Peace Colloquy
2009 Peace Colloquy Keynote Speakers
Peace Award Keynote
 Dr. Halima Bashir, Community of Christ International Peace Award
recipient, will be honored at the opening of the colloquy, Friday, October 23 at
7:30 p.m. The award ceremony and her address, “Tears of the Desert,” will be
free to the public. The event will be webcast live at
www.CofChrist.org.
Halima will share some of her story of service and survival
during the conflict that started in 2003 in Darfur. She gave medical care to
soldiers and civilians on both sides. She treated girls who were gang-raped by
Janjaweed militia while government soldiers stood guard outside the children’s
school. Although she knew it was dangerous, Halima spoke out. In retaliation,
she was abducted and gang-raped.
Since fleeing to the United Kingdom, Halima has sought avenues
to create international awareness about Darfur’s ongoing conflict. In December
2008 she went to the White House and talked with President George W. Bush. She
also was a nominee for Beliefnet’s (www.beliefnet.com)
2008 Most Inspiring Person.
Halima told Apostle Andrew Bolton, “I’m still speaking out and
campaigning…it is the only way I can help my people in Darfur to campaign for
justice.” Halima will sign her book, also titled Tears of the Desert, after the
ceremony.
Other Keynotes
Deborah L. Hughes will speak on “The Susan B. Anthony Story—Lessons for
Today.” Deborah is executive director of the Susan B. Anthony House, where the
great reformer lived for the forty most politically active years of her life.
Anthony’s story is important historically and relevant today for women all over
the world.
Becky Savage, Rupa Kumar, and Felipa Xico will address “Justice
for Women, Dignity for All.” Becky is a member of Community of Christ’s First
Presidency. Rupa serves with CORDI (Community Organization and Resource
Development India) Trust. Felipa serves with Mujeres en Accion (Women in Action)
in Guatemala.
CORDI and Mujeres en Accion are World Accord projects. CORDI
Women’s Centre and Shelter in Chennai works to give women the skills and
confidence to create alternatives for themselves and their children. Mujeres en
Accion trains indigenous Mayan women in better marketing techniques and use of
micro credit to promote better crop storage and utilization. Your contributions
to Community of Christ Oblation and World Hunger Funds have helped support these
projects.
Check the archives at
http://www.CofChrist.org/PeaceColloquy/ to listen to these keynote
addresses.
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