Interactive Peacebuilding Workshop Oct. 3&4

World Politics in the Twenty-first Century

An interactive workshop about the local approach to global issues
October 3, 2015
1:30-4:30 pm
The Paradoxical Role of the United Nations
Sunday service topic
October 4, 2015
10:30 am

HUNTINGTON, New York (August 19, 2015)–On Saturday, Oct. 3, from 1:30-4:30 pm at the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Huntington, an interactive workshop,World Politics in the Twenty-first Century – Is Peace Possible?, will be presented by Dr. Ann Kelleher, an author and senior researcher and educator for The Junction, a peace organization in Derry/Londonderry, Northern Ireland. The workshop addresses these issues, including the mix of long-term trends and chronic issues impacting specific world regions, among them the legacies of colonialism, including arbitrarily drawing state borders without regard for local identities or interests; declining quality of life and standards of living; autocratic rule often accompanied by cronyism and denial of human rights; and an erosion of the natural environment’s capacity.

“A common perception at the end of the Cold War assumed that a `new world order’ would ensue, allowing a peaceful engagement among world powers,” says Dr. Kelleher. “Yet while world large-scale interstate wars have diminished, intrastate wars have escalated to the point where we now talk about failing and failed states. So what happened to the hope for a more peaceful world?”

The workshop, part of the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Huntington’s new Global Perspective Event Series, will offer a local approach to learning about global issues.

“Focusing on how people in a specific location and circumstances experience the effects of worldwide trends and related issues can provide an effective way to learn about why international events happen,” says Dr. Kelleher. “Such an approach also can broaden our perspective on the global issues we all face.”

At the 10:30 worship service on Oct. 4, Dr. Kelleher will speak about The Paradoxical Role of the United Nations. “The UN is a group of sovereign states. It cannot be looked to as a policy-making body,” she says. “It is, however, a moral body at its base, so it must keep presenting itself as a force for peace in the world.”

Pre-registration for the workshop can be made to the office either by phone (631-427-9547) or email (info@uufh.org). There’s a $10 suggested donation at the door. Refreshments will be served. This event is made possible by the generous bequest of long-time UUFH member Johanna Van Roy in living memory of her son Peter. For more information, please contact Liza Burby at 631-673-4082.

Services and Religious Education are held each Sunday at 10:30 am at the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Huntington, 109 Browns Road. For more information, visit www.uufh.org or call 631-427-9547.