The Valpo Core

CORE Students! Join Amnesty International at our CORE approved information and discussion forum on child soldiers. As you learned from reading Ishmael Beah’s book, the situation of child soldiers continues in several countries around the world. After reading and discussing the book you may have had some unanswered questions, and after hearing Ishmael Beah speak, you may be wondering how you can help out. Come out to this event for information, discussion and ways to help prevent stories like Ishmael Beah’s from becoming realities for anyone else!

The event will be held from 7pm-8pm, Wednesday, April 1st, in the Alumni Room of the Harre Union.

Hope to see you there!

Colombian human rights worker Abilio Peña will speak on campus Thursday, 11/20, at 4 pm in the Christopher Center Community Room.

Abilio Peña is an important human rights defender and leader of the ecumenical Comision Interreclesial de Justicia y Paz (Inter-Church Justice and Peace Commission). The Inter-Church Justice and Peace Commission works in the Chocó department of Colombia to denounce the illegal acquisition of traditionally collective Afro-Colombian land by paramilitary groups.  He has extensive knowledge of the situation in  Colombia, potential effects of the pending US-Colombia Free Trade Agreement in his region, the increase in violence, and threats towards human rights workers and communities who speak out against impunity. Mr. Peña, a lay theologian, is a skilled public speaker who clearly and proficiently draws audiences into the reality of Colombia through his personal stories and experiences.  His visit is coming only months after he received death threats from the paramilitary group Aguilas Negras.

This event is cosponsored by SALT (Chapel of the Resurrection), the Spanish Department and Amnesty International.