The Peace that Will Not Come:
An Invitation for Peace in an Age of Ambiguity

An International Conference of Lasallian Colleges and Universities
Bethlehem 2010

Background 

 IALU. The idea for this conference is the fruit of the 2009 International Lasallian University Leadership Program held in Rome in June 2009. Over the course of two weeks, the group—consisting of delegates from Lasallian colleges and universities from seven countries and four continents—participated in an intensive series of workshops and listened to presentations on the Lasallian tradition and mission. Important to this mission is the injunction to take significant action to achieve social justice and to instill hope in those for whom peace and justice are longing. Inspired by the content of the Lasallian leadership program, the authors of this proposal seek to demonstrate their commitment to the Lasallian ideals of enduring peace and social justice. In light of the global demand for peace and justice, we believe that indifference is not an option, and that taking a stand for peace and justice is a necessary consequence of Lasallian leadership. Of course, what peace and justice mean may vary from region to region, from context to context, and where there is conflict there is always ambiguity. Nonetheless, no progress for peace and justice will be achieved without open and informed dialogue, and it is in view of that open conversation that we draft this conference proposal.

 The specific kernel for this idea is the outcome of workshops designed to stimulate planning for intra-university and inter-university projects and partnerships informed by the shared Lasallian vision in all of our institutions. Briefly, we desire to host a meeting that will reflect the contributions of Lasallian educators on peace and justice in an age of ambiguity. We believe that the spirit of this conference will be especially enhanced by its location at the literal birthplace of Christianity, a location which is also “ground zero” for inter-religious conflict and the hope needed to overcome it. We wish to share with each other and the world the contribution and promise of the Lasallian tradition for peace and reconciliation, a tradition which we believe is at heart ethical, pluralistic, and hopeful.

Objectives 

1. To bring together Lasallian educators from all disciplines to  in an open and constructive international dialogue on the meaning,  possibility, promise, and necessity of peace.
2. To strengthen relations among IALU members
3. To bring together students from Lasallian universities for  discussion on the future of peace based on the Lasallian tradition.
4. To assess and promote collaborative activities among member  institutions.
5. To draft a declaration of global peace (to be signed by all Lasallian  university and college presidents) following the conference in  Bethlehem (“La Salle Bethlehem Peace Document 2010”).

Organization 

 The conference will be designed to provide adequate space and time for all those who want to participate. In all of this we want harmony and association to produce a high-quality outcome of this important work on peace. In practice, the conference will meet this intention through a combination of traditional and online conference formats:

• On-site conference at Bethlehem University (target date the first  week of October 2010).
• Presenters to be selected by review of abstracts by the end of  December 2009.
• On-site schedule will include video presentations from Lasallian  colleagues addressing the conference from their home institutions.

  Collaboration in drafting the peace declaration will also take place as part    of the preparation for the conference. We envision an open process by    which collaborators from around the world will be given ample     opportunity to  draft, edit, and endorse a final document.

Call for Papers (tentative)

  We invite proposals on any topic that reflects or explores the Lasallian    tradition (broadly conceived) in the pursuit of peace. The general hope of    the conference organizers is that this conference will continue to develop    international and interdisciplinary cooperation between Lasallian schools    while addressing the urgent necessity of sustained peace throughout the    world.

• Proposals may be for individual papers or panel sessions on a specific topic or theme.
• We also invite the submission of musical compositions, theatrical performances, and art exhibits that address the conference theme.

Sample Topics 

 Ethics of peace / peace and ecology / religion and the possibility of peace /  women and peace / agriculture and peace / race and peace / anthropology  and peace / dialogue across difference / conflict resolution / Lasallian  tradition on peace / theologies of religious pluralism / comparative  theology / inter-religious dialogue / architecture and peace /  philosophy/theology of place / peace advocacy in the classroom / sexuality  and peace.

Calendar (tentative)  

* A planning committee consisting of representatives from Bethlehem University and international members is essential for the success of this conference. The authors of this proposal recognize that the committee may wish to revisit any aspect of this document. Our hope is that by providing this preliminary vision statement for the Bethlehem peace conference, we will begin to persuade the Lasallian university network that such a conference is not only possible but a reality waiting to be born.

IALU/AIUL IX Encuentro 2009
The mission of IALU: Today & Tomorrow
Philadelphia, June 23 - 26

La Salle University of Philadelphia accommodated more than 50 participants of 38 lasallian universities in order to celebrate the IX Encuentro of rectors and presidents.
Brother Michael McGuinness, President of LaSalle University, welcomed to Philadelphia and to LaSalle. Brother Ronald Gallagher, President of St. Mary’s College of California and Chair of the IALU, started the Encuentro. Br. Gustavo Ramirez, former Rector of ULSA Noroeste served as a Master of Ceremonies for the continuous working day.

The Superior General, Brother Alvaro Rodriguez, gave the Keynote address Lasallian Mission to the Tertiary Level, which emphasized the importance of higher education at the Institute and in contemporary society. The R.P. Paul Locatelli, SJ, Secretary of Higher Education of the Society of Jesus, presented the paper, Organization of International Tertiary Institutions, which was very relevant to the task ahead of IALU.

There were two panels of participants reporting Cuernavaca IX Conference on Research and the Lasallian Mission, and the International Lasallian University Leadership Program in Rome. Both programs were examples of important contributions that IALU is bringing to the Lasallian Universities Community all over the world.
A day and a half was devoted to reports IALU activities of the past three years, as well as discussions of the mission, structure and future directions of AIUL. Adopted the new statutes of the organization and the election was held

The new IALU Executive Committee is:

• Brother Armin Luistro, President, De La Salle University Manila, President of the AIUL.
• Brother Carlos Gómez, President, La Salle University Bogota, Vice-President
• Regional Directors - Brother Michael McGuinness, La Salle University Philadelphia, United States / Anglophone Africa; Philippe Choquet, La Salle University Beauvais, Europe / Francophone Africa; Brother Manuel Pajarillo, De La Salle Lipa, Asia / Pacific; Br José Antonio Diez de Medina, La Salle University  Bolivia, Central and South America, Bro. Andrés Govela, Universidad La Salle Bajío, México/México.
• Member-at-large - Joan Landeros, Universidad La Salle, México

All expressed their appreciation for the great hospitality of La Salle University and astonishing organization. The IX Encuentro ended with satisfaction because the achievements and great hopes for future challenges.

“I wish to make special mention of the
outstanding achievements of
Bethlehem University ”

Pope Benedict XVI, 11 May 2009 Holy Land Visit

  Expressing Hope for the Future, Bethlehem University Seeks Assistance for New Students from Gaza

In remarks during his May 2009 visit to Bethlehem , Pope Benedict XVI continued his support for educational initiatives and expressed his solidarity with the plight of Palestinians, especially those “from war-torn Gaza .”

“My heart goes out to the pilgrims from war-torn Gaza,” His Holiness preached at a mass in Manger Square, “Please be assured of my solidarity with you in the immense work of rebuilding which now lies ahead.”

Acknowledging the valuable contributions of many institutions and groups engaged in inter-religious dialogue, Pope Benedict said, “I wish to make special mention of the outstanding achievements of Bethlehem University .”

“When I spoke with Pope Benedict during the Mass in Manger Square on Wednesday,” said Brother Peter Bray, Vice Chancellor, “I expressed the University's gratitude for his support and requested prayers for our students and benefactors.”

His Holiness went on to say, “you daily demonstrate your belief that our duty before God is expressed not only in our worship but also in our love and concern for society, for culture, for our world and for all who live in this land.”

“By your commitment to education you are expressing hope in the future,” His Holiness proclaimed at the Aida Refugee Camp in Bethlehem . “To all the young people here, I say: renew your efforts to prepare for the time when you will be responsible for the affairs of the Palestinian people in the years to come.”

“There is a particular hopefulness that the Pope's visit will provide an opportunity for the Israeli authorities to once again give permission for students from Gaza to study at Bethlehem University ,” said Brother Robert Smith, FSC, Academic Vice President of Bethlehem University .

Before the year 2000, Gaza residents were an integral part of the academic community at Bethlehem University , studying alongside their West Bank peers and colleagues. Now, there are more than 438 former students and graduates of Bethlehem University from Gaza who are involved in emergency aid work, small business development, and teaching reform, nursing education, and various United Nations offices as well as public and Christian schools – providing the critical human and spiritual services for the people of Gaza . Bethlehem University seeks assistance so that it can once again be able to educate students from Gaza so s to continue to help in the needed rebuilding process there.

“As a Vatican-sponsored Palestinian university open to students from all faith traditions, we are seeking support from any and all countries, organizations, and persons of good will to help us secure permission from the Israeli authorities for students from Gaza to study at Bethlehem University,” said Brother Jack Curran, Vice President for Development.

Father David Neuhaus, sj, of the Bethlehem University faculty noted that “the Pope comes into the heart of a troubled area to show the Church's face as a promoter of justice, of peace and most importantly, of pardon and compassion. We need this visit.”

“I pray daily for peace born of justice
to return to the Holy Land and the entire region,
bringing security and renewed hope for all.”

Pope Benedict XVI, 11 May 2009 Holy Land Visit

Bethlehem University is grateful for Pope's support and encouragement – and for the support and encouragement of the Order of the Holy Sepulchre, Churches, Parishes and people of all denominations, as well as foundations, NGOs and country-based development cooperation offices. Mindful of the students from the cities, villages, and refugee camps in and around Jerusalem , Bethlehem , Hebron , and Ramalah, and especially mindful of the students from Gaza , Bethlehem University continues with hope seeking the travel permissions from the Israeli authorities for students from Gaza to be allowed to come to Bethlehem University and to begin summer courses in June 2009.

Ref: http://www.bethlehem.edu/archives/2009/2009_027.shtml