Students and several Loyola organizations on campus are promoting the message of peace though Loyola’s second annual Student Peace Conference from April 12 to April 16.
During the conference, students who submitted papers on peace for the research element of the conference will be presenting their findings.
“There’s no clear set agenda but the goal is to create awareness about issues that are going around in the world,” said Farah Benslimane, political science junior and committee member. “Not just in the Middle East but here in America, including women’s issues and the education system in New Orleans. It’s not just peace, it’s about prevention and nonviolence and the ability to create a world filled with tolerance and awareness.”
The event is over a span of three days and will include student run panels on urban studies, peace and education and politics in Iran, among others.
This year’s conference will also include a peace concert featuring several Loyola bands, a theatrical performance of the “Vagina Monologues,” a recycled origami crane making project and a walk against sexual violence.
The student peace conference coincides with Loyola’s Sexual Assault Awareness Week, which will help promote awareness of gender issues and violence against women.
“Students should come and really get involved because there will be research presentations from students, so what we’re really doing is providing a forum for them to come and have scholarly discussions peace and conflict resolutions,” said Jihan Shami, biology junior and conference chairwoman.
“Students should definitely come if not only to see what research the other students have done but to take part in the forum.”
Shami said the events will be from an interdisciplinary aspect so students and faculty from all colleges and departments will be able to express their interpretation on peace.
The event’s coordinators said they hope to deliver a conference from which students can show that they are aware of global issues and that they want to do something about what is going on in the world.
Because the peace conference is annual, anyone can submit a paper that they have already written for one of their classes or write a new paper that they want to present.
Bridget Kratz, economics sophomore and conference participant, will be presenting on South Africa and why violence was necessary in order to facilitate peace.
“By participating in forums, attending the peace concert or the walk against sexual violence, students can really get a hands on feel for activism dedicated to global peace,” Kratz said.
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