Baylor Professor to Speak at Southwestern University Peace Conference

by Jodi Cunningham, student newswriter, (254) 710-1961

Dr. Marc Ellis, director of the Center for American and Jewish Studies and University Professor of American and Jewish Studies at Baylor University, will speak at a peace conference titled "Making Multi-faith Connections in the Practice of Peace and Non-Violence" on Oct. 11-12 at Southwestern University in Georgetown, Texas.

The conference seeks to promote conversation about diverse religious convictions and how they can lead to peace. The conference will examine "faith-inspired peace seeking" and how people with differing religious views can effectively collaborate toward peace.

The keynote speaker of the conference will be Arun Gandhi, founder of the M.K. Gandhi Institute for Nonviolence in Memphis, Tenn., and grandson of Indian peace philosopher Mahatma Gandhi. Arun Gandhi's keynote speech is titled "Lessons from Grandfather in Peace and Social Justice."

Following the keynote speech, a panel with representatives of different faiths will respond to Gandhi's speech. Ellis will take part in this panel discussion and also lead two workshop sessions that will address Judaism after the Holocaust.

"I'm excited [to speak at the conference] because Mahatma Gandhi was a person who attracted many Jewish followers," Ellis said. "As a Jew, to reflect on his work is quite an honor for me."

Ellis also noted the importance and relevance of the peace conference because of the "cycle of violence that is currently going on in our world."

For more information on the conference, contact Ellis at (254) 710-3609.