International women gather at Barry University to envision peace
Jul 24, 2007
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
July 24, 2007
Contact: Julianna M. Pietak
(305) 899-4877
International women gather at Barry University to envision peace
International Women’s Peace Colloquium brought together over 170 women from various religious, ethnic and national backgrounds
Miami Shores, Fla. – For those who believe that peace begins with dialogue, there is perhaps no better example than the five women who took the stage Sunday, July 15 at the International Women’s Peace Colloquium, hosted by Barry University. The Caribbean Muslim, Christian Palestinian, Buddhist human rights activist, Israeli Orthodox Jew and Catholic Iraqi Prioress who spoke in Sunday’s panel were only part of the diversity represented at the recent event.
Over 170 women attended the colloquium, held on Barry’s main campus in Miami Shores from Friday, July 13 through Sunday, July 15. The event was co-sponsored by the Dominican Sisters of Adrian, Michigan, Barry University and the Center of Concern in Washington, DC. The women in attendance, from various religious, cultural and national backgrounds, came together for the weekend with a common goal - to envision peace in our world and commit to action on behalf of this peace.
“This significant gathering brought women leaders from around the globe to our campus – each one committed to creating peace in our world through respectful dialogue and mutual understanding,” said Barry University President Sister Linda Bevilacqua, OP, PhD. “We were honored to host this historic event. These women were a blessing to us.”
Perhaps the most significant step towards this dialogue in peace came Sunday, July 15, at the event’s panel discussion. Gwen Ifill, moderator and managing editor of “Washington Week” and senior correspondent for “The News Hour with Jim Lehrer,” both on PBS, served as moderator for the discussion. Each panelist, from the backgrounds described above, was invited to present her perspective on peace, drawing upon her life experiences. Panelists included Tayyibah Taylor, editor-in-chief of Azizah Magazine for Muslim women; Jean Zaru, an active member in Palestine’s struggle for liberation; Anchalee Kurutach, a Thai activist for immigration, refugee and domestic violence reform; Elana Rozenman, founder and director of the Israeli peace-making organization, TRUST; and Sister Marie Therese Hanna, OP, former Prioress of the Dominican Sisters of Mosul, Iraq.
Attendees also benefited from a presentation by Dr. Gertrude Mongella, president of the Pan-African Parliament, who spoke on mutual dependency in our world, and Dr. Mariama Williams, an international economics and trade consultant, who traced the multi-faceted roots of economic injustice and violence. Participants worked towards solutions by creating “action sessions,” ranging in topic from peace and environmental change, to teaching peace in higher education.
Throughout the weekend, the women also participated in several celebrations of peace, including a Seminole welcoming ceremony, African songs and dance, Christian and Orthodox Jewish prayers and a Saturday evening classical musical concert.
After three days, the women left with a sense of community and a strong commitment towards continued dialogue and action.
“Let us empower our personal and collective strengths,” said co-founder Dina Feldman, “in the hopes of creating meaningful change and bringing hope to at least one more human being.”
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International Women’s Peace Colloquium brought together over 170 women from various religious, ethnic and national backgrounds
Miami Shores, Fla. – For those who believe that peace begins with dialogue, there is perhaps no better example than the five women who took the stage Sunday, July 15 at the International Women’s Peace Colloquium, hosted by Barry University. The Caribbean Muslim, Christian Palestinian, Buddhist human rights activist, Israeli Orthodox Jew and Catholic Iraqi Prioress who spoke in Sunday’s panel were only part of the diversity represented at the recent event.
Over 170 women attended the colloquium, held on Barry’s main campus in Miami Shores from Friday, July 13 through Sunday, July 15. The event was co-sponsored by the Dominican Sisters of Adrian, Michigan, Barry University and the Center of Concern in Washington, DC. The women in attendance, from various religious, cultural and national backgrounds, came together for the weekend with a common goal - to envision peace in our world and commit to action on behalf of this peace.
“This significant gathering brought women leaders from around the globe to our campus – each one committed to creating peace in our world through respectful dialogue and mutual understanding,” said Barry University President Sister Linda Bevilacqua, OP, PhD. “We were honored to host this historic event. These women were a blessing to us.”
Perhaps the most significant step towards this dialogue in peace came Sunday, July 15, at the event’s panel discussion. Gwen Ifill, moderator and managing editor of “Washington Week” and senior correspondent for “The News Hour with Jim Lehrer,” both on PBS, served as moderator for the discussion. Each panelist, from the backgrounds described above, was invited to present her perspective on peace, drawing upon her life experiences. Panelists included Tayyibah Taylor, editor-in-chief of Azizah Magazine for Muslim women; Jean Zaru, an active member in Palestine’s struggle for liberation; Anchalee Kurutach, a Thai activist for immigration, refugee and domestic violence reform; Elana Rozenman, founder and director of the Israeli peace-making organization, TRUST; and Sister Marie Therese Hanna, OP, former Prioress of the Dominican Sisters of Mosul, Iraq.
Attendees also benefited from a presentation by Dr. Gertrude Mongella, president of the Pan-African Parliament, who spoke on mutual dependency in our world, and Dr. Mariama Williams, an international economics and trade consultant, who traced the multi-faceted roots of economic injustice and violence. Participants worked towards solutions by creating “action sessions,” ranging in topic from peace and environmental change, to teaching peace in higher education.
Throughout the weekend, the women also participated in several celebrations of peace, including a Seminole welcoming ceremony, African songs and dance, Christian and Orthodox Jewish prayers and a Saturday evening classical musical concert.
After three days, the women left with a sense of community and a strong commitment towards continued dialogue and action.
“Let us empower our personal and collective strengths,” said co-founder Dina Feldman, “in the hopes of creating meaningful change and bringing hope to at least one more human being.”
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