CUER

This just in from the Political Science Department:

The Saltzman Institute of War and Peace Studies presents: “Healing the Wounds of War and Personal Trauma: Lessons from South Africa” a lecture by Father Michael Lapsley.

May 3rd, 2006, from 12:30 to 2 PM
1302, International Affairs Building

Father Michael Lapsley was born and raised in New Zealand. He went to South Africa in 1973 as a young Anglican priest determined to oppose the racism and oppression of apartheid. In 1976 at the insistence of the apartheid government he left South Africa. For many years he served as a chaplain and spiritual advisor to the anti-apartheid movement in exile. In 1990, while living in Zimbabwe, he was sent a letter bomb from South Africa. He survived an immense explosion which was intended to kill him but lost both hands and the sight of one eye.

With the fall of apartheid, Father Michael returned to South Africa and eventually became Chaplain of the Trauma Centre for Survivors of Violence and Torture in Cape Town. In 1998 he became the founding director of the Institute for Healing of Memories, an organization which conducts healing and reconciliation workshops in South Africa and other conflict ridden societies worldwide.

Nelson Mandela has said, “Michael’s life represents a compelling metaphor: …a foreigner who came to our country and was transformed… (His) life is part of the tapestry of the many long journeys and struggles of our people.”

As some of you might have noticed the demonstration today, “Stop Hurricane Columbia” seeks to defend the community by stopping displacement and keeping Harlem affordable and diverse. For more information about the campaign, please contact bfrappy24@aol.com or (212) 666-6426.

In the other news, take note of this wonderful youth media network called Youth Out Loud. See http://www.youthoutloud.net for more information.