Peace and Global Security
Saturday, March 14th
10:45am - 12:15pm
The Earth: Challenge of Contemporary Christology
The framework for the session presents the meaning of the Cosmic Christ as a wholistic experience of reality leading to peace and global security. In light of this, two practical cases will be presented: 1. The position of the Navajo tribe faced with pressure to allow uranium mining on their land in New Mexico; and 2. The tradition of the Ibaloi tribe in the northern Philippines regarding gold mining and the practice of sufficiency.
Speakers: Sister Ann Braudis, Ph.D., Maryknoll NGO representative at the United Nations. She formerly worked in the Philippines and in Bolivia. Sister Rose Marie Cecchini, Ph.D., who is working among the Navajo People of Gallup, New Mexico. She formerly worked in Japan and in the Philippines.
4:30-6:00pm
War's Silent Casualty: The Eco-footprint of War
An exploration of the environmental impact of war, including a screening of the documentary film "Scarred Lands and Wounded Lives," a conversation with the filmmakers, and a take-home study guide for use in congregations from WAND's Faith Seeking Peace curriculum.
Speakers:Alice and Lincoln Day, producers of the 2008 documentary film "Scarred Lands and Wounded Lives: The Environmental Footprint of War" and Rev. Amanda Hendler-Voss, Faith Communities Coordinator of Women's Action for New Directions
Next Steps in U.S.-Sponsored Torture
We are all pleased that the President issued an executive order halting torture. Yet there are still many tasks ahead for the religious community as we work to end U.S.-sponsored torture, including advocating for an independent nonpartisan commission to investigate our torture policies and practices since Sept. 11, 2001. We also need to codify into law the various elements of the president's executive order including ending the CIA abuse of detainees, closing U.S. secret prisons, ending rendition for torture, and providing the International Committee of the Red Cross with access to U.S.-held detainees. Now is also the time to grow the moral consensus that torture is always wrong. This workshop will provide an opportunity to explore how the religious community can implement these tasks.
Speakers:Matthew Alexander is a former U.S. military interrogator who is the author of How to Break a Terrorist: The U.S. Interrogators Who Used Brains, Not Brutality, to Take Down the Deadliest Man in Iraq. He also wrote the opinion piece "I'm Still Tortured by What I Saw in Iraq" published in the Washington Post. Scott Horton, is a New York attorney known for his work in human rights law. He is also a legal affairs and national security contributor at Harper's Magazine. He is also an adjunct professor at Columbia Law School. Dr. George Hunsinger, NRCAT founder and Professor of Theology at Princeton Theological Seminary. They will be joined by NRCAT staff: John Humphries, Matt Hawthorne and Rev. Richard Killmer.
Sunday, March 15th
2:00 - 3:30pm
Investing in True Security and Human Needs: Changing the Federal Budget
Where are our dollars going? How can we change the U.S. federal budget so the country spends more on security that does not emphasize war and invests in human needs? This session will include ways to speak to policymakers so they will listen, where the money can come from in this troubled economy, and first steps you can take to make an impact.
Speakers:Lorelei Kelly, Policy Director for National Security at the American Progressive Caucus Policy Foundation. Miriam Pemberton, Research Fellow at the Institute for Policy Studies. Marie Rietmann, Public Policy Director for Women's Action for New Directions (WAND). Moderator: Alissa Wilson, Policy Associate for the American Friends Service Committee Washington Office.
Marshall Islands: Environmental and health indicators demand justice for nuclear testing Survivors
The US tested 67 nuclear weapons from 1946 to 1958 in the Marshall Islands, including “Bravo” the largest nuclear weapon tested by the US. Financial compensation and benefit claims related to these tests are ongoing and fall short from meeting current social, environmental and health concerns that linger from the impact of the US nuclear testing program. How have circumstances changed such that additional funding and support is needed for the Marshallese people? What are the recent health and environmental trends to support this? How is climate change related? Come to this session to find out!
Speakers: Ms. Lemeyo Abon, survivor of 1954 nuclear test ‘Bravo’ on Bikini atoll in the Marshall Islands. Dr. Robert K. Musil, Ph.D., M.P.H. Scholar in Residence, American University; Chairman, 2020 Vision; author, Hope for a Heated Planet. Ms. Barbara T. Baylor, MPH, CHES, Minister for Health Care Justice, United Church of Christ, Justice and Witness Ministries. Moderator: Mr. Michael Neuroth, Policy Associate for International Issues, United Church of Christ, Justice and Witness Ministries.
3:45-5:15pm
Testing Nukes? Ratifying the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty
Speakers:David Culp, Legislative Representative, Friends Committee on National Legislation and Larry Pullen, Advocacy Director for Faithful Security.