Political Violence and Pathways to Peace in Latin America Lecture Series

This series of 3 public lectures features experts on political violence and strategies for the guarantee of human rights and peacebuilding in Latin America and in the U.S.-Mexico Borderlands. The talks all give accounts of the implications of political violence, the connections between the long- term effects of war to the migrant crises of today, and ways in which local communities organize and respond to efforts for justice and peace.

The Long Journey for Truth in Guatemala

Featuring Freddy Peccerelli
Forensic Anthropologist and the Executive Director at Fundación de Antropología Forense de Guatemala

April 27 | 5 PM | Templo Mayor

Even 25 years since the signing of the Peace Accords that finalized a 36-year long internal armed conflict in Guatemala, the families of the victims continue their long journey for truth to find out what happened and recover the remains of the loved ones who were Disappeared. The Fundación de Antropología Forense de Guatemala (Forensic Anthropology Foundation of Guatemala, FAFG), applies multidisciplinary forensic sciences to search for, recover, and identify the victims and Disappeared persons with a family-centered approach.

This presentation explores the history of forensic investigations in Guatemala, focusing on how respect for families and their ceremonial and religious practices have ensured investigations meet and fulfill their needs and priorities in their search for Disappeared loved ones, using the case study of the San Juan Comalapa Memorial for Victims of Enforced Disappearance and others.

Recognizing the Racism Embedded in the International Refugee System: Experiences From Haiti, Central America, Afghanistan, and the Ukraine

Featuring Karen Musalo, Ph.D.
U.C. Hastings College of the Law

April 21 | 10 AM | Scripps Cottage

The 1951 Refugee Convention and its 1967 Protocol are the foundational documents for our contemporary international refugee protection regime. These treaties set forth the definition of a refugee, and place an absolute prohibition on the return of refugees to persecution. Not withstanding the clear mandate of the Convention, countries of the global north, including the United States, have found ways to circumvent their obligations, and to refuse protection to those fleeing persecution. This talk will explore the practices adopted in the U.S., Australia, and the European Union which undermine the international protection system, with a focus on contemporary issues relating to refugees from Haiti and Central America at the U.S. southern border, Afghans fleeing the Taliban, and Ukrainians escaping the Russian invasion.

The Rogue Border: Legal and Political Violence of Border Enforcement in the Age of Asylum

Featuring Jeremy Slack, Ph.D.
University of Texas, El Paso

March 23 | 5:30 PM | PSFA 325 

The U.S. Mexico border has undergone a dramatic transformation. Since 2014, when women and children leaving Central America began to request and receive asylum there has been a shift away from individuals crossing the border and attempting to evade detection and live and work in the United States without documentation. This has led to more people seeking to turn themselves in to a Border Patrol agent, to begin the process for applying for asylum rather than evading detection. This talk will explore how border enforcement has essentially inverted its role from preventing people from ostensibly “breaking the law” by entering the United States without authorization, to instead focus on preventing people from accessing their legal right to asylum.

Sponsored by the Hansen Peace Chair, the Center for Human Rights, International Security and Conflict Resolution, the Department of Political Science, and LASSO.

Religion, Resistance, and Re-existence in Latin America: Legacies of Liberation Theology and Social Movements for Rethinking Peace

Featuring Israel Arturo Orrego-Ecehverria

Tuesday, October 26, 2021
4PM

This talk was originally planned to take place on October 12, marking 527 years to the day that Christopher Columbus set foot on dry land of the Western Hemisphere, in 1492. Through the prism of "Liberation Philosophy" and the legacies of liberation theology, Colombian philosopher Arturo Orrego explores ideas of Latin America, its configuration within frames of colonialism, and the possibilities that philosophies of liberation for dismantling colonialism and building peace. The lecture will also consider Latin American "identities" and the relation with diasporic communities in the United States, and the fraught relationship between United States imperialism and the intimacies of connection between the U.S. and Latin America.

Israel Arturo Orrego-Ecehverria is professor of philosophy, theology, and education at the National University of Colombia-Distance and the Free University of Colombia. He is co-leader of the research group Tlamatinime and the Center for Education for Development. Orrego is on the board of directors for the South American Association of Philosophy and Theology. He is the author and co-author of various books and articles, mostly focused on Education for Development from a Latin American perspective, political ontologies, and philosophy of liberation.

Part of the Religion and Revolution in Latin America Lecture Series, Supported by the class RELS 406: God, Gold, and Glory

Cosponsored with the Center for Latin American Studies and the Department for the Study of Religion

Religion, Politics, and Human Rights: Challenges for Building Peace in Colombia

Featuring Viviana Carolina Machuca Martinez 

Wednesday, October 27, 2021
4 PM

In 2016, the Colombian government arrived to a peace agreement with the largest and oldest insurgency army in the Western Hemisphere, the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia. After 60 years of war, Colombian society is forging toward a new horizon of peace with justice for all, with reparations for victims, and a renewed commitment to human rights and the empowerment of civil society. This talk will focus on the front-lines of coalition-based peacebuilding, with a focus on the importance of inter-religious, human rights-based advocacy and strategic political engagement.

Viviana is the Director of Inter-institutional Relations and Advocacy at World Vision Colombia, and is a civil society representative and advocate in areas of Youth and Child Empowerment and Protection with the National Family Welfare System. She has degree in Theological Sciences and holds an MA in Latin American Philosophy, with emphasis in Human Rights, Peace-building, and Gender Studies.

Part of the Hansen Lecture Series: "Peace on Frontlines"

Cosponsored with the Center for Latin American Studies and the Department for the Study of Religion

Peace Week San Diego 2021
September 18-26, 2021

A week-long+ series of events to promote peaceful co-existence in San Diego*

Kale Festival
Sept. 18
10:00 AM- 2:00 PM with Mindfulness Community Yoga, workshops and discussions celebrating Mutual Support
2:00 - 4:00 PM Treat M.I. Don't Mistreat M.I.

International Day of Peace 
Sept. 21
12 PM - 1:30 PM Community Dialogue: Reimagining Public Safety 4 All of Us.  On zoom. 
6:30 - 8:00PM  Breath of Life - A Restorative Circle 

Fall Equinox
Sept. 21
4 PM  WILPF Welcomes Peace San Diego! A meet & greet with the Women's International League for Peace and Freedom. In person, with social distancing & masks.
6:30 PM  Shining Peace with the Light Brigade

Kingian Nonviolence Workshop
Sept. 23
6:30 - 8:00 PM 

Taize for Peace and Reconciliation Vigil
Sept, 24
6:30 - 8:00 PM with the Franciscan Peace Connection, at the Church of the Brethren

*in collaboration with Campaign Nonviolence Week of Actions 2021 and the UN International Peace Day.

Hosted by the Peace Resource Center of San Diego