Heller Documentary Film and Discussion Series presents, “Promises”

Preventing Electoral Violence:  The Role of the State, Civil Society and

the International Community

Wednesday, May 2, 2012

12:00 pm – 3:00 pm in Rappaporte Treasure Hall, Brandeis Campus

Hosted by the Justice, Peace and Conflict Working Group of the Heller School in conjunction with the Master’s Programs in Coexistence and Conflict, this symposium will focus on the roles of different stakeholders at the local, national and international levels in achieving non-violent elections. The objective will be to define and establish best electoral practices conducive to the promotion of peaceful coexistence, justice, and democracy. Speakers and practitioners will share insights and experiences on the electoral process and practices, highlighting lessons-learned and existing challenges. Discussion of recent cases, including Kenya, DRC, Senegal, and Myanmar, among others, will evaluate new developments, success stories, and failures in the prevention of electoral violence.

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NATO Videoconference:  “The Road to the Chicago Summit: The NATO Alliance in the 21st Century?” hosted by Antonella Cerasino

Friday, May 4th

9:00 am – 11:00 am in Room 147

(RSVP to Anne Gudaitis as space is extremely limited)

In the lead up to the Chicago Summit, NATO is launching the NATO Connect program—a series of video conferences with American universities and NATO officials to discuss Summit priorities. Brandeis is pleased to be participating and invites you to join this frank dialogue about security challenges facing the Alliance. The conference will last 60 minutes and include a 15-20 minute introduction by a NATO official, followed by an open discussion period with students. On

May 20 – 21, 2012, leaders from all NATO member countries, as well as from many of its partners, will gather at the Chicago Summit. This event will provide a forum for NATO leaders to assess efforts to address security challenges and demonstrate the importance and strength of the transatlantic bond. Antonella Cerasino is the Head of NATO Countries Section, Public Diplomacy Division.

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“Excellent Conflict Resolution Skills Make Excellent Street Cops”

presented by Dr. Christopher Cooper

Monday, May 7th

12:15 pm – 1:45 pm in Room G-1

A street cop’s toolbox must include conflict resolution skills.  In large American cities in particular, police officers assigned to patrol duties benefit when they possess the social and conflict resolution skills needed to stop and solve crimes, calm brawls, and to engender good police-community relations.  Dr. Cooper is a conflict resolution expert and lawyer who specializes in use of mediation in police-community relations. A New York City native, Dr. Cooper has been a Washington D.C. (Metropolitan) Police Officer, a United States Marine Sergeant and currently a Civil Rights attorney based in Chicago.

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“The Unconscious Motivations for War:  All For One and One For All”

presented by Dr. Ron Aviram

Tuesday, May 8th

12:00 pm – 2:00 pm in Room G-4

Intergroup conflict is a continuous human problem.  How is war dependent upon the psychological relationship of the individual with large groups in society (Nations)?  How do unconscious processes associated with group belonging influence behavior?  A contemporary psychoanalytic understanding of the relationship between the person and the large group will be discussed.  Our ability to understand the psychological processes that are associated with human destructiveness may help us find novel approaches to minimize the potential for war.Dr. Aviram is a licensed clinical psychologist and certified psychoanalyst and maintains a private practice in New York City.  He is an Instructor in Clinical Psychology (in Psychiatry) at Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons and a supervisor of psychotherapy at New York Presbyterian Hospital and the clinical psychology graduate program at Pace University.

GREAT TEACH-IN ON THE GREAT LAWN – Occupy Brandeis

Come join us for Occupy Brandeis: The Great Teach-In on the Great Lawn

Tuesday, April 24th, 2012

10am-8pm

The teach-in is an opportunity to hear from many exceptional activists–student, faculty, and others. Speakers include Brandeis Professors and President Fred Lawrence!

(rain location: Shapiro Campus Center Atrium)

AS WE COME MARCHING Celebrating the 100th Anniversary of the Bread and Roses Strike

AS WE COME MARCHING
Celebrating the 100th Anniversary of the Bread and Roses Strike
Sunday, April 29
4:00-5:30pm
Boston Teachers Union
180 Mt. Vernon Street, Dorchester, MA 02125

An all ages interactive concert to celebrate the Bread & Roses centennial and worker and immigrant rights. Join the Boston Workmen’s Circle Center for Jewish Culture and Social Justice as we march to the beat of drumming, picket lines and protest songs! Tickets: $15 in advance, $18 at the door, $5 limited income, children under 18 free of charge. www.circleboston.org

WATCH Out! Run and Walk — Sunday, April 22nd!

When? Sunday, April 22nd 10-11am (meet at the great lawn to start the run)

Why? To raise funds for the Waltham Alliance To Create Housing Emergency Funds Assistance Program to help provide emergency grants for low-income residents in need housing.

 Interested? $10 to register (includes a free wristband, free snacks and motivation along the way!). Buy tickets at: SCC box office: open Monday-Friday 12-6pm and Saturday 12-4pm, or by calling 781-736-3400

Buy your ticket at the SCC box office today!

Peace Prize Presentations–Thank You For Attending!

Thank you to everyone who attended the Davis and Karpf & Hahn Peace Prize presentations last Friday, and a very special thanks to the amazing presenters and their willingness to share their incredible work with the Brandeis community. Irfan Amali spoke of his work in educating Muslim children in non-violence, and of the challenges he often had to overcome in mediating between Christian and Muslim students in the same classroom, which speaks volumes to his dedication to instilling peaceful ideals in the next generation of youth. Renana Gal spoke passionately about her highly creative experiences using theater to create a safe environment for young women and children to address the devastating effects of HIV/AIDS in Rwanda. Kayla Dinces and Lena Morrison inspired us by detailing their plan to empower women by educating them on sex, women’s rights, HIV/AIDS and abuse in Zimbabwe, a highly patriarchal society. Jessye Kass spoke of founding the Attukwei Art Foundation in Ghana, an organization that is committed to bringing art projects to children in underprivileged areas, as well as to children in hospitals with HIV/AIDS and in illegal settlements. All of you deeply impressed the attendees and we are greatly looking forward to hearing more about your work this summer when next year comes around!