Peace Makers

I've just returned from the Peace Justice Studies Association Conference in San Diego. The conference was wonderful and well attended. The women key notes speakers such as Sherri Mitchell, Almudena Berabeu and Monisha Bajaj, offered us all insights into the range of peace activism and education that is being undertaken internationally.

Four women who are participants in the Kroc Institute for Peace Studies Peace Makers program gave presentations on the work they have been doing in Uganda, India, Sri Lanka and Israel. Robi Damelin who is living and working in Israel, spoke of the work she and the Parents Circle Family Forum are doing to arrest retaliation violence between Israelis and Palestinians. She uses the arts in many instances to build friendships and partnerships between these communities. She began her talk by asking people not to fight their fight as it increases the ill feelings and violence. Very wise words indeed!

There was also a youth summit as part of the conference. Here you see them performing for the conference attendees.