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Third Annual Peace and Social Justice Conference Sept. 28

PLATTSBURGH, NY __ Without social justice, there can be no peace in the world. That's the overriding message behind the third annual Peace and Social Justice Conference at the State University of New York College at Plattsburgh slated for Thursday, Sept. 28. This year's conference will focus on "Instruments of Peace."  Registration for the conference, which is free and open to the public, begins at 8:30 a.m. in the Alumni Conference Room, Angell College Center.

A better understanding of humanity in a just society is a measure towards eradicating ignorance and intolerance. Geared toward education, health and human services educators, the conference will help those who prepare pre- and in-service teaching and human service candidates as well as faculty become more knowledgeable, confident and comfortable as they develop strategies that explore and analyze controversial topics that can lead to social justice for conflict resolution.

"Differences among groups of people and individuals based on ethnicity, social-economic status, gender, exceptionality, language, religion, sexual orientation and geographic location is an overwhelming theme for novices in the field of education and human services to successfully negotiate," said Dr. Marilyn Nelson, associate professor of childhood education at SUNY Plattsburgh and the conference creator and coordinator. "We are pleased to bring to campus some of the best research and scholars in education representing their fields of endeavor -- from exceptionality to xenophobia -- as we work toward a vision for the 21st century."

The conference will feature a keynote speech via audiotape by Archbishop Desmond Tutu on race relations and world peace.

The conference will also include presentations by faculty members from SUNY Plattsburgh and SUNY Oswego as well as the Rev. Roger McGuiness.

Dr. Beverly Burnell, associate professor and chair of counselor education, and Dr. David Stone, assistant professor of counselor education, will present "A Model for Teaching Culturally Competent Professionals."

Dr. Timothy Karash, assistant professor of special education, will present "Grandparents: Peacemaker or Tragic Hero?"

Dr. Nancy Elwess, associate professor of biological science, will speak on "The Human Story Mapped by the Chromosomes," and Dr. Richard Schnell, distinguished service professor of counselor education, will present "Beyond Social Justice: Navajo Peacemaking."

Dr. Gerald Porter, associate professor of counseling at SUNY Owego, will present "Deep Diversity: Exploring and Expanding the Underlying Assumptions of Education Practice."

For more information, contact Dr. Marilyn Nelson at 518-564-5135.
     
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