SU to host international peace summit Oct. 18; evening concert to follow summit theme

SU to host international peace summit Oct. 18; evening concert to follow summit themeSeptember 18, 2006Kevin Morrowkdmorrow@syr.edu

Some of the world’s leading diplomats and human rights activists will congregate at Syracuse University Wednesday, Oct. 18, to participate in an international summit focused on practical solutions for peace. The event, titled “Small World/Big Divides: Building Bridges in an Age of Extremes,” is a series of consecutive panel discussions that will discuss critically what solutions for peace are working and which are not, and then establish a foundation for strategies that can be successful in the “real world.”

“Small World/Big Divides” will take place from 1-4:30 p.m. in Goldstein Auditorium in the Hildegarde and J. Myer Schine Student Center. The event is free and open to the public; however, seating is limited. Tickets can be reserved by phone, 1-866-933-3334, or via e-mail, bridges@syr.edu.

Following the summit, Syracuse University and the University Union Concert Board will sponsor a concert starring Matisyahu and featuring Kenny Muhammad, the Human Orchestra; and State Radio. The concert, which will take place at 7:30 p.m. at the Landmark Theatre, will continue the discussions of the day by promoting peace and social engagement. Tickets go on sale to the public at 10 a.m. on Tuesday, Sept. 19, and are available through ticketmaster.com and the Landmark Theatre box office for $32 and $52 (including the Landmark Theatre restoration fee).

“The Oct. 18 summit is an ambitious attempt at global citizenship in Syracuse, aimed at finding solutions to current threats by acting as a site of convergence for the important dialogues that we need to take place so urgently,” says SU Chancellor and President Nancy Cantor. “The concert in the evening will echo the theme of the day — bringing together artists of different backgrounds who share an approach that bridges traditional divides.”

The summit will mark the official naming of The Robert B. Menschel University Lectures, a cross-disciplinary speaker series that brings to the University an array of the world’s finest academicians, architects, designers, writers, business and media experts and political leaders. The series is supported by the generosity of Robert B. Menschel, a 1951 SU graduate.

Confirmed participants for the “Small World/Big Divides” summit include:

Ismael Ahmed, executive director, ACCESS (Arab Community Center for Economic and Social Services, Michigan);

Hanan Ashrawi, Palestinian legislator and scholar, former spokesperson of the Palestinian Delegation to the Middle East Peace Process;

David Crane L’80, former chief prosecutor of the Special Court for Sierra Leone; Distinguished Visiting Professor of Law at Syracuse University;

Vartan Gregorian, president of the Carnegie Corp. of New York;

Richard Holbrooke, former U.S. ambassador to the United Nations;

Rami Khouri ’70, G’98, editor at large of the Beirut-based Middle East regional newspaper The Daily Star and director of the Issam Fares Institute of Public Policy and International Affairs at American University of Beirut;

Kati Marton, author and human rights advocate;

Itamar Rabinovich, president of Tel Aviv University;

Dennis Ross, author and diplomat, and Ziegler Distinguished Fellow at the Washington Institute;

William Safire ’51, Pulitzer Prize-winning columnist and chairman of The Dana Foundation; and

Diane Weathers ’71, human rights advocate and former editor-in-chief of Essence magazine.

Further information about the event is available at http://www.buildingbridges.syr.edu.

Following is additional information on the concert performers.

Matisyahu

With his electrifying fusion of orthodox Judaism and classic reggae music, Matisyahu has enjoyed phenomenal success after the release of his 2004 debut, “Shake off the dust…ARISE,” and last year’s acclaimed “Live At Stubb’s.” The young man formerly known as Matthew Miller, experienced a monumental odyssey, which took him on to Colorado, Israel, Oregon and New York City before discovering his path — and voice — as Matisyahu (the Hebrew equivalent of “Matthew” and the name he became known by when he became observant). He not only heard a profound spiritual calling but also discerned a revolutionary way to share his discoveries and reflections, via the reggae and hip-hop sounds that had long been an integral part of his day-to-day life.

Kenny Muhammad

Known as “The Human Orchestra,” Kenny Muhammad performs an unlimited array of musical composition without the use of what the average listener would consider to be instruments. He has put an entirely new twist on the art that some would call the human beat box, defining the human body as the first instrument. Using his body alone, Muhammad summons Afro Cuban, jazz, rock, reggae, salsa, house, techno, jungle, drum and bass, trance, and hip-hop rhythms from the depths of his soul to create amazing music. He has performed with The New York Symphony Orchestra at Manhattan Center (conducted by David Eaton) and at The King Sey Jung Hall in Seoul Korea with violinist Eugene Park (Sony). He has appeared on the CBS’ “The Early Show” and WNYW-TV/New York’s “Good Day New York,” and was a three-time consecutive winner on “Showtime At The Apollo.”

State Radio

A rock/reggae/Indie band from Cambridge, Mass., State Radio has been nominated for three Boston Music Awards: Outstanding Act of the Year, Album of the Year (Indie), and Outstanding Male Vocalist (Chad Urmston). Their albums include “Us Against the Crown,” “Peace Between Nations” and “Flag of the Shiners.” State Radio has played at numerous concerts with such acts as Ozomatli, The Wailers and Donavon Frankenreiter, and at antiwar rallies and shows. At each show, State Radio encourages fans to take their own action. Listeners usually leave concerts imbued with the importance of registering to vote and supporting the causes in which they believe.