Middle East peace advocate Ronald J. Young to speak in Syracuse University’s Hendricks Chapel on March 25

Middle East peace advocate Ronald J. Young to speak in Syracuse University’s Hendricks Chapel on March 25March 21, 2003Kelly Homan Rodoskikahoman@syr.edu

Ronald J. Young, founder and executive director of the United States Interreligious Committee for Peace in the Middle East, will speak on the topic of “Prospects for Middle East Peace” on March 25 at 7 p.m. in Syracuse University’s Hendricks Chapel. The presentation is free and open to the public.

While on campus, Young will also meet with students in classes. His visit is co-sponsored by Hendricks Chapel, Hillel, The Department of Judaic Studies in The College of Arts and Sciences, the International Relations Program in the Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs, the Program on the Analysis and Resolution of Conflicts (PARC) in the Maxwell School and SAMED, a local Christian-Muslim-Jewish dialogue group.

The United States Interreligious Committee for Peace in the Middle East, established in 1987, is a national organization of 2,500 American Jews, Christians and Muslims working together for peace in the Middle East based on the deepest values in the three traditions. The committee carries on programs across the United States of dialogue, education and advocacy in support of active U.S. policies to encourage comprehensive and lasting peace between Israel, the Palestinians and the Arab states.

Young has spoken and written widely on the Middle East and interfaith cooperation; taught a course on the Arab-Israeli-Palestinian conflict at Haverford College; arranged Interfaith Convocations for Peace and Interfaith Prayer Services; produced resources on religion in the search for peace; arranged high level meetings with U.S. officials and with Israeli and Arab delegations to the peace talks; and organized and led annual Interreligious leadership trips to the Middle East. He and other leaders of the committee were invited by the White House to witness the signing of the historic Israel-PLO Declaration of Principles in 1993. Working with a nationwide network, Young provides action alerts to help counter partisan pressures in Congress that undermine the peace process.

For more information on Young’s visit, contact Joel Miller at (315) 569-2805.