The Susquehanna Room was the place to be last Saturday, Sept. 21, as students, faculty, community members and academics from the region came together for Elizabethtown College’s annual International Peace Symposium.
A collaborative effort on the part of President of the World Affairs Council of Harrisburg and Etown Board of Trustees member Joyce Davis and Program Manager of the Center for Global Understanding and Peacemaking (CGUP) Kay Wolf, the symposium featured panels on domestic and international peacemaking concerns, as well as a keynote lecture and book signing by Dr. Richard Hughes of Pepperdine University and Messiah College.
The event provided a unique opportunity for students to learn from and interact with a diverse collection of peacemaking academics and figures, in addition to helping them better understand and discern the importance of Etown’s Brethren heritage and peacemaking roots.
Sophomore Nick Hartz appreciated the enterprise of the speakers and the accessibility of their dialogue.
“Listening to the panel discussions, I found myself overwhelmed by the current world state of affairs but the speakers were all extremely knowledgeable…each laid out a framework of what can be done to make things better and how we can help with that,” Hartz said.
Panel guests – academics and active peacemakers alike – each brought a distinct and valuable perspective to the day’s discussions.
One guest, Hafsa Girdap of the Advocates of Silenced Turkey, was an especially noteworthy voice. Having lived in Turkey and having fled the country following the 2016 coup attempt, Girdap escaped persecution herself and therefore provided personal and meaningful insight into the human rights violations currently taking place there.
Etown faculty contributed to discussions as well. Director of CGUP and Peacemaking and professor of history Dr. David Kenley and Director of the Bowers Writers House Jesse Waters served as moderators and associate professor of economics Dr. Sanjay Paul served as a panelist.
A favorite of many was Hughes’ keynote address, titled “Myths that America Lives By: White Supremacy and the Stories That Give Us Meaning.” In a discussion of his book by the same title, Hughes unpacked those “myths” that many Americans subscribe to in considering their national and religious identities.
Hughes’ book and speech seemed particularly relevant given this summer’s events – racially-motivated shootings in El Paso, Texas and Dayton, Ohio – and the renewed focus on white supremacy and domestic terrorism.
The symposium ended with the presentation of the 2019 Peacemakers in Our Midst awards, which recognize people of the region who have contributed greatly toward efforts to promote peace.
Local groups, including Project Peace and Heeding God’s Call, were recognized, as well as individuals, like the Rev. Dr. Donna King of St. Paul A.M.E. in Bellefonte.
For students looking to further expand their knowledge on local and global peace efforts, the International Peace Symposium is just one of many events offered on campus. CGUP runs seminars, symposiums, lectures and workshops throughout the year.
Good to look out for is an event Thursday, Sept. 26 in Gibble Auditorium, a classical Indian dance performance by Sreyashi Dey.
According to Kenley, “there is always something going on,” so it’s best to stay informed! Information on upcoming events can be found on the CGUP page of the College website and calendar.
