Interested in global politics and peace initiatives?

Then you might want to check out three public events at the University of the Fraser Valley in October.

Dr. Jimmy Juma will be speaking on Social Justice in a Time of War: Engaging the Democratic Republic of Congo on Thursday, Oct 4, at 5:30 pm in room B121 on the Abbotsford campus. Admission is free and the public is welcome.

Dr. Juma is from the Democratic Republic of Congo in Central Africa, a country that has been devastated by civil war in its recent past. If all you did was watch the North American news about Juma’s home, the outlook for this country might seem bleak. But that’s not the current reality, and the message Juma stresses during his lecture is ultimately one of hope, as he highlights the resilience of people who are working toward social justice in this violent context.

Admission is free and the public is welcome.  Presented by UFV Peace and Conflict Studies.

Next up is the PoliTalk Roundtable Series, with a panel discussion of the Legacy of Koffi Annan, on Tuesday, Oct 9, at 11:30 am in Room B101 (lecture theatre) on the Abbotsford campus.

From serving as Under Secretary-General of the United Nations during the 1994 Rwanda Genocide to his elevation as the first Secretary-General of the United Nations from Sub-Saharan Africa, Kofi Annan spearheaded United Nations efforts toward the attainment of a fairer and peaceful world. His death on August 18 calls for an evaluation of his work as the world’s top diplomat, and a Nobel Peace Laureate.

Join UFV faculty members and Dr. Valerie Yankey-Wayne from the United Nations in what promises to be a stimulating and insightful interdisciplinary conversation as they review the life and legacy of Kofi Annan.

Panelists include Dr. Valerie Yankey-Wane (Consultant, United Nations & European Union), political science professor Edward Akuffo, and criminology professor emeritus Yvon Dandurand. Dr, Robin Anderson of the History department will moderate.

UFV sponsors for this event include: Political Science department, the Centre for Global Development, the College of Arts, the History department, and Research, Engagement & Graduate Studies. Admission is free and the public is welcome.

Then on Wed, October 17, the President’s Lecture Series for 2018/19 kicks off as UFV President Joanne MacLean welcomes peace activist Paul K. Chappell to the Abbotsford campus lecture theatre at 4:30 pm.

A former soldier and Iraqi war veteran who now devotes his life to waging peace, Chappell has forged his own understanding of war, peace, rage, and trauma, and has focused on creating a life of vision, purpose, and hope.

Our understanding of peace is only as good as our understanding of the human condition and trauma. Realizing that humanity is facing new challenges that require us to become as well-trained in waging peace as soldiers are in waging war, Chappell, who grew up in a violent household, created Peace Literacy to help students and adults from various backgrounds work toward their full potential and a more peaceful world.

Learn more at ufv.ca/plls.

Admission is free and the public is welcome.