Students and several Loyola organizations on campus promoted the message of peace through Loyola’s second annual Student Peace Conference April 12 to April 16.
The student organizing committee consisted of students who submitted research papers on the subject of peace and presented their findings. The students organized five student panels, a faculty panel and a peace concert.
The peace conference committee coordinated their events with the Women’s Resource Center’s Sexual Assault Awareness Week. Many of the members of the student coordinating committee took part in a walk to end sexual violence with the Crescent House.
Despite the lack of funding for publicity attendance was up this year and the panels sparked heated discussions between audience members and panelists, according to Allison Derrick, general studies freshman.
Derrick gave the closing remarks she and Christian Edlagan, political science freshman, wrote. She had been approached by Jihan Shami, biology junior and conference chairwoman, to give remarks.
“As a freshman, I was surprised to be asked to give the closing remarks. Christian and I tried to really talk about what peace meant to us personally. I ended up mentioning my cousin, who was a Marine and served two tours in Iraq, and two of my friends who just joined the army,” Derrick said.
Edlagan said he thinks the message of peace will not end here at Loyola.
“Our nation, and my home of New York City, was attacked by forces in pursuit of destruction on September 11, 2001. Today, we are still looking for resolution in the Middle East, and in related conflicts around the world. But even the events of Sept. 11 didn’t alter my inclination towards peace and a world without war. Peace isn’t a lack of war, it’s creation,” Edlagan said
Students worked with Deborah Poole, associate dean for Public Services, to promote awareness of environmental issues by encouraging the Loyola community to make origami cranes by recycling the library’s paper.
“Teaching students how to fold the cranes was an important part of the conference because I think it helped students realize that peace is not just about war and violence, but can also mean protecting the environment. There are so many ways to think about peace,” Derrick said.
Next year’s conference plans will include t-shirts for sale, food during panels and themed days. Members of the committee said they hope to have more student participation next year.
Carl Harrison can be reached at [email protected]
