism, the conflict in the Middle East, animal rights and environmental issues.
The Friday night lecture is free, but the benefit concert will cost patrons $13 and will feature Michael Franti & Spearhead. All other events are free and open to the public.
“The conference is an opportunity for dialogue on the current state of affairs,” said Scott Miksch, a spokesman for the event. Miksch represents the Committee in Solidarity with the Central American People, one of the many groups involved in the forum.
Organizers stressed that everyone is welcome to the event.
“We’re encouraging folks with all points of view to attend this conference to engage in discussion and dialogue so we can figure out where we’ll go next, both as a community, nationally and internationally,” said David Zupan, spokesman and member of the publicity committee for the Justice Not War Coalition. He stressed the importance of exchanging dialogue as a way for people to communicate.
“Part of the realization that people have developed is that the actions — even of a small group — can have a profound effect on all of us,” he said.
Registration for the conference will be held at the University on Saturday from 8 to 9 a.m. at Grayson Hall. Events will continue throughout the weekend and will include a panel discussion on the events of Sept. 11 and a panel discussion entitled “How to Build the U.S. Peace Movement.”
One of the featured speakers is Anita Weiss. She is the only speaker who is a member of the University faculty and will be covering the conflict between India and Pakistan.
“There’s been a rise in the fighting over Kashmir,” Weiss said. She said her goal is to help students and the community develop a deeper understanding of the events taking place in Pakistan, where she has lived for years.
The primary focus of this conference is education, Zupan said.
“It’s urgent that the community come together to become better informed about the issues that affect us so deeply,” he said.