Reconciliation Symposium

This column will continue through the remainder of the Year of Reconciliation, updating the Emory community on activities related to the year’s theme.

Sarah Richards works in Theory Practice Learning, Faith and the City and the Reconciliation Symposium and Workshops; Karen Poremski is coordinator of the Reconciliation Symposium and visiting assistant professor of English.

The questions raised during January’s Reconciliation Symposium continue to float across campus. While the symposium made an important step in bringing campus discussion to bear on these questions, it is important not to let its legacy live in words and ideas alone.

A series of follow-up workshops continues the open discussion and aims toward action. The goal of the committee members who created these workshops was to ensure that the symposium would have a lasting impact on Emory, reflected in its teaching, research and service.

Upcoming workshop topics include:

• On March 22, “Justice as a Starting Point for Reconciliation” will take place from 4–6:30 p.m. in the Smith/Hopkins/Thomas Complex. The workshop will be led by Andrea Carmen, executive director of the International Indian Treaty Council in Palmer, Alaska. The goal of this workshop is to foster an understanding of the indigenous worldview and its value in situations of conflict resolution. Discussion will focus specifically on the fundamental starting points for reconciliation with Native Americans.

• On March 22 and 23, 100 participants (staff, faculty and students) will expand their environmental knowledge and brainstorm plans of action for the University’s future. Consultants from Second Nature, a nonprofit group from Boston, will help deepen awareness of current issues, learn how other institutions are minimizing their impact on the environment, and develop ways in which Emory can restore environmental quality. Special registration is required for this workshop; please contact the Office of University Conferences at 404-727-0427.

• On April 3, “Supporting Scholarly Work at Emory” will take place in the Dobbs Center from 1–2:30 p.m. Prompted by requests from several faculty, the Office of Institutional Planning and Research (IPR) will present its findings from projects such as the Luce Seminar, cross-school initiatives and the publication Academic Exchange. IPR staff will also solicit suggestions for other areas of faculty scholarship that need research. Dessert and coffee will be served. No special registration is required, but please call Diana Blankinship at 404-727-0765 if you plan to attend.

• The World Issues Workshop, in which 200 Emory participants will be asked to run the world, will take place April 5 from 5:30–9:30 p.m. in Cox Hall (click here for full story). This workshop, led by facilitators from the World Game Institute, requires special registration. Please contact the Office of International Student and Scholar Programs at 404-727-3300 or send e-mail to issp@emory.edu for more information.

To register or find out more about any of these workshops, send e-mail to univconf@resfac.emory.edu or call 404-727-0427. For a complete listing of workshops, visit http://www.emory.edu/PROVOST/ReconciliationSymposium/workshops.html.