Memorial Student Center Grand Opening
Texas A&M University
"There will be people who are killed without warning, and people who lose everything they own and are turned adrift. There will be youths who are killed without understanding why they had to die. There will be old women who cry, 'I never did anything wrong!' as they perish. There will be children who wonder if they have any relatives left in this world, including their parents and siblings. And there will be housewives who are convinced it is normal to live with nothing but the clothes on their backs." - Josei Toda
Day 1: "Building a Culture of Peace for the Children of the World"
Wed 09.05.12
10 am‐7 pm
MSC 2406
This exhibit brings together the ideas of thousands of people and organizations dedicated to finding a path to lasting peace. We hope that you will leave with renewed confidence that a culture of peace is possible – and a necessity for life on earth. This exhibition will help to raise awareness about non-violence and promoting a culture of peace among Texas A&M students. SGI-TAMU hopes the exhibit will inspire students to engage in dialogue to make differences.
“We are not born human in any but a biological sense; it is only by immersion in the “ocean of language and dialogue” fed by the springs of cultural tradition that we can learn to know ourselves and others and thus learn the ways of being human.” - Daisaku Ikeda
"Building a Culture of Peace Dialogue"
Wed 09.05.12
6‐7PM
MSC 2406
In order to overcome the problems and conflicts humanity are facing, dialogue forms the basis for fostering and ensures harmony between people. The dialogue will demonstrate the importance to expand and deepend our mutual understanding and for bringing the world closer together. SGI-TAMU will provide a constructive environment for dialogue about peace and the role that each individual and the Aggie community can do. The event will demonstrate the importance of dialogue as a method to expand and deepen our mutual understanding and for bringing the world closer together.
Dr. Karan Watson: Provost and Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs
• An outspoken defender of diversity at Texas A&M
• Outspoken defender of the virtues of higher education when those values faced significant external challenge
• Has worked quietly and diplomatically with the various stakeholders in the University to insure that the values of quality education and scientific research would be preserved in the face of rising community skepticism about the value of what universities do
• Accomplished all of this while eschewing confrontation and using constructive dialogue to help produce consensus
about commonly shared values
Dr. Christine Stanley: Vice President and Associate Provost for Diversity
• Won numerous awards for efforts in diversity on university campuses and for faculty development
• Responsible for overseeing diversity plans at Texas A&M
• Facilitating programs that guarantee equality on campus
Dr. Timothy Phillips: University Distinguished Professor of Integrative Veterinary Biosciences
• Invented a special clay that protects its consumers against aflatoxin poisoning
• This significantly reduced world hunger by increasing the stock of food available to people in tropical climate whose grains and nuts are subject to aflatoxin contamination
Dr. Stipe Mestrovic: Professor of Sociology
• Social theorist specializing in the critical analysis of western culture
• Expert on the Balkan wars
• Expert Witness in the Abu Ghraib trials in defending low level personnel at the prison who were being scapegoated for war crimes which were part of the larger systemic strategy of the Iraq War
Dr. William Heyman: Associate Professor of Geography
• A leading advocate of the defense of biodiversity in the seas
• Set up the first ecological reserves to protect rare tropical fish in the Caribbean
Graduate Students of Dr. Joe Feagin: Professor in Sociology (who worked on a variety of racism and sexism issues and be nominated for Pulitzer Prize)
- Jennifer Mueller: 2012 Aggie Spirit Award Winner and Research Fellow of Race and Ethnic Studies Institute
- Glenn Bracey: Social, Behavioral and Economic Sciences (SBE) Diversity Director, TAMU
- Daniel Delgado: Graduate Diversity Fellowship Recipient at TAMU and Key Leader of of Men Against Rape and Sexual Assault
Everything that is needed to build a culture of peace already exists in each of our hearts.
"It is not the violece of a few that scares me, it is the silence of the many." - Martin Luther King, Jr.
The culture of peace is make up of an infinite number of interlocking pieces. Each of us has a part to plan in the pattern of peace.
We begin by believing that a Culture of Violence can change to a Culture of Peace.
"In this new century, we must start from the understanding that peace belongs not only to states or peoples, but to each and every member of those communities. Peace must be made real and tangible in the daily existence of every individual in need." - Kofi Annan
"I know not with what weapons World War III will be fought, but World War IV will be fought with sticks and stones." - Albert Einstein
"If we are to teach real peace in this world, and if we are to carry on a real war against war, we shall have to begin with the children." - Gandhi
"No one has yet realized the wealth of sympathy, the kindness and generosity hidden in the soul of a child." - Emma Goldman
Day 2: "Taiko Drums"
Th 09.06.12
12-1 pm
Rudder Fountain Plaza
Taiko drums are a form of traditional Eastern performing arts. Taiko drums have grown popular in the United States since their introduction from Japan in the late 1960s. This is the excitement message of human diversity and unity. — at Texas A&M University.