Workshops
Workshops will be offered in two sessions: 3:10 - 4:00 pm & 4:10 - 5:00 pm
For further workshop info contact
Workshop Committee Chair, Jo Peterson, at 350-3019
3:10 pm workshops
“Spiritual Left”
Jim Orwig, LMHP, facilitator, Member, Sacred Heart Church
A panel presentation with community spiritual leaders that explores the question, “How can members of diverse spiritual traditions speak prophetically to our communities against war and for a progressive vision of government?” Q and A to follow.
“Two Peoples, One Future: A Jewish voice for peace”
Lynn Pollack is an active member of Not in My Name: A Jewish Voice for Peace in Chicago and was a member of an interfaith Fellowship of Reconciliation peace tour to Israel and the West Bank.
This workshop will explore the myth of Jewish support for the occupation of Palestine and critically analyze the media bias related to the Israeli/Palestinian issue.
“A Doctor’s Personal Journey to Iran: Assessing the Nuclear Threat: Health Effects of War”
Catherine Thomasson, M.D. National board president of Physicians for Social Responsibility
Dr. Thomasson, who has just returned from a 2 week trip to Iran with Fellowship of Reconciliation, will discuss her meetings and observations there.
“The History of Iraq and the current situation”
Jeffrey J. Weiss is the Education Director for the American Friends Service Committee from the Iowa Office. He has a master’s degree in Political Science with an emphasis on international law and global media. Jeffrey Weiss has conducted dozens of lectures and workshops on U.S. foreign policy in the Middle East, the history of Iraq and the topic of terrorism.
This workshop will feature a short lecture about the history and the current situation in Iraq, followed by Q and A.
The American Friends Service Committee is a non-governmental organization with observer status at the United Nations through the Quaker United Nations Office.
“Students for Peace and Justice”
Facilitator: Patty Carlson, UNO School of Social Work
Facilitator: Lori Young, United Christian Ministries in Higher Education, UNO
Mandy Lozier, Student Social Work Organization, UNO
Katie Ladd, Feminine Majority Leadership Alliance
The focus of this panel will be to bring together campus student organizations to network, and learn about activities for peace and justice at other campuses. Campus representatives will be available from UNO, Creighton and Dana College to name a few!
All students are welcome!
4:10 pm workshops
“Peace Tax Fund: A legal option to pay for peace – not war”
Carol Windrum, National board member of the Peace Tax Fund and UNO Gandhi Award winner
If passed by the U.S. Congress, the “Religious Freedom Tax Fund Bill” would establish a fund from taxes paid by conscientious objectors for non military purposes. Come see how you can support this important effort!
“What is Terrorism?”
Jeffrey J. Weiss, Education Director for the American Friends Service Committee, Iowa Office.
This interactive workshop explores and defines the concept and it’s meaning vis-à-vis international law.
“Progressive Organizing”
Jack Dunn, retired psychotherapist and founder of Progressive Omaha
This panel presentation provides a forum for local grassroots groups to network and share ideas about the impact of war on people here at home.
Panelists include:
Clyde Anderson - OTOC and The Sierra Club
Preston Love, Jr - North Omaha Activist
Willie Hamilton - Native American / North Omaha / South Omaha (NANOSO)
Rebecca Valdez - the Chicano Awareness Center
Jerry Ebner – Omaha Catholic Worker
ACORN (Association of Community Organizations for Reform Now) representative
“What every Nebraskan Needs to Know about StratCom”
Tim Rinne, Statewide Coordinator of Nebraskans for Peace
Since 9/11, U.S. Strategic Command in Omaha has undergone a drastic makeover in its role and mission. This “New StratCom” has already drawn up the war plans for an air assault on Iran’s nuclear facilities and, given the word, will direct the attack. It has the capacity to spy on civilians and under the “pre-emption doctrine” it’s authorized to attack anywhere on the planet if U.S. interests are threatened. It is secretive, destabilizing – and in Nebraska. Come learn more.
“Independent Television Omaha: Bringing television about war, peace and justice to Omaha”
Frances Mendenhall, DDS
The founding editor of what was once, WHAMO, the World-Herald Attitude Monitoring Operation. Currently, Frances has been challenging the city council to implement the contract between itself and Cox Communications.
It has been said that the first casualty of war is the truth. War and injustice depend upon lies that are often repeated by the corporate media. Thus, there can be no real peace and lasting justice without media reform.
This workshop will focus on the rationale for, and efforts toward, lobbying city hall to enforce its contract with Cox Cable and require Cox deliver the 14 public access channels it owes the city.
Omaha has a chance to reclaim a piece of the broadcast media and use it to air programs like Democracy Now! Join our workshop to learn how you can help.
Theater
VOCES
VOCES is a dramatic presentation that gives voice to the voiceless—the untold stories of courage and perseverance that makes the Americas such a rich amalgam of human “voices”. It is a combination of personal testimonies and shared stories that dare to tell what happens when people cross the border in search of a better existence.
The show tours the Omaha area thanks to a grant from the Nebraska Arts Council and the moral support and conviction of the Omaha Theater Company
“Sacred lands Sacred Earth”
A presentation workshop with report on Bear Butte, Uranium mining in NE, Black Mesa and Pahuk in NE. This will be an overview of few places where native people are struggling to keep protected sacred areas for future generations.
Basic Techniques of the Theatre of the Oppressed
Doug Patterson, PhD
UNO Department of Theatre
This workshop features the revolutionary techniques developed by Brazilian theatre maker Augusto Boal. For nearly 40 years communities around the world have been taking up these tools of community dialogue and transformation.
Participants will learn several, of the many, basic Theater of the Oppressed games. Participants will create theatre that invites the community to practice changing the world.