I'm Back!

I'm back from the Peace Colloquy! It was a great experience. My only disappointment was that I could not hear the Peace Award recipient. She wore a heavy veil to protect family that still lives in Darfur. She donated her $20,000 award to a foundation that helps victims and their families in Darfur. She also received an original sculpture.

Here is a link to the website that tells her story.

http://cofchrist.org/peacecolloquy/default.asp

The theme of the 2009 Peace Colloquy was Justice for Women, Dignity for All, with keynotes and workshops focusing on women’s issues as experienced all over the world. The event was held in the Community of Christ Temple, Independence, Missouri, USA.

The 2009 Community of Christ International Peace Award was presented during the Peace Colloquy to Dr. Halima Bashir, advocate for peace in Darfur.

She is a doctor in Darfur who treated both sides of the conflict. When she objected to the rape of young girls by the government's troups, she was kidnapped and for a week was gang raped herself. She escaped and got away to England where she continues to work for pressure from the US and the UN to stop the violence in Darfur.

The Community of Christ International Peace Award has been given annually (except for 1996) since 1993 and ranks high in the lists of non-governmental international and USA peace awards. It includes a $20,000 to $30,000 grant (sponsored by Bank of America) to be donated to the charitable peace, justice, or environmental organization of the recipient’s choice. Honorees also receive a sculpture created by Wyoming artist Gail Sundell. Each is made slightly different to honor the unique peacemaking contribution of the recipient.

Recipients represent diversity in terms of ethnicity, gender, and faith. The Community of Christ International Peace Award honor roll includes Jane Goodall, Dolores Huerta, James Lawson, Jean Vanier, Scott Peck and Ela Gandhi.

You'll have to copy and paste the link. I used the link tool but it did not show up when I published the post...for some reason.