Posted on Feb. 27: McMaster collaboration explores what war teaches

[img_inline align=”right” src=”http://padnws01.mcmaster.ca/images/Nadjaopt.jpg” caption=”Nadja”]Within the horrors of war and violence, sometimes hope, perseverance and strength are born. That's the message of a one-day event “War Taught Me”, taking place at McMaster on Monday.

The workshops, dinner, performance and reception are the collaborative effort of a 12-member committee representing eight campus organizations focused on promoting peace, raising awareness, and making a difference to the victims of war.

“Education isn't just about expanding our understanding, but about making a practical commitment to improve things,” says Elisabeth Gedge, an associate professor of philosophy and women's studies. “It's a means of advocating for communities beyond our own.”

In addition to raising awareness of the effects of war, the group hopes to raise $750 at a potluck dinner, enough to support a teacher in Afghanistan for one year.

“One huge implication of the violence in Afghanistan was that women were cut off from education and opportunity,” says Gedge. “Afghanistan's women are working to reverse this damage, and our committee wants to use this event to support their efforts as well as raising awareness of their situation.”

The day kicks off with a workshop on Monday afternoon at 3:30 p.m., co-hosted by Joanna Santa Barbara, a child psychiatrist and faculty member of the Department of Psychiatry and the Centre for Peace Studies, and Nadja Halilbegovich, (known simply as Nadja) a global activist against war, poverty and intolerance. Santa Barbara will discuss her peace work with children in war zones, most recently in Afghanistan (Read a recent Daily News article on Santa Barbara's work in Afghanistan.) Nadja, who experienced war in Bosnia as a 12-year-old girl, will share her insights on the strength of mothers and mentors in Sarajevo.

Two committee members got the idea for the event after seeing Nadja perform earlier. Since leaving Bosnia she's been sharing her story to promote peace with audiences across the United States and Canada. Her evening performance begins at 7:30 p.m., and she'll incorporate spoken word, song, and narratives.

“The message is definitely a positive one, that in the context of violence and brutality you can still find a basis for hope,” says Gedge.

This event is sponsored by Women's Studies, Centre for Student Development (MEK Leadership Program), Residence Life Diversity Committee, First Year Experience Office, Anti-Violence Network, Peace Council, Ontario Public Interest Research Group and the McMaster Students Union.

For more information and for a schedule of the day's events visit:
http://www.humanities.mcmaster.ca/news/War_Taught_Me.html