2/07: Nobel Peace Laureate Rigoberta Menchú, awarded in 1992 for her efforts on behalf of Indigenous Peoples' rights; and Arun Gandhi, who co-founded with his wife, Sunanda, the M.K. Gandhi Institute for Nonviolence at Christian Brothers University in Memphis in 1991, will join Nobel Peace Laureate Jody Williams as keynote speakers at the World Peace Conference May 16-17, 2007 in Santa Fe.
The New Mexico Tourism Department is overseeing the Conference, entitled "Building a Culture of Peace."
"We are honored to announce the participation of Ms. Menchú, Ms. Williams and Mr. Gandhi at the Conference," said Michael Cerletti, Secretary of the New Mexico Tourism Department.
Rigoberta Menchú was born into poverty in a small Guatemalan village, where she worked with her parents, tending corn and beans on their small plot. Her father, Vicente, was one of the first in their region to seek justice and a better life for the Indian people. He began a struggle to improve the conditions of the peasant workers and was burned to death during a protest. Her mother was killed a few weeks later by the government. Rather than destroying her, these atrocities strengthened Rigoberta Menchú's resolve to win freedom for her people.
Self-educated, she is a natural leader with great intelligence. She became an active political worker in labor, campesino and human rights groups. In 1983 her testimonial book, "I, Rigoberta Menchú, An Indian Woman in Guatemala, "was published to high acclaim.
Rigoberta Menchú was the first Indigenous and the youngest person ever to receive the Nobel Peace Prize. To her, the Prize "acknowledges the struggles of Indigenous peoples. It is also a symbolic recognition of the victims of repression, racism and poverty, as well as paying homage to Indigenous women."
Arun Gandhi carries within himself the same guiding principles as his grandfather, the legendary peace fighter and spiritual leader, Mohandas K. Gandhi, also known as Mahatma Gandhi.
Growing up in apartheid South Africa as a person of Indian heritage meant racial confrontations with both blacks and whites. As a young boy, Gandhi was beaten up by both black and white youths. At the age of 12, he was sent to spend 18 months with his grandfather, one of the world's great leaders, who would give him the keys to the powerful philosophy of nonviolence, and help shape the foundation for his life's work. It was a dangerous and exciting time, as Mahatma Gandhi was leading the people of India in their revolutionary, nonviolent struggle for independence from British rule.
After leading successful projects for economic and social reform in India, Arun Gandhi came to the United States in 1988 to complete research for a comparative study on racism in America. The mission of the M.K. Gandhi Institute for Nonviolence, founded three years later, is to foster understanding of nonviolence and to put that philosophy to practical use through workshops, lectures, and community outreach programs.
A speaker of international acclaim, Gandhi's unique talents and cross-cultural experiences have brought him before governmental, social, and educational audiences in countries all over the world, including Croatia, France, Ireland, Holland, Lithuania, and Nicaragua. He is a cultural treasure, offering firsthand insights into one of history's most influential leaders.
Jody Williams, who received the Nobel Peace Prize in 1997 for her work to eliminate antipersonnel landmines, serves as an Ambassador for the International Campaign to Ban Landmines (ICBL), which she helped create, speaking on its behalf all over the world. She is only the 10th woman in its 101-year history to be awarded the Peace Prize, and just the third woman from the United States to be so honored. An international organizer and activist, teacher and writer, Williams speaks on human rights and international law, the role of civil society in international diplomacy, and individual initiative in bringing about social change.
Dr. Louise Diamond, a noted global peace builder and author of The Peace Book, is spearheading the conference content and design.
Marjorie Mann, producer of the event for the Tourism Department, said, "We are excited by the inclusion of Rigoberta Menchú and Arun Gandhi, in addition to Jody Williams, as conference participants. We are energized by the community interest on both a local and national level, and we will continue to keep the public informed regarding conference format, agenda, location and content as it is designed by our conference planning team."
For more information about the World Peace Conference, contact Marjorie Mann, 505-827-6461 or marjorie.mann@state.nm.us.
The New Mexico Tourism Department is overseeing the Conference, entitled "Building a Culture of Peace."
"We are honored to announce the participation of Ms. Menchú, Ms. Williams and Mr. Gandhi at the Conference," said Michael Cerletti, Secretary of the New Mexico Tourism Department.
Rigoberta Menchú was born into poverty in a small Guatemalan village, where she worked with her parents, tending corn and beans on their small plot. Her father, Vicente, was one of the first in their region to seek justice and a better life for the Indian people. He began a struggle to improve the conditions of the peasant workers and was burned to death during a protest. Her mother was killed a few weeks later by the government. Rather than destroying her, these atrocities strengthened Rigoberta Menchú's resolve to win freedom for her people.
Self-educated, she is a natural leader with great intelligence. She became an active political worker in labor, campesino and human rights groups. In 1983 her testimonial book, "I, Rigoberta Menchú, An Indian Woman in Guatemala, "was published to high acclaim.
Rigoberta Menchú was the first Indigenous and the youngest person ever to receive the Nobel Peace Prize. To her, the Prize "acknowledges the struggles of Indigenous peoples. It is also a symbolic recognition of the victims of repression, racism and poverty, as well as paying homage to Indigenous women."
Arun Gandhi carries within himself the same guiding principles as his grandfather, the legendary peace fighter and spiritual leader, Mohandas K. Gandhi, also known as Mahatma Gandhi.
Growing up in apartheid South Africa as a person of Indian heritage meant racial confrontations with both blacks and whites. As a young boy, Gandhi was beaten up by both black and white youths. At the age of 12, he was sent to spend 18 months with his grandfather, one of the world's great leaders, who would give him the keys to the powerful philosophy of nonviolence, and help shape the foundation for his life's work. It was a dangerous and exciting time, as Mahatma Gandhi was leading the people of India in their revolutionary, nonviolent struggle for independence from British rule.
After leading successful projects for economic and social reform in India, Arun Gandhi came to the United States in 1988 to complete research for a comparative study on racism in America. The mission of the M.K. Gandhi Institute for Nonviolence, founded three years later, is to foster understanding of nonviolence and to put that philosophy to practical use through workshops, lectures, and community outreach programs.
A speaker of international acclaim, Gandhi's unique talents and cross-cultural experiences have brought him before governmental, social, and educational audiences in countries all over the world, including Croatia, France, Ireland, Holland, Lithuania, and Nicaragua. He is a cultural treasure, offering firsthand insights into one of history's most influential leaders.
Jody Williams, who received the Nobel Peace Prize in 1997 for her work to eliminate antipersonnel landmines, serves as an Ambassador for the International Campaign to Ban Landmines (ICBL), which she helped create, speaking on its behalf all over the world. She is only the 10th woman in its 101-year history to be awarded the Peace Prize, and just the third woman from the United States to be so honored. An international organizer and activist, teacher and writer, Williams speaks on human rights and international law, the role of civil society in international diplomacy, and individual initiative in bringing about social change.
Dr. Louise Diamond, a noted global peace builder and author of The Peace Book, is spearheading the conference content and design.
Marjorie Mann, producer of the event for the Tourism Department, said, "We are excited by the inclusion of Rigoberta Menchú and Arun Gandhi, in addition to Jody Williams, as conference participants. We are energized by the community interest on both a local and national level, and we will continue to keep the public informed regarding conference format, agenda, location and content as it is designed by our conference planning team."
For more information about the World Peace Conference, contact Marjorie Mann, 505-827-6461 or marjorie.mann@state.nm.us.