Two Nobel Peace Prize laureates to present Oct. 10 installment of the University Lectures

Two Nobel Peace Prize laureates to present Oct. 10 installment of the University LecturesSeptember 20, 2002Patrick Farrellpmfarrel@syr.edu

Editor’s Note: Jody Williams and Betty Williams will be available for media interviews. To arrange an interview time, please call SU News Services at 443-3784.

Against a backdrop of escalating Middle East tension, and on the eve of the fifth anniversary of the international treaty to ban land mines, the University Lectures is proud to present two extraordinary women for a compelling discussion about issues affecting peace in the world today. “Working Toward Peace: An Evening with Nobel Peace Prize Winners Jody Williams and Betty Williams” will take place at 7:30 p.m. Oct. 10 in Syracuse University’s Hendricks Chapel. Thomas Wolfe, dean of Hendricks Chapel, will moderate the discussion. The event is free and open to the public.

Jody Williams of Putney, Vt., founded the International Campaign to Ban Landmines (ICBL) in 1992. Since then, she has overseen the growth of the ICBL to more than 1,000 NGOs in more than 60 countries. Working in an unprecedented cooperative effort with governments, the United Nations and the International Committee of the Red Cross, the ICBL achieved its goal of an international treaty banning antipersonnel landmines during the diplomatic conference held in Oslo, Norway, in September 1997. Williams received the Nobel Peace Prize that same year.

Betty Williams was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for her work against violence in her native Northern Ireland. Williams is a co-founder of the Community of Peace People, an organization that is still involved in the betterment of life in Northern Ireland. In addition, she has traveled extensively, working with fellow Nobel Laureates in trouble spots throughout the world where the cause of peace and especially the safety and well being of children is a risk.

By taking the initiative and creating grassroots organizations in support of their causes, both women have brought peace to troubled areas of the globe. They demonstrate that independent, private citizens of good conscience, working on behalf of a powerful cause, can truly change the world.

The University Lectures is a cross-disciplinary lecture series that brings to the University individuals of exceptional accomplishment in the areas of architecture and design; the humanities and the sciences; and public policy, management and communications. The series is consistent with the goals of the University’s Academic Plan directed at expanding multidisciplinary discourse for students, faculty and staff. The series is generously supported by the University’s Trustees, alumni and friends.

Further information about the University Lectures can be found on the Web at http://provost.syr.edu/lectures/future.asp or by calling 315-443-2941.