A Peace Breakfast: A Multifaith Gathering, Mon, April 8th 8:30-9:45AM 3-113
Join us for breakfast and kinship as we explore Multifaith understanding and how to develop a more compassionate world.
Spring Fling at the Coalition for the Homeless, Saturday, March 30th
Our bi-annual service project at the Coalition for the Homeless brings together clubs, classes, faculty, staff and students.
Valencia Night at Guang Ming Temple, Friday, March 29th
As we continue our conversation of interfaith understanding, join us for an evening at the Guang Ming Temple. Be sure to let your students know to secure tickets online through the link provided. Seats are limited.
The Humanities Speakers Series partners with the PJI to Present: “Connect” After Connected, Tuesday, March 26th
At 7:00 PM in the Performing Arts Center, The Humanities Speaker Series will screen Tiffany Shlain's award-winning film Connected. Please join us in the Atrium of Building 3 to Connect After ‘Connected for coffee, cookies and conversation. Watch the trailer for the film by clicking this link: http://tiffanyshlain.com/watch/films/
Coalition of Immokalee Workers March for Rights, Respect and Fair Food, Sunday, March 17th in Lakeland, Florida
As we explore the question of justice and how to create a more just community, members of the PJI Possibilities Group will participate Sunday in this nonviolent action detailed below. If you would like to carpool to Lakeland on Sunday, then please contact Rachel Allen at 407-592-7379 or email Rallen39@valenciacollege.edu
Learn More About the DREAMERS, Thursday March 14th
On Thursday March 14th Lucas Da Silva will speak at Valencia College. As we explore issues of justice, including immigration issues, come and hear from a Dreamer currently enrolled at Valencia College. Contact peaceandjustice@valenciacollege.edu for times and location. Hear an interview with Lucas at this link. Lucas Da Silva is an undocumented student from Orlando, FL. He was brought to the United States at the age of 12 months from Rio de Janeiro, Brazil on a tourist visa. Lucas is enrolled at Valencia College in Orlando with a major in Political Science/Philosophy.
Conversation on Peace, January 28-31, 2013
Valencia’s Peace and Justice Initiative, in partnership with Student Development, is proud to announce a Conversation on Peace, January 28-31, 2013. The week’s events will include workshops, national and international guest speakers on multiple campuses, screenings of the film Project Happiness, in partnership with the Global Peace Film Festival, reading circles, festivities, and more.
Spring Fling at the Coalition for the Homeless (March 31, 2012, 10:00AM-12:00 PM)
Join faculty, staff and students representing clubs from multiple campuses of Valencia as we bring a morning of spring fun to children and their families.
Our main goal is the “transformation” of the participants so that they develop a sense of responsibility and caring for others, confidence in their own ability to make a difference in their communities, and an ability to work together with people from different backgrounds to their own.
The workshop will be based on Parker Palmer’s newest book titled, Healing the Heart of Democracy: The Courage to Create a Politics Worthy of the Human Spirit.
All faculty and staff are welcome to attend.
The workshop will be hosted at the Cottage at Lake Lily in Maitland. The registration fee for the two-day experience is $100.00. The workshop includes a copy of the book and lunch Friday and Saturday. SPD tuition reimbursement funds may be used for FT faculty and staff. PD credit available. Scholarships are available upon request.
Enjoy a photo gallery of the faculty/staff workshop.
February 2012
Symposium: The President's Interfaith and Community Service Campus Challenge, February 24th, 3:00-4:30 PM
Join us for an important gathering for anyone interested in Interfaith work. You are invited to a special Symposium about a White House Initiative to promote interfaith dialogue across campuses and communities throughout the United States. If you are a professor, we hope that you will encourage your students to attend.
Conversation on Compassion: Based on Karen Armstrong's Twelve Steps to a Compassionate Life
Karen Armstrong is the recipient of the TED Prize, which grants "wishes big enough to change the world." With her prize, Armstrong developed an International Charter on Compassion.
Following the launch of the Charter, she wrote Twelve Steps to a Compassionate Life, she says in order to "restore compassion to the heart of religious and moral life … At a time when religions are widely assumed to be at loggerheads."
Valencia College will have a "Conversation on Compassion," January 23-27, 2012 to explore ideas and practices in the book.
Free books and reading circles starting in early January will help to prepare the community for this week long conversation.
For the Master Schedule of events for the Conversation on Compassion click here.
Guest Author and Speaker: Agnes Fallah Kamra-Umunna, Jauary 25-27
As part of our week-long Conversation on Compassion, January 23-27, Agnes Umunna is coming to Valencia College for a three day residency to facilitate dialogue about her book, And Still Peace Did Not Come, as well as a lead a Q&A following the screening of Pray the Devil Back to Hell.
Following the second Liberian civil war, Agnes Fallah Kamara-Umunna used her radio show Straight from the Heart to expose the backstories of rebels who had perpetuated atrocities throughout a 24-year period. Those accounts provided a powerful platform to advocate for peace during a tumultuous period of reconciliation. The non-governmental, non-profit broadcasts from the capital city, Monrovia, often channeled the horrific stories of child soldiers who committed unspeakable crimes. Kamara-Umunna's radio program led to her work for Liberia's Truth and Reconciliation Commission and provided a basis for her book, And Still Peace Did Not Come: A Memoir of Reconciliation.
Film Screening: Pray the Devil Back to Hell, January 26, 6:30-9:00 PM, West Campus Special Events Center
Pray the Devil Back to Hell, featuring the Nobel Peace Prize Laureate from 2011, Ms. Leymah Roberts Gbowee, is the gripping account of a group of brave and visionary women who demanded peace for Liberia, a nation torn to shreds by a decades-old civil war. The women's historic yet unsung achievement finds voice in a narrative that intersperses contemporary interviews, archival images, and scenes of present-day Liberia together to recount the experiences and memories of the women who were instrumental in bringing lasting peace to their country. The film was recently featured on PBS as part of the Women, War and Peace series produced by Abigail Disney.
In the evening of Thursday, January 26 from 6:30-9:00 pm in the Special Events Center on the West Campus, Valencia's HEROS Club, in partnership with Global Peace Film Festival will host Ms. Umunna and a screening of Pray the Devil Back to Hell, an award winning film about Liberia that features the recent Nobel Peace Prize Laureate Leymah Gbowee. We invite you to this evening event. There will be a “Meet and Greet” with Ms. Umunna from 6:30 – 7:00 pm and she will lead the discussion following the 60 minute film. Books will be on sale at the event.
This is a unique and wonderful opportunity to gain clear insight into the recent situation in Liberia, the face of 21st Century war, the issue of child soldiers, the power of storytelling in the process of truth and reconciliation, and the power of women united for peace.
December 2011
Potlatch "Give-Away" Celebration (December 8, 2011 East Campus Mall Area, 11:00 AM - 2:00 PM)
The word Potlatch means "give-away" or "gift" and is a means of redistributing wealth and possessions. Share your unwanted books, CD's and videos with others from the Valencia communtiy in the Native American tradition of reciprocity and sharing. The tradition honors the contemporary idea of "Reduse, Reuse, Renew".
Gather with friends from all faith and spiritual traditions for a morning of fellowship, prayer and meditation. All are welcome to bring expressions of faith and unity to share with others.
Claude Anshin Thomas, author of At Hell's Gate: A Soldier's Journey from War to Peace (November 2nd and 3rd)
Claude Anshin Thomas visits Valencia College to spend time with our students who are veterans, as well as work with faculty who teach veterans. Books will be given to attendees.
Student Workshop: November 2, 4:00 - 6:00 PM, West Campus Special Events Center
Contact Nicole Valentino at 407-582-2420 for further information.
October 2011
Fall Fest at the Coalition for the Homeless ( October 29 , 2011, 9:00AM-12:00 PM)
Service Project
Faculty, staff and students representing clubs from multiple campuses bring a morning of fall fun to children and their families.
Cafe Conversation: How We Treat Each Other (October 6, East 8-101 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM)
Students, faculty, staff and administrators are invited to collaborate on the adoption of shared practices for creating a campus culture of respect and nonviolence, hosted by the Peace and Justice Initiative. Light refreshments will be served. For more information on the principals that will be reviewed, click here.
Scholar in Residence: Dr. George Lopez from Notre Dame University's Kroc Institute for International Peace Studies (October 18th - 20th)
The Patricia Havill Whalen Endowed Chair, Student Development and the Peace and Justice Initiative partner to bring Dr. George Lopez, professor at the Kroc Institute for International Peace Studies at Notre Dame University for a three day residency to Valencia College.
Lopez's work has been published in a wide range of social science journals including Human Rights Quarterly, International Studies Quarterly, Journal of International Affairs, The International Journal of Human Rights, Foreign Policy, and Ethics and International Affairs. He served as a Senior Fellow at the United States Institute of Peace and is currently consulting for the State Department in Washington, D.C. His commentaries have been published in the New York Times, the Los Angeles Times, the Chicago Tribune, the Boston Globe, and the Christian Science Monitor. A three day residency will offer Valencia faculty, staff, and students the opportunity to interact with a leading scholar in the field of human rights and peace studies. His presence will serve to advance the mission of the college’s Peace and Justice Initiative, while continuing to engage our community in a discussion on conflict resolution.
Enjoy a photo gallery of Dr. George Lopez's visit to Valencia.
Dr. George Lopez
Thursday, October 20, 2011: 1:00-2:00 PM East Campus, Building 6, Room 110
This event is sponsored by the Patricia Havill Whalen Endowed Chair, Valencia's Student Development and the college's Peace and Justice Initiative.
International Day of Peace - September 21
East Campus Festivities
To celebrate the United Nations International Day of Peace, Valencia College is teaming up with the
Orlando-based Global Peace Film Festival to present an award-winning documentary –
and host a day of peace-related activities – on Sept. 21. Read More
VALENCIA TO SHOW DOCUMENTARY IN PEACE FILM FESTIVAL
Wednesday, September 21
7:00 PM, Performing Arts Center, East Campus
Free Screening
To celebrate the United Nations International Day of Peace, Valencia College is teaming up with the
Orlando-based Global Peace Film Festival to present an award-winning documentary –
and host a day of peace-related activities – on Sept. 21 Read More
April 2011
Multifaith Prayer Breakfast ( April 14, 2011, 9:00-10:30 AM)
East Campus
Hear from our faith leaders from Christianity, Judaism, Islam and Hinduism. We'll have food (courtesy of East Campus Student Development) and an opportunity for all to contribute to the inspiring music and poetry.
Spring Fling at the Coalition for the Homeless ( April 16, 2011, 9:00AM-12:00 PM)
The Coalition for the Homeless
Join faculty, staff and students representing clubs from multiple campuses of Valencia as we bring a morning of spring fun to children and their families.
Dr. Alma AbdulHadi-Jadallah is a conflict resolution specialist, scholar and practitioner. She is founder, President and Managing Director of the award winning woman owned firm - Kommon Denominator, Inc. In that capacity, she advised, designed and delivered highly successful small and large-scale interventions on the national and international levels. She is a skilled facilitator and is a Virginia Court Certified mediator.
Dr. AbdulHadi-Jadalah has developed innovative solutions and provided services to a number of Fortune 500 companies, government and not for profit organizations. She designed and delivered highly successful small and large-scale conflict assessments, interventions, and evaluations in corporate, national, international, and communal settings. On issues pertaining to the Middle East and the Arab world in particular, she has worked on projects related to Iraq, Yemen, Lebanon, Egypt, Palestine, Israel, Jordan. She has participated in a number of national, international and global conferences on topics pertaining to conflict resolution, international women's leadership development, violence prevention, protracted conflict and third party interventions to mention a few.
Dr. AbdulHadi-Jadallah earned her Ph.D. from the Institute for Conflict Analysis and Resolution at George Mason University. Her dissertation research titled "Reflections on Practice: The Impact of 9/11 on Conflict Resolvers" focused on the impact of a critical event – 9/11 - on the practice of conflict resolvers. She teaches graduate level courses on conducting conflict assessment and intervention, cross cultural mediation, conflict resolution practice, war and violence, and protracted conflicts in lead academic institutions. A partial list includes: The Institute for Conflict Analysis and Resolution at George Mason University, Summer Peace Institute at Eastern Mennonite University, American University School of International Service / International Peace and Conflict Resolution Program, Georgetown University School of Government / M.A. Program in Conflict Resolution and the European Peace University. She is also an affiliate faculty at the Women's Center at George Mason University, and Visiting Scholar at the Center for Global Peace at American University.
Dr. AbdulHadi-Jadallah is the recipient of several business awards. She serves her community through active board participation. She is a member of the Advisory Board of the Institute for Conflict Analysis and Resolution at George Mason University, and member of Board of Directors, Institute for Victims of Trauma, McLean, Virginia, Abraham's Vision and other community based organizations. She is also a member of the Association for Conflict Resolution, Women in International Security, Virginia Mediation Network and Rotary International, and Peace and Justice Studies Association.
Culture and Conflict: Building Bridges
( March 21, 2011, 1:00PM-5:00 PM)
East 5-112
This Faculty and Staff workshop will elicit real world examples, guide discussion, and employ other interactive techniques to examine how culture matters in conflict, influences how we understand one another, and defines our roles and the important skills and attitudes necessary in the intercultural setting.
February 2011
The Science of Nonviolence: Principles and Practices
Michael Nagler
Held on Tuesday, January 25, 2011: 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM East Campus - Building 3
Michael Nagler is Professor emeritus of Classics and Comparative Literature at UC, Berkeley, where he co-founded the Peace and Conflict Studies Program in which he taught the immensely popular nonviolence course that was webcast in its entirety as well as PACS 90, "Meditation" and a sophomore seminar called "Why Are We Here? Great Writing on the Meaning of Life" for fifteen years.
Among other awards, he received the Jamnalal Bajaj International Award for "Promoting Gandhian Values Outside India" in 2007, joining other distinguished contributors to nonviolence as Archbishop Desmond Tutu and peace scholar and activist Johan Galtung in receiving this honor.
He is the author of The Search for a Nonviolent Future, which received a 2002 American Book Award and has been translated into Korean, Arabic, Italian and other languages; Our Spiritual Crisis: Recovering Human Wisdom in a Time of Violence (2005); The Upanishads (with Sri Eknath Easwaran, 1987), and other books as well as many articles on peace and spirituality.
He has spoken for campus, religious, and other groups on peace and nonviolence for many years, especially since September 11, 2001. He has consulted for the U.S. Institute of Peace and many other organizations and is the founder President of the board of the Metta Center for Nonviolence Education. Michael has worked on nonviolent intervention since the 1970's and served on the Interim Steering Committee of the Nonviolent Peaceforce.
Michael is a student of Sri Eknath Easwaran, Founder of the Blue Mountain Center of Meditation, and has lived at the Center's ashram in Marin County since 1970. He gives workshops on Easwaran's system of passage meditation around the world.
Enjoy a photo gallery of Michael Nagler's visit to Valencia.
