Marquette Center for Peacemaking

Prints of Peace Newsletter

Simmons Funding for Peacemaking and Nonviolence in World Religions Symposium

The Edward D. Simmons Religious Commitment Fund has awarded a grant in the amount of $1,400 to the Center for Peacemaking and the Department of Theology for a symposium on October 3, 2013. The proposal is for a one-day symposium and resulting textbook regarding Peacemaking and Nonviolence in World Religions. The co-principal investigators are Patrick Kennelly and Dr. Irfan Omar.

The goal of the proposed symposium is to deepen the Marquette community's understanding of the role of each of the seven major religious traditions in exploring nonviolence, peacemaking, forgiveness, and justice. The religious traditions covered will include Christianity, Judaism, Islam, Hinduism, Buddhism, Confucianism/Daoism, and Native North American. It is our hope that this symposium and the textbook that is produced will greatly add to the interdisciplinary work that is taking place on campus and to a better understanding of how religion seeks to contribute to peace in the world.

The contributing speakers/authors come from various disciplines and are both scholars and pratitioners of their respective religious traditions. The presentations at the symposium will consist of highlights from the scholarly essays completed prior to the symposium, followed by general discussion. The symposium will be open to the public.

U.S. Department of Peacebuilding

Congresswoman Barbara Lee (California-13th District) is introducing a bill to create a Department of Peacebuilding. Tell your representative to sponsor the bill.

World Peace Index

The 2012 Global Peace Index has found that the world has become slightly more peaceful over the last year. Explore the index on the new interactive map.

Marquette Program Assists With Promoting the Peace Works Program with Chicago Students

October 1, 2012

Henry Cervantes, a program trainer with Marquette University's Center for Peacemaking, implemented the Peace Works program in Milwaukee and now Chicago. The Peace Works program aims to reduce violence by teaching young people to manage conflicts and make each one of them a peace messenger.

Peace Studies Major

The major in Peace Studies is the newest major in the Klingler College of Arts and Sciences. It responds to the growing interest and need to understand the causes of violence, theories of nonviolence, and to acquire the skills of nonviolent conflict management.

Young Afghan Peace Activists Denied U.S. Travel Visas

A U.S.-Mexico "Caravan for Peace" featuring activists from Afghanistan has been stymied at nearly every turn by U.S. officials. First, the U.S. denied a travel visa to Dr. Wee Teck Young (also known as Hakim), a highly respected public health doctor who works with refugees near the Afghanistan / Pakistan border. After an international outcry, Hakim's visa was granted. Now, two of Hakim's young colleagues, who are active with the Afghan Peace Volunteers, have had their visas denied after just a few minutes consideration.

Urge the U.S. State Department to grant U.S. travel visas to young Afghan Peace Volunteer members Ali and Abdulhai. Roots Action has a sample letter on their website, or you can write directly to KabulACS@state.gov, KabulNIV@state.gov and usvisa@state.gov.

Contact for more info: Voices for Creative Nonviolence, 773-878-3815, info@vcnv.org

Loyola Jesuit Secondary School in Malawi

Peter Henriot, S.J., is a Jesuit Priest and member of the Zambia-Malawi Province of the Society of Jesus. Father Henriot is a long-time advocate for the students in these countries. He came to Marquette in April to talk about his work, especially the new school in Malawi.

When it opens for classes in 2013, Loyola Jesuit Secondary School in Malawi will form students of conscience, competence, compassion and commitment who strive to transform and improve their community. As a co-educational school working in cooperation with the Ministry of Education, Loyola Jesuit will address many of the pressing educational and societal needs facing the young people of Malawi.