August 26, 2003 :: No. 28

Cal State Fullerton to Host Unity and Peace Conference

In commemoration of the Sept. 11 tragedies and to promote the idea of global peace and harmony, Cal State Fullerton is hosting a Conference for Unity and Peace Sept. 12-14.

“The goal is to provide a forum for many perspectives related to peace while creating an opportunity for mutual celebration and unity,” said Nicole Dean, conference coordinator and a member of the faculty in the Department of English, Comparative Literature and Linguistics.

The two-and-a-half-day conference is open to the public and will feature several keynote speakers, workshops, musical entertainment, yoga and tai chi classes, discussion groups and a dance. Conference activities will be held in the university’s newly expanded Kinesiology and Health Science Building.

Don Will, director of the peace studies program at Chapman University, will kick off the conference with an address at 3:30 p.m. Friday, Sept. 12.

Saturday’s speakers include Ilchi Lee, founder of the healing society movement and the International Graduate University for Peace in South Korea, and Rev. James Lawson, president of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference of Greater Los Angeles.

On Sunday, guest speakers Sri Chinmoy, a spiritual guide who advocates a balanced lifestyle, and Kay Lindahl, founder of the Listening Center and the Alliance for Spiritual Community, will lecture.

“Anyone looking to find hope and peace is welcome,” said Dean. “I believe if we raise awareness and put our minds to it, we can overcome obstacles and change the world.”

The conference is sponsored by the university’s Center for the Study of Religion in American Life, Department of Comparative Religion, Center for Successful Aging and Division of Kinesiology and Health Promotion.

Registration fees range from $10-$90. Deadline for registration is Sept. 4; forms are available from Nicole Dean at ndean@fullerton.edu or by calling 657-278-2667.